Firestick and Roku are the two undisputed leaders in the world of streaming devices. The addition of Roku TVs has combined the best of both worlds between the traditional television experience and streaming devices. So, can you use a Firestick on a Roku TV?
You can use a Firestick on a Roku TV if you plug it into one of the HDMI ports. Connect the Firestick to one of the HDMI ports, plug the power adapter into it, and connect the adapter to the wall. Switch the input with your Roku remote and select the input that your Firestick is connected to.
Check to make sure that the Firestick is tightly connected to the HDMI port or else it won’t work. Roku offers more apps, but many users prefer Firestick’s performance so it’s convenient to use both. Follow along as we explore how you can use a Firestick on a Roku TV to access both streaming devices.
Will a Firestick Work on a Roku TV?
You can use a Firestick on a Roku TV if you plug it into one of the HDMI ports. Once you’ve done this, you can hop back and forth between using the Firestick and using the Roku TV as usual. You will need to use the Firestick remote to control the Fire TV and the Roku remote to control the Roku applications.
The main appeal of plugging a Firestick into a Roku TV is that you can access some applications that aren’t available on Roku. It is also useful if you are already signed into applications on your Firestick so that you don’t have to reenter information. Another benefit of having both a Roku TV and a Firestick is that you can take your Firestick with you on the go.
This will give you access to all of your applications when you are away from your Roku TV. It’s also a great option if your Roku TV is new and you aren’t quite used to the interface compared to the Firestick.
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How Do I Connect my Firestick to my Roku?
You can easily connect your Firestick to a Roku TV like you would with any other TV. All that you need is your Firestick, power adapter, Firestick remote, and Roku remote. Let’s take a look at how you can connect a Firestick to your Roku TV.
1. Plug in Your Firestick
Check out the HDMI ports on the side or back of your Roku TV. Select an HDMI port that you want to use for your Firestick. Plug your Firestick into the HDMI port on your Roku TV, and plug it into your Firestick’s power adapter. Connect the power adapter to a wall outlet and turn on the TV.
2. Name the Input
Check the HDMI port that your Firestick is plugged into to make sure that you select the correct input. Go to the Settings tab on the home screen and select Inputs. Scroll through the list of inputs until you land on the one that your Firestick is connected to.
Hold the options button on the Roku remote and select Rename Input. Select a name for your Firestick input so that you always know which one to connect to.
3. Change the Input
Now, change the input to your Firestick to access Fire TV. You can switch to using your Fire TV remote now. Use the Roku TV remote if you want to access your Roku or change the input.
Firestick Not Working on Roku TV
Your Firestick won’t work on Roku TV if it’s not connected to the power adapter. New users understandably often forget this step after plugging the Firestick into the HDMI port. The power adapter connects to the Firestick and the power outlet.
Restart Your Firestick
Reset your Firestick if it’s barely working on your Roku TV. This isn’t likely because it’s plugged into your Roku TV, however. Poor performance can happen when you plug a Firestick into any type of TV whether it’s a smart TV or not.
Luckily, you can restart your Firestick if it’s working just well enough for you to access the settings menu. Press the home button on your Firestick remote to open the settings menu and scroll to select the Device tab. Select Restart under the settings tab and give your Firestick a minute to see if restarting it helps.
Reconnect it to the HDMI Port
A loose connection in an HDMI port can prevent your Firestick from working on a Roku TV. Check your HDMI port and push your Firestick further into it to ensure a strong connection. You may have to unplug the Firestick altogether and plug it back in for it to work.
It’s easy for a Firestick to knock loose if the power adapter is in a spot where it could get tugged on. Try to tuck your power adapter against the wall or your media center so it won’t catch your feet. Otherwise, you risk tripping on the power adapter and pulling the Firestick out of the HDMI port.
Reset Your Wi-Fi Router
Check to see if your Wi-Fi is out if your Firestick isn’t working on your Roku TV. You can tell that this is the problem if both the Roku TV and Firestick cannot access the streaming services. Inspect your Wi-Fi router and look for a red light that indicates there is no Internet connection.
You can typically fix this problem if you reset and power cycle your Wi-Fi router. Unplug the wires from the back of your Wi-Fi router. Let the router sit unplugged for between 30 and 60 seconds, then plug them back to reset it.
Turn your Roku TV back on and check to see if your Firestick works. If not, you may need to power cycle your Wi-Fi router again. Otherwise, it’s a sign that there is either a Wi-Fi service outage in your area or that there you need to replace your router.
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Reset to Factory Defaults
You may need to factory reset your Firestick as a last-ditch effort if it won’t work on your Roku TV. This is a great option if your Roku TV works perfectly but the Firestick struggles to perform well. Press the Home button to pull up the Settings and select My Fire TV.
Scroll down to Reset Factory Defaults below the Restart tab. Exercise caution, however, because this will remove all of the data and sign you out from all of the apps. Only reset your Firestick to factory defaults if you have all of your login information on hand or in your head.
Once you are ready, you can simply press Reset Factory Defaults. You will need to reenter all of your login information and sign back in. It is a drastic measure, but it’s a great way to ensure that your Firestick will work on your Roku TV if nothing else helps.
Can Roku and Firestick be Used on the Same TV?
Roku and Firestick can be used on the same TV as long as you have 2 open HDMI slots. You can plug each device into an HDMI slot and swap between them by changing the input or using the Roku or Firestick remote. Keep track of your remotes, however, because each streaming device will only work with its respective remote.
It’s also a good idea to take note of which input each device is plugged into. That way, you won’t have to guess each time that you switch between devices on your TV. Some modern smart TVs will automatically recognize a Roku or Firestick when it’s plugged in, but that’s not always the case.
You can simply rename each input so that you know which one it is to save time. Most modern TVs let you modify an input’s name from the home page on a smart unit or settings on a standard television.
This is a great option if you want to access cable and as many streaming services and apps as you want. It’s also a nice option if someone comes over and wants to plug their Roku or Firestick into your TV.
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Is Roku or Firestick Better?
Roku and Firestick are nearly identical in terms of quality, performance, concept, and function. However, many users consider Roku better than Firestick because it includes many more apps. Some Firestick models, such as the Firestick 4K offer better performance than Firestick but with fewer options.
The Roku app store is home to more than 10,000 apps which is much more than Firestick. Luckily, you don’t have to choose between either device because you can use them both on the same TV. You can plug your Roku into an Amazon Fire TV just as a Firestick works on a Roku TV.
Both devices are effective and convenient, but Roku is better for users that want more variety. With that said, Roku and Firestick share most of the same key apps so you can use all of the major streaming services on either device.
So, What’s the Best Solution?
All that you need to do is plug your Firestick into one of the HDMI ports on your Roku TV. Make sure to connect the power adapter to your Firestick and plug the adapter into the wall. Turn on the TV with your Roku remote and change the input on the home page.
It is helpful to name the Firestick input so that you can quickly access it without swapping through inputs. From there, you can switch to your Firestick remote to use Fire TV and use all of the apps. You can use both a Firestick and Roku on a standard TV as long as you have multiple HDMI ports.
Roku offers more apps than Firestick with over 10,000 available for you to download. Firestick has fewer apps, but it’s worth it to use both because of the affordability and convenience. You can plug a Roku into a Fire TV just like you can plug a Firestick into a Roku TV.
