Nothing is worse than when you can’t even use the official remote to fix a problem with your Firestick. Fire TV is trustworthy, but problems still occur, and it is a major headache when you can’t even use your remote to solve the issue. Understandably, many users struggle with how to reset a Firestick without a remote.
The best way to reset a Firestick without a remote is to download the Fire TV app on your smartphone. Connect the app to your Firestick, go to the main menu, and select “My Fire TV”. Scroll down past “Restart” and select “Reset to Factory Defaults” to reset your Firestick without using the official remote that came with it.
You can also use the Fire TV app to connect an HDMI-CEC controller to your Firestick. However, it is easier to simply use the app because it is necessary to connect any alternative to a remote anyway. Follow along as we explore how to reset your Firestick without a remote.
Can I Reset Firestick Without Remote?
You can reset your Firestick without the official remote with an alternative method. The best way to control your Firestick is with the official remote, but that isn’t always an option.
Fire TV remotes are quite small and easy to lose which can leave users at a loss. You also may need an alternative if your Fire TV remote recently ran out of batteries and you have none to replace them with.
There are several options to reset a Firestick without a remote, but the best way is to use the Fire TV app. You often need to use the Fire TV app to reset your Firestick without a remote.
For example, you can reset your Firestick with an HDMI-CEC controller, but you need to use the app to enable it.
This is also the case if you want to reset your Firestick with a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard. It is necessary to reset your Firestick to its factory default settings if you have a problem with malware or the firmware is out of date.
This is yet another reason why it is inadvisable to sideload apps onto your Firestick. Let’s take a look at the best ways to reset your Firestick without a remote.
How to Reset Firestick Without Remote
1. Use HDMI-CEC Controller
An HDMI-CEC controller, or consumer electronics controller, is a great way to reset your Firestick without a remote.
This option lets you control your Firestick using your standard TV remote, and it is easy to set it up. You can enable your HDMI-CEC controller via the Fire TV app on your smartphone.
Download the Fire TV app and connect it to your Firestick via the list of available devices. Select your Firestick and it will let you take control of your TV. From there, you can scroll through your Firestick’s homepage until you reach the settings menu.
Find the “Display and Sounds” option, click on it, and scroll down to HDMI-CEC Device Control. The standard setting for HDMI-CEC Device Control is “Off”. Simply switch it to “On” and you will be able to use your HDMI-CEC Controller to reset your Firestick.
Go back to the homepage using your HDMI-CEC controller and scroll down to “My Fire TV”. Click on it and select “Reset to Factory Defaults” underneath “Restart”. This will reset your Firestick.
2. Connect a Keyboard to your TV
You can connect a keyboard to your TV to reset your Firestick as long as it is Bluetooth enabled. USB-enabled keyboards don’t work with standard Firesticks, unfortunately. It is wise to connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your Firestick early on in case of emergencies, otherwise, it may be impossible.
It can be frustrating, but you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard to your Firestick if you connect another device to it.
Connect your phone or HDMI-CEC Controller, open the settings, and select Add Bluetooth Devices. Search through the list of available devices and choose your Bluetooth keyboard to connect it.
Alternatively, you can use the keyboard on your laptop or PC if it is already connected to your Firestick.
In that case, you will simply need to use the areas on your keyboard or your mouse to navigate the menu. Select the home page menu on your firestick then choose “My Fire TV” to reset your Firestick to factory settings.
3. Use Fire TV app as Temporary Remote
Luckily, you can use your phone to reset your Firestick if you download the Fire TV app. This temporary solution comes in handy if your remote’s batteries are dead or it’s lost. Download the Fire TV app on your phone and connect it to your Firestick.
A prompt will appear on your phone asking you to set up a new device. Scroll through the list of devices until you find your Firestick and connect to it.
Once connected, your phone screen will turn into a makeshift Fire TV remote that you can use to control your Firestick.
Scroll to the bottom left corner of your home screen using the arrows on your phone and click “My Fire TV”. Two options will appear on your screen: restart and reset to factory defaults. Select reset to factory defaults to reset your Firestick without a remote.
4. Connect an Ethernet Cable to Your Router and TV
This is one of the trickiest ways to reset a Firestick without a remote, but it’s a great last resort. You need to gather a USB to Ethernet cable adapter, OTG adapter, and your Firestick for this solution. Make sure that your OTG (on the go) adapter has more than two slots available.
Plug your Ethernet cable into an Ethernet adapter and plug that into your OTG adapter. Next, plug the OTG adapter into an available slot on the Wi-Fi router that your Firestick is connected to. Pull up the Fire TV app and connect it to your Firestick.
Now, you can unplug the Ethernet cable from your OTG adapter once it’s already connected to the Firestick. I came across this solution while troubleshooting a connected firestick with no internet.
Plug a wireless keyboard and mouse into the OTG adapter and it will let you control your Firestick. Use the mouse or arrows to select “My Fire TV” and select “Reset to Factory Defaults”.
So, What is the Best Way to Reset Your Firestick Without a Remote?
The best way to reset your Firestick without a remote is to use the official Fire TV app. This app lets you control your Firestick the same way that you would be able to with the standard remote. You essentially need to use the Fire TV app to reset your Firestick without a remote if you use another method.
For example, you can use a Bluetooth-enabled keyboard to reset your Firestick. However, you will need to use your Fire TV app to connect the keyboard to your Firestick. The same can be said if you connect an HDMI-CEC controller to your Firestick, so you can save time by simply using the app.