Dead Firesticks? (1 Viewer)

[Solwaybuggier]

We have 2 Firesticks in the van, which we only use occasionally, eg when there’s no satellite signal. One is about 5 years old, the other a couple of years old and must have been in a sale (we wouldn’t normally get a 4k for a small TV.)

Both have been working fine (with occasional issues over signal strength), but over the last few months it’s been impossible to get them working. We’ve had a concerted go with them this morning, but have found that both show as No Signal - this is in 3 separate TVs, including one in the house which we plugged into direct (ie without an extension cable.). We used on USB in the van (which has always worked in the past) and on mains in the house, using the supplied USB adapters. Used both HDMI ports on each TV.

I’ve just spent an hour on live chat with Amazon support (time I’ll never get back!) and tried all their suggestions, to no avail. I don’t see how it can be a plug/socket issue, with 2 Firesticks and 3 TVs. And equally it’s hard to imagine it’s been a power surge- the newer 4k Firestick is only connected when it’s in use, and I think it’s only been used twice.

But for all the world it feels like the Firesticks have both suddenly died. Has anyone else had a similar problem?

 

[Phill D]

Have you check the power supply is still good.

 

[Phill D]

We have had the odd problem with older stick’s but it has nearly always been the power supply.

 

[Tombola]

couple weeks ago I had to do a full reset on the buttons, wasnt convinced it was this, but the firestick cam eon after I did it..
power off the stick, remove batteries
power on the stick then add the batteries to the remote.
if still no joy, press and hold (2 option here)
1 the home button 10 secs
or 2, (hold all these down together) the left option on the circle, the return arrow, and the 3 lines button for 10secs

 

[pappajohn]

If its powered by the TVs USB socket try it in a normal usb.

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[Solwaybuggier]

Hard to be 100% certain with no external indicators (LEDs) but 2 separate power leads tried, one relatively unused. And when plugged into a power bank it certainly appears to be working.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

couple weeks ago I had to do a full reset on the buttons, wasnt convinced it was this, but the firestick cam eon after I did it..
power off the stick, remove batteries
power on the stick then add the batteries to the remote.
if still no joy, press and hold (2 option here)
1 the home button 10 secs
or 2, (hold all these down together) the left option on the circle, the return arrow, and the 3 lines button for 10secs

Thanks - I’ve tried these but no joy. We’re not getting anything to indicate the Firesticks are there at all, no Amazon logo, just No Signal.

 

[Grianan]

Mine both died - not sure but think it’s something to do with our 2 Mbps internet failing to complete the update in one go .., . Not buying again - had barely any use so was not impressed at lack of value for money.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

If it’s powered by the TVs USB socket try it in a normal usb.

No, it was in a normal usb.

 

[Manic]

Silly question but have you selected the correct HDMI input on the tv’s

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[Solwaybuggier]

Silly question but have you selected the correct HDMI input on the tv’s

Yes - and I’ve made a point of selecting both HDMI inputs when trying things just in case!

 

[Manic]

Have you got the stick plugged straight in to tv without extension lead

 

[Mark and Mindy]

Visit a friend or neighbour who has a working firestick. Very carefully and without disturbing anything disconnect the working firestick and replace it with your firestick. Now put the working firestick in your pocket and make excuses and leave.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Have you got the stick plugged straight in to tv without extension lead

Yes, both with an (Amazon) extension and direct.

 

[Phill D]

Have you plugged into a mains adapter power supply? Often the tv usb can not be enough to power it up.

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[Solwaybuggier]

Have you plugged into a mains adapter power supply? Often the tv usb can not be enough to power it up.

Yes, aware of this issue and it has been on a mains adapter in the house.(as well as on USB in the van.)

 

[Phill D]

Yes, aware of this issue and it has been on a mains adapter in the house.(as well as on USB in the van.)

Looks like they are screwed then

 

[Tinker2]

Try changing the USB lead to a better quality one, and power it direct to the TV.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Looks like they are screwed then

Yes - hence the thread title! We’ve ordered another one (out of warranty, so only got a small discount) and will see how that works.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Try changing the USB lead to a better quality one, and power it direct to the TV.

The usb leads (tried 2 of them) are the original Amazon ones, one of them barely used - I think general advice is that the USB outlet on TVs may not be adequate- has to be min 0.9A, lots of TV outlets are only 0.5A.

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[Tinker2]

I would try a non Amazon one, maybe a Samsung one or something similar, the reason I say this I recently had a similar problem.

 

[Bustup15]

Is it possible you have the 2 remotes mixed up?

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Is it possible you have the 2 remotes mixed up?

It’s entirely possible - which is why I’ve had to duplicate the work all day, repeating it on both remotes!

 

[ChrisL]

Have you tried holding down the home button on the remote until the light at the top of your remote starts blinking rapidly?

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Have you tried holding down the home button on the remote until the light at the top of your remote starts blinking rapidly?

Yes - I have spent ages on live chat with Amazon and this was one of their suggestions.

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[Solwaybuggier]

I would try a non Amazon one, maybe a Samsung one or something similar, the reason I say this I recently had a similar problem.

Worth trying - I’m now trying to identify a suitable cable, which I think is micro USB?

 

[icantremember]

Looking they are now just expensive kindling!

 

[Tinker2]

Worth trying - I’m now trying to identify a suitable cable, which I think is micro USB?

Lots of market stalls/supermarkets sell them, stupid question I know but you are plugging the HDMI plug into the Tv. Either remote as long as the batteries will work as the fire stick will recognise it. The chance of 2 sticks packing up would be remote.

 

[Solwaybuggier]

Yes, I’ve been using the HDMI sockets (both 1 & 2) on each of 3 TVs, and both remotes! I think my whole mystification is about 2 Firesticks in 3 TVs packing up at same time. I’ve ordered a new Firestick arriving today, so will see if that works. And if it does I’ll try the power connection in one of the old ones!

 

[Al n Val]

just for info and I know it’s only my experience

Over the last god knows how many years i’ve had, purchased and supplied 100’s of Firesticks and never had a faulty one, ever, so I can’t possibly see how you have 2 faulty units.

I’ve found them to be the most reliable streaming device ever

Al

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