Fire TV Remote App Keeps Disconnecting: How to Fix [2023]

The Amazon Fire TV has been my evening companion for a long time now. But the highly erratic Remote app does reflect badly on my opinion of this otherwise great product.

Why does the Remote app disconnect abruptly? The reasons are several, and so are the fixes. Let's take a look at the various fixes to resolve this issue.

If your Fire TV Remote App keeps disconnecting, first, make sure you have a solid internet connection. Next, perform a quick restart and ensure both devices are not too far apart. If the issue persists, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Fire TV app. If these don't work, factory reset the Fire TV.

Check for Network Issues

Router

A proper internet connection is required for your Fire TV remote app to work properly. If your internet is unstable, it can cause your app to disconnect. 

A minimum of 3 Mbps is required for your Amazon Fire TV to display standard-definition content. Make sure you have an internet speed of at least 3 Mbps or above.

The same can be said in the case of operating the Fire TV remote App. Faltering networks will hinder the connection to your Fire TV and may also trigger several other issues like Fire TV stuck on loading screen.

If you need to figure out your network speed, you can run an internet speed test. 

For this, just open up any browser and type in “internet speed test” and you can run a test from any of the results that pop up.

Make sure that there are no other devices connected to your network that are using the same bandwidth. They may interfere with the Fire TV remote app connection. 

To resolve this simply disconnect other devices from the network.

Try to limit the number of devices on the network so as to ensure internet speed. 

If there are several devices connected to the network, try disconnecting some and check if the Fire TV remote app works again.

If your router has a firewall enabled, it might be blocking your Fire TV remote app from getting connected to the tv. To solve this, try disabling the firewall and see if the app works.

Power Cycle the Router/Modem

Router unplugged

Restarting your devices occasionally will help clear any bugs or glitches in the device.

And what better to do so than a power cycle test? It's pretty much the same as restarting your device.

If your router hasn’t been power cycled in a while we suggest you do it now. It will help it refresh its connection and ensure a stronger, more stable, and faster network.

To power cycle your router or modem:

  1. Unplug the power cord from the router 
  2. Wait for a couple of minutes 
  3. Plug the power cord back in 
  4. Wait for the router to restart and re-establish its internet connection.

Check if the Fire TV remote app works properly.

Power cycling your router will disrupt the internet connection to the devices that are currently connected to it.

Change the Network Band

Almost all modern routers have the ability to transmit in two different frequencies, either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz.

If you are someone who bought a router recently, there is a high chance that you might be using 5 GHz WiFi. This might not be the best option.

Even though 5 GHz is faster, it is weaker and has a lower range. Try switching to 2.4 GHz, it is more stable and causes fewer issues. 

You can change the network band in the router settings provided your router supports it. Doing so may also come in handy for issues like when Fire TV cube gets stuck on finishing an update.

To change your network band:

  1. Connect to your router, it can either be through a wired or wireless connection
  2. Open a web browser and enter your router’s IP address. You can find this in your router documentation or by searching online based on your router model
  3. Log in to your router by using the username and password
  4. Navigate to your router wireless settings page. You will typically find it under a section named “wireless” or “wifi
  5. Change the network band to 2.4 GHz 
  6. Click on the save or apply button to save changes
  7. Restart your router for the settings to take effect.

Check if the disconnection problem arises again.

Move Your Smart Device Closer to the Fire TV Device

Move Your Smart Device Closer to the Fire TV Device

Next, ensure that both, the smart device and your Fire TV, are within range of each other. 

The proximity between the devices plays a crucial role in establishing the connection between them.

The closer the devices are, the more stable their connection will be. Make sure that the devices are in direct line of sight and that there are no obstacles between them.

Physical structures like walls or reflecting surfaces can disrupt the signal and cause the Fire TV remote app and Fire TV to lose connection. 

If possible, we suggest you move your Fire TV and the host device to a location where there is minimal obstruction and a direct line of sight between the devices. 

In general, keep the devices within 15 or 30 feet of each other for the best performance. 

This distance can vary based on device performance and the presence of obstacles between them. 

Reboot the Entire Setup

Reboot the Entire Setup

It is possible that the connection problem between the remote app and Fire TV is due to a simple bug or a glitch in the software. 

To resolve this, all you need to do is reboot both your Fire TV and smart device. 

Rebooting your Fire TV is a known fix for resolving remote issues such as when the Fire TV remote keeps saying low battery or for a more serious issue like if the Toshiba Fire TV screen starts flickering.

To reboot your Fire TV: 

  1. Unplug the power cord from the Fire TV
  2. Wait for 30 seconds 
  3. Plug the device back in 

Your Fire TV should restart now.

It is possible to restart your Fire TV through software from the device settings. Though, if you cannot access the TV interface, doing so could prove to be futile.

To restart your smart device:

  1. Close the Fire TV remote app
  2. Press and hold the power button
  3. Click on the restart option once the option appears
  4. Wait for a couple of seconds for your device to finish restarting 

Once your smart device has finished restarting, open the Fire TV remote app again and try connecting to the Fire TV. Check if the connection problem persists. 

If you are someone who leaves your Bluetooth ON on your smart device, It is possible that the connection problem is caused due to a bad Bluetooth connection.

To resolve the issue, refresh your Bluetooth connection.

To refresh Bluetooth on your smart device:

  1. Go to Settings on your smart device 
  2. Navigate to the Bluetooth option and turn it off 
  3. Close the Fire TV app and restart the device 
  4. Wait for the device to finish restarting 
  5. Once the device restarts, go to Settings 
  6. Turn the Bluetooth back on
  7. Open the Fire TV remote app and connect to your Fire TV

After connecting the Fire TV remote app to the Fire TV, check whether the connection issue persists.

Uninstall and Reinstall the Fire TV Remote App

Uninstall and Reinstall the Fire TV Remote App

For the most part, the connection problem may arise due to the Fire TV remote app itself. 

Having an outdated version of the app or a software glitch will disrupt the connection between the app and the tv. 

A simple uninstall and reinstall of the app will help resolve this issue. 

Doing so will also ensure that you have the latest downloadable version of the app from the app store. 

To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Uninstall the Fire TV remote app from your smart device 
  2. Restart your device to clear any bugs
  3. Go to the Play Store/App Store and download the app again 
  4. Once the app is downloaded, log in to the App 
  5. Connect to your Fire TV 

Once you are connected to the Fire TV, try using the app for a couple of minutes to see if it disconnects again.

Factory Reset Fire TV Device

If none of the other steps work, you can try factory resetting your Fire TV device to resolve the connection issue. 

Performing a factory reset will clear all onboard data and reset it back to its factory settings. 

It’s recommended that you create a backup of your data and settings before you do the factory reset. 

A factory reset might come to your rescue when a Toshiba fire TV doesn't find cable channels or if your Toshiba Fire TV is critically low on storage.

To factory reset the Fire TV:

  1. Navigate to Settings from the Fire TV menu 
  2. Scroll down and select the Device option 
  3. Under the Device option, select the Reset to factory default option 
  4. Click Reset on the prompt that appears 
  5. Your Fire TV will now start resetting. This can take a couple of minutes.
Fire TV reset

Once your device finishes resetting, it will restart. Set up the device again. 

After the device is set up, connect the tv and the remote app to the same wifi. The connection problem should be resolved. 

Final Thoughts

The bottom line is, having a good internet connection and keeping both the associated devices within range should ensure a stable connection.

Try obviating any obstacles and interferences that may disrupt the connection. 

If you still face a connection issue, try contacting an Amazon technician. 

We are sure they will be able to provide more insight as to why the issue happens and help you resolve it. 

You can also look up your queries on the Amazon support forum. The forum is fairly active and gets updated with new questions and solutions. 

We are sure you will be able to find other alternate solutions there. 

Happy Watching!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use the Fire TV Remote App if I don't have a Fire TV device?

No, the Fire TV Remote App is specifically designed to be used with a Fire TV device. You need to have a Fire TV device connected to your TV in order to use the app.

Is the Fire TV remote app available for both iOS and android?

Yes, the app is available for download on both the App store and Google Play Store. 

What is the optimum range between a Fire TV and the Fire TV remote app?

15 to 30 ft is the optimum distance between the Fire TV and the Fire TV remote app to ensure a stable connection. 

Can the Fire TV remote app be used to play games? 

Yes, the app includes an inbuilt game controller mode that lets you use your smart device as a game controller

Can I use the Fire TV Remote App if my Fire TV device is not connected to the internet?

No, the Fire TV Remote App requires an internet connection to work. If your Fire TV device is not connected to the internet, the app will not be able to connect to your Fire TV device.

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About Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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Doug Stevenson

Hey! I'm Doug, My passion for tech started by fixing phones and computers for my friends and family.

I started Blinqblinq to give reliable tech advice to anyone who needs it, for free! If you have questions on anything tech-related, feel free to contact me.

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