Fire Stick Losing Connection: You Need This

Fire Stick Losing Connection: You Need This

Yesterday, I suddenly started noticing buffering issues while streaming content on my First TV Stick 4K. 

While trying to inspect the issue, I realized that it kept losing connection multiple times within an hour. 

It was surprising as my smartphone and laptop connected to the same WiFi network worked perfectly. 

I tried restarting the Fire Stick and router and I thought this fixed it, but my Fire TV Stick still lost connection. 

Annoyed by the frequent connection issues, I decided to do a bit of research to find a  solution that actually works. 

I found the most effective solution to fix the Fire Stick losing connection issue and got the best way to ensure stable internet for high-quality streaming on the device. 

To prevent the Fire Stick from losing connection , set up a wired connection via Amazon Ethernet Adapter. A wired ethernet network will not lose connection unless there’s a problem with your ISP.

Switch to a Wired Connection Via Amazon’s Ethernet Adapter 

The best way to fix any connection issues on your Fire TV Stick is by switching to a wired connection. 

A wired connection via ethernet cable is highly reliable and stable as compared to a WiFi connection.

Moreover, it eliminates any chances of interference that may lead to connectivity issues. 

A wired connection offers comparatively higher internet speeds suitable for streaming high-quality content even up to 4K resolution. 

However, a major limitation of Fire TV Sticks is that it doesn’t come with a dedicated ethernet port as available in Google Chromecast or other streaming devices. 

Alternatively, Amazon provides a separate Ethernet Adapter for Amazon Fire TV Devices that allows you to easily set up a wired connection. 

You may also want to get a certified high-quality Cat6 Ethernet Cable for a more reliable internet connection. 

Follow these steps to set up a wired connection on your Amazon Fire TV Stick:

  • Connect the Amazon Ethernet Adapter to the USB port on your Fire TV
  • Now, plug in one end of the ethernet cable into the adapter and the other enter into the router 
  • Try streaming any content on your Fire TV Stick to confirm if the internet is working properly 

Enable Dual-Band On Your Router To Fix Connection Issues 

If you’ve got a dual-band router with both 2.5 GHz and 5 GHz bands, the default settings may be a cause for the connection issues. 

Your WiFi router might be set up to use the same SSID or name for both 2.4GHz and 5 GHz. Moreover, only a single band might be enabled by default. 

To fix connection issues on your FireStick, you may need to enable dual-band on your router: 

  • Firstly, find the Default Gateway address of your router such as 192.168.1.1 (usually mentioned at the back side of the router or in the user manual). 
  • Launch any web browser and enter the Gateway address to visit the Router Preferences page. 
  • You may be asked to enter Admin credentials. If you’re trying to log in for the first time, enter the default username and password as “admin”. 
  • Once you’ve logged in, find the Wireless Settings menu on the left panel or at the top menu and click on it. 
  • Now, turn on both 2.4 and 5GHz radios, or enable them according to your router manufacturer. 
  • Rename both bands ending with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz respectively. This will make it easier to identify both bands while connecting. 
  • Click on the Apply or Save button to save your settings. 
  • Reboot your router and check if both bands are available to connect. 

Try connecting to the 2.4 GHz band on your Fire TV Stick and check if it stops losing connection. You can try connecting to the 5 GHz bands as well. 

Note: The Default Gateway address and router settings vary based on your router. 

Make sure that you read the user manual to find the precise location of wireless settings. 

Test Your Internet Connection Through Other Devices 

Sometimes, the issue may not be related to the Fire TV Stick. Your internet connection might be unstable or not working properly. 

You can perform the following checks to confirm if the internet is working properly:

  • Perform an internet speed test to check if the internet connection is stable 
  • Try using apps that require high-speed internet such as Netflix or YouTube on your smartphone or laptop 

If you come across any issues related to slow or unstable internet, you may want to try soft resetting your router. 

  • Unplug your router from the power outlet
  • Wait for about 30 seconds and then plug it back in 
  • Once the router is back on, try connecting to the WiFi network on your Fire TV Stick
  • The device should stop losing connection now 

Relocate Your WiFi Router To Improve Signal Strength

Even if the internet is working perfectly, your FireStick may keep losing connection if the router is located too far from your TV. 

Any physical obstructions such as walls or other electronic devices can affect the signal strength and also cause interference. 

Prefer relocating your router closer to the TV for improved signal strength and a more stable connection. 

This may also prevent the FireStick from losing connection frequently. 

Use HDMI Extender To Avoid Interference or Overheating 

Most people plug their Fire TV Stick directly into the HDMI port of their Smart TVs. While this may seem an easier option, it may also cause the dvice to overheat. 

Moreover, if the device is too close to the TV, it may also lead to signal interference and cause connection issues. 

All Fire TV Sticks are shipped with an HDMI Extender that can be used to connect the device at some distance from your TV. 

Try connecting your Fire TV Stick via HDMI Extender to the TV and check if that helps fix the connection issues. 

Update Your Fire TV Stick To Solve WiFi Issues 

An outdated software version may lead to wireless connection issues on your Fire TV Stick. To avoid any performance issues, ensure that the device is up to date. 

To update your Fire TV Stick:

  • On the Fire TV home screen, go to Settings 
  • Navigate to My Fire TV and select it
  • Choose About and scroll down to Check for Updates 
  • If a new software update is available, download & install it 
  • Wait for your TV to reboot automatically and connect to your wireless network 
  • Check if the Fire TV has stopped losing connection after the update 

Factory Reset Your Fire TV Stick If the Connection Issue Persists 

If none of the troubleshooting methods seem to help fix the issue, you can try resetting your Fire TV Stick. A factory reset will erase all data and reset the device back to its default settings. 

Note that after the factory reset is complete, you’ll have to download all applications and login to the respective accounts to start streaming again. 

Follow these steps:

  • From the Fire TV Home screen, go to Settings 
  • Navigate forward to My Fire TV and open it 
  • Scroll down and select Reset to Factory Defaults option 
  • Read the warning message carefully and select Reset
  • Your device may reboot several times during the entire process 
  • Check if the connection issues are resolved now 

Contact Amazon Support For Professional Assistance   

If your Fire TV Stick still keeps losing connection, the last option is to get in touch with Amazon Support for further assistance. 

Provide their customer support team with a detailed problem description. Based on the diagnosis, they may suggest the best available solution. 

If your device is under warranty, you may also opt for repair or replacement in case of any hardware issue at minimal or no extra charges.   

Get Back To Streaming With No Connection Issues

If you’ve got both Bluetooth and WiFi turned on at the same time on your Fire TV Stick, it can also cause wireless interference. 

Try turning off the Bluetooth and check if the Fire TV Stick connection issues are resolved. 

An Amazon Ethernet Adapter supports internet speeds up to 100 Mbps only. 

While the recommended download speed is up to 25 Mbps for 4K streaming, you may want to get higher internet speeds to avoid any buffering even on a wired connection. 

To get over 100 Mbps speed through a wired connection on your Fire TV Stick, get a Micro USB OTG Cable with USB to Ethernet Adapter

Plug in the OTG cable to the USB port of the Fire TV Stick. Connect the other end of the OTG cable to the USB to Ethernet Adapter. 

Finally, plug the Ethernet Cable directly into the adapter to complete the setup. You should be able to get over 100 Mbps speed on the Fire Stick based on your internet plan.  

Frequently Asked Questions  

Can a faulty HDMI port cause Fire Stick to lose connection?

A faulty HDMI port can cause the Fire Stick to lose connection frequently. You can try unplugging the Fire Stick and plugging it back into the HDMI port. Try using a different HDMI cable or use the HDMI extender available with the Fire TV Stick.

Can a VPN cause Fire Stick to lose connection

An unstable VPN connection is likely to cause internet issues on your Fire TV Stick. Try switching to a different location or get a paid VPN for a faster and more reliable connection. Some of the best VPNs include Nord VPN, Express VPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN.

How do I check the WiFI signal strength on my Fire TV Stick?

To check the Wi-Fi signal strength on your Fire Stick, go to Settings > Network > About > Network. Here you can see the signal strength and the speed of the network. You can also download the Silk Browser app from the Amazon app store and visit speedtest.net or fast.com to perform an internet speed test on the device. 

How do I improve the Wi-Fi signal strength on my Fire Stick?

To improve the Wi-Fi signal strength on your Fire Stick, you can try moving the Fire Stick closer to the router, using a Wi-Fi range extender, changing the Wi-Fi channel, or upgrading to a more powerful router. If you’re getting slower internet speed, try upgrading to a faster internet plan. If you’ve got a dual-band router, prefer connecting to the 5 GHz band for the best streaming experience. 

About the author

Maria Chan, or MC, as we call her, is the genius girl-boss who gave up on her cushy silicon-valley job to grind it out with us. Her undying pursuit of wanting Zeebox to the best makes it very clear that she has no interest in running a generic tech-site.

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