Last week, while I was trying to stream a TV show on my Toshiba 4K Fire TV, the remote randomly stopped working.
I tried to navigate through the apps on the home screen and even pressed the power button to turn it off but the remote won’t respond at all.
To find a solution and get my Fire TV remote working again, I visited the Amazon Customer Service website and read through some most relevant discussion threads as well.
I learned that people were usually facing similar issues while pairing their new Fire TV remote with Toshiba Fire TV.
I got the Toshiba Fire TV remote working perfectly in no time and also found an alternate way to use my smartphone as a Fire TV remote.
If the Toshiba Fire TV Remote is not working, you need to reset it. Press the Left, Menu, and Back buttons simultaneously and hold them together for 12 seconds. Release the buttons and wait for 5 seconds before removing the batteries from the remote. Put the batteries back in.
Reset Your Toshiba Fire TV Remote If It Isn’t Working
The most common and effective way to fix your Toshiba Fire TV remote if it’s not working is to simply reset it.
Most Toshiba 4K UHD Smart TV models are shipped with Fire TV Alexa Voice remote while other HD models are shipped with Fire TV Smart TV remote.
Performing a reset on your Fire TV remote allows it to force restart and pair with your Toshiba TV again.
It also helps remove any residual charge left in the fire TV remote.
To perform a reset on your Toshiba Fire TV Remote:
- Unplug your Toshiba Fire TV and wait for about 60 seconds
- Press and hold the Left button, Menu button, and Back button simultaneously and hold them together for 12 seconds
- Release the buttons for about 5 seconds
- Now, remove the batteries from the back of your remote
- Put the batteries back into the remote firmly
- Plug your Fire TV back in and turn it ON
- Once the Fire TV home screen appears, press and hold the Home button on the remote for about 40 seconds
- Wait until you see the “We cannot detect your remote” screen
- Press the Home button again and your Fire TV remote should start working
Inspect The Fire TV Remote For Defects Or Damage
If your Toshiba Fire TV Remote is still not working, check for any physical damages on the body such as cracks, popped out buttons, or dents.
You may also want to check for internal damages by shaking the remote. If you hear some noise coming out of the remote, it’s likely that the internal parts may be damaged.
If you find any physical or internal damages on your Fire TV Remote, you may need to replace it with a new Toshiba Fire TV Remote.
Replace The Discharged Fire TV Remote Batteries
Your Fire TV remote may not work if the batteries have discharged over time. Even low-powered batteries prevent the remote from working perfectly.
To avoid such issues due to discharged batteries, it’s best to replace them with fresh batteries. Ensure that the batteries are firmly inserted in their respective slots at the back of the remote.
Once the batteries are inserted, try using the remote again and check if it starts working properly.
Use Your Phone Camera To Confirm If The Remote’s IR Sensor Is Working
Your TV and remote use an infrared beam to interact with each other. If your IR sensor is not working properly, it means your remote is faulty.
The best way to confirm if your Fire TV remote’s IR sensor is working is by using your phone camera.
Follow these instructions:
- Launch the Camera app on your phone and look at the IR sensor of your remote through it
- Press one or multiple buttons on your Fire TV remote
- If the IR sensor is working, you should be able to see a red blinking light through the camera on your phone screen after you press any button
- If you’re unable to see any red light through the camera, the remote may be defective and needs to be replaced
Remove Any Obstacles That May Block the Remote’s IR Signals
Once you’ve confirmed that the IR sensor of your Fire TV remote is working properly, you need to check for any obstacles between the TV and the remote.
It’s possible that any obstructions might be blocking the IR signals sent by your remote to the TV.
These obstructions can include walls, other electronic signals such as Bluetooth, and physical objects such as furniture, speakers, etc.
Try using your Fire TV remote by moving closer to your Toshiba TV to eliminate any existing obstructions.
Use Your Mobile Device As a Fire TV Remote Via Fire TV App
Even after trying the above troubleshooting methods, it’s possible that your Toshiba Fire TV remote may still not be working.
If you do not have a new Fire TV remote available, the best alternative is to use your smartphone as a Fire TV remote through the Fire TV app.
Here’s how:
- Download and install the Fire TV app on your Android or iOS mobile device
- Connect your smartphone and Toshiba Fire TV to the same WiFi network
- Launch the Fire TV app on your smartphone
- Wait for your Toshiba TV name to appear on the phone screen and tap on it
- If the TV name doesn’t appear automatically, tap on New device and sign in to your Amazon account
- Enter a 4-digit code that appears on your Toshiba Fire TV screen
- Once the connection is successful, start using the on-screen navigation and other menu options on the app to control your Toshiba Fire TV
Get Your Toshiba Fire TV Remote Working Again
Even if your Toshiba Fire TV remote started working again or you got a new one, I’d highly recommend downloading the Fire TV app on your smartphone.
A traditional Fire TV remote doesn’t have a keyboard to enter inputs.
The Fire TV app allows you to type any input through your smartphone’s keyboard and easily search for apps, shows, or movies on your TV.
Moreover, the app also includes voice-enabled searching that allows you to launch apps, search for movies or TV shows, check the weather, etc. via voice commands.
You can use the Fire TV app to pair a new replacement remote with your Toshiba Fire TV.
Launch the Fire TV app on your phone and use the remote to navigate to the Settings icon on your TV.
Navigate down to Controllers & Bluetooth Devices and select Amazon Fire TV Remotes.
Open Add New Remote and select your new remote to pair it once it appears on the TV screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Toshiba Fire TV remote not responding to voice commands?
Your Toshiba Fire TV remote may not be responding to voice commands due to several reasons such as the microphone being disabled, low battery, or interference from other devices. Check if the voice command button is stuck or if any dirt or debris is accumulated on it. Clean the remote with a lightly dampened cloth and try using the voice command button again.
Can I control my Toshiba Fire TV using the physical buttons?
The physical button allows highly limited control of your Toshiba Fire TV. There is usually a single button located on the left side at the back of your TV. You can either change the TV input or turn the TV on/off using the physical button. Once you press the button, a list of all inputs appears on the TV screen. Press the button as required to select your desired input. Wait for a few seconds and your TV will switch to the selected input automatically. Press and hold the button to turn the TV on/off.
How to fix my Toshiba Fire TV remote if only the power button is working?
If nothing works on your Fire TV remote except the power button, you may need to re-pair it with your TV. Press the back, left, and menu buttons together for 12 seconds while pointing the remote at the TV. If it still doesn’t work properly, remove both batteries and press and hold the power button on the remote for 30 seconds before inserting the batteries again. You can also try replacing the discharged batteries with new ones.
Can I use a universal remote for my Toshiba Fire TV?
You can use a universal remote for your Toshiba Fire TV to control multiple devices with it including soundbars, cable boxes, video game consoles, etc. The process to pair a universal remote with your Fire TV varies based on the remote manufacturer. Refer to the user manual of the remote for pairing instructions or search for a compatible universal remote code if required.
