TV & Home Theater

[CLJ256]

The Home Button and Alexa Button aren't working.  All other controls are fine.  I've already tried the take batteries out, hold power button for a minute, then push buttons, tried again with batteries in.... and no luck.  Any other suggestions.  My internet did go out a few days ago for about 30 min., but the remote correctly worked after that.  Stopped yesterday. 

[CLJ256]

Quick Update on this issue - I spoke too quickly.  The Netflix, Hulu, etc. buttons don't work either. 

[CLJ256]

Newbie to this forum - My issue IS NOT solved

[Elle-BBY Regular Contributor · Accepted solution]

Hello, CLJ256,

Welcome to our Best Buy forum community! I know that I like to relax by putting on a good show, but I can imagine that's hard to do when your Fire TV Remote isn't responding the way that it should. While I wish that you weren't in that situation, I appreciate you saying something for us to see how we can help!

That was smart of you to try taking the batteries out to see if that corrected the issues with your remote. From what you've described, it seems like doing a full factory reset on your remote could do the trick. To do that, please follow the steps below:

1. Unplug your Fire TV and wait 60 seconds.
2. Press and hold the Left  button, Menu  button, and Back  button at the same time. Hold them for 12 seconds.
3. Release the buttons and wait 5 seconds.
4. Remove the batteries from your remote.
5. Plug in your Fire TV and wait 60 seconds.
6. Put the batteries back in your remote.
7. Press the Home  button on the remote.

When the LED indicator blinks blue, your remote is paired successfully. If it's not paired, press the Home  button for 10 seconds.

I know that's similar to what you already tried, but those additional steps will allow the remote to do a full factory reset, which typically corrects any concerns when buttons on this remote aren't responding. That said, if you're still running into those buttons not working, can you please elaborate on the situation, as well as the steps you've already tried?

Cheers,

[honeymonkey]

I am having the same dreaded remote control not working issue. The only way to get it to work is to unplug the television for 15 seconds. The same problem always comes back within a couple days. I also have an issue with the external buttons not working. I do not know if the external button issue is related, but I cannot seem to get it to work. The tv is the 55 inch fire tv edition. 

I am scared to update the firmware as this tv belongs to my parents who are in their mid 90's and since they have no internet at all, I am worried it will get new unwanted features, or be more confusing to them than it is. Even turning the tv on and getting it on the proper input is a daunting task at times as it does not even default to the last input used as it should even  though that feature is selected in the setup menu. I had to actually revert to an older firmware because the tv did not like not having an internet connection and kept nagging them to fix their connection. I realize now this tv was not the best choice for them, but finding a large LED tv without smart features is almost impossible these days.

I am wondering if anyone else is using this tv without internet and if so are you having issues with the tv not liking it? Has newer firmware corrected any of the above issues and made it easier to navigate without internet? I cannot provide at this time the firmware rev or model number as they are isolated at the moment due to covid, but I can tell you it is on the original firmware around 2018.

Any help would be appreciated

HM

[Elle-BBY Regular Contributor]

Hi, honeymonkey.

Welcome to our Best Buy forum community! While I wish your reason for contacting us was a happier one, I appreciate you taking the time to create an account to share this this us. 

Thanks for letting me know your reasons for why you've avoided updating the firmware on that TV. Although I understand your concerns, I highly recommend doing that firmware update, as their purpose is to fix any bugs they've discovered in the system, along with provide more features for the TV.

I know you've been struggling with the remote not working as intended, but there is a good chance that firmware update will help with the issues you've been experiencing. You mentioned that your parents don't have internet, but you can use your phone as a hotspot when you are at their place to download that firmware update.

If you're still having trouble after updating the firmware, I recommend checking out this forum that is designed to help with a variety of concerns with the Fire TV. 

Cheers,

[honeymonkey]

I have no problem getting a wifi connection to update the firmware. My problem is if I do update, what kind of issues is it going to cause for my parents. It is already difficult for them to change the input their satellitish is on. Every so often when they start up the tv,it has a very confusing screen for a 96 year old to navigate. Their old tv just behaved and kept the same input every time it was powered up. This one, even though "return to the last input" is selected, it does not always do so.

they have to press the down arrow keys a few times, then the right, then the center...all this just to get a picture from their dish. Someone totally over thought this interface. There should be an option to shut off all the nonsence and use it like a tv without internet. For someone with mild dementia, getting the tv to work (when that is all they have) is a very frustrating venture.

I am worried when I remove the internet, the tv is going to keep nagging them for a connection. You have no idea what  this TV has put me through, so unless I can revert back the same firmware revision, I am reluctant to do an update.  I do not even know if an update is going to fix their remote problem. From what I read on this thread, I am not seeing conclusive results of it fixing. Do you not have a changelog for all the firmware updates saying what issues were fixed.

Has anyone else had the input button on the right side of the tv stop workin?

[CLJ256]

I downloaded the instructions with a plan to set aside some time and carry them out.  But then the TV "froze", nothing worked so I unplugged it, waited and plugged it back in and discovered the remote worked again. I'll keep the instructions when this happens again.  Of course unplugging the TV is sort of like restarting a computer when it's acting up and really today's TVs are mostly computer. 

Thanks

Christine

[Elle-BBY Regular Contributor]

Thanks for sharing that with me, honeymonkey.

I can understand why you'd be worried about if the update will make the TV harder for your older parents to navigate. I'm sure I would have the same concern if in your shoes! While I get where you're coming from, not doing those firmware updates makes the chances greater for issues to pop-up with the TV.

Christine was kind enough to come back and share an update on what helped for her when she was in a similar position. Have you given her suggestion a try to see if that helps? If you'd still having trouble with this, I recommend that you check out the forum I linked you to earlier, as they would have the most tools to help with that model of TV.

Cheers,

[honeymonkey]

Thanks again for your reply. I have printed out the remote reset problem and will keep it next to the tv next time it happens. I don't think I will do the update unless there is a way to revert to the version we are on now. Is that a possibly? Or are we stuck with the new version of firmware if decide to update?. I am afraid if it gets any more difficult for them to navigate I will have to buy them another TV.