An Amazon Fire Stick is a trendy streaming device sold by the e-commerce giant Amazon. Much like Roku, this device is shaped like a USB drive. Despite its small size, this device can transform any TV into a “Smart TV”. If you’re wondering why your Amazon Fire Stick won’t connect to WiFi, read on.
While it’s quite impressive, a common complaint with this device is its internet connectivity. These devices are meant to make our lives easier. When they cease to work, it can throw a wrench in our entertainment routine. The good news is that most of these issues have simple solutions.
This article shows you the reasons why your Amazon Fire Stick won’t connect to wifi and how to get your Amazon Fire Stick reconnected. In addition, why your Fire Stick is connected to the WiFi but won’t connect to the internet. However, before we dive into these questions, let’s cover the basics— what does a Fire Stick do?
What Does an Amazon Fire Stick Do?
According to Amazon, your Fire Stick device adds “tens of thousands” of channels to your TV. This includes popular streaming platforms such as Hulu, Netflix, HBO Now, and Amazon Prime Video. In addition to these platforms, you can also view network TV apps, sports, and many other channels.
The Fire Stick comes with an in-built microphone through which you can access Alexa. This makes the device a must-have for your smart home. Give commands to Alexa through the Stick and control all your Alexa- controlled products.
Why Your Amazon Fire Stick Won’t Connect to WiFi?
Like many smart devices, the Fire Stick is vulnerable to connectivity issues. In this section, we’ll explore some of the reasons why your Amazon Fire Stick won’t connect to Wifi.
- Poor Signal Strength: You’d be surprised how common this one is. Luckily, this only means that the Fire Stick is out of range. It could also mean that there are too many obstructions to your wireless signal. There’s a simple fix to this; reposition your router.
- VPN Configuration: You may have a VPN installed on your Stick which may not be configured correctly. If this is the case, it could be a significant reason why your Amazon Fire Stick won’t connect to WiFi. Fix the configuration or uninstall the VPN to resolve this.
- Disruptions in Amazon’s Services: A service outage on Amazon’s part can lead to disruptions and connectivity issues with your Fire Stick. A good idea is to check online to see if there are any ongoing problems.
- Hardware Issues: This means an issue with your router is causing the Amazon Fire Stick from connecting. So, try turning the device off and on again.
- Issues with Amazon Fire Stick: There is a chance that your issues originate in the Fire Stick. We suggest turning the device off and on again. If this isn’t helpful, consider conducting a factory reset.
How to Fix When Amazon Fire Stick Won’t Connect to WiFi?
We’ll be highlighting three methods you can employ when your Amazon Fire Stick won’t connect to WiFi.
Method 1: Check if Your Fire Stick is Connected
This is perhaps the simplest one of our solutions. We often panic and adopt complex strategies without first checking the basics. Here is how you’re going to check for a connection:
- Access your Fire Stick home screen and navigate to Settings.
- Select Network.
- Find your WiFi connection and then press the play/pause button on your device.
- This will display your network status, confirming whether or not you’re connected.
Method 2: Restarting Your Fire Stick
If you suspect that the problem lies with your Amazon device, we suggest rebooting our device. There are three main ways of doing so:
- Fire Stick Homescreen> Settings> My Fire TV> Restart
- Press down on the play/pause and select buttons of the Stick. Do this for approximately 5 seconds. Your device will restart.
- Unplug your Amazon Fire Stick from its power outlet/ TV. We suggest doing this when your Stick is malfunctioning.
After performing these steps, wait for the device to reboot and then check whether it’s connected to the wifi.
Method 3: Reset Your Fire Stick to Factory Settings
If your Amazon Fire Stick won’t connect to WiFi after performing the first two methods, you can use the irreversible last resort. Factory resetting your Amazon fire stick device.
Before you get started, we’d like to point out that if you’re dealing with a connectivity issue beyond your control, even a factory reset isn’t the answer. An example of such an issue could be an ISP outage.
Try checking the WiFi connection on other devices to ensure the connectivity issue isn’t on your service provider’s end. However, there could be a chance that the problem is on your end— it could be an Error Code 8056. In this case, a factory reset is your best option. Here’s a quick way to do so:
Homescreen> Settings> My Fire TV> Reset to Factory Defaults > Reset.
Why is My Fire Stick Connected to WiFi but Not the Internet?
If your Fire Stick connects to the WiFi but won’t connect to the internet, that’s a telltale sign that you’re dealing with one of the following:
- Weak WiFi signals
- Damaged Ethernet cables,
- Misconfigured VPN
Remember that if the problem was vice versa, it’s likely that the issue lines within your router.
Conclusion
The Amazon Fire Stick is a favorite in many smart homes. But, as with any smart device, you may run into connectivity issues from time to time. This article highlights the potential reasons why your Amazon Fire Stick won’t connect to WiFi and list a few methods you can employ to fix this issue.
Having gone over the article we hope it’s clear what to do in these situations. Which methods fixed the issue for you? If it wasn’t one we provided, do leave us a comment letting us know what it was so readers can also keep it in mind.
