There are many reasons why your Fire TV stick will start flickering or blinking. If this is a persistent issue, be assured that there is always a reason. This article aims to help you decipher why your Firestick is flickering or blinking so that you can fix it.
One of the most common causes is a faulty HDMI cable or port. Check if the HDMI cable is properly connected and if the port is functioning properly.
Another possible reason could be a weak or unstable power source. Check if the Firestick is properly connected to a power source and if the power source is functioning properly.
Additionally, a software issue or a compatibility issue with the TV can also cause the Firestick to flicker. Check if there are any available updates for the Firestick or if the TV is compatible with the Firestick. To fix the issue, try resetting the Firestick by unplugging it for a few minutes and then plugging it back in. If the issue persists, try replacing the HDMI cable or connecting the Firestick to a different HDMI port.
If the power source is weak or unstable, try using a different power source or a power strip with surge protection.
If the issue is a software or compatibility issue, try updating the Firestick or contacting Amazon customer support for further assistance.
Fire TV Keeps Flickering/Flashing
Many people have experiences a flickering screen when using the Fire TV, particularly with the Fire TV 4K. There may be a few reasons for this, which I will outline below.
Incorrect Resolution and Refresh Rate
A common issue relates to the resolution or refresh rate of the display signal. First, you need to find the video resolution settings on the Fire TV. You can find these following the pathway below.
Settings > Display and Sounds > Display > Video Resolution.
First you should make due the resolution matches your TV. Some people have found changing from 1080p to 720p has solved the issue.
You can also cycle through multiple resolution options by holding down the ‘up’ and ‘rewind’ buttons at the same time. The TV will cycle through the resolution options and pause on each one, giving you time to select which one works better for you.
However, the refresh rate, or frame rate, seems to be the main issue. Try setting this to a lower value. Most people find changing the refresh rate from 60Hz to 50Hz fixes the problem.
If the refresh rate of the Fire TV is more than the refresh rate of the signal coming through the HDMI connection, or from the source, the TV will insert a blank screen in place of the missing frames to maintain that refresh frequency.
HDMI Issues
The issue may also be related to the HDMI connection. If it is not inserted correctly into the TV, the loose connection will cause your screen to flicker. Note that for the Fire TV Stick, the stick itself may not be inserted correctly into the HDMI port.
Some HDMI ports are also not compatible with certain audio-visual signals. This is mainly an issue for larger or more complex video signals, such as the 4K signal in the Fire TV Stick 4K.
For this video signal, you will need a port that supports a high-speed transfer, such as 18Gbps. It should also support 4K resolution at 60 frames per second.
As long as your HDMI port has these features, it should not have issues with the signal. If you have a HDMI port labelled ‘4K’, they generally have all of the above, but you can check your TV’s operating manual to check which HDMI port is the best.
Some people will use the HDMI extender to boost their Wi-Fi signal with their Firestick. This also keeps the bulk of the Firestick away from the other ports. However, this can degrade the video signal and cause flickering.
If you can, try plugging the Firestick directly into the TV instead. This will reduce the distance the video signal has to travel.
Fire TV Keeps Blinking
If the blinking you are referring to is the LED light on the Fire TV, it is trying to indicate that something needs your attention. If this is the case, the color of the light also makes a difference.
Blinking Amber Light
The Fire TV Stick will blink an amber color if it is trying to pair with the remote or the remote is in discovery mode. This may occur if the remote batteries are low or if you have just purchased a new remote.
To fix this, replace the batteries if necessary and re-pair the remote. You should be automatically prompted to pair the remote, in which case you just need to hold down the ‘Home’ button for 10 seconds. However, you can also manually pair it by following the steps below.
Step 1: Download the Fire TV remote app on your phone to use as a temporary remote control.
Step 2: Go to the Home screen and select ‘Settings’.
Step 3: Select Controllers > Fire TV Remotes > Add New Remote.
Step 4: Hold down the ‘Home’ button for five seconds on the remote you are trying to pair.
Step 5: Once the remote can be seen on the list, use your phone to select it, completing the pairing process.
If your remote is still working while the Fire TV is blinking a yellow light, it could also mean you have no internet connection. First, make sure you have enabled Wi-Fi connections on your Fire TV by following the pathway below.
Home > Settings > System > Wi-Fi
Your home internet connection could also be down. You will need to restart you modem/router to fix this. You also need to make sure both your modem and Fire TV are not within a cabinet. This will disrupt the Wi-Fi signal.
Pulsing White Light
If the light is a pulsing white light, it is likely that your Fire TV is in setup mode. Every time the Fire TV starts up the white light will pulse until the start-up is complete. If the start-up has failed, you might find the Fire TV is stuck on the logo screen, or functions may not work correctly.
If this is the case, you may need to do a hard restart of the Fire TV. This is done by unplugging the power for three seconds, and then plugging it back in.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on May 15, 2021.
Alternatively, this may occur if there are issues with the HDMI connection. First, check that the connection is secure, or you can try plugging it into a different HDMI port.
Sometimes using a HDMI extender can also affect the connection, so try plugging the Firestick directly into the TV’s HDMI port. Ensuring you are plugged into a high-speed HDMI port will also help the Fire TV start up quicker.
Why Does My Firestick Keep Flickering, Blinking or Flashing
Here is a quick summary of why your Firestick display may be flickering/flashing.
· Incorrect resolution
· Incorrect refresh rate
· HDMI connection is loose
· HDMI is in the wrong port
· A HDMI extender is degrading the video signal
Here is a summary of why your Firestick LED may be blinking.
· Firestick is attempting to pair with the remote (amber light)
· Firestick is attempting to connect to the internet (amber light)
· Firestick is in set-up/start-up mode (white light)
· HDMI connection is compromised (white light)
Below you can find a summary of how to fix these issues.
How to Fix Firestick Flickering, Blinking or Flashing
Below are some general troubleshooting tips for your Fire TV stick, as well as solutions to the specific issues mentioned above. Most of the time, the general troubleshooting methods will fix the issue. These include updating the firmware, restarting the Fire TV or performing a factory reset.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 15, 2021.
General Troubleshooting
· Updating the Fire TV: Home > Settings > My Fire TV > About > ‘Check for Updates’ or ‘Install Update’
· Restart the Fire TV: hold down the ‘Play/Pause’ button for five seconds, or unplug the Fire TV for three seconds before plugging it back in.
· Reset the Fire TV: hold the ‘Back’ and ‘Right’ buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds and select ‘Reset’ when prompted.
Fix a Flickering/Flashing Firestick
· Lower the resolution to 720p
· Lower the refresh rate to 50Hz
· Secure the HDMI connection
· Try different HDMI port, plugging directly into the TV
· Try the general troubleshooting mentioned above
Fix a Blinking Firestick
· Use the phone Fire TV remote app to re-pair your remote
· Check Wi-Fi is enabled on the Fire TV
· Restart your modem/router
· Try different HDMI port, plugging directly into the TV
· Try the general troubleshooting mentioned above
Hopefully one of these solutions above has helped you with your flickering/blinking/flashing problem.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 15, 2021.