Alex Ruben
How To Connect Your Xbox Controller to Fire TV Stick Successfully
Connecting an Xbox controller to your Amazon Fire TV Stick or Fire TV is surprisingly straightforward—once you get the hang of it. Honestly, it’s one of those things that sounds simple but sometimes behaves like it’s fighting back. Good news is, once you understand the process, it’s usually smooth sailing. Just a heads up, if you got an older Xbox One controller, there might be a few extra hoops to jump through, especially if it’s not Bluetooth compatible. So here’s the rundown that worked for me, and yeah, it’s kinda weird but effective.
Step 1: Verify Controller Compatibility
Before diving into pairing, make sure your Xbox controller is Bluetooth-friendly. Why? Because Fire TV only talks Bluetooth with controllers, aside from some rare USB dongle cases. The supported controllers are:
- Xbox One Controllers: Basically, the second gen ones made after 2016, with the textured grips on the back or a cool single-piece top plastic. Those usually have Bluetooth built-in.
- Xbox Series X|S Controllers: All models, and you’ll spot the Share button right below the Xbox logo, which is a dead giveaway.
- Elite Series 2 and Adaptive Controllers: Fully Bluetooth compatible, so these work nicely if you want serious precision.
Note: If you have the older Xbox One controllers (pre-2016), those don’t have Bluetooth, which means you’d need a dedicated USB dongle and a compatible Fire TV Cube with USB ports. Because of course, Windows has to make it harder than necessary sometimes.
Step 2: Confirm Your Fire TV is Connected to Wi-Fi
This seems obvious but sometimes you think you’re connected, and nope, it drops. Check that your Firestick is online:
- Go to Settings > Network to confirm Wi-Fi is active.
- If you’re having trouble, try restarting the Firestick: unplug it for about 10 seconds, then plug it back in, or go to Settings > My Fire TV > Restart.
Step 3: Access the Device Settings
From the home screen:
- Navigate to the Settings gear icon in the top right corner.
- If your interface looks old school, just scroll down to find Settings.
Step 4: Find the Controllers Section
Once in Settings:
- Select Controllers & Bluetooth Devices.
- Then pick Game Controllers—this is where the magic happens. Don’t click Add New Game Controller just yet—save that for later.
Step 5: Put Your Xbox Controller into Pairing Mode
Now, the weird part. You need to get your controller ready:
- Press the Sync button—it’s usually near the top, just above the LB or RB button, or near the USB port.
- Hold until the Xbox logo starts flashing rapidly. For Xbox One controllers, it might take a few seconds; for the newer Series X|S ones, it flashes pretty quickly, like 3-5 seconds max.
- Pro tip: Keep the controller and Fire TV in the same room, ideally within 2-3 meters and no thick walls or furniture between them. Bluetooth can be temperamental, especially if there’s interference.
Honestly, not sure why it works, but sometimes I had to try twice or turn the controller off and on again.
Step 6: Pair the Controller with Fire TV
Back on your Fire TV:
- Click Add New Game Controller.
- Let it scan—if things go well, you’ll see “Xbox Wireless Controller” or just a vague “Wireless Controller” pop up.
- Select it, then wait for the Device Connected message. Sometimes it takes a moment or two, so don’t get impatient.
- The Xbox logo on the controller should stay solid—that’s how you know it’s paired.
Extra Tips & Troubleshooting
- Make sure your controller isn’t dead—charge it before trying.
- If it just refuses to connect, restart both the Firestick and the controller, then try again. Might sound silly, but sometimes it’s the only fix.
- Avoid Bluetooth congestion—no other devices talking loudly nearby or interference from microwaves or other gadgets.
- On some setups, the pairing might fail the first time or need a reboot of devices to work right. It’s kinda flaky but usually doable.
Conclusion
Once paired, you should be able to game away without a fuss. It’s a little fiddly, but actually getting the controller connected for me was just a matter of patience and making sure everything was close enough. From there, enjoying games, emulators, or whatever else you want is way better than using the Fire TV remote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a non-Bluetooth Xbox controller with Fire TV?
Yeah, that’s only possible with a USB dongle, and only if you’re on a Fire TV Cube that has USB ports. Otherwise, Bluetooth is the way to go. Because why not make things complicated, right?
What if my Firestick can’t find my controller?
Check that the controller’s in pairing mode—flashing Xbox logo is the sign. Also, keep them close—within a few meters, no walls buffering the signal. Restart, and try again if it doesn’t pick up on your first attempt.
Is the process different across Fire TV models?
Not really. Whether you’ve got the Firestick 4K or a Fire TV Cube, the steps are pretty much identical. Just plug and play, more or less.
Summary
- Make sure your controller supports Bluetooth
- Verify Fire TV is online and updated
- Put your controller into pairing mode and keep close
- Use the Fire TV’s controller menu to find and connect
Fingers crossed this helps. Worked for me — hope it works for you.