Fire TV Stick setup
IPTV on a Fire TV Stick, and how to stop the buffering
A stick is one of the cheapest ways to give an older TV a new lease of life. The setup is simple. Keeping it smooth takes a little know-how, so we cover both here.
Getting set up
This takes the official route through the Amazon Appstore. We do not recommend sideloading apps from unknown sources.
Plug it in properly
Use the HDMI extender in the box, if you have one, and the supplied power adapter, not the TV's USB port. Many stick problems start here.
Connect to your network
Choose your 5 GHz Wi-Fi. For the steadiest picture, Amazon sells an Ethernet adapter that fits many models.
Update the software
Go to Settings, My Fire TV, About, then Check for Updates.
Install the player app
Search in the Appstore for the app the desk recommends for your stick.
Enter your details
Type slowly and check capital letters. Then test a news channel first.
Buffering on a stick? Try these in order
Restart it
Hold Select and Play together for a few seconds. It clears up more than you might think.
Clear the app cache
Go to Settings, Applications, Manage Installed Applications, then choose your player and Clear Cache.
Check the signal
Go to Settings, Network and look at your connection. A stick behind a TV gets a weak signal, so use the HDMI extender.
Free up storage
Sticks have little space. Uninstall apps you do not use, particularly if the stick feels sluggish.
Test other apps
If they stutter too, the cause is your internet. Restart your router, and test it again.
Still stuck?
Send the desk your stick model and a photo of what you see. Older models can struggle with live TV.
Which stick should you get?
You do not need the most expensive model, but do avoid the very oldest ones. A recent stick with more memory handles live channels and big channel lists more comfortably. Please ask us before you buy, because we can tell you what we would look for.
The Fire TV Stick and related names are trademarks of Amazon. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Amazon.
Which stick do you have?
You will find the model under Settings, My Fire TV, About. Tell us and we will suggest the right app.