How To Turn off the TV Too with the Amazon TV Fire Stick

When it comes to watching entertainment on the big screen, nothing can top the power and efficiency of the Amazon Fire TV line of devices. Starting at just $39.99 for the 1080p Fire Stick, Fire TV allows you to watch Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, Amazon’s own Prime video service, and thousands of other apps right on the big screen. Though it wasn’t the first Amazon Fire TV device, the Fire Stick (and its 4K sister product) are by far the most popular, and competes directly with the likes of Roku and Google Chromecast in the budget streaming device market. The device plugs into the back of your television through HDMI (either with the stick itself or using the bundled adapter for tight connections), and connects to your home WiFi connection in order to deliver media straight to your television using apps, just like your smartphone.

If you’re trying to simplify your home theater setup, you’ve come to the right place. The Fire Stick can go a long way in helping to make your experience watching television feel more premium and more straightforward. Let’s take a look at how to turn off your television using your Amazon Fire Stick.

The New Fire Remote

The easiest way to control your television using your Fire Stick is by utilizing the new Fire Remote made available by Android. Unlike older models of the Fire remote, the newest version (first introduced with the 4K Fire Stick, and now bundled with all Fire devices) includes an IR blaster that allows you to control the volume and, more importantly, the power of your television, right from the remote itself. It’s easy to tell if you have this version: if you see a volume rocker on the bottom of your Fire remote (along with a power button in the top-left corner), you have the newest model.

If you don’t have this model, don’t fret—you don’t have to upgrade your entire Fire Stick to get the newer remote. Amazon sells this remote as an upgrade for existing consumers for $29.99 on their website, with occasional sales and drops in price. You’ll want to make sure that your television supports generic IR blasters before buying, but for most people, this remote will allow them to control their Fire Stick navigation, along with the power and volume of their television, all from one device.

Using CEC

Consumer Electronics Control or CEC is built into many contemporary TVs. CEC is an HDMI protocol which allows CEC-enabled devices to trade information and accept controls via HDMI. If you have a CEC-enabled TV, you should be able to use your Firestick to control its functions. Just make sure that CEC commands are enabled on both the TV and the Firestick.

For illustration purposes, this article describes a Vizio TV. You shouldn’t have any problems navigating the menus to turn on CEC on any other TVs though. This is one of those things that once you see it, you’ll know how to apply it to other situations.

1. Press the Menu Button

Hit the Menu button on the TV remote.

2. Access the System

Now go to System and locate CEC.

3. Enable CEC

Select the CEC option and toggle left or right to enable it.

An Important Note

A lot of manufacturers use different names for CEC on their TVs. They might call it something proprietary but they all mean the same thing.

LG uses SimpLink, Samsung Anynet +, and Sony either Bravia Sync or Bravia Link. If you can’t find the exact name for your TV, here’s a complete listing on Wikipedia.

Enabling CEC on Your Fire Stick

Once you’ve enabled CEC on the TV, you should make sure that the option is also enabled on your Firestick. It is worth noting that CEC is usually enabled by default on most Firesticks, but it wouldn’t hurt to double check.

These are the steps to enable CEC on your Fire TV:

1. Access the Settings Menu

Navigate right to the Settings menu and browse for Display & Sound.

2. Enable HDMI CEC Device Control

Under Display & Sound, navigate down and make sure HDMI CEC Device Control is turned on. After enabling CEC on your Firestick, you should be all set. For example, press the Home button on the Firestick remote and the TV should immediately turn on and display the Fire TV home screen. Turning off the TV is even simpler. Just tell Alexa to turn off your TV and she will do it for you. Different TVs offer different CEC capabilities, so you might have even more options.

Make sure to pair your Firestick with an Amazon Echo device, if you are using one of the older non-voice-operated models.

Other Cool Alexa TV Controls

You might not be aware that you can actually control your satellite and cable TV box via Alexa, in addition to turning the TV on and off. These all work with Alexa: Optic Hub, Dish, Tivo, Fios, and Frontier. This is how to connect your satellite or cable TV box to the Alexa app.

1. Launch the Alexa App   

Once inside the app, swipe right and go to the Music, Video & Books menu.

2. Choose Your Provider 

Select your provider under the Videos tab. Some of them offer a separate Alexa skill so you might need to download it first.

3. Add a Device

Choose the Manage and Link Devices option that appears in your provider’s menu and tap on Link a device.

4. Select Your Set Box

Tap on your cable or satellite set box and choose Continue.

5. Finish up

At this point, you need to choose the Alexa-enabled device that will control your TV and tap on the Link Devices button to confirm.

Endnote

Even though Amazon Firestick might look simple, the number of supported features and control options are quite amazing. Whether you choose to upgrade your existing Fire remote, or enable CEC and Alexa support right on your Fire Stick itself, turning your television off and on with your Fire Stick is a simple task, allowing you to turn on your television and select your new favorite show all from one single device.