sodcalculator

10 Tech How-To

AirPod Volume on Firestick: Step-by-Step Guide

Guide 10-4827 · Updated · Step by step

Pairing AirPods with an Amazon Fire TV Stick lets you listen privately without disturbing others, but volume control can be tricky because AirPods have their own volume separate from the Firestick. This guide shows you how to adjust both the Firestick system volume and the AirPods’ internal volume, so you get the loudest, clearest sound possible.

What You’ll Need

  • Amazon Fire TV Stick (any generation) with the remote
  • Apple AirPods (any model: AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max)
  • Fire TV Stick remote (or the Fire TV app on your phone)

Step-by-Step

  1. Pair your AirPods with the Firestick. Put your AirPods in their case with the lid open, then press and hold the setup button on the back of the case until the LED flashes white. On the Firestick, go to Settings → Controllers & Bluetooth Devices → Other Bluetooth Devices → Add Bluetooth Devices. Select your AirPods from the list. They will connect and appear as “Connected.”
  2. Play something on the Firestick. Start any video or music app (like Netflix, Prime Video, or Spotify) to have audio playing. This makes volume changes audible.
  3. Adjust the Firestick system volume first. Press the Volume Up (+) button on your Firestick remote repeatedly until the on-screen volume bar reaches 100%. This sets the base volume that the Firestick sends to your AirPods.
  4. Now adjust the AirPods’ own volume. AirPods have an independent volume level that is controlled by the source device (the Firestick). Since the Firestick remote doesn’t have a dedicated AirPods volume control, you have two options:
    • Use the Fire TV app on your phone: Install the Amazon Fire TV app (iOS/Android), connect it to your Firestick, and use the volume slider that appears in the app’s remote screen. This slider controls the AirPods’ volume directly.
    • Use Siri (if you have an iPhone): If you have an iPhone, you can say “Hey Siri, turn up the volume” while your AirPods are connected to the Firestick. Siri will adjust the AirPods’ volume, but this only works if your iPhone is nearby and the AirPods are connected to the Firestick, not the iPhone.
  5. Check the combined volume. After adjusting both, you should have a comfortable listening level. If it’s still too quiet, go back and ensure the Firestick volume is at 100% (step 3) and then increase the AirPods volume using the app or Siri again.
  6. If the AirPods are still too quiet, disable absolute volume (Android only). This is for Android phones that might be interfering. On your Android phone, go to Settings → Developer Options and turn off Disable Absolute Volume. Then reconnect your AirPods to the Firestick. (This step is only if you have an Android phone and the issue persists.)

Common Mistakes

  • Only adjusting one volume. Many people only press the Firestick remote’s volume buttons, which only changes the system volume. If the AirPods’ internal volume is low, the sound will still be quiet even at 100% system volume.
  • Using the wrong remote. The Firestick remote’s volume buttons control the Firestick system volume, not the AirPods’ volume. The AirPods’ volume is controlled by the source device (the Firestick) via a separate channel.
  • Forgetting to pair properly. If the AirPods are not fully connected, the volume controls may not work. Make sure they appear as “Connected” in the Bluetooth settings.
  • Assuming the Fire TV app volume slider is the same as the remote. The app’s slider is specifically for the connected Bluetooth device, so it’s the correct way to adjust AirPods volume.

Tips

  • Use the Fire TV app for precise control. The app’s volume slider gives you a visual indicator of the AirPods’ volume level, making it easier to set it to maximum.
  • Keep your AirPods charged. Low battery can cause reduced volume output. Check the battery level in the Firestick’s Bluetooth settings or on your iPhone.
  • Reset your AirPods if they act up. If volume controls become unresponsive, reset your AirPods by holding the setup button for 15 seconds until the LED flashes amber, then white, and re-pair them.
  • If you have AirPods Pro, check the ear tip fit. A poor seal can reduce bass and overall perceived loudness. Try a different ear tip size for a better fit.

Troubleshooting

  • No sound at all. Make sure the AirPods are selected as the audio output. Go to Settings → Display & Sounds → Audio → Bluetooth Audio and confirm your AirPods are listed and selected.
  • Volume is still too low after following all steps. Try unpairing and re-pairing the AirPods. Also, check if your AirPods have a volume limit set on your iPhone (Settings → Bluetooth → i icon → Volume Limit). If so, disable it.
  • AirPods keep disconnecting. This can happen if the Firestick’s Bluetooth antenna is weak. Move the Firestick to a more open location, or use an HDMI extender. Also, keep the AirPods within 30 feet of the Firestick.
  • The Fire TV app won’t connect. Ensure your phone and Firestick are on the same Wi-Fi network. Restart the app and the Firestick if needed.
  • Volume buttons on the Firestick remote don’t work at all. Try replacing the batteries in the remote. If they still don’t work, go to Settings → Controllers & Bluetooth Devices → Amazon Fire TV Remotes and re-pair the remote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the Firestick remote to control AirPod volume directly?

No, the Firestick remote’s volume buttons only control the Firestick system volume. To adjust the AirPods’ internal volume, you need to use the Fire TV app or Siri.

Why are my AirPods so quiet on the Firestick even at max volume?

This usually happens when the AirPods’ own volume is set low. Use the Fire TV app’s volume slider to increase it, or ask Siri to turn it up.

Do AirPods work with Firestick?

Yes, AirPods are standard Bluetooth headphones and will pair with any Fire TV Stick that supports Bluetooth audio. This includes all generations of Fire TV Stick and Fire TV Stick 4K.

How do I check the battery level of my AirPods on the Firestick?

Go to Settings → Controllers & Bluetooth Devices → Other Bluetooth Devices. Your AirPods will show a battery percentage next to them.

Can I use AirPods with the Firestick remote’s voice commands to change volume?

No, voice commands on the Firestick remote (Alexa) do not control Bluetooth headphone volume. You must use the app or Siri.

Why does my AirPods volume change when I adjust the Firestick volume?

That’s normal. The Firestick system volume acts as a master volume, and the AirPods volume is a secondary level. The final volume is a combination of both.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →