The Amazon Fire TV voice remote has some undocumented tricks up its sleeve. If you aren’t aware, holding SELECT and PLAY for 10 seconds causes the Fire TV to restart. Similarly, holding RIGHT and BACK for 10 seconds triggers a prompt to factory reset the Fire TV. These hidden options seem to be designed to help you get back to a usable state if, for whatever reason, you are unable to access the Fire TV’s menus. Yesterday I stumbled on some new hidden resolution options triggered from the voice remote.
If you hold BACK and REVERSE and RIGHT and SELECT [Newer Fire TV models now use UP and REWIND instead] simultaneously for 10 seconds, the Fire TV will begin to cycle through various resolution settings. It will stop at each setting for 10 seconds and cycle to the next option if you do not press SELECT. Pressing SELECT will save the current display setting. This can be useful if somehow your Fire TV is set to a resolution that your TV doesn’t support.
Interestingly, using this hidden option allows you to select 480p even though the option is not available in the Video Resolution options found in the Settings menu. When 480p is selected, it will appear as the current setting, but it will remain missing from the available resolution options in the settings menu. One thing worth mentioning is that I believe the Fire TV is always rendering at a resolution of 1920 by 1080 regardless of what resolution is selected and just downscaling the video output. I think this is the case because taking a screenshot of the Fire TV results in a 1920 by 1080 file no matter what resolution is selected in the options menu.
Update
For the final version of Fire OS 5, the button combination to bring up resolution cycling has been changed to holding REVERSE and UP
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The fixed resolution explains why XBMC /SPMC is fixed to 1080p.
hi new to this, have rooted fire tv with gotham 13.2 but cant get audio controls to work in xbmc, i have to use tv remote to higher/lower, is there any way to fix this?
I read somewhere that the Fire TV does not have/support audio controls (so it’s alsways at 100%), so you have to control audio via the TV.
The Fire TV software, itself, does not have an option to control audio output. However, XBMC can control audio output if using a controller with the volume up/down mapped in the keymap settings.
Are you using a keyboard or the stock remote?
You need to use a custom keymap if using the stock remote: http://kodi.wiki/view/Alternative_keymaps_for_Fire_TV_remote
also i updated the remote but now when i search for anything, i get a return saying not in store for everything
Thank you!! I have a 720p dlp which I run at 1080i and a receiver which scales 1080p to 1080i for me.
I was going crazy having the aftv refusing to output 1080p because it saw my display as 720. So it was scaling 1080 to 720, and then my receiver was scaling to 1080i. It was a noticeable drop in quality. Now I’ve got the perfect home theater box!!
How did you get it to go through the resolutions as it seems mine automatically selects the original one before I can do anything?
How did you fix the issue. My tv is 1080p, my receiver is 1080p, and video source is 1080p on Kodi. When I play the video kodi recognizes the source as 720p. How do fix this?
720p is higher resolution than 1080i.
P stands for progressive, i stands for Interlace.
1080p has 2160 lines.
720p has 1440 lines.
1080i has 1080 lines.
No, not quite it isn’t 1080 x2. Interlaced is half rather than progressive scan being double. 1080i has 540 up and 540 down. 1080p has 2080 down. 1080i may however appear better than 720p depending on your TV it’s a matter for your own personal choice.
Good point though real resolution at 720p should theoretically be clearer than 1080i.
Edit re typo on phone. Read 1080p has *1080* down.
Not quite. 1080i has 540 down followed by the next 540 down interlaced between the first 540 (odd lines in one block, even lines in the other). 1080p has 1080 down in a single frame.
For some reason when I try to do this the screen comes up for about a half a second and then goes away. Please help!
It’s not entirely clear, but it seems like the Fire TV will only cycle through resolutions that it determines the connected TV/Monitor will support. If it doesn’t cycle through any resolutions, then it likely is unable to determine which resolutions your TV/monitor supports.
For example, when I plugged a Fire TV into an LCD computer monitor using an HDMI to DVI adapter, the Fire TV would only output in 640×480 resolution. Trying this remote trick resulted in the same behavior you described with no additional resolution options. My guess is the Fire TV was either confused by the DVI adapter or just couldn’t detect the computer monitors supported resolutions.
Thanks! Is there any workaround for using my FireTV with a non-HDMI LCD monitor then?
None that I know of.
I used a converter box with a friend who had an old tube tv with no HDMI. just a little powered converter box to convert HDMI to the old yellow red white cables. Sure it was not good quality but then it was 480i so had to take what was there
Will the factory reset shortcut reset to original firmware which device was shipped or the most recent update… I am dying to root this bad boy but didn’t catch auto update in time…
No it won’t. Here is more information on what a factory reset will do: http://www.aftvnews.com/factory-reset-on-amazon-fire-tv-and-fire-tv-stick-explained/
When I try to connect the Fire Stick to my Samsung TV all I get on the screen is: Mode Not Supported
I know the Stick works because I can hook it up to my PC monitor. No matter which HDMI port on try on the TV or the AV player I get the same thing: Mode Not supported.
UP & REWIND to force the FireTV Stick to cycle through resolutions
Moki: If I press UP & REWIND with Fire TV Stick connected to one HDMI port of my Smart TV it forces Fire TV Stick to go to the main screen on Fire TV Stick. Do I have to connect Fire TV Stick to my computer monitor DVI input to make UP & REWIND combination work ? Thanks in advance.
Jose
THIS IS THE ONE PEOPLE. Thanks. Pressing four buttons at once was kind of not working out for me. :) This worked!
Thanks, this one worked for me.
This is the one that finally worked for me. I had tried everything else that was recommended with no luck. Up and rewind it is! Thanks!
For Fire TV Stick, the BACK and REVERSE and RIGHT and SELECT command prompts for a factory reset. Is there a different combination for the resolution prompt? I’ve tried everything that I can think of.
I’m having problems with my FTV that I think may be related to this issue, and I’m hoping someone here may be able to help.
I have three RCA televisions (all are model #L22HD32D, made in 2008) that each have a single HDMI input port with the following specs:
HDMI compliant (type A connector)
HDCP compliant
E-EDID compliant
Suggested scan rates: 1080i, 480p, 480i, 720p
HDMI Audio: 2-channel PCM
32/44.1/48 kHz sampling frequency
16/20/24 bits per sample
I first tried hooking up Roku sticks to these televisions and just got a black screen when I selected the HDMI input. I tried three Roku sticks on each of the three RCA televisions, with the same results. I know that the HDMI ports are functioning on all of the three televisions because they work with my AT&T U-verse boxes and gaming consoles. I got no help from Roku tech support, so I decided to try the FTV. Before buying, however, I took one of the televisions into Best Buy and had their Geek Squad look at it. We hooked a FTV up to the television and got the same result as with the Roku, i.e., just a black screen. They were baffled and of no help.
I was then told by the guy who sold me three FTV units that the problem was with the 1080i resolution on my televisions, and that the FTV resolution could be set to work with them. So, I bought three FTVs, received them, and I still have the same problem, even though 720p has been selected on them while hooked up to a Sony television.
I talked to FTV tech support and they are baffled as well, saying that “it should work”. They have their tech team puzzling over it, but I’m not holding my breath. Can any of you tech wizards out there help? Please??
hi,
I don’t have an answer for you but you should post this exact question on XDA form if you haven’t, someone from there will eventually suggest something.
Thank you
Try a static ip installed on the foremost device in your LAN, probably the wifi router.
I’m trying to get the Fire stick to work via an older TV through a DVI converter to HDMI. I can’t get it to work – any suggestions please?
Thanks,
This is an awesome feature I wish all Android with video out supported. It’d be nice to choose a lower resolution for a game instead of relying on the developer to throw in a lower resolution rendering mode.
How do you execute this on the new 2015 Firetv w/gaming controller? There is no select button mentioned for this generation controller. Thanks.
So far, I have not been able to replicate this on the 2015 FireTV with gaming controller, or with a FIRE TV STICK CONTROLLER CONNECTED TO THE 2015 FIRETV.
The new combo is Up and Rewind, and it is impossible to achieve with the gaming controller. Also, when I select 1080p24hz, my TV recognizes it as 60hz. My tv correctly recognizes 24 hz with every other hardware I’ve tried, PS3, ps4, xbox one, asus cube, wd tv live streaming, etc.
I’ve pressed every combination of buttons on my fire remote and nothing happens on any TV so changing the resolution is not possible! Now what?
The article is now out of date, it is :-
* SELECT & PLAY (Hold For 5-10 Seconds) – Restart
* UP & REWIND (Hold For 5-10 Seconds) – Resolution Cycle (press SELECT when you’ve found the one you want, will time out and go back to whatever it was before if you don’t)
As an aside, it’s a shame that the Fire TV stock remote doesn’t use IR codes, so there’s no way to use a universal learning remote to capture the codes for a quick restart/resolution change.
I’ve tried the rewind and up combination several times and I cannot get it to go down to 480p. My TV does support 480p as I have connected other things do it at that resolution. For some reason the Fire TV refuses to go below 720p and it ticks me off. I don’t need HD streaming 24/7 nor do I want it.
What am I missing?
Will changing the resolution settings to a lower settings reduce internet data usage?
Thanks!
No.
Please be advised that the resolution is extremely important to the function of the Fire-TV device on rural networks that can only provide limited bandwidth. HD video streams will buffer more the higher the resolution, and I am not sure yet if the resolution is effecting the data-rate itself, or just the out-put to the monitor. Any info is appreciated.
I guess no-one knows yet – so we’ll need to play!
we’ve got the cpu usage data/graph running at the top of our screen? our 4 year old got it some how and we can’t turn it off, anyone know how?
Sat on remote, this diagnostic menu came up, where I was able to turn on the overlay you speak of. So far your comment is the only mention of it on the web I have been able to find. Restarting the device removed it, but it displayed useful information such as the network signal strength.
Mine is showing the statistical info as well…resolution info, cpu usage, memory, network strength. Don’t know how to get rid of it
Our 2 year old turned it on as well… unplugging the device from the power source and then reconnecting it solved the problem
Cool, With the latest OS 5.05, there is 3840x2160x30 fps possible.
And: The GUI may work a bit (it may go dark on every key press on the remote). Unfortunately, UHD movies only plays in HD 1080p.
I have noticed on the latest version of Amazon Fire TV something interesting. When switching from HDMI 1 (regular TV) and turning on Amazon Fire TV (HDMI 3) after a few clicks on the Amazon Fire Remote the TV picture keeps getting darker and darker. There is no way to try an adjust the video settings. Any similar problems? The TV is also an LG Prime 4K UHD with all the bells and whistles.
This was a lifesaver, I was attempting to connect the newer version of the Fire TV box with the latest updates, to an older 32″ Philips LCD tv with multiple HDMI inputs. Your steps of “REVERSE and UP” on the Fire TV remote solved the problem. I can see the Fire TV box now on the older tv and access PS Vue. Thanks a million for this excellent guide. I made a few missteps and reset my Fire TV several times before reading the last part of your guide. Thanks!!!
Hi I am trying to use fire stick on new Samsung 19 inch hd tv/monitor.It starts then stops with an error message about optimal mode. I am unable to use the hints given as I cant access the firestick in the first place. It then almost reboots with the screen telling me it is optimising system storage and applications!!!
Help please
hey, i have an old samsung flatscreen tv (640×480) without hdmi. i bought an vga adapter recommanded. my chromecast will only show an issuelable, the firestick showed 3 times a starting picture, then blacked out. one time it worked, but when trying to attach the sound i unfortunatly moved the cable too much and it was all gone. dont know what to do, since 2 hours i am reattaching the cables and sometimes it stays all black, sometimes it flickers… but no picture… the trick didnt really do anything… anybody a clue?
if i reset back to factory original state can i stop the stick updating itself so i can use firestarter again..thanks in advance
Steve
How do i remove the 1080p from displaying at the top of my screen
That’s caused by your TV, not the Fire TV.
But mines come on only right after I sat on my phone remote and I herd clicking. So I figure there must be a way to get it back off. And If there’s A way I will like to know myself.
But mines come on only right after I sat on my phone remote and I heard clicking. So I figure there must be a way to get it back off. And If there’s A way I will like to know myself. Editing because I realized it was easy to fix. Didn’t like to unplug my whole power cord strip but it fixed the problem.
HDMI LG TELE…,.
FIRETVSTICK/KODI…,.
ALL THE GOODIES…,.
SONY DIGITAL AUDIO VIDEO CONTROL CENTER…,.even though it’s a Fire TV stick when I hook up an APk through Es File Explorer,it thinks it’s a Kindle,further more in the EYES my Amazon acct.it reads as Fire TV Box…,. What gives?? GEEVES MY BOY…,.
My Fire Stick keeps needing to have me reset the resolution. Screen appears zoomed in by about 200%, blurry, etc., Restoring to 108p or Auto resolution setting in the menus resolves the problem, but this is occurring daily (or more frequently).
Any idea why and what I can do to prevent this?
Hi.
Problem with my fire stick.
I have a black strip across the top of my screen, my son was messing around with the remote and I can’t take it off now.
It has the details of:
720p 60 cpu (then a chart) mem (then memory bar) Net (another bar) 1.1kbps
I can’t get it off the screen
How to Fix MPEG-2 Interlace issue? Is there a key combo for this?
to get rid of the top of screen diagnostic window – Hold down Select and Down for 5 sec, release, and then quickly press Menu. There should be an option there to turn it off.
Way to go rook!
I been looking for this answer for weeks. Amazing what a toddler can do unknowingly in seconds which takes quite a bit of time and effort for an adult to undo:)
My business partners were requiring MN GAC 11-U some time ago and learned about a business that has lots of form templates . If others require MN GAC 11-U too , here’s
https://goo.gl/c8vpkEI just purchased the firestick which was working fine, all of a sudden the screen went from vertical to horizontal. Movies,video etc which are usually down the left are now appearing across the top.I suspect something was pressed on the remote. How can I get it back to it appearing down the left
I cannot access “system” from my home settings. When I click on settings, I go directly to the notifications and other menu items. Can anyone provide a solution for this?
I often use iDealshare VideoGo to change Video Resolution of MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, WMV etc on Mac/Windows.
Hi after connecting fire stick 2 in my LCD HDMI I am getting message ” mode not supported the resolution is not supported on this TV. please change the resolution”
I have tried all above mentioned buttons but not getting any options to change resolution.
Kindly help
I can access the hidden resolution options, but it wont switch to 480p, when it shows 480p 60hz, I click on use current resolution, but it won’t switch to 480p, it just goes back to 1080p.
Upgrading to version 5.2.6.0 got rid of the 480p in the hidden resolution option for some reason.
Didn’t see the update until I had already tried the key combo you said would cycle the resolutions. That key combo is now irreversibly reseting my stick back to its factory settings! Thanks you for the article BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE EDITED YOUR ORIGINAL POST WITH THE PROPER KEY COMBO NOT POSTED IT AS A FOOTNOTE! Now I presume I will have to do hours of work to get it back where it was before. AT THE VERY LEAST PUT A WARNING IN THE TITLE TO THIS OR DELETE IT, YOU HAVE DONE MORE HARM THAN GOOD.
THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS! YOU MADE MY DAY!!!
I was messing with kodi settings and accidentally selected a resolution that is not supported by my tv cause now it’s flashing a blue box that says unsupported mode. I have tried all combinations of holding buttons listed above and none of them work! Can someone please help me!!!
Hi I’m having trouble with the picture size using the firestick. I’m not technical so the only way I can describe it is that it’s as if the picture is zoomed in i.e. the whole thing does not fit on my TV screen. Could this multi-button pressing option help fix that please? A plain English response would be much appreciated as I’m not a technical whizz. Thanks
go to settings…it may take you a moment to get to that….go to settings, then accessibility, turn off magnifier.
this will take your screen back to reg size
Thank you!!!
With the update of reverse and up button depressed, it only gives the lowest resolution available of 720p at 25fpm. I couldn’t get back, right, reverse and select to work for me, i’m assuming because I have a newer fire stick.
Nothing is working. I can’t get to the resolution due to it keep shutting off and saying select the right resolution. Please help
Awesome! I have an older tv in our spare bedroom that I bought a a FireTV for because I wanted all of our TVs to have the same interface, only to find that the TV wouldn’t display on the native resolution options on the Fire Stick. I was set to return it when I decided to Google if there was a way to make it display at different resolution and I stumbled onto this article. Gave this a shot and a minute later I had the Fire TV up and running. Thanks for your post! Appreciate it.
Huge thanks… going to Hulu and have an older Samsung plasma with a component input. I bought a HDMI to component adapter to use the Firestick with my TV… plugged it all up and nothing but an error message “not supported mode”… reverse and up saved the day.
Basically there looks like two resolutions on my Firestick… 1080p and 720p… there’s Auto too but the 720p setting works and the 1080 does not. 720 it is.
Huge thanks for this “hidden” key combo to resolve my resolution issue.
Just purchased a Insignia NS-32DF model Firetv edition tv and got everything setup but couldnt figure out how to fix the resolution. Somewhere online told me to reset to factory settings and then I could fix the resolution then. Well once I did that after it loads up it is stuck on Choose your language screen. I hit select on the remote and nothing happens…any help would be appreciated.
Thanks mate, this help me :)
I didn’t see the update until after I did this and instead this popped up the factory reset. Even though it showed me two buttons with an option to cancel, I was unable to select cancel. Now I’ve got to set everything up again. Yay.
That’ll teach me to read all the way through first.
The try for resolution settings just brings up reset to factory defaulte, and I can just cancel that. I have a 2nd gen. Is this for older models?
Ok, looking through the comments I now see the edit, the one that could have been added in right with the other instructions. I am wanting to go to a square screen 1280×1024 and none of the options will allow that.
i am unable to get my settings to cycle either, bought item last week so is an up-to date model. reset works but the screen flashes white then nothing ie resolution will not allow menu. any solutions for 2nd gen would be great.
Is there a way to play 800 by 600 from the fire stick?
I have an old projector which only goes up to 800 by 600 and it would be a shame to throw it away.
My fire stick working perfectly on my LG Flatron LG L194WS trough HDMI2VGA Adapter. its shows two resolution on fire tv 1080p 60Hz & 720p 50Hz. on 720p screen showing ok and everything is visible but with vertical white lining in screen. as i selected automatic or 1080p the screen shows perfect quality pictures but some part of screen at left hand side goes unvisible & part of left side pictures hides slightly. as i tried to change resolution through my monitor when i reset it to factory settings it show error as please change resolution to 1400×900 for optimal display. so part of my screen goes left hand side. please help. can it be solved by disabling the magnifier
Assuming your Firestick OS is updated to the latest version,
AFTER selecting the resolution you want go into:
SETTINGS > Display and Sounds > Calibrate Display.
Using your remote, follow the onscreen instruction to adjust
the Arrows to fit your screen.
This article is VERY BAD since the key sequence you show for chaging resolution does a factory reset in newer FireOS.
You should fix this.
Granted, it is an 8 year old article and there is already an update at the bottom that mentions the new button combination. That said, I have crossed out the original button combination and inserted the new combination in the article for those that don’t read far enough to see the update at the bottom.
I just have a normal remote for fire series 4 tv, how do I change resolution? Having trouble not tech savy
I’ve had my Fire TV Stick 4K Ultra HD for a couple of years but only recently upgraded my TV to 4K (Samsung QE50QN90B) I also upgraded the HDMI connection (8k-10k eARC) to my Denon AVR X3600H Monitor 1 ARC/eARC HDMI port. My internet download speed is typically >35Mbps
My problem is this: when I connect the Fire stick to an HDMI port on the TV it detects the 4k capability but when connected to the media port 5 on the Denon AV it only recognizes 1080p 60Hz. Any suggestions?