If you are a new owner or prospective buyer looking for a Firestick, you may have many questions about the gadget. It is best to know how it works beforehand to avoid any mishaps along the way. This article focuses on some of the most common questions about the Firestick and will hopefully address your pressing concerns.
So, do you keep Firestick plugged in? The Firestick must always stay plugged in when operating because it requires a direct power source and doesn’t have inbuilt batteries. You can plug it into a wall outlet or the TV’s USB port but unplugging it turns it off. However, the socket is the best alternative because it provides the device’s minimum required output. The TV port, on the contrary, is only an alternative and may not perform as well as the wall outlet.
Some gadgets usually have inbuilt batteries, meaning that you can unplug them when they have a full battery and use them until they need a recharge. Therefore, you may wonder, how is the Firestick powered?
You always need to plug in an Amazon Fire TV stick for it to function, such that unplugging it will shut it down. You can either use a wall outlet or connect it to the TV using a USB wire. It operates with at least 5V at 1000 mA, needing a direct power source.
Since it doesn’t have installed batteries, its primary charge is the direct connection to the wall or the TV. Therefore, switching off the power or turning off the TV depending on your connection method will turn off the Firestick.
Ultimately, the Firestick will not operate without plugging it into the wall or the TV through the USB. The wall outlet is the recommended and most preferred by users because it provides the setup with the required power. The system needs 1000 ma that the TV’s USB may fail to deliver. Still, some TV models are powerful enough to run it through the port but it is best to use the go-to method.
There are no workarounds to connecting the Firestick, and you must always plug it into the socket or TV USB port. You cannot recharge it whenever you want to use it because it doesn’t have an inbuilt battery.
Perhaps you are worried that the constant plugging in means using a lot of power to run. Fortunately, the Firestick is one of the most energy-efficient household appliances that won’t strain your electric bills.
If you are conscious about being kind to the environment, a follow-up question may be whether you can unplug the device when you are no longer using it. Frequently turning the gadget on and off can damage the hardware and other systems.
The safest way to minimize its power consumption is by setting it to sleep mode because you can quickly turn it on again by clicking any button on the remote. This mode makes it dormant but still allows the gadget to receive system updates.
Can You Use a Firestick Without Plugging Into a Wall?
Like any other household appliance, the Fire TV Stick also requires power to run, and you need a convenient charging source before setting it up. A reliable plug-in plays a significant role in the kind of streaming you can get but an unstable one will affect your entire experience. The coming tips might help if you are looking for alternatives to using a wall outlet.
The USB port in the TV is a reliable method and is the only other way to power the Firestick besides using the main socket. Amazon’s Fire TV Stick cannot function without linking to a power source; therefore, the cable may be a handy option if you can’t get a wall socket.
As Amazon recommends, the Firestick comes packed with an AC adapter and a charging cord from the manufacturer, primarily for powering the Fire TV straight from the wall.
The conventional means to power up a Firestick is through a socket but you can also use the TV’s USB port as a viable alternative. It will still function and give the Fire TV the power to get online as you stream your favorite shows and movies. The manufacturer requires you to religiously use the included charger that offers the exact voltage that the Firestick needs to run.
However, sometimes, you have no option but to plug the cord into the USB to access content on the Firestick and avoid missing out on your programs. Charging the Firestick from the wall remains the preferred option because it powers the device according to its specifications. Therefore, the plugging will work seamlessly without limiting the Firestick’s performance, and it is unlike the USB option that can release power far below one amp.
When the charge fluctuates on the Firestick, it means that you can expect a below-par performance. In contrast, it is best to plug the cord into the main socket for the Firestick to run better.
However, if you can’t find an AC adapter or a wall outlet in your home or hotel, you can use the TV USB but confirm first that it can transmit over 500 ma. The cable you are using should also be compatible with the setup, but sometimes even a smartphone USB cable can do the trick.
How To Use TV USB Port To Power Firestick
Entertainment is drastically evolving, and users have to keep up with the changes. The Firestick is a remarkable portable invention and opens you to fresh content from various apps. Perhaps you cannot link it to a wall socket and must use the TV USB port for the first time; this section breaks down the entire process for you.
The USB port behind the TV can successfully power your Firestick and get you online, and it is the only other option besides plugging it into a socket. Apart from the actual charging adapter, it is the other convenient method to power up Amazon’s Fire TV Stick.
The latest USB cords are powerful enough to output the recommended amount of power that the device requires. All you need is a USB port in the TV, a compatible cord, and a micro-USB slot on the Firestick to power the setup.
There are various reasons to warrant using a USB port as a power source; you may have lost your adapter or forgot to carry it on your trip. Luckily, it doesn’t mean that you will not use the Firestick, thanks to the USB method. You can fix this cable to the back of your TV in an effortless procedure.
First, identify the port and choose a free one and insert one end of the USB cord in it with the remaining part plugged into the Firestick’s micro-USB slot. You can now fix the device in the TV’s HDMI to get started.
Most prefer using the TV’s USB slot to power the Firestick since it doesn’t require too many cables. The adapter, in contrast, usually needs a longer wire to access the wall, but sometimes the available socket is too far from the system. Additionally, experts argue that using a USB as a power source may cause adverse damages to the Fire TV Stick in the long run due to fluctuating power supply to the device.
However, there are high-quality USB cables and ports in the market, and using one means having a smoothly running Firestick. A television with a 3.0 USB port or better and a cord that can convey approximately one amp is perfect for the Firestick. Note that a USB-charged Fire TV will switch off whenever you turn off the TV, making it inconvenient since you will have to start searching programs afresh each time.
How Long Should a Firestick Last?
A gadget’s lifespan is one of the most important aspects to know about an electronic device because it will tell you whether it is worth the investment or not. Everyone will go for a durable option that is value for their money, and you may be wondering about what to expect with the Firestick.
The Firestick’s lifespan depends on several factors, but you can expect it to last between 3-5 years on average. However, like any other household electronic device, it can take only a few years according to the craftsmanship, frequency of use, construction materials, and the state of power in the household.
Conditions like overheating, lagging, freezing, and app crashing may also drastically reduce the Firestick lifespan. Fortunately, the manufacturers have made the device more durable, lasting longer with proper care.
Most users incline to the Firestick because of its impressive features like easy assembly and part durability. It explains why you can expect it to serve you for up to five years, which is pretty long in the world of such devices. Thanks to its incredible features, it is versatile and straightforward to operate. However, it still has software or hardware flaws being a frequently used electronic gadget.
You can expect issues like lagging, crashing apps, screen freezes, and abrupt restarts when the Firestick strains excessively. Too much overheating can also reduce its lifespan, hence the need to avoid constant long hours of use and take breaks when you can.
It is also vulnerable to low power quality and surges, which increase the chances of breaking. Your Firestick will strain if you use it for 10 hours or more consecutively or leave it on during the night when it is not in use.
Besides these, there are still other logical reasons behind you having issues with your Firestick. It is best to detect the problem first to determine whether you can fix the affected component instead of replacing the whole kit.
Luckily, the Firestick is one of the best quality streaming devices in the market, unlike other cheaper options. Therefore, it is an excellent investment, able to last years of use as long as it gets great care and maintenance.
How To Improve Your Firestick Lifespan
The Firestick is a worthy investment because it is one of the best streaming devices in the market. Still, it is best to make the most of it by increasing its lifespan. You can follow the following handy tips if you want to keep enjoying using the Firestick.
First, it is advisable to delete unnecessary apps that may block the system from working seamlessly. The data monitoring feature can also deter the Firestick’s typical performance, hence the need to turn it off. Additionally, regularly update the device, factory reset it, and leave it on sleep mode whenever you are not using it. Letting it stay on all day and night can affect its internal system.
It is best always to take care of your Firestick to make it last longer. You can try to minimize straining it to work effortlessly, and it is best to deal with glitches immediately you spot them. For starters, heaps of applications can bug and restrain the system. Therefore, to maintain the Firestick’s ideal operating speed, you may need to uninstall programs you don’t need and only keep the essential ones.
The Amazon Fire TV Stick requires updates whenever newer versions are available. However, the manufacturer cautions that excessive upgrades will instead slow down the system and increase bugs. The data monitoring feature running in the background also adds unnecessary load on the device but stopping it makes the system lighter and faster.
Furthermore, users plug it on the power outlet longer than required in most instances. It may lead to power surges and damage the device’s hardware. To avoid this, you can set the Firestick to sleep mode when not using it or remove it from the charge. This way, the streamer may last longer. Finally, if nothing seems to work and the device continues to lag and show other issues, you can carry out a factory reset to fix the problem.
Wrap Up
Now you know that the Firestick must always stay plugged in to operate. You can connect it to a wall outlet or the TV USB port using a cable. However, the former is the recommended method because it usually provides the power output that the device requires. On the contrary, the USB method may fail if the TV doesn’t supply the minimum requirement.
Luckily, the setup doesn’t consume a lot of power, meaning that you can always leave it plugged but remember to avoid leaving it on for too long. It can cause hardware and software damages due to overheating and power surges. If you take care of the device, it can serve you for up to five years or more but remember to delete excessive unused files and make regular updates.
