What to Know

Can I Use Fire Stick on Computer Monitors?

It’s completely possible to connect a Fire Stick to a computer monitor that’s not being used for anything else and has no actual computer hardware attached to it. The method will differ greatly though depending on what type of monitor you have.

If your computer monitor has a built-in HDMI port and is relatively new, you should be able to simply plug the Fire Stick into it, switch the Source or Input, and use it as you would on a TV.

Here are some of the more common problems people experience when connecting Fire Sticks to monitors, along with some quick proven fixes.

If your monitor doesn’t have an HDMI port, you will need an HDMI adapter for a DVI, VGA, or RCA connection depending on your monitor model. Check which type you need before buying an adapter.

How to Fix No Fire Stick Image or Sound on Monitor

How to Fix No Sound From a Fire Stick and Monitor 

You should be able to use your monitor’s built-in speakers or a set that’s connected either wirelessly or with a traditional cable. 

The easiest option? Connect a Bluetooth speaker to the Fire Stick itself. To do this, turn on the Fire Stick and select Settings > Controller and Bluetooth Device > Other Bluetooth Device > Add Bluetooth Device.

After a wired solution? Invest in an HDMI audio extractor device that will pass the HDMI video signal to the monitor and provide you with several audio-out options for your speakers.

Using Bluetooth will also let you connect earphones to your Fire Stick.

How Do I Show My Computer Screen on Fire Stick?

The entire process only takes a few seconds to set up and requires no additional cables or devices.

How Do I Connect My Fire Stick to My Windows Computer?

To use a Fire Stick with a Windows computer, here’s what you’ll need:

  • Your Fire Stick TV streaming stick.
  • The Fire Stick’s USB charging cable.
  • The HDMI extension cable that comes with your Fire Stick.
  • An HDMI splitter with support for HDCP1.2 or higher.
  • An extra HDMI cable.
  • A capture card.
  • Capture card software.

For this example, we’ll use an Elgato Game Capture HD60 S capture card, but you can use almost any model from any manufacturer designed to record and view media from an HDMI source.

Most HDMI splitters do not support HDCP, so checking the product description before buying one is essential. Splitters designed for video game streamers usually have this functionality, but you should still double-check before purchasing.

If your Windows device has two USB ports and can support charging multiple devices, plug the Fire Stick USB cable into one. If not, connect it to the USB power adapter and plug it into a power socket.

Plug the other end of the USB cable into your Fire Stick.

Connect the HDMI extension cable to the Fire Stick.

An HDMI extension cable was likely included with your Fire Stick when you bought it. We need it here as the Fire Stick blocks the HDMI splitter’s power supply cable when connected directly.

Plug the Fire Stick’s HDMI extension cable into the HDMI splitter’s HDMI In port.

If your HDMI splitter requires a power supply, connect its required cable now and plug it into a power source.

Plug your HDMI cable into one of the HDMI splitter’s HDMI Out ports.

Some HDMI splitters are known to only offer HDCP support in one of their HDMI ports. If you get a black screen when you connect your Fire Stick to your computer, try switching to one of the other HDMI Out ports on the splitter.

Plug in the capture card’s USB cable.

Plug the HDMI cable from the HDMI splitter into the capture card’s HDMI In port. Your setup should now look something like the image below.

On your computer, open the capture software that’s compatible with your capture card.

Here we’ll be using Game Capture HD, the free software that comes with the Elgato Game Capture HD60 S capture card. You can use something else if you like.

Press the Home button on your Fire Stick remote to wake it from sleep. The image should appear on your computer immediately, though it can take up to a minute.

If you see a black screen and a red HDCP error message on the top-right of the screen, switch the HDMI Out port on the HDMI splitter. To fix non-HDCP issues, disconnect the capture care, wait three minutes, and reconnect to reset the connection. Closing the software, waiting a few minutes, and opening it again can also fix display errors.

Right-click the display area and select Enter Full Screen.

  • How do I connect my Fire Stick to my computer monitor via Bluetooth?
  • While you can’t connect these devices via Bluetooth, you can wirelessly cast to a Fire Stick from your Windows PC using the built-in screen-casting support between the devices. First, turn on mirroring on your Fire Stick from Display & Audio > Enable Display Mirroring. Then enable screen mirroring on your PC; select the Action Center > Connect > and choose your Fire TV.
  • Why does nothing happen when I connect my Fire Stick directly to my computer?
  • The Fire Stick isn’t designed to operate when it’s plugged into an HDMI port on your computer, even if it’s an HDMI input port. To successfully connect a Fire Stick with your PC or laptop and view content, you need an HDMI splitter and capture card to transmit the signals from your Fire Stick to your computer.

While you can’t connect these devices via Bluetooth, you can wirelessly cast to a Fire Stick from your Windows PC using the built-in screen-casting support between the devices. First, turn on mirroring on your Fire Stick from Display & Audio > Enable Display Mirroring. Then enable screen mirroring on your PC; select the Action Center > Connect > and choose your Fire TV.

The Fire Stick isn’t designed to operate when it’s plugged into an HDMI port on your computer, even if it’s an HDMI input port. To successfully connect a Fire Stick with your PC or laptop and view content, you need an HDMI splitter and capture card to transmit the signals from your Fire Stick to your computer.

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