Troubleshooting: Black Rectangle on Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max

If you're seeing a black rectangle covering most of your TV screen when using the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, here are the most common causes and how to fix them.

Troubleshooting Steps

1. Restart and Power Check

• Restart your Fire TV:
  • Hold the Select + Play/Pause buttons together for 5–10 seconds to restart.
• Use the correct power accessories:
  • Ensure you're using the original power cord and adapter that came with the device.
  • Insufficient power from third-party adapters can cause display issues.

2. HDMI Cable and Port Issues

• Try a different HDMI port on your TV.
• Use a high-speed HDMI cable for better performance.
• Remove any HDMI adapters, hubs, or extenders, and connect the Firestick directly to the TV.
• If using an HDMI hub or switch:
  • Try bypassing it and connect the Firestick directly to a TV HDMI input.
• If possible, test the Firestick with and without an HDMI adapter or extender.
• Try a different TV to rule out TV-specific compatibility issues.

3. Display or Resolution Settings Conflict

• Adjust resolution settings:
  • Go to Settings > Display & Sounds > Display > Video Resolution.
  • Set it to Auto or try a lower resolution (like 1080p 60Hz).
  • You can also press and hold Up + Rewind on the remote for 10 seconds to cycle through available resolutions.
• Turn HDMI-CEC Device Control off and then on again:
  1. Go to Settings on your Fire TV device.
  2. Select Display & Sounds.
  3. Select HDMI-CEC Device Control to turn it off, then turn it on again.
     1. If the above does not do anything, leave HDMI-CEC off.

4. Accessibility or Screen Overlay

• Go to Settings > Accessibility.
• Turn Screen Magnifier and any other overlay features off.
• If possible, reset all accessibility settings to their defaults.

5. Let the Device Sit

• Let the Firestick sit for at least 25 minuteswith the screen on.
  • This can allow the device to complete any pending updates or resolve screen state transitions.

6. App or UI Glitch

• Some applications or UI overlays can become stuck.
  • A restart (see Step 1) typically resolves this issue.
  • If the issue disappears after restarting, it may have been a temporary glitch.

7. Hardware Fault

• If the issue persists across different TVs and HDMI setups, the Firestick itself may be defective.
  • Contact Amazon Support for a replacement if under warranty.