If your Amazon Fire Stick is showing the error “Not Obtaining IP Address” when trying to connect to your Wi-Fi network, it can be frustrating. This issue means your Fire Stick is unable to get an IP address from your router, preventing it from accessing the internet.
Fixing this problem on a Windows 11 network setup can be straightforward if you follow the right steps. Whether you are a beginner or somewhat familiar with network settings, this guide will walk you through simple and effective solutions.
This article explains each step in detail so you understand why it works. Let’s get your Fire Stick connected again smoothly.
Read through each section carefully, and try the steps in order from easiest to more advanced.
Quick Note: Basic Checks Before You Start
- Ensure your Wi-Fi network is working: Check if other devices like your phone or laptop can connect to the same Wi-Fi without issues.
- Restart your Fire Stick: Sometimes a simple reboot fixes temporary glitches.
- Check your Wi-Fi password: Make sure you are entering the correct password on your Fire Stick.
- Keep your Fire Stick and router close: Distance or physical obstacles can weaken Wi-Fi signals.
Step 1: Restart Your Router and Fire Stick
Restarting devices often clears temporary network issues. Begin with this simple step before moving to more complex fixes.
- Unplug your router’s power cable and wait for 30 seconds.
- Plug the router back in and wait until all lights are stable.
- Turn off your Fire Stick by unplugging it from the TV or power source.
- Wait 10 seconds, then plug the Fire Stick back in.
- Try connecting to Wi-Fi again on your Fire Stick.
This refreshes your network devices and can resolve IP address assignment problems caused by temporary glitches.
Step 2: Forget and Reconnect to Wi-Fi Network on Fire Stick
Sometimes settings get stuck or corrupted. Forgetting the network and reconnecting forces the Fire Stick to request a new IP address.
- Go to Settings on your Fire Stick from the home screen.
- Select Network.
- Find your Wi-Fi network from the list of available networks.
- Press the menu button on the remote and choose Forget Network.
- After forgetting, select your Wi-Fi network again and enter the password carefully.
- Try connecting and see if the IP address issue is resolved.
This step ensures your Fire Stick clears any saved data about the network that might be causing conflicts.
Step 3: Assign a Static IP Address to Your Fire Stick
If your router’s DHCP server (which assigns IP addresses) is malfunctioning, setting a static IP on your Fire Stick can help. This means you manually tell your Fire Stick which IP to use instead of relying on the router to assign one.
- Open Settings on your Fire Stick.
- Go to Network and select your Wi-Fi network.
- Note down your current network details like Subnet Mask, Gateway, and DNS addresses (you can see these in the advanced network details).
- Scroll to Configure Network or similar option and select Manual for IP settings.
- Enter a static IP address within your router’s range but outside its DHCP allocation range. For example, if DHCP assigns IPs from 192.168.1.2 to 192.168.1.100, choose an IP like 192.168.1.150.
- Fill in the Subnet Mask (usually 255.255.255.0), Gateway (your router’s IP, often 192.168.1.1), and DNS (you can use your router’s IP or public DNS like 8.8.8.8).
- Save and try connecting again.
Assigning a static IP avoids the Fire Stick waiting for DHCP lease and can fix IP obtaining errors caused by DHCP server issues.
Step 4: Restart Network Services on Windows 11
If your Fire Stick connects through a Windows 11 PC acting as a hotspot or using network sharing, restarting network services can help.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
services.mscand press Enter. - Scroll down and find the following services:
- DHCP Client
- DNS Client
- Network Connections
- WLAN AutoConfig
- Right-click each service and select Restart.
- Once restarted, try connecting your Fire Stick to the network again.
Restarting these services refreshes your network management on Windows, which can resolve conflicts affecting IP address distribution.
Step 5: Update Fire Stick Software
Software bugs can cause network problems. Ensuring your Fire Stick has the latest updates may fix known issues.
- Go to Settings on your Fire Stick.
- Select My Fire TV > About.
- Choose Check for Updates.
- If an update is available, install it and reboot your device.
Keeping your device updated ensures compatibility with network protocols and fixes bugs that could affect connectivity.
Alternative Advanced Options
- Change Wi-Fi Frequency Band: If your router supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, try switching your Fire Stick connection to the other band. Sometimes one band is less congested or more stable.
- Reset Network Settings on Fire Stick: You can reset the network configuration to default via Settings > My Fire TV > Reset to Factory Defaults. Use this if other methods fail, but note it erases all settings.
- Check Router Settings: Access your router’s admin panel and ensure DHCP is enabled. Also, verify that MAC address filtering is off or that your Fire Stick’s MAC address is whitelisted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does my Fire Stick say “Not Obtaining IP Address”?
This usually means your Fire Stick is unable to get an IP address from your router’s DHCP server. It could be caused by network interference, router issues, or incorrect Wi-Fi settings.
Can I use an Ethernet adapter to fix this issue?
Yes. Using an Ethernet adapter with your Fire Stick allows a wired connection, bypassing Wi-Fi issues and often providing a more stable connection.
Is it safe to assign a static IP address?
Yes, as long as you assign an IP within your router’s local network range and outside the DHCP pool to avoid conflicts with other devices.
Will factory resetting my Fire Stick fix network problems?
It can fix stubborn issues by restoring default settings but should be considered a last resort since it deletes all your data and apps.
Can my Windows 11 PC’s firewall block my Fire Stick’s connection?
Yes, if your PC is sharing internet or acting as a hotspot, the firewall could block necessary ports. Temporarily disabling the firewall or adjusting settings may help.
When Nothing Works
If after trying all the above steps your Fire Stick still cannot obtain an IP address, consider the following options:
- Contact Amazon Support for Fire Stick-specific troubleshooting.
- Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to check for router or network issues.
- Try connecting the Fire Stick to a different Wi-Fi network to isolate the problem.
- Consult the official Amazon Fire Stick troubleshooting page: Amazon Fire Stick Support.
Conclusion
Fixing the “Not Obtaining IP Address” error on your Amazon Fire Stick when using Windows 11 networks is manageable by following a series of simple steps. Start from restarting devices and forgetting Wi-Fi networks, then progress to assigning a static IP or restarting network services on your PC.
Understanding why these steps help improves your troubleshooting skills and reduces future network frustrations. Always keep your Fire Stick updated and maintain a stable Wi-Fi environment for the best streaming experience.
By patiently following this guide, you should be able to restore your Fire Stick’s internet connection and enjoy your favorite content without interruptions.