How to connect an Amazon Firestick to your laptop
Having an Amazon Fire Stick is one of easiest ways to stream your favorite movies and shows. Just plug it in to your TV, connect to Wi-Fi and hit play. But what about when you’re not on the couch—wouldn’t it be nice to use your Firestick on a laptop and binge watch Selling Sunset or Jack Ryan wherever you want?
At Asurion, our experts get questions like this every day. They help millions of customers (and counting) resolve their device problems and get the most out of their favorite tech, from finding ways to make a refrigerator last longer to cleaning a TV screen without damaging it. Here are their tips for how to watch Firestick on a laptop.
Can you use a Firestick on a laptop?
Your laptop has HDMI ports similar to those on your TV, but they work in different ways. The HDMI on your TV can send video and accept video from other sources, like the Amazon Fire Stick, but most laptops don’t have this function.
Laptops can only send video signals using their HDMI-out ports. This allows them to connect to external monitors and televisions and mirror their screen. The Fire Stick also uses an HDMI broadcast output to plug in and stream content to devices. Essentially, a laptop and Fire Stick are designed to do the same thing.
So does Firestick work on a laptop? The short answer is… not exactly. Both devices contain HMDI outputs, and to be compatible, there has to be an input as well. Fortunately, there are few methods you can try if you really want to learn how to use a Firestick on a laptop: an HDMI splitter, VGA adapter and a Video Capture device.
How to Connect a Firestick to a Laptop
Using a VGA Adapter – If you have an older laptop, it may have VGA ports instead of HDMI. Not sure? They’re usually located on the back of your computer. A VGA adapter can plug into these ports and connect to your Amazon Fire Stick so you can use it with your laptop. But you may want to get an adapter that has an audio output or a HDMI Audio Extractor to make sure you hear sound when you connect the cables. Our experts like this one from Amazon: The Moread HDMI to VGA Adapter.
Using a HDMI Splitter – An HDMI splitter can redirect your HDMI signals and allow you to connect a Firestick to a laptop. When you want to stream content, a splitter will work as a screen mirroring tool to display the same video on both your devices. And no need to worry about losing sound. HDMI splitters can share audio and video on your laptop and Fire Stick simultaneously without issue. Looking for a splitter? Here’s what Asurion Experts recommend: The Rocketfish™ 2-Output HDMI Splitter with 4K and HDR Pass-Through.
Using Video Capture – One way you may be able to stream your Amazon Firestick on a laptop is with the help of an external HDMI Video Capture Card. It will convert one of your HDMI-out ports into an input, so you can connect your two devices easily. You’ll just plug your Fire Stick into the Video Capture Card and plug the card into your laptop using a USB cord. Here’s our pick: Elgato Game Capture HD60 S
Remember, your Fire Stick is designed for a TV and due to HDMI limitations, it is not truly compatible with a laptop. If the above methods don’t work as intended, use your web browser to log in to your favorite streaming apps online. It’s the best way to watch videos on your device—without having to go to extremes.
How to Connect a Firestick to a Computer
Want to use your Firestick on a computer? Unlike a laptop, connecting your streaming device to a desktop PC or external monitor is relatively simple to do. Just plug it into an available HDMI port on your computer and switch to that input. But be aware that not all external monitors have speakers built in, so you may need to connect a pair of speakers or headphones to hear the audio.
How to Mirror a Laptop to Your Firestick
You can also easily mirror your computer screen to a TV using your Firestick. Your Windows laptop can do this, too. Just follow these steps:
On your Firestick:
Press and hold the Home button.
Select Mirroring from the menu, then select Enable Display Mirroring.
On your Windows PC or laptop:
On the right side of your taskbar, click the Notification icon.
Click Connect, then select your Firestick from the list.
Make sure your computer has a wireless adapter to enable screen sharing. It’s the only way to connect an Amazon Fire Stick to Windows 10 PCs.
Go to Settings > System > Display to change the resolution and scale of the screen.
Have a Mac? You can use a third-party app like AirScreen to mirror your Macbook onto your TV using a Fire Stick or other FireTV devices.
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