The Firestick looks like a tiny gadget, but it is an integral part of TV entertainment, giving you access to the best content from your favorite apps. If this is your first purchase and you need more info about the Firestick, you may have some questions about its power consumption. This article gives you a detailed look at what to expect.
So, how much power does a Firestick need? A Firestick needs a minimum of 1 amp to run smoothly. Generally, it uses around 2.0 W on standby, 3.0 W on scrolling, 3.8 W during streaming, and 5.0 W for gaming. Any slight drop in the minimum power requirement will cause performance issues like lagging and blank screens. Ultimately, only power from an outlet can serve these needs but the USB cable may be an alternative, although it isn’t as reliable.
New buyers often overlook total power consumption and other needs when purchasing electrical gadgets. A Firestick comes with all its components, including the power cord. If you are an attentive user, you may question its power requirements and whether it will amount to excessive power bills if you plan to use it frequently.
If you want your Firestick to work seamlessly, you should provide it with 1amp or 5V at 1000 milliamps. Generally, it uses about 2.0 W on standby, 3.0 W if scrolling, 3.8 W during streaming, and 5.0 W for gaming. It makes it one of the most energy-efficient home devices you can use that won’t strain your resources, regardless of the usage hours.
It derives the power from the micro USB charger, and a slight power reduction will lead to performance issues. It doesn’t have an internal power reserve, meaning that you must always plug it in whenever you are using it.
Unlike other gadgets, the Firestick doesn’t have an in-built battery, hence it depends on the direct power input to function. It comes with a tiny USB charger that handles all its power needs. For smooth operation, your setup must provide 1 amp or 5V, and it must be a proper power outlet for all the operations. Therefore, lower supply will lead to issues.
The device will strain more and consume higher power when performing heavy tasks. For instance, it is more demanding when you use it for gaming than on standby mode due to the heavy lifting. However, it is one of the most effective electrical appliances compared to the TV and the electric kettle that need 200 and 1200 W respectively.
You won’t have to worry about leaving it plugged even when not in use. Many think that 1 amp seems too much for such a tiny device but it’s shocking that not every outlet will provide this much power.
Also, remember that there are different Firestick types in the market, but they have almost the same power needs. All Firesticks will come with an HDMI port that you plug into the TV, but you will need another cable for the primary power source. The purchase will include an AC adapter that goes into the outlet, and this is the best way to power your Firestick.
Some users have concerns that their TVs do not supply the system with the required power. If you have an old version, it will likely transmit 0.5 amps, which is only half the recommended power. Consequently, your Firestick will be too slow, and the setup will keep reminding you that the power is insufficient. Luckily, most TVs have 1 amp, enough to handle the Firesticks.
Alternatively, you can plug the Firestick straight into a wall outlet and immediately notice how fast and effective it will run. Essentially, the Firestick slowing down isn’t always due to power shortage.
In other cases, the Fire TV stick may be running out of space, which strains the system making it slower when loading or browsing for content. Therefore, instead of immediately blaming your power, it is advisable to confirm enough space in the Firestick first.
Can Firestick Use USB for Power?
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick runs using a direct power source; therefore, you need a way to power it. This streaming device has two ports installed, the larger one for HDMI connection and the smaller slot for micro-USB. If you are setting it up for the first time, you must wonder how to use these ports to power the system.
The TV USB slot can power the Fire TV temporarily if you don’t have a primary outlet or the original power plug that usually comes with the device. However, the USB version you use also plays a major role in ensuring seamless streaming.
The ideal port should be 3.0 or better, effortlessly supplying consistent power. Also, the cable you use should be capable enough to maintain the Firestick’s power intake. You can never go wrong with the versions that Amazon recommends.
A USB is an ideal alternative for powering your device, and it helps that your purchase comes with the cable and an adapter that requires 1 amp. Based on their design, you can use these two cords on a wall outlet, but you can also avoid the conventional procedure and tether the Fire TV using the USB. However, before this process, it is best to confirm whether the setup can output over 0.5 amps, and the preferred version is a USB 3.0.
There are numerous capable cables from trusted stores in the market to choose from, if you may opt for a longer type. Once you have made a proper connection, you can enjoy your shows.
On the contrary, the Fire TV Stick manufacturer requires users to stick to the normal charging, asserting that using shortcuts to bypass the traditional procedure may cause massive damages to the system’s circuits over time.
Secondly, the USB’s power supply may fail to meet the Firestick needs, causing lagging and blank screens, especially when updating and downloading programs. Furthermore, using the TV’s USB port may be inconvenient to power the Firestick because the device will turn off when you switch off the TV.
Thus, you will have to wait for the Firestick to load every time you turn the TV on or off. Lastly, it is also advisable to monitor the device’s temperatures since leaving it on for a long time may damage its internal systems.
Can You Use a Firestick Without the USB Cable?
Before buying a Firestick, it is essential to know about all its major components and how they come together to operate it. The purchase comes with a USB cable that you must plug into the system first. Like any other curious first-time user, you may question how crucial this cable is to the whole setup.
The Firestick relies on a USB cable for charging whenever it is on since it doesn’t have an internal power storage system. Provided that you are using the device, it must always remain plugged into a power source.
It can be a wall outlet using a charging adapter or your television’s USB port. Hence, the USB cord is quite vital for the general running of the Firestick. Fortunately, the cable and charging adapter is included in the box to save you the hassle of purchasing them separately.
Firesticks do not have battery slots, meaning that you cannot power them using dry cells. As a result, your only resort would be using a USB cord, given that the cable anchors to a power output capable enough to transmit about 5 V needed to keep the streaming device active. Note that this method means that the TV and the Firestick are dependent.
Consequently, the Firestick will automatically shut down immediately when you unlink the Fire TV wire because the cord is its only power source. Even if you can acquire a charge other than the TV’s USB or a wall outlet, you will still use a micro-USB to power the device. Not all USB cables can transmit sufficient power to run the Fire TV smoothly. Therefore, it is safer only to buy products approved by the creator.
Must You Use the Provided Wall Adapter for the Firestick?
Some gadgets are very particular about the components they use, like connection cables and chargers. Another essential aspect to research is whether the Firestick must use the adapter that is part of the purchase such that you can alternate it for a better version in case of anything.
Fortunately, you can always substitute the USB for another type, although it means investing more than the full Firestick package. This method can work for you if you don’t want to use a direct power source and would rather draw it from the TV’s USB port.
Since the TV doesn’t have a special design to provide sufficient power to run the Firestick, cords like the Fire–cable Plus will come in handy. This cable is shorter and has a thicker inner core capable of transmitting power to the stick regardless of the length.
If you are using a TV USB port, you may get a warning on your setup that the power is too low. It is a deliberate design for the creators to inform the users that the stick is working fine but the power is insufficient, not enough to operate smoothly. The result is a black screen with several other related issues. It is expected since the TV is not well-equipped to run the Firestick by providing the amp it needs.
If you don’t want to use an outlet or don’t have a proper setup to power the device, there is a workaround you can deploy to alternate the standard USB. You will have to spend a little more to buy a Fire-Cable Plus, which is a careful construction for Firesticks that need to use the TV port. With this, you get a shorter cord that is 6 inches long, unlike the 5-feet regular version, enough to reach the USB port.
Additionally, it has a thick, strong core, perfect for the short data transmission distance. This cable switch is pretty easy to set up. You only have to remove the existing version from the stick and replace it with the new one.
Lastly, link the Firestick to the TV’s HDMI slot and the cable to the USB port with the other side connected to the stick. The low power message will disappear when you turn the Firestick on again.
Must You Always Plug the Firestick?
Shutting down a system after use is one way to save power on electrical devices. Other gadgets are also energy efficient, allowing charging, meaning that they don’t have to be plugged in each time unless they run out of power, but how does the Firestick work?
The Firestick doesn’t have a battery inside it and entirely relies on a direct power source to operate; therefore, it must always be plugged in whenever in use. It attaches to the HDMI slot, but this doesn’t provide it any power.
It needs a micro USB cord to run, and this cable is usually part of the purchase. Besides, there is no significant effect on the power consumption when you leave the Firestick plugged in even when it is not active, thanks to its energy efficiency.
While other devices require constant charging before using them, the Firestick will stay on only when connected to a power outlet. It doesn’t have an installed battery, meaning that it cannot generate power independently. Therefore, you have no choice but to leave it plugged when you want to use it. Thankfully, the device doesn’t consume too much power; thus, you don’t have to worry about extreme power bills.
If you are a frequent user, it would even be more convenient for you to leave it running to avoid waiting for the start-up process each time. Otherwise, you can turn it off and on when you need it; if you only use it a few times a week because you may not mind waiting for the launching process. Either way, the Firestick is energy-efficient and will use very little power, especially when not in use.
Finally
If you are considering buying a Firestick but you are worried it will consume a lot of power, worry no more. The stick is one of the most energy-efficient electrical appliances that need only 1 amp and 5 V for the most demanding tasks. Therefore, you will have no issues with leaving it on for hours even when you are not using it.
You only have to plug it into an outlet or the TV’s USB port as long as you have the Fire-Cable Plus, which is specially designed for use with the port. On the downside, the TV port is not the most reliable power source. It may not provide the minimum energy required to run the Firestick and may lead to lagging and other performance issues.
