How to Use Amazon Fire TV Stick as a Stagetimer Display

Want a cheap, portable timer display for your events? The Amazon Fire TV Stick (around $30-60) turns any TV or monitor with an HDMI port into a dedicated Stagetimer output. Perfect for confidence monitors, stage displays, or backstage countdown screens.

Fire TV Stick displaying a Stagetimer countdown on a TV
Fire TV Stick displaying a Stagetimer countdown on a TV

What You’ll Need

  • Amazon Fire TV Stick (any model works—HD, 4K, or 4K Max)
  • TV or monitor with an HDMI port
  • Wi-Fi network (the Fire TV Stick needs internet access)
  • Amazon account (free, required for setup)
  • Stagetimer room (create one free)

Tip: Use the included power adapter and plug it into a wall outlet—not the TV’s USB port. TV USB ports often don’t provide enough power, causing random reboots.

Step 1: Unbox and Connect the Fire TV Stick

Open the box and you’ll find:

  • Fire TV Stick
  • Alexa Voice Remote
  • Power cable and adapter
  • HDMI extender cable (optional, for tight spaces)
  • 2x AAA batteries for the remote
Fire TV Stick box contents laid out
What’s in the Fire TV Stick box

To connect:

  1. Insert the batteries into the remote
  2. Plug the power cable into the Fire TV Stick
  3. Connect the power adapter to a wall outlet
  4. Plug the Fire TV Stick into your TV’s HDMI port
  5. Turn on your TV and switch to the correct HDMI input
Fire TV Stick plugged into TV HDMI port
Plugging the Fire TV Stick into the TV’s HDMI port

Step 2: Complete the Initial Setup

When you power on for the first time, the Fire TV Stick will guide you through setup:

Fire TV setup screen showing language selection
Fire TV Stick language selection screen
  1. Select your language
  2. Connect to Wi-Fi and sign in to Amazon — You have two options:
    • Easy way: Scan the QR code with your phone to use the Fire TV app. It transfers your Wi-Fi credentials and Amazon account via Bluetooth automatically.
    • Manual way: Select “Set up with Remote” to enter Wi-Fi password and Amazon credentials using the on-screen keyboard.

Setup takes about 5 minutes. Once done, you’ll see the Fire TV home screen.

Step 3: Open the Silk Browser

The Fire TV Stick comes with Amazon’s Silk Browser pre-installed—that’s what we’ll use to display Stagetimer.

  1. From the Fire TV home screen, navigate to Apps (in the top menu or press the apps button on your remote)
  2. Find and select Internet (Silk Browser)
Fire TV home screen with Apps menu
Fire TV home screen showing the Apps section
Silk Browser icon in the apps list
Select the Internet (Silk Browser) app

Navigation tip: Use the directional ring on your remote to move the cursor. Press the center button to click/select.

Step 4: Navigate to Your Stagetimer Room

With Silk Browser open:

  1. Select the address bar at the top
  2. Enter your Stagetimer viewer URL (e.g., stagetimer.io/o/ABC123)
  3. Press the center button or select “Go” to load the page
Silk Browser with Stagetimer URL in address bar
Entering the Stagetimer URL in Silk Browser

Don’t know your viewer URL?

  1. Open your room’s controller page on another device
  2. Click Links in the top menu
  3. Select the Viewer output and click Short Link & QR
  4. Copy the short link (e.g., stagetimer.io/o/FFV7ELH)
Stagetimer Output Links modal showing Viewer link
Copy the Viewer link from your Stagetimer controller
Stagetimer Short Link and QR code modal
The short link is easier to type on the Fire TV remote

Step 5: Enable Fullscreen Mode

To hide the Silk browser toolbar and show only the timer:

  1. Press the Menu button on your remote (three horizontal lines)
  2. Select Full Screen or look for the expanding arrows icon
  3. The toolbar disappears, leaving just your timer
Silk Browser entering fullscreen mode
Enable fullscreen mode in Silk Browser
Stagetimer in fullscreen on Fire TV
Your timer now fills the entire screen

To exit fullscreen: Press the Menu button again.

Step 6: Prevent Screen Sleep (Optional)

Good news: Silk Browser’s fullscreen mode prevents the screensaver from activating, even with the default 5-minute timeout. In our testing, the timer stayed on indefinitely in fullscreen.

If you want extra peace of mind, or if you’re not using fullscreen, you can disable the screensaver manually:

  1. Go to Settings (gear icon in the top right)
  2. Select Display & Sounds > Screensaver
  3. Set Start Time to Never
Fire TV Settings menu
Fire TV Settings menu
Screensaver settings with Start Time set to Never
Set screensaver Start Time to “Never”

Tips for Best Results

Bookmark Your Timer

Save your timer URL as a bookmark in Silk Browser so you can quickly open it next time. Press the Menu button and select Add Bookmark.

Use a Wired Connection (Optional)

If Wi-Fi is unreliable at your venue, get the Amazon Ethernet Adapter (~$15) for a stable wired connection.

Position for Ventilation

Fire TV Sticks get warm during continuous use. Don’t enclose them in tight spaces—let air circulate around the device.

Use HDMI-CEC for Auto Power

If your TV supports HDMI-CEC, the Fire TV Stick can automatically turn on the TV when it boots. Enable this in Settings > Equipment Control > Manage Equipment > TV.

Create a Dedicated Room

For repeat events, create a Stagetimer room and save it to your account. This way, your timer settings, logo, and theme are preserved between sessions.

Summary

StepAction
1Plug Fire TV Stick into TV and power outlet
2Complete setup (Wi-Fi, Amazon sign-in)
3Open Silk Browser from Apps
4Navigate to your Stagetimer viewer URL
5Enable fullscreen mode
6(Optional) Disable screensaver in Settings

That’s it! For under $50, you have a portable, dedicated timer display that works with any TV. Control your timer from any device, and your Fire TV Stick shows the countdown to your presenter or audience.

Ready to try it? Create a free timer and open it on your Fire TV Stick.

Have questions about using Fire TV Stick with Stagetimer? Contact us or check the Stagetimer documentation.