Have you seen the Fire TV Stick error message telling you that the format (screen resolution) isn’t supported by your TV? This can be a real pain if you’re not sure how to fix it.
In this tutorial, I’ll walk you through the steps to fix the “Format not supported” error on your Fire TV Stick.
What are the possible causes of this error message?
Before we get into the steps to fix the error, let’s first look at some of the possible causes for this error message.
One common cause is that your TV’s HDMI port isn’t compatible with the Fire TV Stick. This can often be resolved by using a different HDMI port on your TV.
Reconnecting your HDMI cables can also sometimes fix the issue. If you’re using an HDMI extension cable, try removing it and connecting the Fire TV Stick directly to your TV’s HDMI port.
Another possible cause is that your TV’s display settings are set to a resolution that isn’t compatible with the Fire TV Stick. You may need to change the resolution to one that is compatible with the Fire TV Stick.
Finally, it’s also possible that there is something wrong with the Fire TV Stick itself. If you’re still seeing the error message after trying all of the other troubleshooting steps, then you may need to update or soft reset your Fire TV Stick.
How to fix the problem using different methods?
Now that we’ve looked at some of the possible causes, let’s move on to the steps you can take to fix the “Format not supported” error on your Fire TV.
HDMI Port
As I mentioned earlier, one possible cause of this error is that your TV’s HDMI port isn’t compatible with the Fire TV Stick. If this is the case, then you’ll need to try a different HDMI port on your TV.
To do this, simply unplug the Fire TV Stick from your TV’s current HDMI port and plug it into a different HDMI port. Once you’ve done this, try streaming something on your Fire TV Stick again to see if the error is still there.
You should also check that your TV supports the latest HDMI and HDCP standards. The newer HDMI 2.0 and HDCP2.2 standards are incompatible with older TVs. If your TV doesn’t support these standards, then you won’t be able to watch 4K content on your Fire TV Stick.
HDMI Cables
If you’re still seeing the error, then try reconnecting your HDMI cables. To do this, unplug both the HDMI cable from your TV and the Fire TV Stick. Then, plug the HDMI cable back into your TV and plug the other end into the Fire TV Stick.
If you’re using an HDMI switch, splitter or extension cable, try removing it and connecting the Fire TV Stick directly to your TV’s HDMI port.
Screen Resolution
Another possible cause of this error is that your TV’s display settings are set to a resolution that isn’t compatible with the Fire TV Stick. You’ll need to change the resolution to one that is compatible with the Fire TV Stick.
Change TV Screen Resolution
Go into your TV’s settings and find the option for changing the screen resolution. Change the resolution to 1080p or lower and then try streaming something on your Fire TV Stick again.
Change Fire TV Stick Screen Resolution
Press and hold the Rewind & Up buttons on the remote for at least 10 seconds. Release both buttons at once when the screen changes.
Your Fire TV Stick should cycle through different settings in an attempt to find a screen resolution that is compatible with your TV. Once found, simply tap Select on the remote.
Update or Soft Reset
If you’re still seeing the error after trying all of the other troubleshooting steps, then there may be something wrong with the Fire TV Stick itself. In this case, you’ll need to update or soft reset your device.
Check your Fire TV Stick for updates. If there’s an update available, install it and then try streaming something on your Fire TV Stick again.
If there’s no update available, or if the update doesn’t fix the problem, then you’ll need to perform a soft reset. To do this, follow these instructions.
Summary
If you’re seeing the “Format not supported” error on your Fire TV Stick, it could be caused by a number of different things. First, check that your TV’s HDMI port is compatible with the Fire TV Stick. If it isn’t, try using a different HDMI port.
You should also check that your HDMI cables are securely connected to both your TV and the Fire TV Stick. If they aren’t, reconnect them.
If you’re still seeing the error, it could be because your TV’s screen resolution is set to a resolution that isn’t compatible with the Fire TV Stick. To fix this, change the resolution to 1080p or lower.
If you’ve tried all of the above and you’re still seeing the error, then there may be something wrong with the Fire TV Stick itself. In this case, you’ll need to update or soft reset your device.
Follow my simple steps, you should be up and running in no time. Leave me a comment below if this worked for you or if you have any questions.
