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If you’re excited about gifting yourself an Amazon Firestick this year, you aren’t alone. The popular tech gadget is making everyone’s stay-at-home-and-relax routine so much more convenient by giving them easier access to the TV shows and movies they love to watch. But installing the device comes with one caveat: you should not simply hook up your Amazon Firestick to a TV and call it a day. Tech Expert Khunshan S Ahmad, co-founder of InsideTechWorld.com, spoke to SHEFinds.com about why you should never connect an Amazon Firestick to your TV — and what you should do instead.
Amazon Firestick comes with a warning that advises users to not directly connect the Firestick to your TV and use the power adapter provided with the device, according to Ahmad. “If the warning comes from the author, it indeed has a reason,” he says. “However, many people miss the sign or avoid it for the convenience of directly using the stick with TV.”
It pays to be patient when you purchase an Amazon Firestick and follow directions closely. Plugging the Firestick into your TV’s USB port can be damaging because the Firestick’s power adapter provides up to 1 Ampere, whereas most USB ports on a TV offer a 0.5 Ampere of power, Ahmad says.
As a result of connecting the two directly, you can literally cause damage to your brand new Firestick.
“One of the most common risks with this connection is that it holds the chance of bricking or damaging your device,” Ahmad says. “It is significantly less likely to happen, but there's still a chance. The device usually requires more power during a software update, so that's when you need to be more careful.”
A better way of incorporating the Amazon Firestick into your entertainment system would be to use the power adapter that comes with the device. It is designed and powered only for the device; hence it incorporates its needs perfectly, according to Ahmad.
“Another solution to the problem is to use the 'Made for Amazon USB power cable,' which is available on Amazon,” Ahmad says. “It connects your device directly with the TV, and you won't need an AC outlet for it. It supports the device to incorporate its power needs as well.”
