Amazon to remotely disable Fire TV Blaster devices by the end of March

Amazon has begun notifying Fire TV Blaster owners via email that support for the device will end “in the coming weeks,” and all units will soon stop functioning entirely.

This marks the first time the company is remotely disabling a Fire TV accessory, regardless of its current usability or software support status.

The announcement, first highlighted by AFTVnews through a shared image of Amazon’s customer notification, confirms that the Fire TV Blaster will be remotely deactivated, rendering it non-functional. The device, launched in 2019, was designed to extend hands-free Alexa voice control to TVs, soundbars, and AV receivers by emitting IR signals when paired with both a Fire TV Stick and an Echo speaker. This setup effectively mimicked the capabilities of the more expensive Fire TV Cube.

Amazon discontinued the Blaster in early 2025 after a four-year run and modest reception. While it had a rocky start due to a complicated setup involving both the Fire TV and Alexa apps, later updates improved its functionality and brought its user rating to a more positive spectrum. Despite that, its limited adoption appears to have been a catalyst for its early deprecation.

The Fire TV Blaster is the first Amazon smart home product to be actively disabled post-sale, a significant departure from previous decisions. Devices like the Fire TV Recast DVR and Echo Flex, though no longer sold, remain fully functional. This move raises concerns about device longevity and user trust, particularly as some customers may have purchased the Blaster less than a year ago.

To soften the blow, Amazon is offering affected customers a $60 discount on the Fire TV Cube, its high-end streaming box with built-in IR blaster and full Alexa integration, bringing the price down to $79.99. Buyers must use promo code 60FTV at checkout by March 31, 2026. An alternative offer gives 50% off Fire TV Stick models with promo code 50FTV. However, only the Cube discount ignores sale prices, while the Stick discount stacks with them.

For those opting not to upgrade, Amazon is also providing free shipping labels to recycle the Blaster through its official recycling program.