I bought a used 'New' Fire TV Stick on eBay. I found it wouldn't register to my account, and amazon told me the device was replaced by them (hence the seller had it spare) and is now blocked by their servers and won't be able to be registered to an account ever again. I got a refund through paypal, so all is well.
It still powers on, but it won't let me even get to the homescreen without a problem message...
Is there any way this can be flashed to just run android? I'd love it to just be a kodi stick. Can I avoid Amazon's servers at all?
It seems a shame for a neat piece of working tech to be thrown away if it is still technically working.
Any way I can make this work?
Thanks
Ben-B said:
I bought a used 'New' Fire TV Stick on eBay. I found it wouldn't register to my account, and amazon told me the device was replaced by them (hence the seller had it spare) and is now blocked by their servers and won't be able to be registered to an account ever again. I got a refund through paypal, so all is well.
It still powers on, but it won't let me even get to the homescreen without a problem message...
Is there any way this can be flashed to just run android? I'd love it to just be a kodi stick. Can I avoid Amazon's servers at all?
It seems a shame for a neat piece of working tech to be thrown away if it is still technically working.
Any way I can make this work?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes,
You can unlock and install lineage
Unlock-
https://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/development/unlock-fire-tv-stick-2nd-gen-tank-t3907002
Lineage 12.1-
https://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/development/tank-lineageos-12-1-t3961110
I have seen a few people get work around to get some apps to work in fireOS after unlocking, but i would have to search wider to find it.
Michajin said:
Yes,
You can unlock and install lineage
Unlock-
https://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/development/unlock-fire-tv-stick-2nd-gen-tank-t3907002
Lineage 12.1-
https://forum.xda-developers.com/fire-tv/development/tank-lineageos-12-1-t3961110
I have seen a few people get work around to get some apps to work in fireOS after unlocking, but i would have to search wider to find it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes sorry if this is slightly off topic, I had a blacklisted kindle Jem, and got it unlocked rooted and custom rom flashed. There is actually a slight advantage also (in my case with the kindle) this being the fact that you don't need to worry about Ota updates if running rooted stock.
Related
hi there. I have somehow managed to brick my fire tv that had rbox cwm mod on it. I have tried numerous times to repair it using the alt-printscreen-i method without any luck other than the unit rebooting to indicate keyboard is recognised. I just get a constant white amazon logo on boot up. This is a u.s purchased fire tv that I own in the uk. was just curious to see if anyone of you clever folk out there would like to take a look at the unit and see if it can be recovered for me before I throw it out
am willing to post with the idea if it can be fixed I'd obviously pre-pay for return postage.
anyway, just thought I'd enquire as I've given up trying
paul
Paul1672 said:
hi there. I have somehow managed to brick my fire tv that had rbox cwm mod on it. I have tried numerous times to repair it using the alt-printscreen-i method without any luck other than the unit rebooting to indicate keyboard is recognised. I just get a constant white amazon logo on boot up. This is a u.s purchased fire tv that I own in the uk. was just curious to see if anyone of you clever folk out there would like to take a look at the unit and see if it can be recovered for me before I throw it out
am willing to post with the idea if it can be fixed I'd obviously pre-pay for return postage.
anyway, just thought I'd enquire as I've given up trying
paul
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If your able to boot to amazon logo did you try remote sequence to factory reset (back button and right arrow for 15 sec
Thanks for the advice mate.
Gave it a go but unfortunately I had no luck
Surely someone out there fancies having a go at fixing it??
Paul
Let us know if you manage to get this fixed mate, in the same boat as you!
Amazon will accept a return and replacement, but I'd have to ship to the US, and collect from a US address!
Cheers
Quick update, a very kind forum member was able to repair my bricked fire tv and I've just received it and its better than ever... Cannot believe how chuffed I am that somebody can be so kind as to help me out
What a fantastic forum.
Paul
Paul1672 said:
Quick update, a very kind forum member was able to repair my bricked fire tv and I've just received it and its better than ever... Cannot believe how chuffed I am that somebody can be so kind as to help me out
What a fantastic forum.
Paul
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is great news, any idea how the member fixed it? Would it be possible to share the member ID or something if the member is ok with it.
thank you
Will clear it with him first but he also rooted my uk fire tv via the hardware method discussed on here... Can't recommend the guy highly enough... An absolute legend in my eyes
I believe the guy opened it up and flashed the boot and system files onto it to restore it... He also installed Rbox boot menu and latest custom rom for me...
I
Ok, so I'll try and make this story short. We sold our *like new* Firestick TV on Ebay, the buyer then forced us to refund it by opening a case with Ebay lying about not receiving one of the cables. Ebay froze our money in Paypal and then force refunded it (we had no control) when tracking showed we got the package. The item was not the one we sent, it was a well used unit with a scratched up remote and damaged box. Amusingly, the cable the thief/buyer stated he never received was sent back as well. Ebay didn't care. Guessing the buyer ruined the one he "returned" trying to root it and then kept our good one, working the system and forcing the refund with Ebay's BS "Buyer Protection" policy.
Anyways, I have this Firestick now that when powered up will only display the white Amazon logo but will not advance past that. No firey splash screen like the good one we had and no other activity no matter how long you leave it. I have successfully hooked this stick up to my laptop with the USB power cable (from the micro port on stick to usb port on computer) and I can get adb to recognize the device. Before I proceeded I wanted to know what you guys thought about recovering this device, as I can use it on one of the kid's TVs. I was thinking forcing it into recovery mode and trying a full factory reset? Is there a way to flash the stock firmware back onto the stick sideloaded through adb like I did my android phones if reset doesn't work? Should I just trash it?
SmilingBob said:
Ok, so I'll try and make this story short. We sold our *like new* Firestick TV on Ebay, the buyer then forced us to refund it by opening a case with Ebay lying about not receiving one of the cables. Ebay froze our money in Paypal and then force refunded it (we had no control) when tracking showed we got the package. The item was not the one we sent, it was a well used unit with a scratched up remote and damaged box. Amusingly, the cable the thief/buyer stated he never received was sent back as well. Ebay didn't care. Guessing the buyer ruined the one he "returned" trying to root it and then kept our good one, working the system and forcing the refund with Ebay's BS "Buyer Protection" policy.
Anyways, I have this Firestick now that when powered up will only display the white Amazon logo but will not advance past that. No firey splash screen like the good one we had and no other activity no matter how long you leave it. I have successfully hooked this stick up to my laptop with the USB power cable (from the micro port on stick to usb port on computer) and I can get adb to recognize the device. Before I proceeded I wanted to know what you guys thought about recovering this device, as I can use it on one of the kid's TVs. I was thinking forcing it into recovery mode and trying a full factory reset? Is there a way to flash the stock firmware back onto the stick sideloaded through adb like I did my android phones if reset doesn't work? Should I just trash it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did/was there ever a resolution to your issue. I have the same problem with the same question. Thanks
xboxmodifier said:
Did/was there ever a resolution to your issue. I have the same problem with the same question. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know what firmware version was on before it dis not boot?
If its on any rootable version you could try the windows version of Kingroot and or Kingo root.
Ive had success with both bringing back a few fire sticks.
Its worth a try if nothing else.
Sorry, I never was able to fix this issue and I finally gave up and threw it out. Helped my OCD and Anger Management issues since it pissed me off every time I thought about it, heh.
Hello,
I have an unmodified, unrooted 1. Gen Fire TV which today wanted to update to the newest Firmware. After Reboot the Device shows "Optimizing storage and apllications" forever (waited about 2 Hours). There were just a handfull of Apps installed.
Is there any way of unbricking the Device? I only found Infos about rooted Devices with Custom-Recovery, but mine is Stock.
Unfortunately the Device is out of Warranaty
Regards
Daniel
cyablo said:
Hello,
I have an unmodified, unrooted 1. Gen Fire TV which today wanted to update to the newest Firmware. After Reboot the Device shows "Optimizing storage and apllications" forever (waited about 2 Hours). There were just a handfull of Apps installed.
Is there any way of unbricking the Device? I only found Infos about rooted Devices with Custom-Recovery, but mine is Stock.
Unfortunately the Device is out of Warranaty
Regards
Daniel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Daniel, you get anywhere with your fire tv? i have one with the exact same issue as yours.
Thanks
wickywicky said:
Daniel, you get anywhere with your fire tv? i have one with the exact same issue as yours.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's still bricked, but after hard Conversations with Amazon and a lot of patience, I've got it replaced by Amazon.
cyablo said:
No, it's still bricked, but after hard Conversations with Amazon and a lot of patience, I've got it replaced by Amazon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My issue is i bought this in the USA when it was first released. Amazon.co.uk are unwilling to help and amazon.com just go round in circles. Its like they have never seen this issue before and dont know what to do.
Il keep trying, hopefully get somewhere.
Thanks
wickywicky said:
My issue is i bought this in the USA when it was first released. Amazon.co.uk are unwilling to help and amazon.com just go round in circles. Its like they have never seen this issue before and dont know what to do.
Il keep trying, hopefully get somewhere.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They told me for about 2 Weeks they are investigating, then they told me they have more Customers with the same Problem but cannot solve it and offered me a 15 EUR Discount on a new Fire TV, because mine is out of Warranty. As I refused their noble Offer and made clear, that this is their fault, not mine and demanded on a replacement, they finaly send me a new 1. Gen Box.
I bought one on Amazon Warehouse and it's apparently locked to a previous owner's account. They refunded and told me to throw it away. Can this be rooted, custom firmware'd and used? Will it ever get Amazon content or just other apps?
el_smurfo said:
I bought one on Amazon Warehouse and it's apparently locked to a previous owner's account. They refunded and told me to throw it away. Can this be rooted, custom firmware'd and used? Will it ever get Amazon content or just other apps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just other apps unless you sideload Amazon apps.
I wouldn't throw it away. Save it for its power supply or other parts in case you buy another one and need parts.
carpenter940 said:
I wouldn't throw it away. Save it for its power supply or other parts in case you buy another one and need parts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The power supply is already off doing something else...just wondering if it's worth it to try and root this one. If I could make it an Android TV box and have it all work in spite of the blacklisting, I'd be all over that.
el_smurfo said:
The power supply is already off doing something else...just wondering if it's worth it to try and root this one. If I could make it an Android TV box and have it all work in spite of the blacklisting, I'd be all over that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea if it's running the older firmware try the older rooting methods and then using twrp flash a pre-rooted image. Does it contain the new ui on the set-up page with new icons or the old blocky square design? If it's with the new icons, then it will be running a newer firmware.
Then run a debloat script which would remove everything Amazon wise and install an 3rd party launcher such as Appstarter with adb.
I am stuck with a Fire TV which is on the newer system which cannot be rooted. I have tried many different known CVE lollipop exploits but these fail so I'll guess I will just wait for some newer exploits as I can't be asked to hardware root this by cloning another emmc dump with an older version. I am also stuck with Fire HD8 which is a similar position for rooting where only hardware eMMC rooting is possible. This Amazon ecosystem is not developer friendly, but they never were anyway.
I believe this blacklisting must be a new feature from 5.6.3.2! Don't remember seeing this on older firmware versions.
So, I ordered a new 2020 firestick, and it got lost in the mail, and Amazon blacklisted it and sent me a new one, but go figure, the black listed one finally showed up. But now it won't get past the initial update screen (typical blacklisted behaviour) so I'm wondering what I can do with it.
I have the replacement, so I don't need this one so I'm willing to crack it open and solder things if that's what it takes.
Also, I have tried the "remote app bypass" that seemed to work on the 2nd gen sticks, but it has been blocked now and no longer works.
I'm sorry if this has been answered before, but I couldn't find it.