Rockcliffe Reference Library

Problem

Amazon Fire TV doesn't have a configuration setting for how long the sleep timer runs for. You can configure the amount of time before the sleep screen kicks in (5, 10, 15, or never) but the default setting is to completely go to sleep after 20 minutes.

Solution

You can manage back-end configuration settings on Amazon Fire TV by installing Android Debug Bridge (ADB) on a PC connected to the same network as the Firestick.

Part I - Install ADB

If you don't already have it ... do an internet search for ADB Installer Windows and you should get a URL on xda-developers.com similar to the following (this one is specific to v1.4.3 as of Jan 1, 2022)

https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/official-tool-windows-adb-fastboot-and-drivers-15-seconds-adb-installer-v1-4-3.2588979/

Make sure to virus scan the file after downloading (alway always virus scan files even if they seem to come from a trusted source)

Follow the instructions on the webpage above for installation

Find where ADB installed and keep note of this.

Caveat: The installtion instructions indicate that the path will automatically be added to your system but I found in my case that didn't happen.

Part II - Enable Developer Options

1) On your Firestick

• Go to Settings
• Go to My Fire TV
• Go to Developer Options
• Turn on ADB

2) On your Firestick

• Go to Settings
• Go to My Fire TV (may also be called Devices)
• Go to About
• Go to Network
• Check IP Address and copy this down - you will need this for Part III

Part III - Run Android Debug Bridge

1) Open a CMD shell

2) Change Directory to C:\adb or whatever directory your adb executable

3) Run

   adb kill-server

4) Run

   adb start-server

5) Run

   adb connect {ip address}

6) Confirm the connection on your firesteick. Note: Firestick will ask you to confirm whether to allow the connection or not. If you miss or skip this step then your device will be flagged as being unauthorized.

You can check this by running adb devices to see if the device is unauthorized or not.

To see the current timer value, and verify the value you entered was correctly saved, run this command for the sleep timer:

   adb shell settings get secure sleep_timeout

And this command for the screensaver timer:

   adb shell settings get system screen_off_timeout

7) To set a custom sleep timer run the command:
The amount of time in milliseconds before the device screen goes dark and stops running applications

   adb shell settings put secure sleep_timeout 123456789
   where 123456789 = number of milliseconds

8) To set a custom screensaver timer run the command:
The amount of time in milliseconds before the device goes to sleep or begins to dream after a period of inactivity.

   adb shell settings put system screen_off_timeout 123456789
   where 123456789 = number of milliseconds

Recommended Settings (Sleep after 5 minutes, Never Turn Off the screen)

   adb shell settings put secure sleep_timeout 0
   adb shell settings put system screen_off_timeout 300000

9) Disconnect from your firestick

   adb disconnect {ip address}

10) Disconnect from ADB

   adb kill-server

Caveats

If you turn the developer options off, then the previous default settings take over and your device will go into sleep mode after whatever period of time you set in the user interface and the screen will go dark after 20 minutes.