Remote pairs but will not control fire stick

I bought a new fire stick. Of course it came with a remote. I can get the remote to pair to the fire stick. But it will not control the fire stick. The fire stick just sits on the press select to start prompt. I have rebooted the fire stick numerous times. I have change the batteries in the remote numerous times. I have repaired the remote to the fire stick numerous times. And I have tried this on a second TV. Nothing seems to make the fire stick actually respond.