Remote control not working with TV! My TV will not respond or change channels using the TV remote. How do I reset the remote control or troubleshoot the TV remote sensor? I have a Samsung Smart TV and for 1 year the remote never had a problem controlling the TV. I am using the original remote control that came with my TV, not a universal remote. Can I reset the TV or the remote control to solve this issue?
How To Reset A TV Remote Control
A remote control that will not respond or control your TV usually means low batteries. Make sure you are pointing the remote at the TV. There also may be something interfering with the signal such as other electronics, certain types of lighting, or something blocking the TV remote sensor.
Fix A TV Not Responding To Remote
1. Change the remote control batteries (AAA or AA batteries) with new high quality batteries.
2. Reset the TV by unplugging the TV power cord from the wall outlet.
3. Wait 5 minutes and plug the TV power cord back into the wall outlet.
4. Check to see if the remote now works with the TV.
If still not working, see below…
Change The Batteries On Your TV Remote
Reset The TV Remote Control
Certain TV remotes can “lock-up” and not respond to your inputs. TV remote controls can be reset by simply removing the batteries. Remove both batteries from your TV remote control to perform a reset. This would be a good time to change the batteries in the remote to be sure it has sufficient power. Once the batteries are removed and replaced, try pointing it at the TV and pressing the power button. Did the TV turn ON? If so the TV remote is fixed. If not, keep reading below…
Reset The Television
Remove power to the TV. Gently pull the power plug from the electrical wall socket that goes to TV. This turns the TV off and will reset any issues that might cause the remote to not work properly. After 5 minutes plug the TV power cord back into the wall outlet. Test to see if you can turn the TV back ON with the TV remote control. If the TV turns ON, the issues is resolved. If the TV remote does not turn the TV back ON, press the small power button on the TV itself to turn it back ON. Try the TV remote again by testing the volume buttons. Does the TV volume change? If not see below…
If this issue just started happening, make sure you installed the batteries in the remote control correctly. Be sure the recently installed batteries are not weak or dead. Always use the same brand and type of batteries to ensure higher performance.
Remote Control Battery Replacement Fixes Problem
TV Remote Not Working – How To Fix
Get Remote To Work With TV
1. Ensure the area where you are using the remote to control the TV is free of any objects that could interfere or block the beam when attempting to control the TV.
2. Be sure the remote control is emitting the signal. Use a your mobile phone camera and check the emitter on the front of the remote control. Press a button on the remote to see if you see a red light. If you see the red light, it means the remote control is working. If no red light is seen, the remote has dead batteries or is defective and needs to be replaced.
3. Inspect the television infrared beam receptor (remote sensor on the TV itself) and clean it to be free of dust or possibly a small sticker or other object may be covering it.
4. Ensure the TV software is up to date. On some TVs, older TV software can have an effect on the remote control. If your remote does not work, most TVs have a small controller on the back of the TV that works similar to the TV remote control. Use this to navigate to the menu and update the TV software or firmware to attempt to get the remote working.
5. Temporarily turn off any fluorescent lights or overhead lights near the TV. Certain fluorescent lights or LED bulbs can interfere with the remote control signal and cause it to malfunction.
6. Certain electronic components can cause interference with the remote signal. Turn off any external components near the TV to see if they are causing the remote control “NOT WORKING” issue.
How to Fix Any TV Remote Not Working
Buy NEW Remote Controls For TV BLURAY CABLE SOUNDBAR
HOW TO RESET YOUR TV REMOTE CONTROL
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If the above steps to fix a remote control not working with your TV did not solve your issue, please leave a comment below with the TV model and type of remote you have and we can assist.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
More about Keith →
Toshiba 245L41OU with Toshiba remote
The remote resumes working if I operate the tv manually for about a month. Then it works for many months before quitting again. I am 99% convinced it’s the tv, not the remote because I have 2 remotes and both stop working at the same time. Is there a less time consuming way to fix the tv ? Do new tvs still have this problem? Thanks, Ruth B
I have a Polaroid tv, model 32GSR3000FC, the remote will no longer control the tv. I’d like to know if there is a way to reset the remote so that it will work again.
Thanks
I have a Philips smart TV. I changed the batteries on the remote. Still doesn’t to turn the TV on. I have to turn tv on from the back of TV. Also, the TV turns off by itself. It gets harder and harder to turn the TV on.
I have a Samsung TV/monitor which I have linked up to my laptop. I can turn the monitor on with the remote control but I can’t turn it off. The red light on the monitor flashes when I press the power button on the remote to turn it off so I figure it’s not the batteries……..I have tried two different remote controls – both of which work with my Samsung TV which is on the wall next to the monitor in question – every time I try to power off my laptop monitor the TV on the wall comes on or off so I know the remotes are working. Could the TV on the wall be interfering with the monitor? although it turns on just fine with the remote. I do not appear to have a power off button on the monitor.
Monitor model code: UE19ES4000WXXU
Version No: 01
S/N: B4XE3HZC800132J
Many thanks in advance
Monitor:
I have a older model Sony TV–KDL-32L5000.
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