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Believe me, I’ve been there. It’s so annoying when you’re trying to control the TV using the remote, but the remote doesn’t work!
If you’re having trouble fiddling with your remote like me, here are all the potential fixes I’ve compiled to solve the issue.
But first, it’s best to understand how remotes work.
How a Samsung TV remote works
If you recently bought a brand new Samsung TV one thing that you’ll notice is that you no longer have to be dodging walls to control your TV.
Back in the old days, TV remotes would only work with something called infrared (IR). Infrared requires a direct and uninterrupted line of vision where you would point the IR Blaster towards the TV and control it.
In today’s Samsung remotes, Samsung has decided to use a combination of IR and Bluetooth. It is still considered much more energy efficient since it only uses power when you press the button.
In these remote controls, the IR functions in just a few tasks. It turns on the TV and it changes the volume. Everything else and every other button on your new Samsung remote relies on Bluetooth.
How to fix Samsung remote TV
1. The TV needs a restart
If your TV is unresponsive or not working properly, you may need to restart it.
To restart your TV, unplug it from the power source, wait for about 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
Try to turn it on using the remote, and see if it responds. If it doesn’t respond, try to power it on using the power button on the TV.
2. The remote’s batteries are dead
The batteries in your Samsung TV remote control are dead. your remote control batteries usually last anywhere between 3 to 6 months, maybe even longer.
If it’s been this long and you don’t remember replacing your batteries anytime recently, then this may be the issue.
You’ll need to replace them with new ones. Here’s how:
- Remove the back cover of the remote control.
- Take out the old batteries and dispose of them properly.
- Insert new batteries, making sure to align the battery’s terminals with those on the remote correctly.
- Replace the back cover and test the remote by pointing it at the TV and pressing a button.
3. An electronic glitch in the remote control pad
If your Samsung TV remote control is not working or responding, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue.
First, check the batteries to make sure they are properly seated and have power. If the batteries are low, replace them with new ones.
In most cases, a simple process such as removing the battery and putting it back in will do the trick.
4. Dust and debris are lodged inside the power button
If the remote still does not work, try disassembling and cleaning the contact pads on the remote control. This will remove any dirt or debris that may be causing interference with the signal.
Once you have cleaned the contacts, reassemble the remote and try using it again.
If these steps do not fix the issue, you may need to purchase a new remote control from Samsung or an authorized retailer.
5. The remote control pad is damaged
The remote control buttons stop working over time due to the build-up of dirt and dust. It is necessary to clean the contact pads under the buttons to restore functionality.
Depending on the type of damage that your remote has sustained, you might be looking at having to buy a brand new one.
For example, water damage is a serious issue with electronics. Sometimes it might short-circuit capacitors inside your electric board and render the remote useless.
Some people can repair circuit boards by soldering in brand-new pieces, but that’s honestly just a lot of work, and you’ll probably save much more time, effort, and money by buying a brand-new one.
If your TV remote is physically damaged or broken, then you might not have any other choice than to buy a new one.
6. The remote receiver on the TV is malfunctioning
Your TV receiver is an electrical component on its own. It receives signals from your remote to perform a certain function.
Such things as turning on the TV and changing the volume are things that your remote will send signals to that your receiver will capture.
The receiver is usually located at the bottom of your TV towards the middle. You might even be able to identify it by looking for a small, usually red, transparent plastic.
When your TV receiver is not working, the first thing you should do is check your electrical outlet. Start by unplugging your TV and plugging it back in to see if it works.
If there’s anything that’s blocking your remote receiver on your TV, go ahead and remove it. Sometimes it can also get pretty dirty, so you should clean it once in a while.
Grab some alcohol swabs, look for the remote receiver on your TV, and wipe it down.
7. The remote changes the TV input source by itself
If your Samsung TV remote changes the input source by itself, there are a few things you can try to fix the issue.
First, make sure that the remote is properly paired with the TV.
If the remote is not paired with the TV, it will not be able to control it. To pair the remote with the TV, you need to turn off the television, unplug it from the power source, and wait 15 seconds.
After restarting the computer and the television, press and hold down both the “Back” and “Play/Pause” buttons together on the remote control for at least 3 seconds. The remote may also need to be reconnected to the TV if it has been disconnected.
You can do this by pressing the “Source” button on the remote and then selecting your desired input source.
Here are a few other quick steps you might want to try out:
- Take out the batteries and put them back into your remote.
- Try to reset the TV.
- Get rid of any Wireless infrared devices near your TV.
- Turn off auto input from your TV settings.
- Update your TV software.
If none of these solutions work, you may need to replace your remote control.
8. The remote changes the TV volume by itself
If the volume on your Samsung TV is only working intermittently, it may be because of outdated or buggy firmware.
If you have a Sound Bar connected to your TV then this might be an issue as well. Soundbar issues can be resolved by updating the TV’s firmware.
If the TV doesn’t respond to the remote when you try to adjust the volume, it may be because of a software glitch.
One of the most common issues is sometimes your TV remote buttons might be stuck. It may be because of debris or even the finger food you ate last night when you were changing the channel.
When food gets stuck underneath your remote buttons, they can very well press the buttons down on their own.
You can fix this by turning your remote over, removing the batteries, removing the screws, and gaining access to the layer between the button and your remote electric board.
If you see any food or any sauce left over that has seeped through your buttons, then wipe it off with an alcohol swab. It’s important to use rubbing alcohol and a lint-free cloth. Or you can just use some alcohol pads.
The other common fix for something like this is a software update aside from restarting or factory resetting your TV.
For your TV, you can update it by following these steps:
- Since your remote might not be working, go to your TV and click on the Menu button.
- Then navigate to Settings using the volume buttons.
- Click on Support.
- Click on Software Update.
- Then, click on Update Now.
9. The IR-detecting camera phone test (digital camera test)
One way to diagnose whether or not your TV remote is working is to make sure that the IR light is blinking when you are using it.
If it’s not blinking, then it may be a battery issue or maybe your remote is damaged in some way.
Fortunately, there’s something in the IR camera phone test that can help you identify whether or not your IR is at least blinking and operational or not.
Remote controls use IR for sending signals to the TV. But IR light is not visible to the naked eye.
Smartphone cameras are indeed sensitive to IR radiation and, if you open up your camera app, and point the sensor at the IR bulb, you’ll be able to see the IR light shining through your phone display.
10. Perform a reset on the TV remote
As mentioned before, your Samsung TV remote is much more powerful and smarter than it was years ago.
It’s now able to use IR and Bluetooth to connect to your TV and do things that your TV was never able to do on its own with just IR.
In doing so, your remote control needs to be paired up with your TV. But sometimes, this pairing becomes glitchy and ends up not working.
To fix something like this, you want to perform a hard reset on your remote.
To do so, follow these steps:
- Start by removing the batteries from your TV remote.
- While there’s no power running through your TV remote, press and hold down the power button.
- After about eight seconds, continue holding the power button and reinsert the batteries.
11. Re-establish remote pairing with your TV
Sometimes, a fix would come in reestablishing your remote’s pairing connection with your TV.
Sometimes some glitches occur that become permanent until you can reset the connection between your TV remote and your TV. When this occurs, you’re going to start noticing yourself clicking buttons on your remote and it’s doing something entirely different to the TV.
This is a fairly common issue. Fortunately, it’s an easy fix.
- On your TV remote, press and hold the Back button and the Play/Pause button.
- This will cause the pairing pop-up window on your TV to show up.
This will begin the process of pairing your remote with your TV again. It will re-establish and reset the connection between your remote and your TV, hopefully fixing your issue.
12. Check your connections
Sometimes you might think it’s the remote, but it’s the TV. It’s not being responsive and it’s not doing what you want it to do.
In some cases, it might even be due to the connection your TV has to the internet. Because, even if you press enter to watch and stream a movie on Netflix, how can your TV start showing the movie if it can’t get a good connection with the internet?
What you need to do is check your connection.
First, check your connections to make sure that your devices are properly connected to the internet and working. Next, try resetting your router/modem. Finally, make sure that your TV is turned off before resetting your router/modem.
- Press the Home button on your TV remote.
- Use your TV remote to navigate to the left where you will find the Menu settings.
- Click on Settings.
- Click on General.
- Click on Network.
- Click on Network Status.
- You can now reconnect your internet connection from this menu.
It’s also a good idea to check your router and modem. The easiest way to do that is to connect your smartphone to your home internet and see if that works.
If your smart device can receive an internet connection from your home router and modem, then you can cross out that your home internet is an issue.
13. Check for firmware updates
Sometimes, your Samsung TV software is the problem. Software plays a large factor in whether or not it communicates well with other external devices, such as your TV remote.
The best step is to check to see whether or not your Samsung TV has an update pending that will fix the TV remote issue.
- Since your remote doesn’t work, go ahead and click on the Menu button on your TV to open up settings. It should be located next to the power button directly on your TV. sometimes it’s in the form of a directional pad.
- Next, use the directional pad which can sometimes be the volume button to navigate to Settings.
- Then, click on Support.
- Click on Software Update.
- Click on Update Now.
14. Check the warranty and replace the remote
If nothing works and you’re almost certain that your remote is broken, It might be time to check the warranty and see if you can call in a replacement.
If your TV is less than a year old or if you’ve opted to get an extended warranty for your TV and remote, you might be eligible to get a free replacement.
We’ve always recommended that you store your receipt for large electronic items either in your shoebox or scanned and save them into your computer or cloud storage. That way you can find it whenever you need it.
If you don’t know where it is, you can check with your credit card company or even the store that you purchased it from.
It’s likely that when you do call in the warranty, they’ll be asking for that receipt.
If all else fails, reach out to the warranty company to see how they can help you.
15. Samsung TV remote does not work as a universal remote
Your Samsung remote only works on Samsung TVs. For example, if you try to use it to control a TV made by LG, it won’t work.
Particular models of Samsung TVs and remotes may only be able to work with each other and not other models.
You can try and pair some Samsung TVs with different remotes, but they would have to be in the same era of construction and manufacturing.
In the future, take a look at the branding on your remote might have it in the wrong room with a different TV.
16. Buy a universal remote
If your Samsung remote isn’t working well or you’re sure you need to replace it, then consider getting yourself a universal remote.
Universal remote will allow you to connect to almost any TV device.
A universal TV remote is the best bet for people who want to simplify their life.
You can program all of your TV functions into one remote, and then use it to control the volume on your sound system, or change the channel on your cable box.
This makes it easier to perform tasks you do every day, like switching between Netflix and Hulu Plus, and using one remote instead of two or three makes your life much more simple.
17. Samsung remote is not pairing
If your Samsung remote is not working or responding, you can try pairing it with your TV by pressing the RETURN and GUIDE buttons simultaneously for more than 3 seconds.
Your TV should pop up with a pairing window that will guide you through the pairing process.
If that doesn’t work, you can try unplugging your TV and then pairing the remote control.
You could also try a factory restart on your TV which will ultimately give you options on pairing your remote while setting it up again.
18. What if your remote is blinking red light?
There are two main reasons why your remote might be blinking red.
The first one is that your remote is out of range from the TV. It’s sending a signal out to the TV but it’s not able to reach it.
Now, you might be more than 20 feet away from your TV and that is why. Take a few steps closer to your TV and point your remote directly at it.
Another reason might be the interference between your remote and your TV. If there are any Electronics in between you and the TV, try to get it out of the way. For example, microwaves that are turned on may interfere with IR signals.
Finally, you should look into the batteries on your remote as well. Your remote control might also blink red because it is noticing that your batteries are running low.
The simple fixes to replace your batteries and make sure you place a fresh new batch back in.
19. You’re too far from the TV
Remote controls always have a distance limit. If you’re too far away from your TV and still trying to push the buttons on the remote, you may not get any response.
For example, infrared IR remotes have a range of about 20 to 30 ft. If you happen to be further away from that or something is blocking your way, you might not be able to control your TV from that distance.
The same goes for Bluetooth Ranch. The maximum communication range of Bluetooth is usually around 20 to 30 feet as well.
If you live in a large home or even if your living room it’s massive, you might have trouble controlling your TV from one end of the room to the other.
Take a few steps closer and point your remote directly at the TV when using it. That could help solve this issue.
20. Your remote doesn’t go through walls
If your remote isn’t working or responding, it could be because the Bluetooth signal is being blocked by walls, electromagnetic devices, or other electronics.
It’s generally understood that walls and obstructions in between the TV and the remote control can block infrared radiation or Bluetooth frequencies.
And trying to change the TV in the living room but there is a wall between you and the TV, then chances are the TV won’t receive that signal.
Try getting closer and going around those obstructions while pointing your remote directly at the TV. Make sure you have a clear line of sight to the TV before you use your remote.
21. Confirm that your network is operational
If you find that your Samsung TV remote is not working or responding, there are a few things you can do to fix the issue.
First, make sure that your TV and remote are both connected to a reliable internet connection.
If they are, try unplugging your modem, router, and television for a minute and then reconnecting them. This will reset your TV and remote.
22. Clean the infrared sensor/remote control unit
The Samsung TV remote sensor is an IR sensor. If the sensor is dirty or blocked, your TV remote may not work properly.
The sensor is located on the front of the TV. The location of your remote control unit will vary based on the model of Samsung TV you have, but generally, it’s located at the bottom center of the TV.
The infrared sensor on your remote is usually located on the top of the remote control unit and is covered by a clear plastic lens. To clean the IR sensor, use a soft, dry cloth to wipe away any dirt or debris from around the lens.
23. Remove all possible IR sensor obstructions
Times we may put objects right under our TV and block the sensors. I know that’s something I’ve done many times before and not noticed.
When you block the IR sensor at the bottom of the TV, your remote won’t be able to communicate with your TV. Stand there pressing the button to change the volume or change the channel but nothing works.
Go up to your TV and check to see if any large objects might be blocking the signal coming from your remote.
Just make sure you keep the table that you have your TV on clear of any obstructions.
If you hang your TV on the wall, maybe above the fireplace, then it’s important to remove all objects away.
24. Reset your router/modem
Resetting your router and modem is a simple way to troubleshoot network issues with your devices. If you’ve recently switched internet providers, or if you’re having trouble with your TV’s response connecting to the internet at all, resetting your router and modem may help.
Most routers and modems have a reset button. Pressing this button will restart the device and clear any temporary problems that may have been preventing you from using it properly.
You can also pull out all the power cables from both your router and modem, wait about 5 to 10 minutes, and then plug them back in.
If you’re still having trouble after resetting your router and modem, contact customer service from your internet service provider for more information.
25. Remove other remotes paired with the TV
If you have more than one remote control paired to your Samsung TV, you may experience issues with the TV responding to commands from the wrong remote.
To fix this, you’ll need to unpair all of the other remotes from the TV.
To do this, go into the Settings menu on your TV and navigate to the General tab. Underneath the Remote Management heading, select Unpair All Remotes.
This will unpair all of the other remotes from your TV, leaving only your primary remote paired.
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