Samsung TV remote access. Pairing a Samsung Remote to a TV with Troubleshooting Steps

Pairing a Samsung Remote to a TV with Troubleshooting Steps

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA. Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities.

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As older Samsung remotes break down (like if the button icons have been worn away or they are too hard to press), you’ll need to replace them. If your TV supports the Smart Remote, it will attempt to sync with the Samsung TV automatically when the new Smart Remote has working batteries; however, you can follow this process manually if you need to. The Samsung OneRemote works similarly to the Smart Remote. This wikiHow will teach you how to manually connect a Samsung remote to your Samsung TV.

• The Samsung remote will most likely sync automatically with your Samsung TV, but you can also sync manually.
• To manually sync your remote and TV, turn your TV on, and press and hold the Return and Play/Pause buttons until you see a message on your TV that the remote is paired.
• Release the buttons on your remote when you see a Pairing Complete message on the TV screen.

Syncing a Samsung remote Manually

• If your Smart Remote or OneRemote does not have working batteries, this will not work. They take 2 AA batteries that you’ll need to insert according to the guides. [1] X Research source
• The Smart Remote and some others, like the Samsung Smart Touch Remote, use both IR and Bluetooth technologies. In this case, these remotes will turn on your TV, so the Power button works with IR while pressing any other buttons will most likely do nothing until the remote is paired with your TV.

Point the remote at your TV. On most Samsung TVs, the remote control sensor is located on the lower right side of the screen or centered at the bottom.

• If you see a keyboard icon, you may be trying to use an older Samsung remote that offers QWERTY functionality and is not compatible with your TV. Look at your user manual or look at https://www.samsungparts.com/ for the correct pairing.

Troubleshooting

Make sure all the shipping stickers are removed from the remote. When you buy or order a new Samsung TV or remote, they are covered in stickers from shipping to prevent any damage. If you’ve removed all the stickers from your TV and remote but are still experiencing issues, proceed to the next step.

• If your remote is not a Smart Remote, turn on the TV with the buttons on the TV, then try controlling the TV with your remote pointed directly at the Samsung logo on your TV set.
• If your remote is a Smart Remote, try to manually pair it with your TV again (stand at most 1 foot away from the TV).

Unplug your TV for 30 seconds and then plug it back in. If you have a Smart Remote, try pairing it again.

Expert QA

Alternatively, pair a universal remote so you can control everything, like your speakers and TV, with one remote.

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Samsung remote not working? Try these 6 fixes

Samsung’s Smart TVs consistently rank at the top of any recommendation list, praised for many reasons, from the ease of use and a decent selection of apps to its included extras like Samsung TV Plus. As sleek and bright as your Samsung TV might be, nothing ruins a TV-watching experience like a remote that is not working. TVs have physical buttons or touch controls, depending on your model, but no one wants to get up and use these controls to browse through channels or streaming app content. Here are a few troubleshooting steps to try if your Samsung TV remote is not working.

Check the batteries if your Samsung remote is not working

The first step might be the most obvious but also the easiest to forget. Not many people worry about TV remotes’ remaining battery life until it runs out and stops working. If the batteries don’t last as long as expected, they might also be corroded or damaged.

Open the battery compartment and take out the batteries. Check the compartment terminals and the batteries for any white powder, discoloration, or rust. You might notice this with old batteries or any that are corroded or damaged in any way. Clean the battery compartment with a dry cloth to remove any residue, and add fresh batteries to the remote.

If the Samsung remote starts working, the batteries are the problem. Most Samsung Smart TVs use AAA batteries, but don’t forget to check the battery compartment or the user manual to check what kind you need. TV remotes don’t require a lot of power, but you might want to get long-lasting or rechargeable ones anyway to stop worrying about dying batteries.

Reset the Samsung TV remote

You can reset the remote in several different ways, depending on the TV model. Remove the batteries from the remote and hold the power button for at least eight seconds to reset it. Add the batteries and check if the remote is now working correctly.

On more recent Samsung Smart TVs and remotes, press and hold the back button and the large circular Enter button for at least ten seconds to reset the remote to factory settings. After resetting the remote, you will need to pair the remote with the TV again. Hold the remote close to the sensor, and press and hold the back button and the play/pause button simultaneously for five seconds or until the pairing notification pops up on the TV screen. The remote should work again as expected after the pairing is complete.

Check the network connection

Samsung Smart TVs and remotes might require an active Internet connection to work correctly. If the TV is connected to the Internet using Wi-Fi, follow the various steps in our Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide to fix the problem. If you use a wired connection, unplug the ethernet cable and ensure it isn’t torn or frayed. Try plugging the cable into another device to check whether the cable is the problem. In this case, you might have to get a replacement.

Newer Samsung remotes use Bluetooth to connect to the TV, and the range, obstructions, and other connectivity problems might cause the remote to stop working. Samsung says the remote should work from 10m away, but try moving closer to see if that fixes the issue. However, if you have to get really close to the sensor on the TV, it is likely a battery problem. Don’t forget to remove any obstruction that might block the sensor on the TV.

For general connectivity issues, it’s best to pair the remote again. Press and hold the back button and the play/pause button simultaneously for at least five seconds or until the pairing confirmation appears on the screen.

Samsung Smart TV Remote Not Working: Top 10 Methods To Fix It

Whether you are in the market for a new Smart TV or already have one at your home, it is highly likely that you may be considering or already have a Samsung Smart TV. This is due to the reason that Samsung’ Smart TVs are some of the best out there. Not only do you get an amazing Smart TV experience with Samsung TVs, but they even offer amazing picture quality.

However, similar to other TVs out there, even Samsung Smart TVs are not perfect. You can face a number of issues with your Samsung Smart TV including your Samsung Smart TV remote not working. And if you are planning to watch a match or catch up on your favorite TV show, this can be quite frustrating.

So, if you are also facing the same, then we are here to help you with this guide on top 10 methods to fix the issue. You can also find some handy workarounds for issues that you may find with your Samsung Smart TV remote controller down below.

Top 10 Methods To Fix Samsung Smart TV Remote Not Working

Without wasting any time, let’s get into the possible solutions for Samsung Smart TV not working.

Because your Samsung Smart TV remote controller might be facing issues due to a possible number of reasons, there are multiple solutions out there that you should try. And for the same reason, here are the top 10 methods to fix the issue:

#1 Check For Network Issues

Before anything else, you should first check the internet connection or any network-related issues of your Samsung Smart TV. This is due to the reason that unlike standard TVs, Samsung Smart TVs have a wide range of features that directly depend on your internet connection.

As a result, even if your remote controller is functioning properly, you may not be able to use your Samsung Smart TV properly. So first, you should check for network issues by doing these:

• If you’re using a wired network, then unplug the ethernet cable from the back. Then, wait for a minute before plugging the cable again and checking if the remote controller works well.
• In case of wireless networks, you can simply disconnect from your current wireless network. And after a minute, either connect to the same or a different wireless network depending on the available options.

#2 Use The Samsung Remote Control App

In case you have already ordered a replacement remote controller for your Samsung Smart TV, then you may have to wait for your new remote to arrive. Since this long wait can be quite frustrating, you may also want to look for other alternatives.

Thankfully, if you are using a Samsung Smart TV, then you will be glad to know that there is a very easy fix to control your Samsung Smart TV without a remote controller. You can simply use the Samsung Remote Control App on your smartphone or tablet.

With this app, you can control your Smasung Smart TV over the internet which is the perfect alternative to using a remote controller.

#3 Try Using a New Wi-Fi Module

While this is not true for all Samsung Smart TVs available out there, some Samsung Smart TVs have a combined Wi-Fi module and IR sensor. And if you are familiar with TV remotes, then you must know that all TV remotes use an IR sensor for sending signals to your TV.

However, if the IR sensor of your TV is faulty, it won’t be able to detect signals from your remote. Therefore, you should consider using a new Wi-Fi module for your Samsung Smart TV. Generally, these Wi-Fi modules are fairly affordable and can be easily installed in most Samsung Smart TVs out there.

#4 Clean Your Samsung Remote IR Sensor

Other than a faulty IR sensor on your TV, the IR sensor of your remote itself can be dirty as well. Since it is quite common to touch your TV remote right after eating food, your TV remote might be oily or dirty.

And in some cases, this can block off the IR sensor of your remote. As a result, your Samsung Smart TV remote might not be working because of the same. So, use any surface cleaner solution and a microfiber cloth to properly clean the IR sensor. Once that is done, you can try controlling your Samsung Smart TV using the included remote without any issues.

#5 Replace Your Samsung Remote Batteries

Another simple but highly helpful solution is to check and replace your Samsung remote batteries. In case your Samsung Smart TV remote has empty or almost empty batteries inside it, the remote might still function but may face issues in properly sending signals to your TV. Thus, if your Samsung Smart TV remote is not working, try installing a new set of batteries in the remote. Most Samsung Smart TV remotes will use AAA batteries so make sure to install the correct ones.

#6 Confirm Samsung Remote Pairing

If you have a newer model of Samsung Smart TVs, then the remote might be connected to your TV via Bluetooth instead of IR. And just like any other Bluetooth device out there, your Samsung Smart TV remote might also get disconnected from your TV which can be quite problematic while using your TV.

So, first go to the connected devices section in the settings of your Smart TV, and make sure that your remote is properly paired and connected. If not, you can press and hold the Return Play/Pause buttons on your Samsung Smart TV remote for 5 seconds. Doing so will initiate the pairing process of your Samsung TV remote which can be helpful for making it function properly.

#7 Update Your Samsung TV Software

Similar to a smartphone or a tablet, Smart TVs like Samsung ones also receive new software updates every now and then. With these new software or firmware updates, your Samsung Smart TV will not only receive new features, but it can even receive bug fixes.

And because your Samsung Smart TV remote might not be working because of some bug, it is a great idea to update your Samsung TV software. If Samsung has released any recent software update with bug fixes to the remote controller, it will fix any issues right away.

#8 Check For Remote Interference

As mentioned earlier, many modern Samsung Smart TVs come with a Bluetooth remote controller. While this does offer better signal range, things can be quite different when you have multiple Bluetooth devices around your TV. This is due to the reason that when you are dealing with multiple Bluetooth devices in a small space, all of them can cause interference to each other which also includes your Samsung Smart TV remote. Thus, if you are facing any issues related to your Samsung Smart TV remote, make sure to get rid of all other Bluetooth devices and check if that fixes any interference issues.

#9 Reset Your Samsung Smart TV

While updating your Samsung Smart TV should fix any bugs in most cases, it might not fix the issue for some. In that case, you can also try resetting your Samsung Smart TV as a last resort. By resetting your Samsung Smart TV, you can change all of its settings to the factory default which can be quite useful for fixing all sorts of issues. And if you want to reset your Samsung Smart TV to fix remote not working issues, then you can simply go through these steps:

• You need to start by first pressing and holding the power button of your remote controller for 5 seconds until the TV restarts. This should reset the TV in most cases.
• If it doesn’t, unplug your TV and hold the TV’s power button for 5 seconds before releasing.
• Finally, replug the TV after 2 minutes which should reset it and get it rid of any remote functioning issues.

#10 Try Using a Universal Remote Controller

Other than fixing your issues, you can also consider getting a replacement for the same. But instead of getting a remote replacement directly from Samsung, you can also try using a universal remote controller. Not only does a universal remote controller allow you to control your Samsung Smart TV, but it can also be handy for using with other appliances and devices in your home. In other words, using a universal remote controller can be quite handy and practical even if your Samsung Smart TV remote controller is functioning properly.

Fix For Only Power Button Working On Samsung Smart TV Remote

Samsung Smart TV users who report issues with their remote controller generally find that only the power button of their remote controller is working. In that case, you will be glad to know that there is nothing wrong with your Samsung Smart TV remote. Instead, it has simply unpaired from your TV because of which only the power button is working on your Samsung Smart TV. Thankfully, you can easily fix this issue by repairing your Samsung remote controller as given here:

• Start by powering off your Samsung Smart TV and waiting 15 seconds before turning it back on.
• Once it’s powered on again, you need to hold the Back Play/Pause buttons on your Samsung Smart TV remote for 10 seconds.
• By doing so, you will initiate the pairing process of your Samsung Smart TV remote controller to get it functioning again.

Fix For Samsung Smart TV Not Responding To Remote

While it is definitely not common, in some cases your Samsung Smart TV might not respond to its remote controller at all. This means that even the power button of your remote controller is not working even after trying out all the various solutions and fixes given above. In that case, it simply means that your Samsung Smart TV itself has some sort of hardware issues. Due to the same, it is better to get your Samsung Smart TV checked for any possible defects and issues.

How To Reset a Samsung Smart TV Remote?

As mentioned earlier, resetting your Samsung Smart TV can fix all sorts of software issues related to it. However, some of you might be interested in resetting your Samsung Smart TV remote itself as well. Thankfully, you will be glad to know that resetting your Samsung remote controller simply means to repair it to your TV. And as we have already explained, this can be done by holding down the Back Play/Pause buttons of your Smart TV remote controller. Doing so will repair your Samsung Smart TV remote controller and fix any issues related to it.

Pairing Samsung Smart TV Remote

Whether you have just gotten a new replacement remote controller for your Samsung Smart TV or want to repair the current one, doing so properly is highly important to ensure that you don’t face any issues with it again. So, to properly do the same, you need to hold down the Back Play/Pause buttons of your Samsung Smart TV remote control. After that, a pairing request popup will come up on your Samsung Smart TV. You then need to wait until this pairing process is complete to ensure that your Samsung Smart TV remote does not face any issues in the future.

Conclusion

Apart from all the various handy features offered by your Samsung Smart TV, the included remote controller is still going to be the most handy accessory. Whether it’s changing channels or using any of the various Smart features offered by your Samsung Smart TV, you will need to use the included remote controller. And for this reason, the last thing that you would want with your Samsung Smart TV is to face issues with its remote not working.

Thankfully, if you are, you can simply use one of the top 10 methods to fix Samsung Smart TV remote not working given above. Since we have also given handy workarounds for Samsung Smart TV not working, you should be able to get over this issue with ease. If it did, make sure to leave all your thoughts and questions in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев section down below.

Solve problems with the remote control of your Samsung Smart TV

The remote control is still an essential element in the use of any television. And that the most recent Smart TVs have been incorporating new control options. Something that is good, but it can also cause some other problem. And it is that, we already know that the more technology advances, the more the problems associated with devices of a lifetime intensify. If the advanced remote control of your Samsung Smart TV has stopped working at any moment, or if it doesn’t work like before, don’t worry. Along these lines you will learn what you have to do to reconnect it to the television or even recalibrate the command if necessary.

Samsung and the different control methods of its Smart TV

Smart TVs in general, and those from Samsung in particular, have been gaining more and more remote control options. This logically favors the user who can choose the option that interests them the most based on their needs or preferences.

In addition, the improvement in connectivity and the connections themselves mean that you can not only control a single device but several with a single remote control or remote control. The downside is that sometimes all this fails and you can’t control anything. Luckily solving these problems is quite simple, but if you like, first let’s see what control options exist.

Bluetooth remote control

These are the most recent and in turn the most useful of all. Thanks to Bluetooth connectivity, you gain freedom of movement because it doesn’t matter if something gets between the remote control and the television itself. What’s more, you can be in another room and continue interacting with the television without any problem. As long as you are within the range of this wireless technology, you can change the channel, volume, turn it on and off, etc.

Control via HDMI CEC

Thanks to the use of connectors compatible with this technology, a television can be controlled from the remote control of another device connected to it. For example, with devices like Apple TV or some Blu-Ray player, you could turn the TV on and off, adjust the volume, and even (depending on the device and its remote) control other functions. If you have ever wondered how your Chromecast remote can turn on your television, it is precisely thanks to this technology that is linked to the HDMI standard.

Control via Smartphone

By using an application for mobile devices, many current televisions can be controlled remotely. This option is interesting and makes it easier to enter text thanks to the use of the virtual phone keyboard. The normal thing in Samsung televisions is to use the SmartThings application.

However, some older Samsung televisions can also be controlled with other mobile applications, as long as the terminal has an infrared diode, a technology that became very fashionable a few years ago, but is no longer so present in the mobile devices. To control televisions with infrared, it is usual to use Samsung’s own application or one of third parties that we find in the Play Store. The good thing about infrared is that we will be able to control all kinds of devices, even the oldest ones. However, SmartThings is much more interesting, as it has much more flexibility to take control of more modern devices.

Voice control

This is just for the more advanced models, but high-end Smart TVs offer integration with voice assistants and some even have a microphone on the TV itself so as not to depend on the remote. Thanks to the virtual assistants, you will be able to give commands such as changing the input source, raising and lowering the volume or changing the channel.

The assistant that supports your television will depend fundamentally on the model that you have purchased. The most common are Google Assistant and Alexa.

Voice control / Universal remote with third-party devices

In addition to Samsung’s own voice assistant, you can also control your TV with a universal remote with voice control. We refer to products such as broadlink, which is a device designed to emit remote control frequencies.

There are several Broadlink models, but almost all of them work in a similar way. They work just like a generic remote control, only they don’t have buttons. Instead, they are placed in a fixed place and can be controlled with a virtual remote from the mobile phone. In this way, you can create a remote to your liking, as well as use a widget to control the TV directly from the main menu of your smartphone.

But the thing does not stop there. Broadlink devices are compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa. By pairing with the appropriate skill, the TV can be controlled directly with voice commands. With these products, you will also be able to control other nearby devices such as air conditioners, blinds, fans, or multimedia devices.

conventional remote control

The first and most basic is that of the classic infrared remote control. Through a IR port located at the tip of the remote and a receiver on the TV you can control all its functions. This is how the remote controls of a lifetime have worked and how you can also control your Samsung television if it continues to be compatible with this system.

As you can see, there are currently many options. So it is rare not to find the control method that best suits each one. Of course, some controls are also more prone to disconnecting or suffering from the odd problem. There are original hands, and also generic devices. Options you have to choose from, but we recommend that you do not get the cheapest ones, as they are the most likely to cause problems.

Have you already decided which is your best option? Well, keep reading to discover what you should do in each particular case:

How to connect the remote control of a Samsung TV

The new Samsung Smart Remote with remote controls that connect via Bluetooth. We have already discussed the advantages of these, but at some point in time they may not work as they should. So it will be necessary to link them again.

To do this you first need to know how to pair, a process that when you first start the TV is as simple as pressing the Play/Pause and Return buttons at the same time for three seconds or more. This activate the pairing process on the TV and displayed on the screen. In a matter of just a few seconds we will have the system working.

How to configure a remote control as a universal remote

One of the most interesting things about some Samsung Smart TVs is the possibility of set up your remote like a universal remote. Thanks to this, you can control other devices that are connected to it.

To achieve this you only have to perform a few simple followed which we explain below. So you can have control of everything from a single device. This is what you should do:

• Press the button start remote control.
• Then scroll to the left using the scroll wheel until you reach the option to Source on the screen of your Samsung Smart TV.
• Now select in the pop-up menu that you will see the option of Configuration of universal command.
• Hit the button Start Searching and select the device you want to control from the Smart Remote (set-top box, home theater or Blu-Ray player, for example).
• Once selected, look for the brand of the device.
• Then select how it is connected (optical connection, HDMI, etc.).
• Press on ignition test to see if everything is going as it should, if it responds, go ahead.
• Done, hit Done and everything will be ready to use the Smart Remote control as a universal control.

In this way you can reduce the number of remotes needed to control the devices you have connected to your Samsung TV.

My Samsung remote doesn’t work, what can I do?

Ok, now that you know that the infrared remote for your Samsung Smart TV does not need any configuration, that the Bluetooth remote is paired by pressing a couple of buttons, and that you can also use it to control other devices connected to the TV, what if All of a sudden everything stops working as it should?

The first is identify what may be happening. So there are a number of basic checks:

• If the model you have is still running on batteries, and not on a battery, as in the case of the most recent models, then the first thing to do is to verify that they have not been used up. Replace them with new ones and try.
• The second, in case of being an infrared control, is to check that it emits. To do this, all you have to do is point the IR port at the camera of your smartphone with the application active. On the screen you will see if it turns on or not when you press a button. If it does, it could be a problem with the TV receiver and if not with the remote.
• The third, if it is a bluetooth controller, could have become unpaired and you will have to reconnect. To do this, repeat the previous steps.
• Ultimately you can reset or recalibrate your TV remote. To do this you will only have to remove the batteries and wait 3 minutes or press the power button and hold it for about 10 seconds to make sure that it really turns off.

By the way, although Samsung’s Bluetooth remotes already use the key combination to pair or force pairing to the TV, there are other older remotes that They have a button on the back of link that you must press. It is simpler and saves us some steps that are quite cumbersome. So keep that in mind when buying one that will make your life a little easier.

And finally, in the event that the remote has passed away, has been permanently damaged, the only option left is to acquire one. There are a priori compatible third-party models, but we advise you to bet better on the official one. It is more expensive, but you avoid future operating problems. That for a while you have to sit and enjoy your favorite series and movies, it is not a plan to fight with remote controls but if you still prefer to save a bit, here is an alternative designed especially for practically the entire range of models of the Koreans.

One last possibility through mobile

If the Smart TV remote has passed away, you have one last chance to continue using it until you buy a new one and it is, as you may have guessed, thanks to the Smart Things application that you have for both iOS and Android. Through the phone screen you can control all the activity, choose any menu, increase or decrease the volume, change the channel and, of course, type faster in case you have to do a search or you feel like entering the browser.

You can download the application from here: