TV and streaming · Repair guide

How to fix a TV remote that is not working

8 fixes, easiest first3 min readUpdated November 2026

Quick fix

Put in fresh batteries (or charge the remote), point it at the TV from close by, and unplug the TV or streaming device for 30 seconds. If it still doesn't respond, re-pair it with your maker's button combination below.

What it means

A TV remote usually stops working because its batteries are flat, something is blocking it, or a Bluetooth-style remote has lost its pairing with the TV or streaming device. Most remotes can be tested in a minute and re-paired with a short button combination from the maker.

Common causes

  • Flat or badly fitted batteries, or an uncharged rechargeable or solar remote
  • Something blocking the path between the remote and the TV, or standing too far away
  • The remote has lost its pairing with the TV or streaming device
  • The TV or streaming device is frozen
  • A stuck button or a faulty remote

How to fix it

Work down the list. Each fix is safe to try before moving on to the next.

01Change or charge the batteriesEasy

  1. Put in a fresh pair of batteries, matching the + and - marks. Amazon recommends new alkaline batteries for Fire TV remotes.
  2. If the remote is rechargeable or solar-powered, charge it before testing.
  3. Take the batteries out, wait 30 seconds, put them back and try again.

Why it helps: Weak batteries are the most common reason a remote stops working.

02Get closer and clear the pathEasy

  1. Stand within about 10 feet of the TV or streaming device.
  2. Point the remote straight at the TV. On most Samsung TVs the sensor is on the lower right, or else bottom center.
  3. Move anything blocking the front of the TV or the streaming box, such as a sound bar or decorations.

Why it helps: Many remotes need a clear line to the TV, and paired remotes have a limited range.

03Test the remote with a phone cameraEasy

  1. Open the camera app on a phone.
  2. Point the remote at the camera lens and hold the Power button.
  3. Look at the phone screen: a flashing or colored light means the remote is sending a signal.
  4. No light means the batteries need replacing or the remote has failed. A light but no response from the TV points to the TV or the pairing.

Why it helps: This quick test shows whether the problem is the remote or the TV.

04Restart the TV or streaming deviceEasy

  1. Unplug the TV (or the Roku, Fire TV or other streaming device) from power.
  2. Wait 30 seconds.
  3. Plug it back in and wait for the home screen, then try the remote again.

Why it helps: A frozen TV or streaming device won't react to any remote until it restarts.

05If you have a Samsung TV, reset and pair the remoteEasy

  1. Standard remote: take out the batteries, hold Power for about 8 seconds, then put the batteries back.
  2. 2021 or newer solar remote: hold Return (Back) and Enter (the middle of the direction pad) for 10 seconds.
  3. To pair a Samsung Smart Remote, stand within about 1 foot of the TV and hold Return and Play/Pause together for at least 5 seconds until a message says it is connected.
  4. If it won't pair, unplug the TV for 30 seconds, plug it back in and try again.

Why it helps: Samsung Smart Remotes connect wirelessly and need to be paired again if the link is lost.

06If you have an LG TV, re-pair the Magic RemoteEasy

  1. Turn on the TV and wait about 20 seconds.
  2. Point the remote at the TV and press the scroll wheel (OK). It should pair and show a message.
  3. If it acts up, hold Back and Settings together for at least 5 seconds to unpair it, then press the scroll wheel to pair again.
  4. Still not working on a 2021 or newer model: hold Home and Settings together for at least 5 seconds until instructions appear on screen. On 2020 models, hold the Guide button instead.

Why it helps: The Magic Remote uses a radio link that can drop and needs to be paired again.

07If you have a Roku, pair the voice remote againEasy

  1. A voice remote has a microphone or magnifying glass button near the purple direction pad; a simple remote does not.
  2. Unplug the Roku from power, wait at least 5 seconds and plug it back in.
  3. When the Home screen shows, put the remote in pairing mode: hold the pairing button (on the back or under the battery cover) for 5 seconds until the light flashes.
  4. If there is no pairing button, hold Back and Home together for 5 seconds until the light flashes.
  5. If you have a working remote or the Roku mobile app, you can also go to Settings > Remotes & devices > Add devices > Remote.

Why it helps: Roku voice remotes use a wireless link that has to be paired to the player or TV.

08If you have a Fire TV, pair or reset the remoteMedium

  1. Stand within 10 feet of the Fire TV and hold Home for about 10 seconds until the screen asks you to press Play/Pause.
  2. If that fails, put in new batteries and hold Home again.
  3. To reset most Fire TV remotes: unplug the Fire TV from power and HDMI and wait 60 seconds. Hold Left, Menu and Back together for 12 seconds, release, wait 5 seconds and remove the batteries.
  4. Plug the Fire TV back in, wait for the message that no remote was found, put the batteries back and press Home. If it doesn't pair, hold Home for 10 seconds.
  5. The Fire TV app on a phone can also control the Fire TV and help pair the remote.

Why it helps: Fire TV remotes need to be paired to the Fire TV, and a reset clears a stuck connection.

Check it's fixed

  • The TV or streaming device reacts every time you press a button.
  • The remote works from your normal seat.
  • Power and volume buttons work after the TV has been off overnight.

When to get help

If the phone camera test shows no light with fresh batteries, or the remote still won't pair after a reset, the remote has likely failed; get a replacement from your TV or streaming device maker. If no remote works but the TV's own buttons do, contact the TV maker.

Questions

How do I control the TV while the remote is broken?

Use the buttons on the TV itself, or the maker's phone app. Roku and Amazon both offer mobile apps that work as a remote.

Why did my remote stop working after I changed the batteries?

Check the batteries face the right way, then restart the TV or streaming device. If a wireless remote still doesn't respond, follow your maker's pairing steps above.

How do I know if my TV remote is broken?

Point it at a phone camera and hold Power. With fresh batteries and no light on the phone screen, the remote has most likely failed.

Why does my TV change volume or input by itself?

A stuck button on the remote can do this. Remove the batteries; if the TV stops changing, clean or replace the remote.

Related fixes

How to fix a Samsung TV that won't turn onPress the power button on the TV itself; if the TV turns on, the remote is the problem. If it doesn't, unplug the TV for 30 seconds, thHow to fix a Roku that's not workingUnplug the Roku's power cord for at least 10 seconds, then plug it back in. If the remote works, you can instead go to Settings > SyHow to fix a Firestick that's not workingHold Select and Play/Pause on the remote together for about 5 seconds to restart the Firestick. If the remote doesn't respond, unplug tHow to fix an Apple TV that is not workingRestart the Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart, or unplug it from power, wait a few seconds and plug it back in. If the How to fix a TV that says No SignalPress the Input or Source button on the TV remote and choose the HDMI port your cable box, game console or streaming device is plugged into.

Still stuck?

Paste the exact message to find the closest fix, or search it on Google, Microsoft, Apple, Reddit and YouTube.

Sources