How to Fix Samsung TV Remote Not Working. 7 Methods (2023)

Samsung has established quite a reputation for its cutting-edge technology, including its Smart TVs with their remote controls. These remotes are designed to be simple, efficient, and convenient for the users, with several useful features that set them apart.

Samsung Remote

 

Despite its state-of-the-art technology, even Samsung isn’t immune to having issues with its products. For example, your Samsung TV Remote might stop working suddenly. Well, fear not, for every problem has a solution! 

If you’re having trouble with your remote, we have some simple fixes for you in this article that might work. Read more to find out!

Table of Contents

Common Issues

Your Samsung Smart Remote suddenly stops working due to multiple reasons like defective batteries, sensors, remote, or even faulty Bluetooth and infrared signals. 

One of the most common solutions to your Smart Remote not working anymore is to remove the batteries from the remote, unplug the TV from the outlet, and wait for 60 seconds. While you wait, clean the TV bezel with a microfiber cloth. After that, plug the TV back in and replace the batteries in the remote. Your remote should be working now! 

However, if this solution doesn’t work for you, don’t worry; there are a lot of others left to try. Samsung also narrowed down some common root causes and their solutions which we have included in this article. 

Methods to Fix Issues

Some of you might have an issue with your battery, some with the Infrared sensor, or something else entirely. Whatever the case, we’re sure one of the fixes below will help get your Samsung TV Remote working again. 

You can take a look at the Smart Remote Control Manual to understand your remote better.

 

Method #1: Remove the Batteries

The batteries might be an obvious yet common reason for your remote not working. They might get damaged due to factors such as temperature or external damage. Follow these steps to remove the batteries: 

  1. Check the battery compartment of the remote. Look at the top and bottom terminals for any white powder or discolouring. If found, your batteries are likely old, damaged, or corroded. Remove the batteries and clean the terminals properly before putting in new ones.  
  2. Whether or not your batteries are corroded, try replacing the batteries anyway and then check to see if your remote works. If yes, you’ve found the root cause of your remote not working and should be more mindful of the batteries in the future.

 

Method #2: Check Your Network

The Smart TV and Remote both need an internet connection to work seamlessly. So if your remote suddenly doesn’t work, it might be because of connectivity issues with your wifi, due to which commands can’t go from the remote to the TV. One of the quickest ways to fix this is to restart your modem, here’s how: 

  1. Turn off your TV.
  2. Reset your modem by either switching it off or unplugging it. 
  3. Wait 30 seconds, switch it back on or plug it in again.
  4. Give it some time as it connects to the internet.
  5. Now, check to see if the remote works. If not, try one of the other fixes in this article instead.

 

Method #3: Re-pair Your Remote

After a while, your remote and TV could get unpaired. This stops the remote from sending commands to the TV, which is when your remote stops working. Usually, the two devices get automatically paired when turned on or after a software update, but sometimes you must manually re-pair them following these steps: 

  1. Turn on your TV and point your remote towards it.
  2. Press and hold the Return and Play buttons on the remote for 5 seconds.
  3. Your TV and remote should re-pair and sync together immediately after.
  4. Try to use the remote now to see if this worked or not.

If there are issues with bluetooth on your TV, that may prevent other devices from pairing with it. If you would like more details, please read How to Connect AirPods to Samsung TV which talks about pairing bluetooth devices in general (as well as Airpods specifically).

 

Method #4: Check the IR Sensor in Your Remote

The Samsung Remote and TV use infrared (IR) beams to send and receive commands. If there is an obstruction in the pathway between the TV and the remote, it could be a reason for the remote not sending commands.

These obstructions may include a wall, large furniture, or even another person. So, make sure there are no obstacles, first and foremost. Next, you’ll want to check if the IR beam in your remote is working. One easy way for this is to use the camera app on your phone:

  1. Turn on the camera app on your phone and look at your remote’s IR sensor through the phone screen.
  2. Press any button or multiple buttons on the remote.
  3. If your remote works, you will see a red blinking light after pressing each button. 
  4. If you don’t see the red light, your remote might be defective, or there’s an issue with the sensor. 

Sometimes, the problem is the IR rs on the remote and the TV. If dirty, they might be a reason for your remote not working. Use a light, microfiber cloth on the sensors or lightly blow on them to get rid of dirt. Then, try to use the remote to see if it’s working now.

 

 

Method#5: Update Your TV’s Software

Samsung occasionally releases software updates for its products. Usually, your device would update automatically, but sometimes you have to do this manually instead. Sometimes, it might not be your remote that’s the issue, but your TV needs an update.

If your TV requires an update, it might cause a delay when you use the remote, or it might not even work. The best solution, then, is to look for an update. Here’s how to do that:

  1. Choose the Settings option from the Main Menu screen.
  2. Choose the Software Updates option.
  3. If you see an update pending, choose that option to begin.
  4. Once updated, your TV will restart.
  5. Once restarted, try using your remote again to see if the problem has been fixed or not.

 

Method #6: Calibrate the Remote’s Touch Pad

If left uncalibrated, the touchpad on your Samsung Smart Touch Remote might lose its sensitivity after being overused. In this case, you would need to recalibrate your remote manually. Follow these steps to calibrate your remote’s touch pad:

  1. Press down the number key for 5 seconds.
  2. You’ll be informed that calibration has begun. It should take about a minute or two.
  3. Once done, the remote’s LED light will blink twice.
  4. Try using the remote now to see if the issue has been resolved.

 

Method #7: Install the SmartThings App on Your Phone

If all else fails, your only solution might be to install the SmartThings app on your phone instead. This app allows you to use your Samsung phone as a remote and navigate your Smart TV. It’s available for both Android and iOS phones. 

Your TV should have the SmartThings app installed already. But in case it doesn’t, you can manually install it.

  1. Go to Apps on your Smart TV. Search for SmartThings among them.
  2. Select Install and follow the on-screen instructions.

If you have SmartThings on your Smart TV, open the app on your phone.

  1. Tap on the Devices tab.
  2. Tap Add (the plus icon) and then tap Add device.
  3. Choose the Scan nearby option if your device connects through Bluetooth. Then, find your Smart TV device and connect with it.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to connect. Once finished, you can finally use your phone as a remote control for your Smart TV.

Final Thoughts

If your Samsung TV Remote suddenly stops working, there’s nothing to worry about because it’s more common than you’d think. There are a lot of different fixes that could work for you, whether they have to do with the batteries, the IR sensor, or some other feature. Hopefully, this guide has one of the solutions you were looking for, and you can get back your fully functional Samsung Smart TV Remote without any problems.