Samsung TV Remote Not Working: 9 Quick Fixes (2023)

Got an unresponsive TV remote?

Well, many Samsung TV users also experienced the same issue.

But before you go and get a new one…

There are a few easy fixes that you can try at home.

What are those?

Read on to find out:

• 9 quick ways to fix your Samsung TV remote.
• The reasons why it won’t work all of a sudden.
• Steps on how to open and clean a Samsung TV remote.
• How to know if your device’s infrared sensor is working or not.
• And a lot more…

Why is my Samsung TV remote not working?

Your Samsung TV remote is not working because of battery or sensor issues. These are the common causes of this problem. But, it could also be that your remote have stuck buttons and needs cleaning. Pairing errors or glitches on your devices (TV and remote) are possible too. And also physical damage.

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Samsung TV remote not working: 9 ways to fix it 

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#1: Reset your TV remote

This is the first troubleshooting step that you must do to determine the problem.

Check your TV remote’s batteries. See if they’re placed inside correctly.

And then do a simple reset.

How?

1. Slightly press the removable cover at the back of your remote.
2. Hold and push it downwards (in the arrow’s direction).
3. Remove the cover.
4. Take out the 2 batteries inside.
5. Press the “Power” button for 8 seconds.
6. Release it.
7. Put back the batteries in.
8. Reattach the removable cover.

For Smart TV remote

1. Press and hold the “Select/Enter” and “Return” buttons on your remote at the same time. (These are buttons with circle and back arrow icons.)
2. Do this for about 10 seconds.
3. Wait until you see its LED light blink rapidly – indicating it’s resetting.
4. Pair your remote again to your TV. (See tip #7 for this.)

Note: Ensure that the batteries are placed inside your remote properly. The positive (+) and negative (-) ends should be positioned as stated in the battery slots.

After doing the steps, check if your Samsung TV is already responding to the remote or not.

If it works again, it might be due to a glitch on your device. And you’ve successfully removed it by performing a reset.

“How does it help?”

A reset drains all the excess charge out of a device. So it can also clear up issues on your remote control.

But if your device still doesn’t work, the batteries may not be the cause of your problem. 

So continue reading for other fixes you can try at home.

Note: If you need to control your TV while you’re still fixing the remote, you can use other alternatives. Say, TV Smart View and the manual control buttons.

Learn more: 5 Ways To Use Your Smart TV Without Remote 

#2: Get new batteries

Did the reset solve the issue?

If not, the second easiest thing to do is to replace your remote’s batteries.

Usually, they only last up to 3 to 6 months depending on the level of usage.

So if you’ve been using them for so long, they might be ‘flat’ or don’t have any charge left to power your remote.

And this is why your “Volume” buttons aren’t working anymore.

How to replace your TV remote batteries:

(The steps below might be slightly different for each type of Samsung TV remote control.)

1. Push the back cover of your remote using your thumb. (Follow the direction of the arrow.)
2. Detach it from the device.
3. Remove the old batteries.
4. Insert the new ones (1.5 V – Type AA).
5. The negative (-) ends of the batteries should be in contact with the (-) slots. (The same goes for their positive (+) ends.)
6. Put back the rear cover.

Once you’re done, try your remote again to see if it works.  

Note: Removing the back cover of the latest Samsung Smart TV remote is harder. So to help you, here’s a few things you can try.

1. Flip your remote to see its back.
2. Put your thumb on the top of either side of the infrared reader. 
3. Apply slight pressure using your nail or tip of the thumb.
4. Press it downwards until the rear cover pops.

Or…

1. Hold your remote – with the controls facing you.
2. Place your thumb half an inch below the volume and channel buttons.
3. Put your 4 other fingers under the remote.
4. Apply pressure on all of your fingers.
5. Gently push your thumb forward until the cover slides.

#3: Release its stuck buttons

Now, if your Samsung TV remote still doesn’t work with new batteries, inspect your device.

Every day, we hold and press our remote buttons to control our TVs.

We do this several times daily.

So it’s possible that there’s a build-up of grime and dirt on their touch controls. And this could be the reason for your dilemma.

This is more likely if only a few buttons don’t work on your remote. As they’re dirty and sticking to each other.

So do this if you’re sure that the batteries aren’t at fault. As well as your Samsung TV.

How to fix sticky buttons?

Press every single button on your remote. Do this as fast as you can and repeat it many times.

This may sound silly. But trust me, this could easily fix any stuck buttons in only a few minutes.

So it can save you a lot of time and money (for buying a new one).

Note: You can also remove the batteries and reset your remote before doing this.

#4: Clean your remote further

Next, if the tip above did nothing at all, you might need to clean your remote.

In some cases, simply wiping the buttons off along with its outer surface is enough to remove the dirt.

But sometimes, it could take more than that.

Yup. You may have to disassemble your device first to clean it properly.

How?

First, apply pressure on the back cover of your remote.

Gently press it toward the arrow’s direction. Then take out its batteries.

Next, you have to disassemble your Samsung TV remote.

This can be quite complicated. So be careful not to break any parts or get hurt while doing this.

Watch this short video to know how to do it properly:

Note: Some of the tools you’ll need are:

• Screwdriver.
• Clean soft cloth.
• Fast drying contact cleaner.
• Cotton swabs (for cleaning).
• Medium gauge guitar pick (optional). 

#5: Look for any obstruction and remove it from the area

Your remote sensor isn’t working.

But there’s nothing wrong with your device, its batteries, and your Samsung TV.

What’s happening?

It could be that there’s an obstruction that blocks the infrared signals.

You see, a remote has an infrared sensor.

It uses light to send signals to the TV or receiver.

So if something’s blocking either of the devices, the message won’t be sent or received. And this might be the reason why your TV isn’t responding to the remote.

What to do?

Remove any objects that can possibly block the transmission.

Keep other wireless devices away from your remote and TV. This is to prevent the interruption of signals.

Then test your remote once again to see if there’s any changes.

#6: Test your remote’s infrared sensor

Your Samsung TV remote sensor may not also work due to faulty infrared.

“How can I check it?”

There are 2 ways to see if your remote produces an infrared signal or not.

Option 1: Digital camera test

If you don’t have a digital camera at home, you can use your smartphone instead.

1. Turn your camera on.
2. Put the remote close to the camera lens – about 6 in (15 cm) away.
3. Press and hold the “Power” button of your remote.
4. While doing this, take a look at your camera screen.

Do you see a colored light flashing from your remote?

• If yes: Your TV remote’s infrared signal is working well.
• If not: Put new batteries inside. Then if this doesn’t work too, its sensor is defective.

Option 2: Try another remote on your TV

Do you have another remote to control your Samsung TV?

(You can check the article I shared on tip #1 to see more alternatives.)

If so, test it on your TV.

Try turning it on and off. Then switch channels or raise/lower its volume.

If it works, then you’ll know that your other remote has a problem.

But if the issue still persists, your Samsung TV might be at fault for this.

#7: Pair your smart remote and TV once again

Do you have a Samsung smart TV remote?

If this is the case, you may see a red blinking light too.

“What does it mean?”

Usually, this means that your Samsung smart devices have communication issues.

So if your TV and remote can’t connect with each other, you might need to pair them once again. 

You already did this while setting up your smart TV.

But if it’s been a long time, let me refresh your memory.

How do I connect my Samsung smart remote to my TV?

Reset your remote first by doing the steps in tip #1.

And then…

1. Turn your TV on.
2. Get your remote and point it to your TV sensor.
3. Press and hold the “Return” and “Play/Pause” buttons on your remote at the same time.
4. Do this for about 5 seconds.
5. Wait until a window pops up telling you that your smart remote is now successfully connected.

Check out also: Samsung TV Home Button Not Working: 11 Quick Fixes

#8: Inspect your TV and remove other connected devices

Now, if it seems like your TV has a problem, check if it responds well or not.

How?

Press its manual TV buttons

These can be found at the side or back of your Samsung TV. Depending on your model.

Press each of them then see if your TV responds to it.

Take a look at its ‘power lamp’

This is also known as ‘standby lamp.’ And it’s usually placed on the lower middle or bottom right of your TV.

• If it’s blinking: This means that your device has bad power supply.
• If you see nothing: Your device might have a loose or damaged connection.
• If it’s on and steady: This means that your TV is working well and is on standby mode.

Note: If it’s the first two options, contact a technician nearby. If your unit is quite new, send your concern to Samsung support.

Then next…

Remove other connected devices to your TV

Say, hard disks, USB flash drives, or HDMI cables.

This is to see whether another device is causing the problem or not.

Note: If you don’t see any changes after doing this, put all the devices back on your TV. Then try the last steps below.

#9: Manually reboot your TV

If nothing else seems to work, this could be your second to the last option.

This is easy to do. And you only have to:

1. Unplug your TV from its power socket while it’s on.
2. Plug it back in after 30 seconds. 
3. Wait until it turns on again.
4. Try controlling it with the remote.

“How does this work?”

Same with the remote, your TV will also have a build-up of excess charge over time.

And the best (and also the simplest) way to remove this is by restarting it.

This often fixes any bugs or errors on TVs. So it could also work on your remote problem.

Reading tip: Samsung TV Guide Not Working: 7 Instant Fixes & 7 Ways To Fix “Samsung TV Error 105” (Network Is Visible)

#BONUS: Check if your TV is up to date

Lastly, have you updated your TV firmware?

If not, this could also be the cause of your remote issue.

How?

Well, your TV and remote are connected.

So if one’s not working well, it can affect the function of the other device.

Samsung offers updates for its TVs every now and then.

This is to keep up with the latest requirements of different apps. Say, Netflix and Youtube.

And also, to stay updated with the new features that may improve your TV’s efficiency.

How to update your Samsung TV firmware:

1. Press the “Home” button on your remote.
2. Go to “Settings.”
3. Click “Support.”
4. Select “Software Update” among the options.
5. Choose “Update Now.”
6. Wait until your TV is done searching for any available updates.
7. Click “OK” once it’s finished.

“I can’t click the Software Update option. It’s grayed out on my TV.”

Try this simple trick:

1. Press the “Source” button on your remote.
2. Make sure that “TV” is selected.
3. Go back to “Settings.”
4. Repeat the steps above.

The “Software Update” must be available to you now after doing the trick.
Note: If none of the tips above work and your remote seems damaged (physically), the only fix is to get a new one.