Samsung TV Stuck On One Channel: 9 Ways To Fix It (2023)

Your Samsung TV is stuck on one channel and it drives you crazy.

You’ve tried to fix it a few times already but nothing works.

Before you get even more frustrated, or worse, give up…

Continue reading to find out:

5 easy steps to reboot your Samsung TV and cable box and fix this.
The most common cause for your Samsung TV being stuck on one channel.
What soft and hard reset is and how it can help you switch through channels again.
How the cable box’s connection to the remote can make your TV stuck on one channel.
And a whole lot more…

Why is my Samsung TV stuck on one channel?

Your Samsung TV is stuck on one channel because there’s a problem with the remote. It may be old and worn out, hence some buttons will not work. Or, its batteries are dead. There could be disruption between the remote and the receiver. Another reason is channel unavailability in your region.

Samsung TV stuck on one channel: 9 easy ways to fix it

#1: Set up your remote to work with your cable box

Do you have a cable box?

If you’re wondering what that is, I’m here to help.

A cable box, a.k.a a set-top box is a television decoder. It allows you to watch cable TV. The smart TV and the cable box can be connected in a few different ways.

If you do have a cable box, then don’t forget to set up your remote so it can work with it. Otherwise, you might experience issues such as your Samsung TV being stuck on one channel.

Also, don’t despair. It might seem like a lot of work to program your cable box with the remote. But it’s actually very easy.

All you need to do is:

Turn off your cable box.
Based on the version of the remote you have, you’ll have to press either Mode or Cable. This will allow your remote to pair with the cable box.
Press the Set button. That way you’ll allow the remote to be programmed.
Then enter your remote code by pressing the numbered buttons on the remote.
Need help finding your code? Check out this website to easily get your code.
Direct the top of your remote to face the cable box.
Press the Power button.
With that, you’ve finished programming the cable box with the remote. And you should now be able to switch between channels.

Note: If you’ve followed the steps but the cable box and the remote are not synched, try using a different Samsung TV code.

You might be interested in: 5 Ways To Use Your Smart TV Without Remote (How-To)

#2: Check whether the remote emits an IR (infrared) signal

Samsung recommends an easy test you can run at home.

All you’ll need is:

Your remote.
Your phone’s camera or a tablet.

Next, you want to:

Direct the remote to point at the camera/tablet.
Turn on the camera of your tablet or phone.
Press the Power button of the remote and hold it towards the camera of the phone/tablet.
In the meantime, take a look at the camera’s or tablet’s screen.
If the remote is functioning fine, you’ll see a light coming from the top.

#3: Check your remote’s buttons

Let’s continue with this easy step.

Is your remote old?

Are some of the numbers on the buttons barely visible?

If so, then your remote is likely worn out.

“But my TV is brand new and so is my remote!”

Well, if it’s a new remote and not working, then it might be defective.

Samsung lists a few ways to change channels. I suggest you familiarize yourself with them and give each one a shot. That’s useful because, for each method, you’ll need to press different buttons.

To check if the button you’re pressing is working, look at the light at the top of the remote.

If it lights up, then the button is working. If not, then it’s time for a new remote.

But before you rush to get a new one, hold up. You might have to…

#4: Replace the batteries

Say the remote is working just fine.

Yet, you might need to look into the batteries.

Note that they can drain pretty quickly. And this is one of the most typical causes why you’re unable to control your TV with the remote.

To check whether that’s the main issue, simply put new batteries in the remote. Careful to place them in properly though.

Editor’s pick: Smart TV remote not working – 8 causes & fixes

#5: Check for interference of the signal between the remote & the receiver

You have a well-working remote control. The batteries are new.

So, what could be the issue then?

This is so simple that it’s often underlooked.

There could be an object blocking the infrared signal between the remote and the receiver.

Possible IR signal blockers include (but are not limited to):

Certain electronics.
A certain type of lightning.
An object that’s blocking the sensor of your SAmsung TV.

To check if that’s what’s happening, follow these simple steps:

Point the remote directly at the TV.
Press the Power button on the remote.
Ensure that the TV’s led indicator blinks.
Double-check there’s nothing in the way of the remote & the receiver.

#6: Try with a spare remote if you have one

Do you happen to have more than one remote at home?

You can use a suitable Samsung universal remote control.

If so, and the second one works with your Samsung TV, give it a shot.

To do so, you’ll need to perform the following steps:

Ensure the remote is in the TV mode.
Press the Power button.
Check whether you’re able to switch channels.

If this does the trick, then the problem is in the Samsung’s remote. If it doesn’t, then the problem could be in your TV’s sensor.

Note: If you don’t have a spare remote, but need to replace your old one, there are a few options to choose from.

You can:

Order the same remote that came together with your TV. You can get it on samsungparts.com. Since spare parts are not available on Samsung.com.
Get an alternative remote control. Samsung IR remotes are compatible with all Samsung TVs.
Get a universal remote control, as most of these are bound to work with your TV. Plus, they’re inexpensive. You can check out and choose from multiple available options on Amazon.

#7: Reset your remote

Remove the batteries.
Hold the Power button for 8 seconds (no less).
Put the batteries in again.
Try whether the remote works now.

#8: Reset and reboot your Samsung TV and cable box

This is one of the simplest techniques you could apply.

It’s called a soft reset.

Note that It’s best to try this one before jumping to a hard reset.

It’ll help when the TV’s input source is wrong. Or if there’s an issue with the signal the cable box is giving out to the TV.

The fix goes like this:

Unplug the power cords of the TV and the cable box for 10 minutes. This action will reset both devices.
Plug the power cords of the TV and the cable box into the socket.
Wait a bit, as the process may take a few minutes.
Check whether you’re able to switch between channels.
Then, use the TV remote control to choose the right HDMI input source.

#9: Revert your Samsung TV to factory settings

Caution: Bear in mind that when you reset your TV back to the factory settings, you’ll lose any adjustments you have made. This includes saved channels and any timers you may have. So you’ll have to reinstall apps.

If your remote is not faulty, then you can revert your TV to factory settings.

Do the following:

Press the Home/Menu button.
Move down and choose Support.
Press the right arrow, then the down one, and select Self-diagnosis.
Go to Reset Smart Hub first. Press the middle directional button.
Note: This will reset all of your Samsung passwords and take you out of the Samsung network. It should take about a minute.
Enter your PIN to confirm.
Note: The default PIN is 0000. You can use the 0 on the remote’s keypad and press it 4 times.
Once the reset is complete, you’ll be redirected to the Self Diagnosis menu again. From there, choose Reset.
Note: This option restores all the TV’s settings as they were when it came out of the factory.
Once you have chosen it, you’ll have to confirm your choice by entering your PIN again.
You’ll get the following message “All settings will return to factory defaults except network settings”. Choose Yes.
With that, your TV is reset. You’ll get the start screen. It will guide you through the initial setup process. Follow it to adjust the settings as you want them.

For a visual presentation of this, check out this video:

BONUS: Contact support

If all else fails, there’s always the option to contact Samsung’s support. I advise you to do this only as a last resort. Their support team is available 24/7.