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 inclusion of cutting-edge display technologies to its included extras like Samsung TV Plus. As sleek and bright as your Samsung TV might be, nothing ruins the experience like a remote that is not working. 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 remote battery life until the remote 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 remember to check the battery compartment or the user manual to see 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. One of the simplest ones is to 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 (2021 and newer), 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 (Samsung recommends one foot), 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 issue is with your router or internet, try testing your internet connection with another device. If the internet works on other devices, chances are it is a remote problem. If you’re having internet issues, the easiest solution is to reset the Wi-Fi.

Some routers have a reset button, and others make it easy to reset it using the official app. When in doubt, unplugging the router, waiting for about a minute, and plugging it back in should do the trick. You can find other Wi-Fi troubleshooting tips here.

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.

Are there obstructions between the remote and the TV?

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.

Check the remote for physical damage

If your remote has an IR sensor, ensure it sends the infrared signal. Point the remote at a phone or tablet camera and press the power button. Look at the phone screen while pressing the power button to see if there is a colored light on the sensor. If you don’t see the light, you might need fresh batteries, or the IR sensor might be damaged. If the sensor isn’t the problem, clean the remote’s top to ensure that nothing is blocking a signal from going through.

Loose buttons and other physical damage might cause the Samsung remote to not work. Remove the batteries from the remote and slowly press every button. Stuck dust and debris might cause the controls to malfunction, and this is a good way to clear some of it out.

If the remote is damaged and not working, your only option is to get a replacement. Samsung doesn’t directly sell TV remotes on its website. Instead, depending on your TV model, you will find multiple options on the Samsung Parts website. Use the TV user manual to find the exact model number to sort through the long list quickly.

Use the SmartThings app as a remote

If your Samsung remote isn’t working at all or you are waiting for a replacement, download the Samsung SmartThings app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store to use it as a TV remote.

First, ensure that your TV is connected to the SmartThings app. Open the app, go to the Device tab, select Home, and then pick the location of the TV. Select the + icon, and hit Add device. Under the By device type, tap on TV, and then select Samsung. Hit the TV again, and then select Start. Select the location and room, and then hit Next. Select your TV, and follow on-screen instructions to finish the process.

Once you have connected the TV to the app, click on the TV name and tap Remote. Start controlling the TV with your phone. You will find buttons for volume and channel controls and keys.

Update your Samsung TV

First, ensure that the TV is running the latest software update. A software glitch might cause your Samsung TV remote to stop working. Updates often fix these issues. Of course, this can only be done with a remote, but you can use the SmartThings app if the physical remote isn’t working.

1. On your Samsung TV, launch the Settings app.
2. Select All Settings.
3. Go into Support.
4. Pick Software Update.
5. Before moving on, you should probably ensure Auto Update is enabled, so your TV updates automatically as soon as an update is available.
6. Hit Update Now to manually check for any new software versions.

Factory reset the Samsung TV

Save resetting the TV as a last resort, since this will erase everything, and you will have to download and sign in to your apps all over again.

That said, it is a good way to fix and iron out any software issues or glitches. It also resets all settings, so it may help clear out any remote issues. Of course, you may need a remote to do this, but as mentioned before, you can use the SmartThings app.

1. Launch the Settings app.
2. Go into General & Privacy.
3. Select Reset.
4. You’ll be asked for a PIN. Enter it. If you haven’t changed it, the default one should be 0000.
5. Confirm by hitting Reset again.
6. Hit OK.

These are the latest steps, but they won’t match all Samsung TV instructions. IF the above don’t work, try going to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset.