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The Samsung remote is an essential tool for controlling your Samsung TV and other devices. But it can be frustrating when it suddenly stops working, leaving you unable to change channels, adjust the volume, or access your favorite apps.

This problem can result from a variety of reasons, such as low battery, interference, or even software glitches.

In this article, we explore the common causes of Samsung remote not working and provide some simple troubleshooting steps to help you fix the issue and get back to enjoying your entertainment.

Table of Contents

Samsung Remote Not Working How To Fix It

Samsung Remote Not Working – 9 Easy Fixes

If your Samsung remote is not working, try these nine simple solutions.

#1. Change flat batteries

This might seem pretty obvious, but it’s the first thing you should do when your Samsung remote stops working. Change the batteries – that way at least you know it’s not the batteries.

#2. Reset the remote

If you changed the batteries and your Samsung remote is still not working, the next thing to do is reset the remote:

Remove the batteries from the back of the remote
Press and hold the power button on the remote for 30 seconds
Put the batteries back in
Now see if the remote works

This will often get your Samsung remote working again.

#3. Reset the TV

If that didn’t fix the problem of your Samsung remote not working, the next thing to do is resetyour Samsung TV:

Open Settings, and then select General.
Select Reset, enter your PIN (0000 is the default) and then select Reset.
Select OK – your TV will restart automatically
If these steps don’t match your TV, navigate to Settings, select Support, and then select Self Diagnosis. The reset option will be located in that menu.

If you need more help resetting your Samsung TV, this Samsung support page has more information.

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#4. Check the IR sensor

Depending on which model of Samsung TV you have, your remote may have an infrared (IR) sensor.

IR remotes use an infrared beam to communicate with the TV. They can stop working for various reasons.

IR remotes need direct line-of-sight with the TV. So the first thing to do is make sure there are no physical obstructions between the remote and your Samsung TV.

Next, use a soft cloth to wipe the IR sensor in the remote (located at the front of your remote).

Lastly, you should perform a digital camera test on the IR sensor:

Turn on your phone camera and aim the remote at the lens of the camera
Press any button on the remote
The IR eye of the remote should flash on the camera screen, indicating that the remote is working

#5. Re-pair the remote to the TV

If your Samsung remote is still not working, the next thing to do is re-pair it with the TV:

Turn on your Samsung TV
Hold down the Return and Play/Pause buttons on your remote simultaneously for 5 seconds
Your Samsung TV should start to pair with your remote
Try pushing some buttons on the remote to see if it works

If you have a Samsung Smart Touch remote, you need to long-press the Input button and the volume button, at the same time:

#6. Update the software on the Samsung TV

If you did that, and your Samsung remote still doesn’t work, try updating the software on your Samsung TV.

Open the Settings menu on your Samsung TV
Select Support
Select Software Update
Select Update Now

Updating the software on your Samsung TV will often fix the problem with your remote.

#7. Reset your Wi-Fi router

If your Samsung TV remote is still not working, try re-setting your Wi-Fi router:

Unplug the router from the power source
Unplug the router from the TV (if using an ethernet cable)
Leave the router unplugged from the power for 3 mins
Reconnect the router to the power source
Plug the router back into the TV (if using an ethernet cable)

Try your remote now and see if it is working.

#8. Use the Samsung Smart TV phone app

If none of the above has solved the problem and your Samsung TV remote is still not working, you can try using your smartphone as a remote.

The Samsung Smart Things app contains a virtual remote:

Follow these steps to access the Smart Things remote:

Open the SmartThings app on your phone, and then tap Menu
Tap All devices, and then select your TV/projector
An on-screen remote will appear in the app
The options available on the remote will vary depending on the device

The volume and channel controls work the same way they would on a normal remote. You also have access to Mute, Home, Back, and Guide. Use the arrows or the gray box at the bottom to navigate the Settings menu or apps. Tap anywhere in the box to make a selection.

#9. Get a universal remote

Using the Smart Things app as a remote may not be a long-term solution – you may still want a physical remote for controlling your Samsung TV.

If so, you should consider getting a Universal remote, such as the Angrox Universal Remote Control for Samsung TV ($11.68 on Amazon):

The advantage of a universal remote is that you can use it to control all your devices. Instead of having a different remote for every piece of tech in your living room, have one remote that controls everything.

Conclusion

If your Samsung remote stops working, try one of the solutions:

Change flat batteries
Reset the remote
Reset the TV
Check the IR sensor
Re-pair the remote to the TV
Update the software on the Samsung TV
Reset the router
Use the Samsung Smart TV phone app
Get a universal remote

In most cases, one of these nine easy solutions will fix the problem you’ll be back in control of your Samsung TV.

Samsung Remote Not Working – How To Fix It