How-To
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What to Do When a TV or Streaming Remote Is Not Working

Troubleshoot batteries, pairing, line-of-sight, or device problems.

Quick Answer

Replace/charge batteries, restart the device, verify IR line-of-sight when relevant, and re-pair Bluetooth/RF remotes if required.

Step by Step

  1. Check power, cables, network connection, and the currently selected input/account before changing advanced settings.
  2. Replace/charge batteries, restart the device, verify IR line-of-sight when relevant, and re-pair Bluetooth/RF remotes if required.
  3. Test the device after each change so you know what resolved the problem.
  4. Use factory reset or removing/re-adding a smart-home device only after simpler troubleshooting fails.

If That Doesn't Work

  • Menu names and capabilities vary by TV, streaming device, smart-home ecosystem, manufacturer, and model.
  • Smart-home devices can depend on Wi-Fi, hubs, cloud services, Thread/Matter controllers, and account integrations; determine which layer is failing before resetting the accessory.