Samsung TV Remote Not Working? Batteries, Pairing and Reset
Samsung splits a remote that stops working into simple causes you can fix yourself (flat batteries, a lost connection with the TV, dirty buttons, a software glitch, a button that only works in some modes) and technical faults for a service center (a damaged remote or a faulty remote sensor in the TV). For a Bluetooth remote that keeps losing the connection, Samsung adds removing the case, re-pairing and a remote reset.
Quick answer
Samsung's first checks for a remote that stops working are the batteries, a TV restart and a clear path between the remote and the TV. If that does not help, test the remote with a smartphone camera or pair it with the TV again. A Samsung service center handles damaged remotes and faulty TV sensors.
- 1.Put fresh batteries in the remote, take off any case or cover, and make sure nothing sits between the remote and the TV.
- 2.Unplug the TV from the wall for about 30 seconds, plug it back in, turn it on and try the remote again.
What it means
Samsung Russia says a TV remote can stop working for several reasons and splits them into two groups. The simple ones you can fix yourself: the batteries have run down, the TV has lost its connection with the remote, dirt has got onto the buttons, there has been a software glitch, or a button does not work in the TV's current mode. The technical ones need an engineer at a Samsung service center: mechanical damage to the remote, or a fault in the sensor inside the TV that receives the remote's signal.
Samsung US adds that the right fix depends on what the remote is doing. If it seems to press buttons by itself, the buttons may be dirty. If it does not work on your TV, Odyssey Ark gaming screen or projector, a quick check tells you whether the remote or the device is at fault. If it is the remote, it may need fresh batteries or a reset.
Bluetooth remotes have their own failure: the TV keeps losing the connection with the remote. Samsung Russia covers that case with a separate procedure (case, power, original remote, batteries, re-pairing, remote reset and a check of the TV's Bluetooth), and the steps below follow it.
Common causes
- Flat batteries. Samsung lists run-down batteries first among the simple causes, and Samsung US says a remote at fault may need a pair of fresh batteries.
- The TV has lost its connection with the remote. Samsung Russia lists a lost connection between the TV and the remote as a simple cause. For Bluetooth remotes the fix is to pair the remote with the TV again or reset the remote.
- A case or cover pressing the pairing buttons. Samsung Russia says a protective case or similar accessory can hold down the remote's pairing buttons, which breaks the connection between the remote and the TV.
- Dirt on the buttons. Samsung lists dirt on the buttons as a cause. Samsung US says that if the remote seems to press buttons by itself (the TV changes source or volume on its own), the buttons may actually be dirty.
- A software glitch. Samsung Russia lists a software glitch among the simple causes and recommends restarting the TV.
- A button that only works in some modes. Samsung Russia says some buttons do not work in a particular TV mode. Its example is the coloured a/b/c/d function buttons, which are only available in certain menu items or Smart Hub apps.
- A remote that did not come with the TV. Samsung Russia says to use the remote supplied with your TV or a standard Samsung infrared button remote. If the TV came with only a button remote, a Smart Touch Control bought separately may not work correctly.
- A damaged remote. Samsung lists mechanical damage to the remote among the technical causes. A remote that has been dropped may show chips, cracks or other damage.
- A fault in the TV. A faulty remote sensor in the TV, or a Bluetooth fault that also drops other Bluetooth devices, needs a Samsung service center.
Before you start
- Check whether every button fails or only some. Samsung says some buttons, such as the coloured a/b/c/d buttons, only work in certain menus or Smart Hub apps.
- If the TV changes source or volume on its own, think dirty buttons first: Samsung US names dirt as the cause of a remote that seems to press buttons by itself.
- Look the remote over for chips, cracks or other damage, especially if it has been dropped recently.
- Check that you are using the remote that came with your TV. A Smart Touch Control bought separately may not work correctly on a TV that shipped with only a button remote.
- Make sure nothing blocks the path between the remote and the TV. Samsung US describes the red standby light as the little red light at the edge of the TV that you aim the remote at.
Fixes, from safest to last resort
Replace the batteries
No data loss- 1Take out the old batteries and put in a fresh pair.
- 2Aim the remote at the TV and try a few buttons.
If your remote is a rechargeable Samsung Smart remote, see our article on a Samsung SolarCell remote that is not charging; Samsung US also points owners of the Smart remote to its charging guide.
Take the remote out of its case
No data loss- 1Remove any case, cover or other protective accessory from the remote.
- 2Try the remote again without it.
Samsung Russia says a case can hold down the pairing buttons and break the connection between a Bluetooth remote and the TV.
Clear the path to the TV
No data loss- 1Move anything that sits between the remote and the TV.
- 2Aim the remote at the edge of the TV where the red standby light is, and try again.
Samsung lists checking for obstacles between the remote and the TV among its first steps, together with the batteries and a TV restart.
Restart the TV by unplugging it
No data loss- 1Unplug the TV from the wall outlet.
- 2Wait about 30 seconds.
- 3Plug it back in, turn the TV on and try the remote.
A restart is Samsung's answer to a software glitch, and the 30-second unplug is step 2 of its procedure for a Bluetooth remote that loses the connection.
⚠ Do not open the TV or the remote to look for the fault. Samsung treats a damaged remote or a faulty remote sensor in the TV as work for an engineer at a Samsung service center.
Test the remote with a smartphone camera
No data loss- 1Run the smartphone camera test that Samsung recommends to see whether the remote is sending a signal. Our article Is the Remote Broken or Is It the TV? explains how to do it and why it only applies to infrared remotes.
- 2If the remote is at fault, carry on with the pairing and reset steps below. Samsung US says a faulty remote may need fresh batteries or a reset.
Use the remote that came with your TV
No data loss- 1Check that the remote in your hand is the one supplied with your Samsung TV. A standard Samsung infrared button remote is also fine.
- 2If the TV came with only a button remote and you are using a Smart Touch Control bought separately, try the original remote instead.
Samsung Russia says a separately bought Smart Touch Control may not work correctly on a TV that shipped with only a button remote.
Pair the remote with the TV again
Re-setup needed- 1Point the remote at the TV, at least 20 cm away if you can.
- 2Follow the pairing method for your TV's model year. Samsung's article gives separate instructions for TVs from 2016 and later, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
- 3If the remote still does not work, reset it (next solution).
Re-pairing only affects the remote's link with the TV. If you are not sure of your TV's year, Samsung has a guide to finding the series and model year of a Samsung TV.
Reset the remote to factory settings
Re-setup needed- 1Turn on the TV.
- 2Point the remote at the TV's infrared sensor (the indicator).
- 3Press and hold the two buttons for your TV's series at the same time until the indicator on the remote stops blinking. Samsung lists the combination separately for A, N/R/T, K/M, J and H series TVs.
- 4After the reset the remote pairs with the TV automatically and "Pairing completed" appears at the top of the screen. If it does not, press any button on the remote except POWER.
This resets the remote, not the TV. Your TV's apps and settings are not part of this step.
If a menu doesn't match your TV
- The pairing method and the reset button combination depend on your TV. Samsung Russia's Bluetooth remote article lists the pairing steps by model year (2016 and later, 2015, 2014, 2013) and the reset combination by series (A, N/R/T, K/M, J, H). If yours is not listed, check your TV's e-manual.
- Samsung US has separate troubleshooting for a Samsung TV remote that does not work as a universal remote and for a remote that stops working after using the SmartThings TV app. Those cases are not covered here; open Samsung US's remote page and pick that issue.
- Samsung Russia names the menu item that shows the TV's Bluetooth address "Contact Samsung / About This TV". The name may differ on your model; look for the TV information or Contact Samsung page in Settings.
- If you need to use the TV while the remote is out of action, see our article on controlling a TV without the remote.
When to contact support
If batteries, a restart, the camera test and re-pairing do not help, Samsung says to contact a service center for diagnosis. A damaged remote and a faulty remote sensor in the TV are both on Samsung's list of faults for a service center engineer.
- For a Bluetooth remote, check the TV's Bluetooth address (MAC address) under Contact Samsung / About This TV. Samsung Russia gives "00:00:00:00:00:00", "ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff" or "****" as examples of an incorrect address and "18-67-B0-42-1D-2E" as a correct one. If the address does not show correctly, the TV is probably faulty: contact a service center.
- If the address shows correctly, try connecting another Bluetooth device to the TV, such as a keyboard, mouse or headphones. If those connections also drop, take the TV to a service center for diagnosis and repair. If they stay connected, replace the remote with a new one through Samsung support.
- Samsung Russia says a remote with mechanical damage (chips, cracks) cannot be replaced under warranty.
- Have your TV's model number, series and year ready, and list what you have already tried: batteries, case removed, 30-second unplug, camera test, re-pairing and remote reset.
Sources
- Official source: Samsung Russia Support: What to do if the Samsung TV remote is not working · www.samsung.com
- Official source: Samsung US Support: Samsung remote is not working · www.samsung.com
- Official source: Samsung Russia Support: What to do if the Bluetooth remote loses the connection with a Samsung TV · www.samsung.com
Frequently asked questions
Samsung TV remote not working: what should I try first?+
Samsung's first steps are to check the batteries, restart the TV and make sure nothing blocks the path between the remote and the TV. If the remote still does nothing, test it with a smartphone camera or pair it with the TV again.
Why is my Samsung TV not responding to the remote?+
Samsung lists flat batteries, a lost connection between the TV and the remote, dirty buttons, a software glitch and buttons that only work in certain modes as simple causes. A damaged remote or a faulty remote sensor in the TV are the technical causes, and those need a Samsung service center.
Samsung TV not responding to remote or buttons: is the TV broken?+
Unplug the TV for about 30 seconds and try again, since Samsung lists a software glitch among the causes. If the TV still ignores the remote, contact a Samsung service center: a fault in the TV's remote sensor is one of the causes Samsung says needs an engineer. If the TV will not turn on at all, see our guide on a Samsung TV that won't turn on.
Why is the volume not working on my Samsung TV remote when other buttons do?+
Samsung says some buttons only work in certain TV modes, and it lists dirt on the buttons as a cause. If one button fails everywhere while the rest work, look for dirt on that button and for damage to the remote.
When do I need a Samsung TV remote replacement?+
For a Bluetooth remote, Samsung Russia says to replace it through Samsung support once the steps have failed and the TV's Bluetooth works with other devices such as a keyboard or headphones. It also says a remote with mechanical damage cannot be replaced under warranty.
Why does my Samsung Bluetooth remote keep losing the connection?+
Samsung Russia points to a case pressing the pairing buttons, flat batteries and software glitches. Remove the case, replace the batteries, unplug the TV for about 30 seconds and pair the remote again. If that fails, reset the remote and check the TV's Bluetooth address.
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