Why does the TV not respond to the remote control?

Content:

1 Common problems with TV remote control
2 Batteries
3 Frequency
4 Remote control test using phone camera
5 Mechanical defects 5.1 Possible mechanical failures on the remote control:
5.2 Simple repair technology
5.3 Operations for repairing Philips remote control:

6 Universal remote control

6.1 Technology programming by code:

7 Controlling your TV using your smartphone

Almost all television devices today have a remote control sensor located on the front panel. The remote element receives commands transmitted by the infrared (IR) signal of a standard remote control and then obeys the command sent. If the sensor does not receive an IR signal from the remote control, it is not necessarily that it is faulty. There are several reasons that can lead to the remote control not interacting with the TV. In such cases, the user is able to independently eliminate the failure that does not register the IR signal, without voiding the warranty on the TV.

Common problems with TV remote control

Information about using the remote control can be found in the technical documentation for the TV from the equipment manufacturer or in the online user guide on the corporate page. To do this, you can enter your TV model number on the website, go to the “Manuals and Specifications” section and find the “remote control” section.

In working condition, when you press a command on the remote control, the selected mode button at the top of the remote control should flash red. If this does not happen, you need to analyze the behavior of the TV and remote control.

Standard problems with the remote control of Dexp TVs when they cannot be turned on or off:

The LED does not blink.
The visible red light flashes several times.
Channels do not change or change slowly.
Problems with volume control.

To determine which of these conditions is causing the problem, follow these steps:

Open the battery compartment on the back of the remote control and remove both batteries.
Press and hold any button on the remote control for 20 seconds.
Release the button and insert the batteries correctly.
If the remote control responds, then there was a malfunction in it, which disappeared when turned on, when a reset occurred when discharged in the previous step.
If the remote control does not work and the TV cannot turn off, continue research further.

Most TV remote controls rely on an infrared signal that is transmitted over a distance and the TV picks it up. If the signal is blocked, you will need to check the area between the user and the TV to see if the infrared radiation is being blocked by anything, such as furniture, books or DVDs stacked directly in front of the TV.

The distance between the remote control and the TV also plays an important role. If the remote control does not work, you need to get close to the TV and check its operation. To do this, hold the remote control at a distance of about half a meter from the TV and press the power button. You can read the receiver's instruction manual to see how far apart the remote control and receiver can be. If the device aimed at the center of the TV does not turn it on, point it at each corner of the screen. If there is no progress, move on to checking the batteries. Weak batteries can also affect signal strength.

Check if the remote control is working properly

Sometimes a problem arises that the TV remote control does not work. Most often, the cause of the problem lies in itself. Of course, if the remote control is dropped or mechanically damaged, then repairing it is not so easy. First you need to check the joint operation of the television receiver and the remote control. To do this, perform the following steps.

Make sure the TV is plugged in. If not, plug the power cord into a power outlet.
Make sure there is mains voltage. Perhaps a safety valve tripped due to an outage, or the power was cut off.
Check the operation of the TV without a remote control. To do this, set various commands using the TV control panel. If everything is fine with the device, then the problem lies in the remote control.

Batteries

Before you do any major customization or repair work on your remote, you should carefully inspect the front of the remote to make sure it uses IR and not another technology such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Smartphones and some smart remote controls do not use IR technology.

Procedure:

Open the battery compartment of the remote control.
Insert new batteries into the compartment.
Point the remote control at the TV and press the power button.

Now the remote sensor will react if the batteries powering the remote control were too weak. If the Smart TV does not turn on, proceed to the frequency adjustment procedure.

Frequency

Perhaps the user, during use, unknowingly knocked down the operating frequency of the remote control. Fortunately, this problem can be resolved quickly. The user must change the frequency in the TV setup menu. The procedure is not complicated, but it has certain differences for different modifications of TV. To find out how this works, you will need to refer to the device-specific instructions on the manufacturer's website.

Also make sure that the correct input channel on the TV is selected (INPUT, TV/AV, TV/VIDEO or Source). Some remotes can control multiple devices alternately, with buttons at the very top to boot or switch.

How to replace a faulty remote control

Every user should know that repairing a remote control is sometimes much more expensive than purchasing a new universal one or one specifically for your TV brand. Therefore, if the remote control has a serious malfunction, then in 99% of cases it is easier to replace it than to repair it. Our article will help you choose a new remote control.

By the way, any smartphone can be configured to control TV if you download a special program onto it, which turns it into a unique remote control for your household appliances.

All you have to do is point your mobile device at the TV to synchronize and remember the settings. This remote control is reliable in operation and will not have the problems listed above.

Remote control test using phone camera

If the user has a digital camera or phone camera, he can test any remote control.

Algorithm for checking the Sony remote control:

They turn on the camera.
Point the remote control at the camera lens at approximately a distance of 25 cm.
Press any button on the remote control.
If the user sees the infrared eye of the remote control on the LCD screen of the camera, then the remote control is working correctly.
If the above test shows that the remote control is working, then the problem is in the sensor on the TV.
If the above test shows that the remote control does not work, it is recommended to test another remote control on this TV.

Remote control failure

A possible reason why the remote control does not respond to the TV may be not only the wear of the batteries. There are other breakdowns that can manifest themselves, even with products from brands such as Samsung or Philips. In general, according to experts, it is the remote control that in most situations becomes the culprit of such a defect. Its technical condition can be checked independently, without the use of special equipment:

There is an LED indicator on the TV, it starts blinking when you press the buttons on the remote control;
if this does not happen, then there is no signal;
pick up your smartphone and turn on the camera;
bring the remote control as close to it as possible;
Press any key - if there is flickering, the remote control is in working condition.

Checking the functionality of the remote control using your phone
It is much worse if the indicator is not lit. In this case, you will need the help of specialists, but even they are not always able to repair the device. It all depends on the extent of the damage and the cause of its occurrence.

Mechanical defects

Remote controls for televisions are especially popular devices in the household. They are used repeatedly by all family members, so they are used in extreme conditions and are subject to frequent shocks and falls. The consequences can be very different, but most often cracks occur on the contacts of the battery holder and the infrared LED. They can be very small, so it is recommended to use a good magnifying glass for inspection, carefully check the design of the remote control and try to eliminate the malfunctions.

Possible mechanical failures on the remote control:

Cracks in the plate or on the copper traces of the printed circuit board. They are also caused by bumps and falls. This type of defect can usually be repaired by wrapping a thin copper wire around the damaged copper line.
The battery holder contacts are dirty, oxidized, or sulfated. These are formed as a result of exposure to caustic electrolyte spilled from old and discharged batteries. To restore functionality, the contacts must be well sanded to remove the oxide film, and then treated with an electronic contact cleaner.
PCB corrosion. This is usually caused by battery leakage. When the corrosion is very extensive and deep, or when it affects the contacts of the integrated circuit, the remote control cannot be restored.
Dirt in the contacts. Remote controls tend to accumulate dust and particles that get into the space between the top cover openings and the keys. In these cases, the circuit board, rubber keypad and covers must be thoroughly cleaned. The covers and rubber keyboard can be washed with warm water and soap using a small brush. This could be a toothbrush to remove debris from holes and voids.

Simple repair technology

No matter how good the remote control is, it will definitely get dirty and wear out due to frequent use. With proper maintenance, you can guarantee many years of trouble-free operation of the remote control.

Operations for repairing Philips remote control:

Open the remote control after first taking a picture of the assembled device, since during disassembly some buttons may fly out and need to be installed correctly.
Remove the batteries from the remote control.
Remove the cover on the back of the controller to remove the batteries. Removing the batteries will deactivate the controller.
Find and remove all the screws that hold the device.
I open the case with a thin screwdriver, handling it carefully so as not to scratch it.
To clean the internal components from dirt deposits, it is recommended to use a PC keyboard repair kit.
Remove all rubber buttons and wash them thoroughly with soap and water
Install the buttons in places with good air circulation for drying.
Wipe the circuit board with alcohol.
Apply conductive paint to the keyboard contacts and allow the remote control to dry for 72 hours.
Collecting remote controls.
Install new batteries.
Testing the remote control.
If it still doesn't work, you may need to buy a new remote control.

Why did the remote control stop working?

Simple reasons

The batteries are dead. Replace the batteries with new ones.
Inspect the contacts that the batteries come into contact with. They can become dirty or oxidize or rust.

Clean contacts from dirt. If rusting occurs, then use a cleaner. Treat contacts with alcohol and clean mechanically.
Electromagnetic waves may interfere with the signal reaching the TV. If the equipment is installed close to the electric emitter. mag. waves (microwave, refrigerator), change the location of the TV receiver.

If the situations listed above did not help restore operation, then the problem is deeper. Intervention with the TV or remote control device will be required.

Remote control malfunctions

Frequent falls lead to mechanical damage. Inside the remote control is a board with electrical tracks. If dropped, the tracks on the board may be damaged. Then you need to find damaged areas and make repairs. Additionally, after disassembly, carefully shake the LED and spring contacts for the batteries. When you move the elements, look at the solder spots on the back of the board. If there are microcracks, then the places need to be thoroughly soldered again.
Over time, the spring contacts lose their elasticity and do not adhere to the battery contacts as tightly. Contact is lost completely or occurs periodically. Therefore, the remote control can sometimes work and sometimes not.
Failure of electronic parts. It is impossible to determine for yourself without knowledge. You'll have to go in for repairs.
The principle of operation is to close the contacts on the board, which leads to the execution of commands. A rubber layer with buttons is responsible for the closure. Under the button is a conductive element that makes a short circuit. Over time, the layer wears off and there is no contact when pressed. You can try to do the restoration yourself, more on that below.

There are kits on sale that consist of glue and conductive patches.

Disassemble the remote control and remove the rubber layer. Replace broken contacts with new ones.

By the way, before disassembling it is recommended to click all the buttons and write down the ones that don’t work on a sheet of paper.

Instead of original contacts, you can use homemade ones. Take foil paper. Cut out the elements of the desired shape with scissors (square or circle), glue with the paper side.

The foil side conducts electricity, so it can short circuit contacts on the board. The easiest way to place small pieces of foil is with tweezers.

You can see repair options using foil in the gallery below.

You can also rub the graphite rod of a pencil and mix it with superglue in equal proportions. Stir well and apply on top of the old layer, previously cleaned. Then wait for the glue to dry and check the operation of the buttons.

You need to make sure that the pencil core is made of graphite, as conductive qualities are needed. Release a piece of the lead from the wooden shell of the pencil. Using a multimeter in resistance measurement mode, take measurements at both ends of the rod. If the needle on the device deviates, or the value of the electronic meter is non-zero, it means that the composition contains graphite.

Learn more about repairs with rubbed graphite in the video.

The remote control may become dirty. Dust and other contaminants often get inside the case through cracks. Dirt accumulation may occur on the contacts. It is necessary to disassemble the device and clean all parts. There are special cleaners that can be replaced with alcohol. Before putting it back together, you need to wait until it dries completely naturally.

Do not use rough tools for cleaning. You need to wipe with a cotton swab or sponge.

The main goal of the repair is to make the closing element operational. Therefore, you can use any materials that conduct electricity. For example, copper wire (see picture below) or even caps from bolts and self-tapping screws.

Additionally, you can try using a different remote control. A similar or universal one that works with many brands of TVs will do.

The built-in control panel on the TV also allows you to understand that the reason is in the remote control. Modern TVs are no longer equipped with buttons on the body, except for the power button. But, if there are buttons for menu, gear shift, volume, on the case, check them. If the TV responds, then the problem may be in both the remote control and the TV receiver. The same goes for an external digital set-top box.

For example, the operating frequency of the device has gone wrong. The indicator blinks, but no action occurs. Then you will need to reconfigure the device. Or the receiving photocell on the TV may be damaged. Both complete failure of the part and loss of contact from the photodetector are possible.

TV malfunctions

The TV stopped responding to the remote control due to a breakdown of the photodetector. Functionality can only be restored by completely replacing the part. The work of the part is to accept the command and transmit it to the control board.
The photodetector is physically connected to the TV board. The contact may break and rot. It is necessary to disassemble the TV, find the break point and restore the connection.
A TV is a device whose elements are programmed to do a specific job. Voltage surges in the electrical network can disrupt proper operation and lead to firmware failures. Repair consists of reprogramming the element responsible for memory.

Universal remote control

A universal remote control is an essential accessory in many homes as it can be used to control any type of device. This will require programming it to synchronize with the equipment being monitored.

There is a long list of codes in the user manual of the universal remote control. They correspond to a family of products: stereo, DVD player, TV and many others that work with IR technology. By entering these codes from the remote control, the basic functions are set.

Technology programming by code:

Introduce the function of setting device parameters.
Enter the correct code.
Perform a test to ensure that the remote control starts up.
In some cases, multiple codes may be provided for the same device type.

You can also perform automatic search programming to find the device you want to control. To do this, follow these simple steps:

The remote control is directed to the controlled device and the automatic search program is launched.
Stop the program when the device turns on.
Turn on the TV again and check the functions of the control system.
If the operation was unsuccessful during the first test, programming can be restarted several times until the correct signal is finally found.

Controlling your TV using your smartphone

The advent of wireless technology has allowed users to gain unprecedented control over electronic devices using Wi-Fi and remote access over the Internet. This technology allows you to automate offices, homes and entire enterprises. Held in the hands of millions of users, the Android device is a treasure trove of possibilities and the Android remote control app is the best you need to automate your devices.

To realize these capabilities, there are many applications for remote control of Android and TVs. Users will simply need to choose the best one. Here are some of the popular phone remote control apps that you can use to turn your phone into an Android TV remote control device:

MPC "FamiSafe Remote Control for Android".
PDK "Mi Remote Controller".
Unified MPC “Unified Remote”.
PDK "Team Viewer Remote Controller".
Universal MPC “Sure Universal Remote”.
IR universal PDK “IR Universal Remote”.

Thus, the remote control is an integral part for the operation of any modern TV. If the MPC does not work, do not throw it away until all possible faults have been checked and corrected. And if it still requires replacement, then modern unified remote controls or specialized software for smartphones will come to the aid of television lovers.

Found a mistake? Select it and press ctrl+enter