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Samsung TV Remote Not Working (QUICK & EASY Fix) in 2024

If your Samsung TV remote is not working or your TV isn’t responding to the remote, then you are not alone.

Whether all the buttons on the TV remote are not working, or just a few buttons are not working, it doesn’t matter. 

Samsung TV remote not working

In this guide, I am going to show you some quick, easy and proven ways to fix your remote and get it to work again. 

Without further ado, let’s dive right in!

Samsung TV Remote Not Working

Below are 9 methods of troubleshooting a Samsung TV remote that won’t work. 

1. Check if the Batteries Are Working

The most common reason for a TV remote to stop working is that its batteries have simply dried out or run out of juice. By far the best way of checking if this is the case with you is by looking for another device in your house that uses the same type of battery.

First, ensure the other device is working as it should be, and then replace its batteries with those in your Samsung TV remote. If the device doesn’t work as it should, then you’ve found the cause of your problem.

If your batteries are indeed the reason your remote isn’t working, then all you have to do is get a replacement pack.

Remember to always replace your batteries in pairs instead of individually. It can also be that the batteries aren’t inserted properly, so always double check to ensure the positive and negative sides are inserted correctly.

Replacing the Samsung TV remote batteries


2. Pair Your Samsung TV Remote

If you use a smart Samsung TV remote, then you might have to pair it again to make it work properly. To do so:

  1. First, turn on the TV.
  2. Then, point your smart TV remote toward your TV (specifically its sensor).
  3. Hold both the return and play/pause buttons together for around 3 seconds.
  4. When the three seconds are done, a pop up window on your TV will alert you that the remote is now connected to the TV.

The two buttons needed to hold if you want to pair a Samsung TV remote


3. Reset the Samsung TV Remote

Sometimes the Samsung TV remote might get a software or pairing issue that might get fixed if you reset it. Although this usually happens for smart remotes, it can still happen with regular TV remotes.

Now, the reset procedure may differ depending on what model your Samsung TV remote is. If you have an older model, then you’ll have to:

  1. First, remove the batteries from your TV remote.
  2. Then, hold the power button for at least 10 seconds.
  3. When done, simply insert your batteries again.

Hold the power button of the Samsung TV remote to reset it

However, if you have one of the newer models, then you’ll have to press and hold the back and enter buttons simultaneously for at least 12 seconds to factory reset it.

If the Samsung TV remote you reset was a smart remote, then you will have to pair the remote with your TV again. To see how to do so, check method #2 again and follow the step by step instructions.


4. Cold Boot Your TV

Oftentimes the issue isn’t with the remote but with the TV. Fortunately, if it’s a minor software bug or issue, then simply cold booting your TV should be enough. This process is also called discharging or power cycling.

To cold boot your TV, all you have to do is press and hold the power button until the TV powers off and then powers back on. Although this is usually done by using the remote since in this case the remote isn’t working you can instead press and hold the power button on your TV.

Alternatively, another way of power cycling a TV is by unplugging the power cord while the TV is running, and then waiting for a minimum of 2 minutes before plugging it back in.

Disconnect the TV's power outlet to power cycle it


5. Update Your TV’s Software

Yet another troubleshooting method that’s exclusive to smart TVs. Since smart TVs frequently get updates that fix certain bugs and glitches, it might be a good idea to update your TV’s software to see if it fixes your issue as well.

If you aren’t able to use your remote at all to update the software, then try installing the Samsung remote control app on your phone or tablet and use that as a temporary replacement.

To check if there’s any available software update for your TV, you have to:

  1. Navigate to the settings of your TV.
  2. Go down until you find the ‘support’ option and click it.
  3. Select ‘software update’ and then select ‘Update Now’.
  4. If there’s any available software update it will automatically be downloaded. Your TV will then automatically restart to install it.

Click the 'update now' button to start the software update

NOTE: Don’t power off your TV while the update is being installed as doing so might result in your TV getting bricked or the software getting corrupted.


6. Check for Damaged Buttons

One very common reason for a TV remote to not work as intended is that a specific button has been damaged and no longer works. The button in question is almost always the power button, and because it is damaged it becomes difficult to turn the TV on with it.

Luckily, most TVs also turn on when you press a different button on the TV remote, specifically the channel up or down buttons.

If the TV turns on when you press either of those buttons and then you’re able to use the TV remote as intended with the exception of the power button, then you’ve found the cause of your problem.


7. Cleaning the Remote’s Insides

If you’ve noticed that specific buttons for your Samsung TV remote aren’t working (or they aren’t working properly) and you aren’t able to see any external damage that might be the cause, then chances are you might have to clean the remote’s insides. 

Step #1. Disassemble Your Remote

Taking apart your remote and cleaning it might sound scary at first, but as long as you follow our instructions it should be no problem at all.

Start by removing the back cover of the Samsung TV remote

  1. First, you want to remove the batteries of the remote, as otherwise disassembling it might be more difficult than it has to be. To do so, you have to flip the remote over and slide the back cover down (the side that’s opposite the power button). Leave the back cover removed too.
  2. Then comes the part where you have to actually disassemble the remote. To do so, you’ll need either a flathead screwdriver or a different chisel-like tool that can fit in tight places (like a butter knife).
  3. You want to remove the top cover to gain access to the buttons, and for that, you have to fit the flat opening tool in the small gap you’ll see on the side of the remote.
  4. Run the tool down the seams until you run into a clip holding the top cover in place. Put some pressure into separating the top cover until you hear a clicking sound indicating that the clip has been undone.
  5. Repeat this process with the other clips holding the top cover in place until the top cover eventually slides right off.

Use your opening tool to separate the front cover of your Samsung TV remote

NOTE: Since the smart remote has two rather large clip opening areas, if you have a smart TV then you can fit your flat tool inside the opening area to make the process of separating the back cover much easier. The openings can be found on the right side of the remote when the remote is facing up. 

Step #2. Clean the Buttons

With the top cover separated from the rest of the remote, you’ll notice the plastic button strip/keypad will also come loose with the top cover. Fortunately, it should easily slide right off as it isn’t usually kept in place by anything.

Separate the plastic keypad after opening the front cover

Now, chances are that if it’s the first time you’ve ever opened up your remote then the rubber strip will be full of grease, grime, and overall dirt-related stuff that indicates that it needs cleaning. Fortunately, cleaning the button is rather easy.

The most recommended way of cleaning the keypad is by using some warm water and a hand full of soap to just gently run through the buttons. Remember to go through all the edges as well, but don’t use too much force as some keypad buttons are rather delicate.

Gently wash the keypad with warm water and soap

When you’re done, gently pat down on the keypad with a paper towel to remove as much of the water as you can, and then keep it in a safe and open place to dry.

Step 3. Clean the Circuit Board 

Before reassembling the remote, it’s always a good idea to give the main circuit board a clean too just in case it’s the reason your remote isn’t working properly. Now, because the circuit board is extremely delicate, I recommend you use a q tip or cotton swab and just dip it in some rubbing alcohol.

Dip a Q tip in rubbing alcohol and gently run it across the circuit board

When that’s done, simply run the alcohol-dipped cotton swab over the circuit board, ensuring it makes contact everywhere. When you’re done cleaning it, get a paper towel and gently dry it off.

If you want, you can use a separate cotton swab (or the other side of the q tip), dip it in rubbing alcohol, and clean the inside part of the keypad as well.

Use another Q tip dipped in alcohol to clean the inside of the Samsung TV remote's keypad

Step 4. Reassemble the Remote

With both the keypad as well as the circuit board nice and clean, all that’s left to do is reassemble the remote. To do this, simply put the keypad on the circuit board in the same way it was before, and then place the top cover on top of it, ensuring all the buttons safely go inside their designated holes.

After cleaning the keypad and circuit board, reassemble your Samsung TV remote

NOTE: Make sure when you’re reassembling the remote that both the circuit board as well as the plastic keypad are completely dry, as using a wet remote might cause it to short-circuit 

Finally, all you want to do is apply some pressure on the sides of the top corner so that the clips snap back in place. You’ll know you’re doing it right when you hear the familiar click sound.


8. Check for the Infrared Signal

The final thing you can do to troubleshoot the reason for your Samsung TV remote not working is to check and see if the infrared signal is visible or not. This can be done with any digital camera, though I recommend you use your mobile phone’s camera for extra convenience.

Just turn your mobile phone’s camera on and point your TV remote toward it. Then, press and hold any button to see if you’re able to see a light or flash coming from the remote. If you feel like there’s any dirt or grime blocking the infrared signal, then clean it with a q tip or cotton swab.

Look for the red light at the front of the Samsung TV remote when you press a button

If you don’t see the infrared signal despite cleaning the general area and you’ve already replaced the batteries, then there’s most likely something wrong with your Samsung TV remote and you’ll either have to get it fixed or replaced.

If you do see the infrared signal LED light but the TV still isn’t responding, then ensure there isn’t any interference.

For example, if something physically blocks the path between your remote and your TV, or if there are several electronic devices in the room, then you might not be able to use your remote properly.


9. Reset Your Samsung TV

As mentioned above, sometimes when the TV remote doesn’t work, the cause of the issue lies within the TV instead of in the remote. Because of this, I recommend resetting your TV to see if it fixes the issue.

Here’s how to do that:

  • On Samsung TV models from 2019 to the latest model, navigate to Settings > General > Reset enter the reset PIN and click on Reset again

click on reset option on Samsung TV

  • For Samsung TV models between 2016 and 2018, navigate to Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset, enter the reset PIN and click on Reset again.

enter Samsung TV reset PIN

Can’t Remember Samsung TV Reset PIN?

If you changed your Samsung TV reset PIN before and you can’t remember it, or maybe you bought the TV from someone and don’t know the reset PIN, then you need to reset the reset PIN using the remote. Here’s how to do that:

While the TV is turned on, press the following buttons on the remote (in order) as fast as possible:

  • On Samsung Smart remote: VOL > Volume Up > Return/Back > Volume Down > Return/Back > Volume Up > Return/Back
  • On the standard remote: Mute > Volume Up (+) > Return > Volume Down (-) > RETURN > Volume Up (+) > Return

You can also reset from the service menu. 

With the remote control press the following keys in sequence: Info > Menu > Mute > Power, and the service mode screen will appear. Select the ‘Option’ menu and click on ‘Factory Reset’. Now, wait for the TV to restart. If it doesn’t restart then restart it on remote. Once it restarts, proceed with the setup and you are good to go!

By now, you should have been able to fix your Samsung TV remote. If you found this guide helpful, let me know which of these methods worked for you. 

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