Thanks to remote controls, you need not stand up and exhaust yourself every time you want to change your Samsung TV channel or turn the volume down when binge-watching. However, Samsung remote controls do act up at times.
The good news is if your device fails, there’s no need to start yakking and being fidgety about it, as there are quick fixes you can do — starting with the ones below.
Reset your Samsung remote control that isn’t working: remove its batteries and hold its power button for at least 8 seconds to fix it quickly. You can also troubleshoot your Samsung TV by updating it and changing its WiFi module.
In this post, we’ll show you eight detailed solutions to fix a Samsung remote that’s not working. Read on!
1. Hard reset the Samsung TV and remote control at once.
If you’re experiencing an issue with your Samsung TV remote control and it’s not working like usual, it’s natural that you troubleshoot the remote to fix it.
However, it also helps to do the same to your Samsung TV as it’s a likely culprit to this issue as well.
The quickest and easiest way to troubleshoot the Samsung TV and its remote control is to perform a hard reset. This action involves powering off both devices and conducting a power cycle to discharge their residual electrical energies.
This is a quick fix so you can perform the hard reset on both these devices simultaneously. Otherwise, you can just hard reset them one after the other based on your preference.
Hard reset and power cycle the Samsung TV
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 3 |
| Time to perform fix | 1 minute and 15 seconds |
| Things needed | Samsung TV User manual |
| Step 1: Power off the Samsung TV by removing its power cable from your wall/power outlet.  |
| Step 2: Press/hold the power button located on the Samsung TV itself for 30 seconds to eliminate its residual electrical energy.  Note: You can refer to the TV’s user manual to find where the power button is located. If you don’t have the user manual try looking for the power button at the underside, left/right side, or at the back of the Samsung TV. |
| Step 3: Keep your Samsung TV unplugged for another 30 seconds. Power on the Samsung TV by plugging its power cable into your power outlet.  Note: Press the power button on the Samsung TV to power it on manually if it stays turned off after plugging it back into the power source. |
Use your remote control to hard reset and power cycle the Samsung TV.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 6 |
| Time to perform fix | 1 minute and 30 seconds |
| Things needed | TV remote control |
Step 1: Release the back cover of your TV remote control by applying pressure on its bottom half and sliding it forward or backward. Note: The direction you’re going to slide should be opposite to the direction pointed by the arrow at the back panel since you’re sliding against the cover. This method is easier since pushing and sliding the back cover itself is usually more difficult.  |
Step 2: Remove the batteries from the TV remote control’s battery compartment. |
Step 3: Press/hold the power button on the TV remote control for 60 seconds to eliminate any stored electrical energy. |
Step 4: Loose up its buttons by pressing them repeatedly. Note: You can also repeatedly shake the TV remote control against your palms to dislodge the specks of dust inside it. |
Step 5: Put back the batteries of your TV remote control. |
| Step 6: Return/slide the TV remote control’s back cover and lock its battery compartment.  |
While Samsung TV remote controls may come in all sizes and shapes, the procedure above should work handily for each one of them. It’s paramount that you handle the electronics carefully so you don’t end up with a bigger problem.
2. Replace the batteries inside the Samsung TV remote control.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 4 |
| Time to perform fix | 15 seconds |
| Things needed | TV remote New batteries |
Believe it or not, when your Samsung TV remote control is down and unresponsive, it doesn’t necessarily imply that it’s faulty or that it has been damaged. More often than not, batteries could be running low on juice and needing a recharge.
Therefore, the quick fix that can be done to remedy this problem is to replace its batteries. Please note that you can only do this on Samsung TV remote controls that use removable AA batteries.
In the case of a SolarCell Samsung TV remote control, you can recharge it in two different ways. You can recharge it through its solar panel or plug it into a wall/power outlet using a USB Type-C charger.
| Step 1: Release the back cover of your TV remote control by applying pressure on its bottom half and sliding it forward or backward. Note: The direction you’re going to slide should be opposite to the direction pointed by the arrow at the back panel since you’re sliding against the cover. This is an easier method since pushing and sliding the back cover itself is usually more difficult. |
| Step 2: Remove the batteries from the TV remote control’s battery compartment. Pro tip: We believe it’s best to clean the battery compartment before putting in a fresh pair of batteries to make sure that no dust build-up might mess with the battery connection. |
| Step 3: Place a fresh pair of batteries inside the battery compartment. Note: To put the batteries in the correct position, ensure that the part of the compartment with a spring is connected to the battery’s negative terminal (flat end). |
| Step 4: Return/slide the TV remote control’s back cover and lock its battery compartment. |
If you’re unsure if the AA batteries are working, you can test them on another electronic device. Try them on a small flashlight or a cordless phone to see if they still have juice.
3. Remove all possible obstructions to the Samsung TV’s IR sensor.
Another way to straighten out a malfunctioning Samsung remote is to remove objects that might be getting in the pathway of the TV’s IR sensor. This is a simple solution to this problem unrelated to any hardware fault or damage.
All you need to do is remove anything that’s between your Samsung TV and its remote control. If it’s an object that you can’t move, such as a big piece of furniture or wall, you can always move and point the remote control at another angle.
Aside from objects directly between your Samsung TV and its remote control, other nearby wireless devices can also interfere with their connection. We recommend placing electronics such as radios and mobile phones away from your Samsung TV.
Also, low-energy light bulbs have been shown to interfere with the IR or infrared radiation signal from your remote so taking halogen lights out of the picture should be handy. Try placing them someplace else and see if your remote works.
4. Check if the IR sensor on the TV remote control is working.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 3 |
| Time to perform fix | 10 seconds |
| Things needed | Smartphone Samsung TV remote control |
No matter how many times you troubleshoot your TV remote control, it’ll all be for nothing if its IR sensor is already faulty and unresponsive. When you’re using the remote control, its IR sensor should flash, indicating it’s sending a signal.
Similarly, the IR sensor on your Samsung TV should also flash to indicate that it’s receiving a signal from the remote control.
In most cases, flashing your TV remote control’s IR sensor might be challenging to see with the naked eye.
To help you see the IR sensor, you can use a smartphone or any digital camera on the TV remote control flash. This action will determine if your TV remote control’s IR sensor is still working.
5. Re-pair the remote control with the Samsung TV.
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 3 |
| Time to perform fix | 20 seconds |
| Things needed | Samsung TV remote control |
The remote control might get unpaired from your Samsung TV from time to time due to some minor issues and errors. In such cases, simply reconnect both devices with each other.
Your Samsung TV’s remote control should automatically pair with the TV under normal circumstances, but you can always do it manually if it isn’t.
Please ensure your remote control has enough battery juice to prevent it from turning off and messing up the process.
Here’s how you can reconnect your Samsung TV and remote:
Step 1: Press/hold the back and play/pause buttons simultaneously on your remote control while it’s pointed at the Samsung TV. |
| Step 2: Release these buttons when the display screen on your Samsung TV tells you it’s connecting with the remote control.  |
Step 3: Wait for the display screen to tell you the complete pairing process. |
While the solution above is essential, it’s not the only quick fix you can use to straighten your Samsung remote out. You can also bring your remote back to life by dealing with possible software issues.
6. Update your Samsung TV’s software version.
A software update is another Samsung remote acting-up solution you can use in case the previous methods didn’t work in your favor. Updating the software version of your Samsung TV is usually straightforward, but it’s not the case this time.
Since your TV remote control isn’t working, use an alternative option in the form of the SmartThings app. This companion app lets you control a wide range of Samsung smart appliances (e.g., refrigerators and washing machines).
You can download the SmartThings app on your Android smartphone or iPhone to perform the software update on your Samsung TV. Alternatively, you can plug a USB keyboard and mouse into your TV as another controller option.
The first solution is a bit long and taxing, so we recommend you do your due diligence and study the matter. Remember how many precious dollars you save when you get this solution right.
Install and use the SmartThings app on your phone.
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of steps | 13 |
| Time to perform fix | 40 seconds |
| Things needed | Smartphone A working internet connection |
Step 1: Go to your phone’s Google Play Store or Apple App Store. |
Step 2: Select/click the search function on the selected app store. |
Step 3: Enter/search “SmartThings app.” |
Step 4: Download the SmartThings by clicking on Install/Get. |
Step 5: Select/click the Open button to launch the SmartThings app. |
Step 6: Click the + sign in the upper-right corner of the SmartThings homepage. |
Step 7: Click Add device. |
Step 8: Click Scan nearby. |
Step 9: Select/click your Samsung TV. |
| Step 10: Look for a PIN code on your TV screen and enter it on the SmartThings app. Click Done to continue to the next page.  |
Step 11: Click Done on the next page to complete the setup. |
Step 12: Select your Samsung TV. |
Step 13: Use the buttons on the SmartThings app to operate your Samsung TV. |
Once the SmartThings app is installed on your phone and connected to your Samsung TV, we can update the software. You can update your Samsung TV’s software version online or via a USB stick.
Update your Samsung TV’s software over the internet.
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of steps | 6 |
| Time to perform fix | 10 minutes |
| Things needed | Smartphone A working internet connection |
Step 1: Launch the Smart Hub by pressing home on the SmartThings app. |
Step 2: Use the SmartThings app to scroll left/click Settings. |
Step 3: Use the SmartThings app to scroll down/click Support. |
Step 4: Use the SmartThings app to select/click Software Update. |
Step 5: Use the SmartThings app to select/click Update Now. |
Step 6: Wait for your Samsung TV to check and download the software update. |
Take note that if you don’t have access to consistent internet, the next method to factor in software updates should come in handy. However, know that the process is a bit longer than most quick fixes here but it should be all worth it.
Update your Samsung TV’s software via a USB stick.
| Difficulty | Easy ●●○○○ |
| Number of steps | 17 |
| Time to perform fix | 15 minutes |
Step 1: Launch the Smart Hub by pressing home on the SmartThings app. |
Step 2: Use the SmartThings app to scroll left/click Settings. |
Step 3: Use the SmartThings app to scroll down/click Support. |
Step 4: Use the SmartThings app to scroll down/click About This TV. |
Step 5: Make a note of the Samsung TV model number and software version. |
| Step 6: Switch to a PC and go to the download section of the Samsung Support site. Use the search bar and enter your Samsung TV model number to find it.  |
| Step 7: Go to the Firmware/Software section of the download page. Select the Download button for the Upgrade File(USB type).  |
Step 8: Unzip the downloaded software update into any location on your PC. Note: Don’t modify or rename the unzipped software update to avoid problems causing it to be undetected by the Samsung TV. |
| Step 9: Transfer the software update by copying it into a USB stick connected to the PC.  |
Step 10: Disconnect the USB stick from the PC and connect it to your Samsung TV. |
| Step 11: Launch the Smart Hub by pressing home on the SmartThings app. |
Step 12: Use the SmartThings app to scroll left/click Settings. |
Step 13: Use the SmartThings app to scroll down/click Support. |
Step 14: Use the SmartThings app to select/click Software Update. |
Step 15: Use the SmartThings app to select Update Now. Note: Your Samsung TV should fail to check for any software update as long as it isn’t connected to the internet. |
| Step 16: Use the SmartThings app to select Yes and make the Samsung TV scan your USB stick instead.  |
| Step 17: Use the SmartThings app to select Yes and install the software update on your USB stick.  |
7. Replace the WiFi module on your Samsung TV.
| Difficulty | Moderately Hard ●●●●○ |
| Number of steps | 17 |
| Time to perform fix | 15 minutes |
| Things needed | Screwdriver Replacement WiFi module |
The WiFi module inside your Samsung TV might be responsible for its IR sensor issues as well. As such, you can treat replacing this WiFi module with a new one as a Samsung remote acting-up solution.
WiFi modules, also called WiFi microcontrollers, are like the internet command center for your Samsung TV. Essentially, they send and receive commands for your TV over the internet.
Please note that not all Samsung TVs have the WiFi module and IR sensor tied to one another. If your Samsung TV has a separate component for the WiFi module and IR sensor, this solution will not work for you.
Also, this solution requires technical skill, so if you’re not confident about it, feel free to ask an expert. Otherwise, we recommend sending your Samsung TV to a qualified technician so you don’t have to do this yourself.
| Step 1: Flip your Samsung TV facedown on a table and remove the screws on its back panel to reveal its components inside.  |
Step 2: Find the WiFi module inside your Samsung TV and unscrew it. Note: The WiFi module might be connected to your TV’s back panel and not the chassis, just like in this example. |
Step 3: Disconnect the cable connected to the WiFi module. |
Step 4: Reconnect the cable to the replacement WiFi module. |
Step 5: Screw the replacement WiFi module in place. |
| Step 6: Reinstall your TV’s back panel and screw it back in place. |
8. Check if your router/modem is malfunctioning.
As mentioned earlier, some Samsung TVs have their WiFi module and IR sensor tied together, which means that good internet is essential. In case of network issues, a solution to Samsung remote acting up is to reset your router/modem.
You can soft reset your router/modem to refresh its internet connection quickly and easily. If that doesn’t work, you can do a factory reset to restore them to the default settings.
After resetting your router/modem, connect your Samsung TV to its WiFi network and test if your remote control is working again.
Reset your router or modem
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 6 |
| Time to perform fix | 2 minutes and 20 seconds |
| Things needed | Internet modem/router |
Step 1: Unplug the power/ethernet cable on your modem. |
Step 2: Unplug the power/ethernet cable on your router. |
| Step 3: Allow 2 minutes to pass to make sure that both devices are fully turned off. |
| Step 4: Plug the power/ethernet cable back into your modem. |
| Step 5: Plug the power/ethernet cable back into your router. |
| Step 6: Wait for the indicator lights on the router/modem to glow. Connect your Samsung TV to the WiFi network.  |
Factory reset your router/modem to its default settings
| Difficulty | Very Easy ●○○○○ |
| Number of steps | 4 |
| Time to perform fix | 2 minutes |
| Things needed | Internet router/modem |
| Step 1: Insert a paperclip/toothpick inside the hole at the back of your modem that says “Reset.”  |
Step 2: Push the paperclip/toothpick to press/hold the reset button inside the hole for 10 seconds or until the router/modem shuts down and resets. |
| Step 3: Wait for your router/modem to reboot. |
| Step 4: Connect your Samsung TV to the router/modem’s WiFi network using the SSID and password on its sticker.  |
The solutions above should deal with your Samsung remote issues. However, if applying them does not produce the desired results, then tapping the services of a Samsung expert professional should be wise.
FAQs about Samsung Remote and Samsung TV
A faulty remote control is the most common reason for your Samsung TV not responding to your button inputs. It’s also possible that the battery inside the remote control is dead or low on power, which is why it can’t send a signal to the TV.
Your Samsung TV can also be the root cause of the issue if it’s malfunctioning due to minor issues. Also, the Samsung TV and the remote control were likely unpaired without you noticing.
It’s best to troubleshoot both the Samsung TV and its remote control to identify the real culprit behind this problem.
Soft reset your Samsung TV to refresh its system memory and reboot it with improved performance. This should correct any minor bugs or issues causing your Samsung TV not to respond to its remote control.
If a simple soft reset doesn’t fix the problem, you can also update its software or perform a factory reset.
Remove the batteries on the remote control and press/hold its power button for at least 8 seconds to quickly reset it. You can also hold the power button for a minute to power cycle it and eliminate any residual electrical energy causing it to misbehave.
Press/hold the back and play/pause buttons on the remote control simultaneously for about 3 seconds. Your Samsung TV should notify you if the connection is in progress and when it’s completed.
