Samsung remote is not working

Troubleshooting your remote depends on the issue that you're having with it. If it seems like it's pressing buttons by itself, your remote's buttons may actually be dirty. And if it won't work when you try to use it on your TV, Odyssey Ark gaming screen, or projector, there's a quick check you can perform to figure out if it's your remote or your device at fault. If it is the remote, it may need a pair of fresh batteries or a reset.
Samsung TV and Samsung TV remote
Samsung TV and Samsung TV remote

Samsung remote is not working

Important
For information on charging your Samsung Smart remote, check out our guide.
Select the remote issue that you are experiencing.
Unable to control the TV with the remote
TV changes source or volume by itself
Samsung TV remote does not work as a universal remote
All buttons do not work
Remote stops working after using the SmartThings TV app
Unable to control the TV with the remote
1
Reset the remote.

If you have a remote that uses batteries, remove the batteries, and then hold the Power button for eight seconds to reset the remote. Then, reinsert the batteries and try to use the remote again. Check out the user manual if you need help accessing the battery compartment.

 

Alternatively, if you have a 2021 or newer TV model (with a solar remote), you can reset the solar remote. Press and hold Return and Enter (the center of the navigation pad) for 10 seconds. After performing this reset, you will need to pair the remote to the TV again. Please skip ahead to Step 3.

Reset the remote.

If you have a remote that uses batteries, remove the batteries, and then hold the Power button for eight seconds to reset the remote. Then, reinsert the batteries and try to use the remote again. Check out the user manual if you need help accessing the battery compartment.

 

Alternatively, if you have a 2021 or newer TV model (with a solar remote), you can reset the solar remote. Press and hold Return and Enter (the center of the navigation pad) for 10 seconds. After performing this reset, you will need to pair the remote to the TV again. Please skip ahead to Step 3.

2
Check if the remote is sending an IR signal.

Take either a digital camera or use the camera on your phone or tablet. Point the remote at the camera, and then press and hold the Power button on the remote. As you hold the button down, look at the camera's screen. If the remote is sending an IR signal, you will see a colored light coming from the remote control.
 

  • If you do not see the IR light, replace the batteries with fresh ones and try again. If you still do not see the IR light, then replace the remote.
  • If your remote is not a Smart Remote, and you see the IR light, turn on your TV using the controls on the TV directly. Then, try controlling the TV again by pointing the remote directly at the Samsung logo. If the remote still will not work, visit our Support Center to request service. (If your TV will not turn on when using the controls on the TV, see our guide.)Remote Test
     
Check if the remote is sending an IR signal.

Take either a digital camera or use the camera on your phone or tablet. Point the remote at the camera, and then press and hold the Power button on the remote. As you hold the button down, look at the camera's screen. If the remote is sending an IR signal, you will see a colored light coming from the remote control.
 

  • If you do not see the IR light, replace the batteries with fresh ones and try again. If you still do not see the IR light, then replace the remote.
  • If your remote is not a Smart Remote, and you see the IR light, turn on your TV using the controls on the TV directly. Then, try controlling the TV again by pointing the remote directly at the Samsung logo. If the remote still will not work, visit our Support Center to request service. (If your TV will not turn on when using the controls on the TV, see our guide.)Remote Test
     
3
If you have a Smart Remote, try to pair it with the TV.
  1. Press and hold Return and the button that is diagonally up and to the right of Return. (This is usually the button with 4 colored dots, but can vary depending on the remote). This will reset the smart remote.
  2. Stand within 1 foot of the TV, and press and hold Return and Play/Pause simultaneously for at least 5 seconds or until a message appears on your TV indicating that the remote is now connected.

 

If the remote will not pair:
 

  1. Unplug the TV for 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
  2. Stand within 1 foot of the TV, and press and hold Return and Play/Pause simultaneously for at least 5 seconds or until a message appears on your TV indicating that the remote is now connected.
  3. If the remote still does not pair to the TV, contact us.

 

If you are still experiencing issues, please contact us.

If you have a Smart Remote, try to pair it with the TV.
  1. Press and hold Return and the button that is diagonally up and to the right of Return. (This is usually the button with 4 colored dots, but can vary depending on the remote). This will reset the smart remote.
  2. Stand within 1 foot of the TV, and press and hold Return and Play/Pause simultaneously for at least 5 seconds or until a message appears on your TV indicating that the remote is now connected.

 

If the remote will not pair:
 

  1. Unplug the TV for 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
  2. Stand within 1 foot of the TV, and press and hold Return and Play/Pause simultaneously for at least 5 seconds or until a message appears on your TV indicating that the remote is now connected.
  3. If the remote still does not pair to the TV, contact us.

 

If you are still experiencing issues, please contact us.

TV changes source or volume by itself
1
Check the remote control.
The issue could be with the remote control itself. Check if any of the buttons are stuck or not functioning properly. If your remote control uses batteries, take them out. If your TV came with a solar remote, let it charge for a little while.
Check the remote control.
The issue could be with the remote control itself. Check if any of the buttons are stuck or not functioning properly. If your remote control uses batteries, take them out. If your TV came with a solar remote, let it charge for a little while.
2
Unplug the TV.
With the TV powered on, unplug the TV from the wall outlet. If the TV has a One Connect Box, unplug it as well.
Unplug the TV.
With the TV powered on, unplug the TV from the wall outlet. If the TV has a One Connect Box, unplug it as well.
3
Clean the touch controls.
While the TV is unplugged, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the touch controls on the bezel of the TV.
Clean the touch controls.
While the TV is unplugged, use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the touch controls on the bezel of the TV.
4
Plug the TV back in.
Plug the TV back in. Use the touch controls on the bezel to turn the TV back on. If the issue still occurs, visit the Support Center to request service.
Plug the TV back in.
Plug the TV back in. Use the touch controls on the bezel to turn the TV back on. If the issue still occurs, visit the Support Center to request service.
5
Try the remote control again.
If necessary, replace the batteries in the remote control with new ones and test the functionality. If the abnormal behavior begins again, there is a problem with your remote and it will need to be replaced.
Try the remote control again.
If necessary, replace the batteries in the remote control with new ones and test the functionality. If the abnormal behavior begins again, there is a problem with your remote and it will need to be replaced.
Samsung TV remote does not work as a universal remote
1

If an external device does not turn on when the Power button on the Samsung remote is pressed, check the following.

 

  1. Confirm Universal Remote Setup has been completed.
  2. Confirm the current source and the source the external device is connected to are the same.

 

If these steps do not resolve the issue, the external device may be sending a "blank image" to the TV. Even though the device is powered off, it is still sending a signal to the TV indicating that it is receiving power. This causes the TV to think the device is powered on, and it won't send the "Power On" signal to the external device.

 

Power cycle the device using its own remote or Power button. This should allow it to show an image on the screen again. You may need to contact the manufacturer of the device to further troubleshoot the device.

If an external device does not turn on when the Power button on the Samsung remote is pressed, check the following.

 

  1. Confirm Universal Remote Setup has been completed.
  2. Confirm the current source and the source the external device is connected to are the same.

 

If these steps do not resolve the issue, the external device may be sending a "blank image" to the TV. Even though the device is powered off, it is still sending a signal to the TV indicating that it is receiving power. This causes the TV to think the device is powered on, and it won't send the "Power On" signal to the external device.

 

Power cycle the device using its own remote or Power button. This should allow it to show an image on the screen again. You may need to contact the manufacturer of the device to further troubleshoot the device.

All buttons do not work
1

The One Connect Box sends IR signals from the front and sides. Check the location of the external device and the One Connect Box. The universal remote will not be able to control the device if any of the following are true.

 

  • The external device is located in a different compartment than the One Connect Box.
  • The external device is located behind the One Connect Box.

The One Connect Box sends IR signals from the front and sides. Check the location of the external device and the One Connect Box. The universal remote will not be able to control the device if any of the following are true.

 

  • The external device is located in a different compartment than the One Connect Box.
  • The external device is located behind the One Connect Box.
Remote stops working after using the SmartThings TV app
1
Remote stops working after using the SmartThings TV app
There is an issue with the current version of the SmartThings app on 2022 TVs (B models). After registering devices on the SmartThings app, it disrupts the IR signal for the TV remote, causing it to not respond properly. An update is coming to the SmartThings app to correct this issue (and should be installed automatically when available) but the following steps will assist you with a temporary solution.
Remote stops working after using the SmartThings TV app
There is an issue with the current version of the SmartThings app on 2022 TVs (B models). After registering devices on the SmartThings app, it disrupts the IR signal for the TV remote, causing it to not respond properly. An update is coming to the SmartThings app to correct this issue (and should be installed automatically when available) but the following steps will assist you with a temporary solution.
2
Turn the TV off and back on using the Power button on the TV itself.
The button is usually located in the center under the Samsung logo, but refer to your model's user manual to confirm.
Turn the TV off and back on using the Power button on the TV itself.
The button is usually located in the center under the Samsung logo, but refer to your model's user manual to confirm.
3
Turn off device notifications in the SmartThings TV app.
  1. Navigate to and open the SmartThings TV app.
  2. Select Settings in the top right corner of the screen.
  3. Select About SmartThings, and then select SmartThings Guide.
  4. Select Do not receive new device notifications.
Turn off device notifications in the SmartThings TV app.
  1. Navigate to and open the SmartThings TV app.
  2. Select Settings in the top right corner of the screen.
  3. Select About SmartThings, and then select SmartThings Guide.
  4. Select Do not receive new device notifications.
4
Exit the SmartThings app.
The remote should work properly again. Service is not required.
Exit the SmartThings app.
The remote should work properly again. Service is not required.
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