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How to Fix a TV Remote

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Updated February 13, 2023

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Difficulty Medium

Steps 7

Time Required 15 minutes

Sections

Things to Know

Table of Contents_

Troubleshooting Faulty TV Remote Controls
Common TV Remote Issues
Fixing A TV Remote

A faulty remote control can significantly distort the quality of a Television owner’s watching experience even with the best TVs available. They will need to get up from their seats and tune their sets for the simplest of functions. When a TV remote is faulty, the first line of action for most TV owners is to buy a new one or request repair services from the manufacturer—a costly affair.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

TV remotes use Infrared Technology and need to be pointed directly at the TV without obstructions to work.
Repairing a TV remote doesn’t need any technical skills. The hardest part of the repair is getting the cover open.
Your remote controller will also fail to function properly if dirt has accumulated under the buttons making them sticky.

What most TV owners don’t know is that repairing their remote controls is quite easy. As a result, we have compiled a simple guide on how to fix a tv remote at home.

Troubleshooting Faulty TV Remote Controls

Before you begin fixing your TV remote control take some time to perform the following tasks:

First, ensure that there are no obstructions between the TV and your remote control. TV remotes use Infrared Technology and need to be pointed directly at the TV without obstructions to work. If you are interested you can learn more about how a TV remote works.
Check that you are using the right remote control for the TV.
Remove the batteries from the TV remote for at least a minute and insert them back again with the correct polarity.
If the TV remote still doesn’t function, it is possibly damaged or defective.

Common TV Remote Issues

Most times, your TV remote won’t function due to corroded terminals. Your remote controller will also fail to function properly if dirt has accumulated under the buttons making them sticky. In some cases, your TV remote can also help you fix a tv with no picture but sound or even stop your TV from turning off by itself.

Fortunately, repairing a TV remote doesn’t need any technical skills. The hardest part of the repair is getting the cover open.

Fixing A TV Remote

Unknown to most TV owners fixing their Television remote controllers is pretty easy. All they need is a small screwdriver, butter knife, old toothbrush, a digital camera, methylated spirit, and dishwashing liquid.

First, buy new batteries. Push the buttons on the TV remote with your camera on, pointing it towards the Infrared light. If the TV remote is working, you’ll see a red light. If there’s no light, your Television remote controller is faulty.
Use the screwdriver to open the remote cover. Watch out for screws hidden under a sticker. Some TV remotes don’t come with screws, you’ll need a blunt object to cleverly open the cover.
Take a picture of the keypad layout and pull everything apart.
Inspect the circuit board for any suspicious joints. Use methylated spirit and a toothbrush to clean the circuit board. In case of damage, solder the joints with a soldering iron.
Wash the TV remote buttons and covers in a small bowl with warm water. Be careful not to lose the tiny pieces in the drain.
Rinse and dry the TV remote cover and buttons, and reassemble. In case there is damage to the case or buttons, do the necessary repairs.
Repeat step one and test the TV remote on your digital camera. If you see a red light, you are good to go. Congratulations! You have successfully repaired your TV remote. You can now learn how to find the MAC address on smart tv and start streaming awesome content on your tv.

While repairing your remote may be easy, fixing problems with your TV may be a bit harder to do. Thankfully, we have some great guides you can follow from how to fix lines on a TV to how to fix an HDMI port on your TV, and everything in between.

F.A.Q.S

Is it possible to repair my TV remote at home?

Unknown to most TV owners fixing their Television remote controllers is pretty easy. All they need is a small screwdriver, butter knife, old toothbrush, a digital camera, methylated spirit, and dishwashing liquid.

Some buttons on my TV remote don’t work, what could be the problem?

Your remote controller will also fail to function properly if dirt has accumulated under the buttons making them sticky.

Why do I need a digital camera to test my TV remote functionality?

TV remotes use Infrared Technology that is visible through the lens of a digital camera. It is an easy way to inspect if the remote controller is faulty before you unscrew the cover.

Is a TV remote with water damage repairable?

Yes. Once the cover is off, check for suspicious joints, and clean them out with methylated spirit and an old toothbrush. In case you have disconnected joints, you’ll need to solder them back together with a soldering iron.

STAT: There are currently about 39,000 Electronic and Computer repair services in the U.S. The industry has experienced annual business growth of -6.3% between 2016 and 2021 (source)

REFERENCES:

Lawrence Bonk

Lawrence Bonk is a copywriter with a decade of experience in the tech space, with columns appearing in Engadget, Huffington Post and CBS, among others. He has a cat named Cinnamon.