Samsung · Remote not working
Samsung TV remote not working? How to fix it
Most Samsung remotes start working again after you reset them, charge them or put in new batteries, and pair them again by holding Return and Play/Pause for at least 5 seconds near the TV. Samsung's steps differ for battery remotes and SolarCell remotes, so first check which kind you have.
Fix your Samsung remote
Which TV do you have?
Samsung remote stopped working? Most come back after a reset, a charge or fresh batteries, and pairing again: hold Return and Play/Pause for 5 seconds near the TV. While you sort it out, your iPhone can be the remote over your home Wi-Fi.
Every fix, step by step
From Samsung’s own support pages. Work down the list.
Check which remote you have
Samsung uses two main kinds of remote. A standard remote takes batteries. A SolarCell remote has a solar panel on the back and a USB-C port on the bottom, and it has a built-in rechargeable battery. Samsung's fixes differ for each.
Reset the remote
- Battery remote: take the batteries out, then hold the Power button for 8 seconds. Put the batteries back in and try again.
- SolarCell remote (2021 and later TVs): press and hold Return and Enter (the center of the navigation pad) for 10 seconds.
- After a reset, pair the remote with the TV again (see below).
Check the signal with a phone camera
Infrared light is invisible to your eyes, but many phone cameras can show it.
- Open the camera on a phone or digital camera.
- Point the remote at the camera and hold the Power button.
- Look at the screen. A colored light means the remote is sending a signal.
- No light means the batteries are weak or the remote is faulty. Replace the batteries and test again.
Charge a SolarCell remote
If a SolarCell remote has run flat, light alone can take a long time. Charge it by cable.
- Plug a USB-C cable into the port on the bottom of the remote. Samsung doesn't include the cable or charger.
- The LED on the front of the remote turns on while it charges and turns off when charging is complete.
- When you're not using it, leave the remote with the solar panel facing the light. This extends how long a charge lasts.
See how much charge is left
Samsung's UK guide gives this menu for SolarCell battery level. The menu name can change between model years.
Pair the Smart Remote again
Samsung's Smart Remote and SolarCell remote connect to the TV by Bluetooth. They usually pair by themselves when you turn on the TV and press any button. If they don't:
- Stand within 1 foot of the TV and point the remote at it.
- Press and hold Return and Play/Pause at the same time for at least 5 seconds.
- Let go when a message on the TV says the remote is connected.
- If it still won't pair, unplug the TV for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and repeat the steps.
Power-cycle the TV
If the TV ignores every button, restart it fully.
- Unplug the TV from the wall.
- Leave it unplugged for 30 seconds.
- Plug it back in and try the remote again.
Use the button on the TV
You can turn the TV on or off with its Controller button. Samsung says it is at the bottom center or bottom right of the screen on many models, and the exact position and shape differ by model. Press it once while the TV is on to open a small menu for power, volume, channel and source. If you can't find it, the user manual for your model shows where it is.
Use your iPhone while you fix it
Your phone can stand in for the remote. Samsung's own SmartThings app has a Remote tab for Samsung TVs. The TV must already be on Wi-Fi and connected to SmartThings with a Samsung account.
- In SmartThings: open the app, select your TV, then tap Remote in the bottom panel.
- Simple TV Remote is an iPhone remote that works over your home Wi-Fi. It works only if your TV runs a platform it supports. Check your model at /compatibility/.
- A phone remote needs your phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi network. It can't help with a TV that has never been connected to Wi-Fi.
Use your iPhone instead
Simple TV Remote works with Samsung TVs that run Samsung Tizen, over your home Wi-Fi. Check your model, then try it free in the app.
Sources
Every compatibility fact on this page comes from these sources. Dates show when we last checked each one. How we build the TV list.
Questions
Why is my Samsung remote not working?
Usually the batteries are flat, a SolarCell remote has run out of charge, or a Smart Remote has lost its Bluetooth pairing with the TV. Reset the remote, charge it or put in new batteries, then pair it again with Return and Play/Pause. If the TV ignores every button, unplug it for 30 seconds.
How do I reset a Samsung TV remote?
For a battery remote, take the batteries out, hold the Power button for 8 seconds, then put the batteries back. For a SolarCell remote on a 2021 or later TV, hold Return and Enter (the center button) for 10 seconds. Pair it again afterward.
How do I pair a Samsung remote to my TV?
Turn on the TV, stand within 1 foot of it and point the remote at it. Press and hold Return and Play/Pause together for at least 5 seconds, and let go when the TV says the remote is connected. If it doesn't pair, unplug the TV for 30 seconds and try again.
Why is my Samsung remote blinking?
If the light blinks twice when you press a button, the remote has lost its Bluetooth connection to the TV, so pair it again. If it stays lit for more than 5 seconds after a press, the battery needs charging. A light that stays on the whole time means it's charging by USB and goes off when it's full.
Why does only the power button work on my Samsung remote?
A Smart Remote that has lost its Bluetooth pairing can still send some commands. Pair it again: stand within 1 foot of the TV and hold Return and Play/Pause for at least 5 seconds.
How do I charge a Samsung SolarCell remote?
Plug a USB-C cable into the port on the bottom of the remote. The light on the front stays on while it charges and turns off when it's full. Samsung doesn't include the cable, and light alone can take a long time to charge a flat remote.
How can I tell if my Samsung remote is sending a signal?
Point the remote at a phone camera and hold the Power button. If you see a colored light on the phone screen, the remote is sending. No light means weak batteries or a faulty remote.
How do I control my Samsung TV while the remote isn't working?
Press the Controller button on the TV, usually at the bottom center or bottom right, to open a small menu for power, volume, channel and source. If the TV is already on Wi-Fi, a phone works too: Samsung's SmartThings app, or Simple TV Remote on Samsung smart TVs from 2016 on.
How do I reset a Samsung SolarCell remote?
On 2021 and later TVs, hold Return and Enter (the center of the navigation pad) for 10 seconds. Then pair it again with Return and Play/Pause.
Can I charge a SolarCell remote with a phone charger cable?
Yes, if the cable is USB-C. Plug it into the port on the bottom of the remote. The front LED stays on while it charges and turns off when it is full.
My SolarCell remote is new and still doesn't work. What should I check?
Charge it by USB-C first. Samsung suggests a USB charge before first use.
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