Televisions are the most advanced and popular means of entertainment. Samsung televisions are known for their innovative technology, effective design and smooth user interface.
Many people look at televisions as something dangerous. It is true that stuff like childhood obesity is linked to binge TV watching, but it’s not really television’s fault. Or at least, not fully. Parents ignoring the risks of letting their kids watch too much TV are as much at fault here.
The remote control is one of the major components of a television which helps in operating it conveniently. A remote controls can malfunction due to various reasons like old batteries, exposure to moisture or dust etc.
It is frustrating when your remote stops working. You can’t change the channel, pause your show, or do anything else. Remotes are just like any other electronic device; they can malfunction and stop working properly.
As with every other eletronic equipment, it’ll take a bit to pinpoint the actual reason of its malfunctioning. You might be able to fix it yourself without going through the efforts of contacting Samsung’s customer support.
There are many possible causes for the problem. And each one of these needs a specific solution. But don’t worry, we’re going to make it easy to follow, even if you know nothing about remotes.
This article will talk about some of the most common reasons Samsung remotes stop working, and how to fix them.
Editor’s note: while we are focusing on TV remotes in this article, the same steps apply to any other remote, be it for an AC, a Firestick, or a Home Theater system.
Common Issues of a Remote that isn’t Working Properly
The most common and obvious issue is that your TV isn’t responding to your remote’s signals.
A remote that is not working properly might cause your TV to change channels or turn on and off at random. It might also affect the volume, making it too loud or too soft without your input.
Sometimes, the remote will stop working completely; you won’t be able to do anything with it no matter how hard you try.
All these problems are caused by different issues with the remote.
Common Issues of Samsung Remotes – And How to Fix Them
Fixing a remote is a matter of figuring out what’s actually wrong with it.
First, click your remote’s buttons. Is the infrared light turning on? Is it working normally, or is it blinking? Does the mute button work?
A great way to troubleshoot the issue is to get a different remote and pair it with your TV. If the new remote is working just fine, then you’ve just found out what’s the issue: your old remote. If the new remote isn’t working either, then most likely the issue is with your TV.
Editor’s note: If a different remote doesn’t work, we recommend contacting Samsung’s customer support team as soon as possible.
The following is a list of some of the most common reasons your Samsung remote might not be working:
- Dead Batteries
- Remote Not Syncing With TV
- Dirty Contacts
- Damaged Remote
Here’s how to fix them.
Editor’s Note: before starting, factory reset your remote. Remove its batteries and press the power button for 8 seconds. Put the batteries back in and try using the remote. If this hasn’t fixed the issue, continue reading.
Dead Batteries
One of the most common reasons for a remote not working is that the batteries are dead or damaged. If your remote isn’t responding to any input, it might be because the batteries need to be replaced.
The same goes for remotes with buttons that are sticky or don’t respond when you press them. This happens because the battery might have leaked and corroded the circuits in the remote.
Changing the batterie is quick, easy, and cheap. And it’s also the first step in any serious troubleshooting session. You start from the easiest fix, and then gradually move up the difficulty ladder.
Warning: A typical signal of your remote’s batteries being dead is the power button working, while nothing else does. In this case, the batteries are drained and they need to be replaced.
Make sure you match the battery type to the number on your remote. Make sure that they are properly aligned in the compartment and that the + and – signs are correct. If your remote has a screwdriver slot, use it to tighten the screws holding the battery cover in place.
You should also make sure that you’re using fresh batteries and not ones that have been in storage for a long time. Old or weak batteries are more likely to die at the worst possible moment, so it’s better to just replace them when they die instead of risking having this happen during an important show.
Remote Not Syncing With TV
This is a common issue that comes with its own funny outcomes. Some people have reported their TVs turning on by themselves at night.
Your remote tells you it’s out of sync by having the infrared light blinking when you press its buttons.
If your remote isn’t syncing with your TV, it might be because the infrared signal is weak or intermittent. This issue happens more often than TV makers like to admit. Remotes lose connection to their TV every now and then, usually happens every couple of years.
The first thing to do is to make sure there are no objects blocking the path of the infrared signal between the remote and the TV.
Common objects that could block the infrared signal include:
- Curtains
- Blinds
- People
- Pets
If there are any objects blocking the signal, try moving them and see if that solves the problem. The distance between the TV and the remote is another factor that could influence the connection. If your remote is too close to the TV, then its infrared signal might not be reaching the TV correctly.
Once you’re sure there is nothing blocking the infrared, try to re-sync your remote.
Here’s a video showing how to do it:
Pick up your Samsung remote, hold the “Back” and “Play/Pause” buttons at the same time for about 5 seconds. Your TV should show a message saying “searching for devices”. The TV will automatically scan the room for a remote and sync itself to it.
Dirty Contacts
The contacts in a remote are the metal pieces that touch the infrared receiver on the device you’re trying to control.
If the contacts are dirty or corroded, then your remote won’t be able to communicate with a device that’s in front of it. This is because the signal will not be getting transmitted properly.
You can clean the contacts using rubbing alcohol and cotton swabs (the ones you use for cleaning your ears). You won’t damage the contacts, as long as you don’t use too much pressure when cleaning them.
Damaged Remote
If your remote is physically damaged, it won’t work. If you accidentally dropped it or spilt water (or worse – a soft drink) on it, then that’s most likely caused problems with the internal components.
A damaged remote could mean a few things, including:
- Broken infrared receiver/transmitter (IR) window—this is the part that lets your remote talk to your TV. The IR window might get broken when you drop it on concrete or any other hard surface;
- Water damage—if water gets inside the remote and damages the circuitry, it might not work anymore;
- Bent antenna—if you drop your remote on its side or corner, the internal antenna could get bent and that will stop it from working as well.
In most cases, a damaged remote can be fixed by replacing the infrared window or the antenna. But this requires some technical skills, so if you’re not comfortable doing this by yourself, then it’s better to take your remote for a checkup at the electronics store.
Alternatively, you can purchase a new Samsung remote from most electronics stores.
Conclusions
Remotes—much like every other piece of electronic—can have issues. Luckily, they’re easy to fix for the most part. Don’t just hastily replace your remote if it isn’t working. Sure, remotes are cheap, but that’s no excuse to create more environmental waste. Make sure it’s clean, the batteries are still working, and that it’s synched to your TV.
If none of the steps in this article fixed the issue, we recommend either replacing your old remote, or bringing it to an electronics store. The people who work there deal with remote issues all the time, and will give you sound advice on the best course of action.
Televisions are the hallmark of our culture. They keep us informed, entertained, and give us a way to see what’s happening all over the world. As long as we don’t abuse them and teach the new generations to not binge on TV, they can be a wonderful asset in our life.
