Apple TV is a smart entertainment device that lets you stream shows, movies, and games from your Mac or iOS device. Another great feature of the Apple TV is the remote control – it is used to navigate through the various categories in the menu. However, sometimes it stops working for one reason or another. If you find yourself in this situation, how do you fix the Apple TV remote if it doesn’t work?
Reasons why the Apple TV remote doesn’t work
Trouble connecting your Apple TV remote to your Apple TV? It usually takes 3 seconds after pressing the power button for the remote to connect to the Apple TV. Therefore, wait a few seconds until the connection notification appears on the TV screen.
- Low battery. If your Apple TV remote’s battery is low, it may stop working or respond slowly.
- Interference: Any interference from other electronic devices such as smartphones may affect the operation of the remote control.
- Obstacle: Make sure that the infrared signal of the remote control is not obstructed by any physical objects such as furniture. The remote control must be in line of sight with the Apple TV.
- Pairing Issues: If the remote isn’t paired with the Apple TV, it won’t respond.
- Software glitches: Outdated or erroneous Apple TV software can affect the remote control.
- Damaged Remote: If the remote is physically damaged, it may not work.
How to fix a non-working Apple TV remote
Now that you know the root cause of your issue, let’s move on to the troubleshooting methods.
1. Use the remote within reach
The Apple TV remote won’t work if it’s too far away from the Apple TV. The wireless range of the IR sensors between them must maintain visual contact for better communication. Sitting too far away from the TV can cause a problem that can be solved by moving closer to it.
2. Remove interference
The Apple TV remote is like no other remote you’ve ever owned. So if you’re having trouble connecting to your Apple TV with the remote, that might be the problem. Luckily, there are many ways to troubleshoot. Try these tips before you assume there’s something wrong with the remote or your Apple TV!
3. Charge the remote or replace the battery.
The most common reason for an Apple TV remote not working is that the remote is completely dead. Although you have not used it for a long time, the batteries may be exhausted. In this article, we will look at several ways to get your remote working again!
So you’re trying to use the Apple TV remote, but it doesn’t do anything. What’s the matter? You may be able to solve this problem yourself! What’s more, we list nine common troubleshooting steps that can help you get your remote working again.
4. Restart your Apple TV remote.
Sometimes the remote does not work due to a simple glitch. If this does not help, try restarting your device. This will solve many problems and also applies to Apple TV remotes. To do this, unplug the power cable from your Apple TV and plug it back in, then press the Menu and Play buttons on your remote control at the same time. If there is no change, remove the batteries from it and clean them, then put them back in.
For the Apple TV Siri Remote, do the following:
- Press and hold the TV button and volume down button together for five seconds.
- Now your Apple TV’s status light will turn off and you’ll get a “Connection Lost”message.
- Wait ten seconds until the remote restarts and the Connected popup appears.
5. Reconnect the remote to your Apple TV.
A common problem reported by users when using the Apple TV remote is that it won’t connect. If this happens to you, there are a few things you can do, such as resetting your remote. Hold down the Home and Menu buttons for five seconds, then reconnect your device, being careful not to move it more than three inches away from your Apple TV.
6. Make sure the remote is working
If the troubleshooting methods don’t work, be sure to test them thoroughly. In this case, you can buy a new third-party Apple TV remote. Another way to check if the Apple TV remote is working is to press and hold the Siri button and ask the virtual assistant any questions. If your Apple TV recognizes Siri, there may be a hardware issue with the other buttons.
7. Restart your Apple TV.
You may still have a problem with your Apple TV. Reboot it to restart your Apple TV without a remote and see if it works again. If your remote works fine, but your Apple TV doesn’t recognize the signal, this method is the best.
- Turn off your Apple TV and unplug it from the wall outlet.
- Wait 15 seconds.
- Reconnect and turn on your Apple TV. Try using the remote after the home screen appears.
8. Try controlling your TV with your iPhone
9. Update your Apple TV
Like iOS, Apple releases regular tvOS updates to fix bugs and add new features. So always keep your Apple TV up to date.
- Go to Settings on your Apple TV.
- Select System → Software Updates → Update Software.
So that’s all for today, friends!
The Apple TV remote can stop working for a variety of reasons. However, with a few simple troubleshooting steps, you can resolve the issue and start remote management again. If nothing works, contact Apple Support for more help and start enjoying your favorite shows and movies.