If your TV turns on normally but the remote buttons do not work, the batteries might be dead, the Magic Remote might have lost its connection to the TV, the contacts under certain buttons might be worn, or the remote may not be properly set up to control your set-top box.
Replace the batteries with new ones. If you use a Magic Remote, register it with your TV again.
If only certain buttons work when pressed firmly, or only the channel and number buttons do not respond, follow the steps below to check your remote.
Why Is Your Remote Not Working?
- The batteries are dead or installed with the positive (+) and negative (-) ends reversed.
- An object is blocking the remote sensor at the bottom of the TV, or fluorescent lighting is interfering with the remote signal.
- The Magic Remote has lost its connection to the TV, so buttons other than the Power button might not work.
- The remote may not be properly set up to control the set-top box, so the volume buttons work but the channel and number buttons do not.
- The contacts under frequently used buttons might be worn, so the buttons respond only when pressed firmly.
How to Fix Remote Button Problems
Step 1. Check the Remote Light and Replace the Batteries
- If your remote has a red LED at the top, press any button and check whether the LED turns on.
- If the remote does not respond, check the batteries and replace them with new ones.
Step 2. Check the Remote Signal with a Smartphone Camera
- If only certain buttons work or the entire remote is unresponsive, use a smartphone camera to check whether the remote is sending a signal.
- Use an Android smartphone camera that can detect infrared light.
- Point the front of the remote toward the smartphone camera, and then press a button. If you do not see a flashing light on the camera screen, the remote might need to be replaced.
Step 3. Check the Remote Sensor and Nearby Lighting
- If you are using a new remote, or the remote sends a signal when you press any button but the TV still does not respond, check the area around the TV’s remote sensor.
- Remove any soundbar, picture frame, clock, or other object blocking the remote sensor at the bottom of the TV.
- Temporarily turn off fluorescent lights with an electronic ballast, and then try the remote again.
- Some lighting frequencies might interfere with the remote signal and prevent the buttons from working.
Step 4. Register or Reset the Magic Remote
- If you use a Magic Remote with an on-screen pointer, register the remote with your TV again.
- To register the remote again: Turn on the TV and press the Wheel (OK) button in the center of the Magic Remote.
- To reset and register the remote again: Press and hold the Back and Home buttons together for at least five seconds. When the power LED flashes, press the Wheel (OK) button to register the remote again.
Step 5. Check the Set-Top Box If Only the Channel and Number Buttons Do Not Work
Check Your TV’s webOS Version
Press the Settings button (gear icon) or the Mute button on your TV remote three times in a row. Your TV will display the webOS version.
- If the Power and Volume buttons work but the Channel and Number buttons do not, check the Universal Control settings.
- 2026 or later TVs (webOS 26 or later): Press Settings on your remote. Select All Settings, System, External Devices, and then Universal Control Settings. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- 2023 to 2025 TVs (webOS 23 through 25): Press Settings on your remote. Select All Settings, General, External Devices, and then Universal Control Settings. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- 2021 to 2022 TVs (webOS 6.0 through 22): Press Settings on your remote. Select All Settings, General, Device, External Devices, and then Universal Control Settings. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- 2020 TVs (webOS 5.0): Press Settings on your remote. Select All Settings, Connection, Device Connection Settings, and then Universal Control Settings. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- 2019 TVs (webOS 4.5): Press Settings on your remote. Select All Settings, Connection, Device Connector, and then Universal Control Settings. Follow the on-screen instructions.
- 2018 or earlier TVs (webOS 4.0 or earlier): Press Home on your remote. Select Input in the upper-right corner of the screen. Select All Inputs, Inputs, the connected device, and then Set Up Universal Control.
Step 6. Still Need Help?
If the issue continues, request a repair service.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q. Why Do the Volume and Settings Buttons Work but the Channel and Number Buttons Do Not?
- A. When you use a set-top box, the set-top box controls the channels instead of the TV. Use the remote supplied by your service provider, or open Universal Control Settings on your TV so that you can change channels with the TV remote.
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This guide is based on standard models. The settings menu may vary by model.
