Why Is My LG TV Remote Not Working [SOLVED]

If you’re trying to control a LG TV with the remote control, but you’re finding it’s not working, here’s a quick guide with some common fixes and solutions. This guide will help you find the problem, and resolve it quickly.

LG’s simplistic, remote-based interface has seen many iterations — with the latest being the LG Magic Remote. Instead of having to navigate through a complex series of menus, users can easily scroll through different options with their remotes. So it goes without saying that a broken or damaged remote is an annoyance more than anything else — especially if you want to watch your favorite shows on demand.

LG’s Magic Remote is a simple and efficient way of controlling your TV. But sometimes, it stops working. This is easy and cheap to fix, but only if you know what to do!

If your LG remote not working, try pairing it again. The LG remote is IR-based, so it needs to have a clear line of sight with your TV. If the batteries are old, or if the remote doesn’t have battery power, it will not be able to communicate with the TV.

If you have tried to pair your remote, replaced the batteries, and reset the TV back to factory settings and still can’t get it working, the remote is faulty.

When your remote breaks, you don’t have time to go to the store and buy a new one. Luckily, there’s an easy fix you can do yourself using things you probably have around your house. Read on for all the steps you need to take to repair your remote.

Why LG Remote Is Not Working – Possible Causes

When the TV remote control goes bad, the first thing to do is turn it off and then on, which resets its neural network. You can reinitialize it with your TV’s remote or you can unplug and then plug it back into the USB port. In some cases, you may have to go into the TV’s Settings menu and change some settings manually before the remote works correctly again.

There are a variety of different issues that can prevent a smart TV remote from functioning properly. If your smart TV remote is not working, you need to know the underlying cause of the issue to find the ideal ways to fix it — whether it’s dirty cable connections, a broken remote, or a damaged IR blaster that prevents it from working in sync with your television and other devices.

Have your LG smart TV remote stopped working? Here are some of the reasons:

1. Discharged Batteries

You know your remote is in good working order when the power button lights up. If your device fails to light up, then it’s time to replace the batteries.

The power button on your remote doesn’t just turn your TV on, it turns your remote on – a flashing blue light lets you know that the remote is transmitting information to your TV. If you don’t see the light during regular use, there could be a problem with the remote or TV.

The LG remote’s power button is designed to light up when you activate any of the device’s buttons. If this feature fails to function correctly, it’s a sure sign that your batteries have run low and may no longer be providing sufficient charge.

Remember, if the power button doesn’t light up, replace your batteries immediately.

2. Firmware Issues

Many LG TV owners have reported software problems with a remote control. The issues can range from the remote not working at all to the devices randomly turning off or on.

When your TV’s remote control won’t connect to your LG product, the message on screen might say you need to update the software. You can do that from the LG TV Smart Update app. You should know that updating software won’t delete your personal settings or content – only update apps and system files. If you have trouble updating TV software, there are things you can do to fix the problem.

3. You Need to Reset The LG Remote

If you’re certain that changing the batteries on your remote isn’t the issue, you’ll need to reset the remote’s settings. Do this by turning it off, pressing and holding the [RESET] button on the back of the remote for 10 seconds, then turning it back on while continuing to hold down the [RESET] button until you see a new screen.

Reset procedures may vary for different models. So, please consult your owner manual.

4. Defective Buttons

As the TV remote for select LG models, the Magic Remote must send a coded signal to ensure that your commands are executed perfectly. Unfortunately, if the remote is damaged, the buttons may not be responsive to your commands or might keep transmitting the wrong signals.

The remote may start issuing random commands without even being touched — and sometimes it may not even turn the television on or off when you press the power button.

5. Faulty Remote

If you’re having issues with your LG remote not working, it’s probably not the batteries or a technical issue, but instead is something wrong with the remote. LG has some known issues with their remotes, and sometimes all that’s needed to fix it is send a replacement remote out.

LG TV Not Responding to the Remote – Possible Causes

There are three common issues that could prevent your TV from responding to your remote. If you’re having trouble with your remote, check these possible causes first:

1. Signal Is Blocked

The LG TV and remote control use infrared beams to communicate. This means that the remote needs a clear line of sight to the TV, otherwise you can’t control the device via remote.

If you’ve tried using the remote and it doesn’t work, then it might be blocked by something, like a wall or some furniture. Clear the path between your remote and the TV, like by removing a screen or piece of furniture in case it’s in the way.

While the LG Magic Remote is designed to control your TV from a distance, it may not work if there are objects/buildings in between you and the TV. To ensure that you can operate your TV without interruptions, please remove any objects/buildings between you and your TV to get the best performance.

2. Defective Infrared Beam Receptor

It’s possible that your TV is not responding to your remote! A sticker or some dust may be blocking the receptor, which means that your remote is not working. The same thing can happen if the remote sensor is damaged. Cleaning or repairing the receptor should solve the issue.

Before you try anything, unplug the TV and wait a few minutes while the capacitor charges. Once you’re done, grab a clean cloth and wipe off the back of your TV to remove any dust or other particles that could be cluttering the sensor. Then, check your remote to make sure there is nothing obstructing the signal.

3. Old Firmware Issues

Using old TV software can negatively affect your remote controller, making it a little less responsive. To get around this issue, you should use the small controller on the back of your TV. This will make it work exactly like your TV remote, allowing you to schedule and watch recordings or access the menu by navigating to a specific channel.

The only downside is that the back-controller won’t be able to update your software.

If you’re experiencing unusable remote controller issues, it may be that your TV software is outdated. You can update it by using your TV remote on the rear of your TV — just press the power button and follow the on-screen prompts to install the updated software.

4. Interference From LED Lights

LG TV remotes can get wonky if you have other light sources close by. This happens when the remote control sends out a different signal, causing another light to flicker or turn on and off.

You now know that LED or fluorescent lights can cause your LG TV remote to stop working. To see if it’s the problem, you can turn off those bulbs or lights and see if your remote starts working again.

To fix this problem, try turning other lights in your house off before testing the remote control. If that doesn’t work, try moving your new TV away from the extra light source.

5. Signal Interference

To avoid the TV not working properly and to ensure correct signal transmission, you should turn off all electronics that could potentially interfere with the signal. This includes the roof antenna if you have one, anything connected to your TV’s USB ports, and any electronic devices near your TV.

LG TV Remote Not Working – How To Fix It

If your TV is working, but your LG remote is not, it can be frustrating to find the perfect TV show or movie. No worries! We have a quick fix for you. Follow the steps below for a better experience.

1. Check the Batteries

If your remote doesn’t seem to be working, first try replacing the batteries. If that doesn’t work, there could be an issue with the remote itself.

The first thing to do is test the batteries — be sure that they’re installed correctly, and don’t be afraid to remove them and re-insert them. 

If the issue persists, try replacing the batteries with new batteries from Duracell and Energizer.

If that doesn’t fix the problem, it’s time to look at some other troubleshooting steps.

2. Check The Remote Buttons

If your remote control buttons are faulty or broken, consider repairing them with an LG remote control repair service.

It’s no fun when faulty or damaged remote buttons make your TV frustrating to use. But if you want to enhance your enjoyment, consider repairing your remote. You could get help from the technicians at LG. They can help restore the functionality of your remote control and fix the buttons.

3. Do A Reset

If you’re seeing buttons on your remote not working, software issues or other errors, it might be time to reset the remote.

To reset your LG TV remote, first remove the device’s battery, wait 10 seconds, and then replace it. Point your remote at the TV and press the center wheel button to reinitialize the device.

This should solve most problems with your remote and allow you to use it again as normal. If you continue to have issues with your LG remote, contact LG customer support.

4. Get A New Remote

If your LG TV remote stops working correctly, it might be a sign that your controller is damaged. The most effective way to resolve your problem would be calling up LG support and getting a replacement.

The LG magic remote is way more effective than the original one, as it connects to your TV via Bluetooth. However, even this remote can break down after some time and stop working. Luckily, repairing it is an easy task you can perform on your own.

LG Magic Remote is Not Working – Troubleshoot And Diagnosis

If your LG TV remote doesn’t work, try these troubleshooting tips:

1. Connect To The TV

If your new LG Magic Remote is not working, it might not be “first connected.” Here’s how you can establish that:

Make sure that there are no other wireless devices in the test range — including phones, laptops and Bluetooth headphones— since they may interfere with the connection.  Put the remote near the TV, but try not to point it directly at it. Press both the OK and MUTE buttons for between 5 and 10 seconds.

You should immediately see a message that the remote has been connected.

If the remote is not found, try again with new batteries or wait 20 minutes before resetting your TV.

2. Inspect The Batteries

If you find that your magic remote is draining your batteries faster than usual, there are a few things to try.

First, you can make sure that your remote is actually on by pressing the button and seeing if it lights up; if not, then the batteries are likely dead. Second, you should clear cache for any apps connected to your TV or home entertainment system. Third, make sure all of the other remotes aren’t paired with your LG TV remote.

Instead of testing your luck and trial-and-erroring as you go, you can easily change the batteries by taking off the back panel and sliding in fresh ones.

3. Reset The Remote

LG remote not working? Fear not! Here’s how to fix the problem:

Remove the battery from the back of the remote

Wait 10 seconds before replacing it

Turn your remote towards your television and press the button on top of the device

Your remote should now be reset and working! If you’re still having issues, try turning off your television and re-syncing your remote. For further assistance, reach out to a customer service representative.

Lg TV Remote Not Working After Battery Change

If one of your remote controls seems to be not working after a battery change, you’ve come to the right place. This is probably the most common question we get from our customers. There are multiple reasons why this may happen, but it’s usually because an improper battery was used or installed in the device.

Try turning the TV off and take the new battery out of the remote. Wait a few seconds to let the TV cool down and try again. You might also try using AA batteries in the remote if you changed the AAA batteries. The LG TV remote requires it to be a specific type of battery. If you continue to have problems, let us know.

Lg Magic Remote Not Supported By This TV

Although LG’s official support page states that the LG Magic Remote should be compatible with this television, users have reported on Amazon and Best Buy that it is not, in fact, compatible. It is most likely that you will have to purchase a different remote or voice control system to gain access to all of this TV’s features.

Some LG Magic Remote problems are caused by old batteries, a weak Bluetooth signal or a brief interruption of the infrared signal. If you still have problems after resetting the remote and pairing it to your television, you may need to replace it.

Final Thoughts

LG Smart TV remotes don’t need to be replaced — they just need a few tweaks here and there to get them working. If the remote isn’t responding, try replacing the batteries, using fresh batteries instead of old ones, checking the range of the remote and its connectivity with the TV, or cleaning it gently with a soft cloth.

You’re never too old or too far away for us to help. Whether you’re in the midst of a DIY project or your remote isn’t working and you need to get it fixed, we’re always here to help fix your electronics.