Apple TV is one of the best sources of entertainment in the world today! Whether it’s a movie or your favorite game, the device has it all. Every Apple device has amazing features and some challenges! It’s the same with the Apple TV remote – sometimes it stops working. So, let’s find out how to fix Apple TV Remote app not working.
Reasons why the Apple TV Remote isn’t working
Normally, after pressing the power button, it takes 3 seconds for the remote control to connect to the Apple TV. So, wait for a few seconds until the connection notification appears on your TV. If it does not appear, find out why the Apple TV remote is not working.
- low battery. If your Apple TV remote has low battery, 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: Ensure that the infrared signal of the remote control is not obstructed by any physical objects such as furniture. The remote control should be in line of sight with the Apple TV.
- Pairing problems: If your remote isn’t paired with your Apple TV, it won’t respond.
- Software glitches: Outdated or faulty Apple TV software can affect your remote.
- Damaged Remote Control: If the remote control is physically damaged, it may not work.
How to fix a not working Apple TV remote
Now that you know the root cause of your problem, let’s move on to the troubleshooting methods.
1. Use the remote control at hand
Remote controls have a specific signal transmission range. The infrared sensors between them must maintain optical contact to improve communication. If you’re sitting far away from your Apple TV, try moving closer than 6 meters to it and use the remote control.
2. Eliminate overlapping
Have you kept your Apple TV among tons of Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, and other wireless peripherals? In this case, the remote may be working properly, but the network signals are being hampered by too many network signals. So, remove any interference around your Apple TV and see if it can now receive the remote signals.
3. Charge the remote control or replace the battery.
The most common reason why the Apple TV remote is not working is that the remote is completely dead. The latest Apple TV remote comes with built-in rechargeable batteries. Although you have not used it for a long time, the batteries may run out.
So, plug it into your Mac or USB wall adapter using a Lightning to USB cable or charging stand and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then check if it works. The earlier version of the Apple TV remote control is powered by removable cell batteries. So get a new pair of batteries and replace the old ones.
4. Restart your Apple TV remote.
The best way to resolve internal errors and malfunctions is to restart your device. This also applies to the Apple TV remote. However, there is no similar method for rebooting old Apple TV remotes. Therefore, I suggest removing the batteries, cleaning them a bit, and putting them back in again.
For the Apple TV Siri Remote, do the following:
- Press and hold the TV button and the Volume Down button together for five seconds.
- Now the status light on your Apple TV will turn off and you will see the message “Connection Lost”.
- Wait ten seconds for the remote to reboot and the connected pop-up appears.
5. Reconnect the remote control to the Apple TV.
It is possible that your remote control is having problems connecting to your Apple TV. So, I suggest disconnecting and reconnecting it to get back into pairing mode. Press the “Menu” and “Volume Up” buttons at the same time for five seconds to reset the remote.
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You may then be asked to place the remote control on top of your Apple TV. Keep in mind that when re-pairing, the distance from the Apple TV must be three inches.
6. Make sure the remote control is working
Physical damage and hardware problems can also cause Apple TV to stop working. So if these troubleshooting methods don’t work, be sure to check them thoroughly. In this case, you can buy a new third-party Apple TV remote control.
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.
7. Restart your Apple TV.
If all is well with your remote, it’s time to troubleshoot your Apple TV. Restart it first to restart your Apple TV without a remote and check if it works again. If your remote is working fine, but your Apple TV isn’t recognizing 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 control after the main screen appears.
8. Try to control your TV with your iPhone
It may happen that your Apple TV is having connection problems. So you can use your iPhone as a remote control and see if you can navigate the home screen. You should check your Apple TV if it is still not responding.
9. Restore your Apple TV
Like iOS, Apple releases regular tvOS updates to fix bugs and add new features. So always keep your Apple TV updated.
- Go to Settings on your Apple TV.
- Select System → Software Updates → Software Update.
That’s all for today, friends!
Your Apple TV remote can stop working for a variety of reasons. However, with a few simple troubleshooting steps, you can fix the problem and start remote administration again. If nothing works, contact Apple Support for further assistance and start enjoying your favorite shows and movies.
Find out more…
- How to turn off Apple TV with and without a remote control
- The best Apple TV 4K accessories
- The best cases and cases for the Apple TV Remote
Ava
Ava is a passionate tech writer who works in the tech industry. She enjoys researching and researching new Apple products and accessories, as well as helping readers navigate technology with ease. In addition to studying, weekend plans include watching anime.