Apple TV is an excellent streaming device, and the remote control that comes with it is one of a kind. In most cases, the remote is long-lasting. Although it rarely presents problems, there is the possibility that it might develop problems.
If an Apple TV remote suddenly stops functioning, the issue can be related to the battery or the connection. If you are at a loss to fix your Apple TV remote, keep reading to get the stress off your back!
Steps To Fix Apple TV Remote Not Working
If the remote for your Apple TV is not functioning correctly, the first thing you should do is charge the battery fully. If you’re unsure whether the battery in your Apple TV remote or Siri Remote is dead, charge the remote for about 30 minutes. Afterward, test the remote to see if it begins functioning normally again. If you own an Apple Remote, you must replace the battery as soon as possible.
There are various alternatives for troubleshooting depending on the Apple TV remote model that you have. The following are the steps to take for each type of remote.
Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote
- Hold down and simultaneously press the TV/Control Center and Volume Down buttons. Hold the buttons for around five seconds or until the status light on the Apple TV flashes off and then back on again.
- After releasing the buttons, wait for between 5 and 10 seconds. A warning that your connection has been lost will appear on your TV screen.
- Following the restart of your remote, a notification stating that you are connected will show on your TV screen.
Alternatively, if your remote is still not functioning correctly, you should try the following steps:
- Point your remote towards your Apple TV. Ensure the Apple TV remote is approximately three inches away from the device.
- Press the Menu and Volume Up buttons and hold them simultaneously for five seconds.
- When prompted, put your remote on top of your Apple TV to finish the pairing process.
Suppose you experience trouble pairing your Apple TV Remote (2nd generation) or Siri Remote(2nd generation); check to see if the latest version of tvOS (14.5 or later) is installed on your Apple TV. You may navigate your Apple TV and determine the version of tvOS you have installed by using the Apple TV Remote app on your iOS device (iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch).
Apple Remote (white or aluminum)
- Unlink your Apple remote from your Apple TV. Press and hold the Menu button with the Left arrow on your Apple Remote for six seconds.
- Locate the Unlink option on your Apple TV.
- Establish a connection between your Apple TV and Apple Remote. For six seconds, press and hold the Menu and Right buttons.
- The next step is to locate the Link icon on your Apple TV.
Other general alternatives to fixing the Apple TV remote not working includes:
Check the Battery and the Signal
Check that nothing disrupts the transmission between the Apple TV device and the remote. You will regain control of the Apple TV device if you move it to a better location where nothing disrupts the signal that travels between the device and the remote.
Disconnect your Apple TV from the wall outlet
Unplugging your Apple TV device from the power outlet is another solution. This ought to work with any Apple TV controller you could have. To disconnect your Apple device, unplug from the power source, wait for approximately ten seconds, then plug it back into the wall outlet. Your Apple TV will restart, which may be the only thing needed to get it to connect to the remote.
Use An iPad Or iPhone
You can try to control your remote with your iPhone or iPad if you have either of these devices. If you do not have these devices, you can try controlling them with your Apple TV. Add the Apple TV Remote to the Control Center on your computer to achieve this. This is present on your device if you use the most recent iOS or iPadOS. Follow the instructions below to get started with the remote app.
- Launch the Control Center.
- On an iPad or iPhone model X or later, swipe down from the screen’s upper-right corner. On an older iPhone, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.
- Choose Apple TV Remote from the list of options.
- Make your selection of Apple TV devices from the drop-down option.
- Follow the instructions displayed on-screen to enter a passcode so that you can connect the devices and begin using the remote.
Make use of a Shielded HDMI Cable
When connected to an Apple TV 4K, using a cable that is partially insulated can cause interference with Wi-Fi connections and Bluetooth remote signals. You can solve problems on the Apple TV remote and connectivity issues with Wi-Fi by swapping to a shielded high-speed HDMI cable manufactured by Apple.
Charge up the Remote Control
When fully charged, the Apple TV remote should have a battery life of many months. When the remote’s battery level drops below 20%, you will receive reminders to charge it. When the battery in the remote is dead or damaged, your Apple TV will not recognize or respond to any keypresses you make on the remote.
Before you try to recharge the remote’s built-in battery or install a new battery, you should first check the level of power remaining in the remote’s battery. You may check the remote’s battery life if your Apple TV is paired with your iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. You can use the Apple TV Remote app located in the Control Center of your iOS device to check the battery life. The following is the procedure:
- Launch the Control Center, then select the Apple TV Remote icon from the menu that appears. Afterward, wait for the software to detect your Apple TV immediately. Alternatively, choose your Apple TV by tapping the drop-down box labelled “Choose a TV.”
- Navigate to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Additional Devices> Remote on your Apple TV and check the “Battery Level.”
How to Charge an Apple TV Remote
You can charge the black Siri Remote and the silver Apple TV Remote included with the Apple TV 4K. You can use a lightning cable to charge both of them. You can also use the lightning cable with your Apple TV or other Apple devices. To charge an Apple TV Remote:
- Connect a lightning cable to the remote’s lightning port and the other end of the cable to a powered USB port or an adapter.
- At a minimum, give yourself half an hour without touching the remote.
- Remove the lightning cable, then test to determine if the remote control is operational.
Ensure you use a genuine Apple-approved cable, preferably the USB cord packaged with your Apple TV. Counterfeit wires may cause the remote or its batteries to get damaged. To fix Apple Remotes that have removable batteries, you need to replace the worn-out or dead battery. You can access the battery compartment of your Apple Remote either through the back or the bottom of the remote.
