Android TV Remote App Not Working? Quick DIY Fixes

The best thing about owning an Android TV is that you can control it with your phone using the remote app. But if your Android TV doesn’t connect to the remote app and is not working, you will wonder what to do next. Though there are many reasons for remote app issues, you can quickly troubleshoot them with the following methods.

It is always good to know the root cause of the problem so that it will be easy for you to solve the issue. The table below showcases the Android TV remote issues, their possible reasons, and the solutions to fix them.

Problems	Reasons	Solutions
The remote app is not responding	There may be a weak WiFi signal in your home	Check whether WiFi signals are strong from your router
The Android TV name is not shown on the active devices list	Your TV and smartphone might not be connected to the same WiFi connection	Connect your Android TV and smartphone to the same WiFi connection
There was a problem while parsing the package	The Android TV remote app is incompatible with your phone	Install the remote app that is compatible with your phone
The Android TV remote app is crashing or freezing	Any software glitches or bugs in the app	Update your Android TV remote app
The Android TV IR remote app is not functioning	Unavailability of IR blaster in your smartphone	Install the remote app that controls your TV using WiFi

Check the Internet Connection

If the remote app that you have installed on your Android smartphone is unresponsive or is responding late, then there will be a weak WiFi connection. Test the internet speed of your WiFi by visiting this website on your phone. If the upload and download speeds are slow, restart your WiFi router to fix the issue.

Also, while using the remote app, keep your phone and TV closer to a WiFi router or in a WiFi signal range. If you are experiencing connection speed issues, contact the internet service provider for further assistance.

Once you fix the internet issue, try operating the remote app. If the issue has not been solved, move to the next step.

Connect TV and Phone to the Same WiFi

The Android TV remote app will not pair with your TV if both devices are on a different WiFi connection. Disconnect devices from previously paired WiFi and connect them to the same wireless network. After that, open the remote app and check whether it detects your Android TV. If the remote app doesn’t work, try the next troubleshooting method.

Clear the App Cache

If the remote app on your phone closes or exits all of a sudden whenever you try to open the app or while using it, it’s time to clear the cache. You need to clear the unwanted app cache that causes the app not to work properly. Open Settings on your Android phone and click on the Storage option. In that, select Apps and find your Android TV remote app from the list. Then, select Storage & Cache and tap Clear Cache to remove the cache stored by the app. You can move to the next step if your Android TV remote app is still not working.

Update the Remote App

Sometimes, the Android TV remote app will crash while launching or freeze all of a sudden. This may be due to any software glitches or bugs in the app. You can solve this problem by updating the app to its latest version. Go to the Play Store on your Android phone and search for the app that you are using to control your Android TV. Select the app and tap Update to upgrade the app to the latest version.

If there is no update available for the app, you can simply uninstall and reinstall it. Once you update or reinstall the app, launch the app and inspect whether it is working properly or not. Try the next fix if you are still having issues with the remote app.

Check for App Compatibility

The remote application that you are looking for will not be available on the Play Store if your Android phone is not compatible with the app. Also, some apps will not be available on the Play Store due to geo-restrictions. Thus, you need to choose an app that is compatible with your smartphone, and it should be available in your region. Similarly, check whether your TV is compatible with controlling using the remote app you have installed.

Inspect your Phone for an IR blaster

As an Android phone user, you can use two kinds of remote apps to control your TV. Some apps work via WiFi signals, whereas others run by emitting infrared signals. So, if the remote app that you have installed is not functioning at all, you need to check whether it is a WiFi or an IR remote app. To use an IR-based remote app, your smartphone should have a built-in IR blaster. If you have an iPhone, you can only use remote apps that work with WiFi signals.

Try These Remote Alternatives

If the Android TV remote app is not working after trying all the solutions, don’t give up. You can use these alternatives to operate your Android TV.

• Use a Universal Remote: If you can’t control your old TV using the remote app, you can buy a replacement remote for your TV. However, for some old Android TVs, you will not find any replacement remotes. In that case, you can purchase a universal remote from Amazon, which supports and controls all kinds of TVs.
• Use a Keyboard or Mouse: You can also use a keyboard or mouse as an alternative to control your TV if it has a USB port. Purchase a keyboard or mouse from Amazon and plug the USB cable or dongle into your Android TV’s USB port. Now, you can operate your TV using the keyboard or mouse.

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