The RCA TV remote can stop working for many reasons, such as drained batteries, pairing issues, defective IR sensor, static electricity, etc. Whether you own a Bluetooth or IR-based RCA TV remote, these problems can persist at any time, but we can rectify them at the time of occurrence. This article explains the reasons behind the RCA TV remote problems and troubleshooting them with workarounds.
Here, we have tabulated the common problems users face with their RCA TV remote and quick solutions for each.
| Problems | Reasons | Fixes |
|---|---|---|
| None of the RCA TV remote buttons are responding | Batteries may be weak or fully drained | Replace the old batteries with newer ones |
| The RCA TV remote keeps unpairing | The RCA remote may not be in a TV pairing range | Keep the RCA remote closer to the TV and pair it again |
| Buttons may be stuck in the RCA TV remote | A dust may be accumulated inside the button gaps | Disassemble the RCA TV remote and clean it |
| Particular buttons in the RCA remote are dysfunctional | A glitch in the RCA remote | Reset the RCA TV remote |
| The remote stops working after an accidental fall | The remote’s hardware or an IR sensor may be faulty | Contact the RCA service center to repair or buy a replacement remote |
Insert New Batteries in the RCA Remote
The batteries in an RCA TV remote can last between 3-6 months with light use. If you often use a microphone for voice control, it can shorten the battery life of the remote. When you feel a slower response in the RCA remote, eject the old batteries and replace them with newer ones. Instead of using local batteries, buy high-quality batteries from Amazon and use them to improve the life span of your remote.
Clear the Signal Obstructions
Obstructions are another vital reason why the RCA TV remote is not working. If you place artificial plants, soundbars, or others in front of the TV sensor, it could block the incoming remote signal. Move those objects away and ensure to have a clear line of sight between the RCA TV sensor and the remote. Then, point the remote directly to the RCA TV’s IR sensor and test if it responds when pressing the remote keys.
Clean the RCA Remote Controller
If you don’t use a remote cover, tiny dust particles will accumulate inside the button gaps. This happens if you leave the RCA remote carelessly in an open living space. It will affect the remote’s functionality. Over time, dirt penetration will also cause some buttons to get jammed inside. To avoid this, clean the RCA remote using a microfiber cloth dipped with isopropyl alcohol. If you can, disassemble the RCA remote and clean it thoroughly without damaging the circuit board.
If the RCA TV remote is still not working after cleaning it, you need to repair the remote with your TV.
Re-pair the RCA TV Remote
Some RCA remotes can’t work directly, so you need to pair it with your TV to manage the remote functions. The remote programming steps vary for each model based on the TV’s operating system.
Roku TV remote: Open the remote’s battery compartment and hold the Pairing button on it for 3 seconds. Release it if the pairing LED begins to flash. Within a few seconds, the remote will establish a connection with your RCA Roku TV.
Android/Google TV Remote: Hold the HOME and OK buttons on the RCA TV remote for a few seconds. Once the remote is paired, you will get a confirmation message on the TV screen.
webOS TV Remote: Press the Smart/Home and Back buttons simultaneously for five seconds. The LED light will blink three times to indicate the remote is unpaired. Now, press the Wheel button on the RCA webOS TV remote to repair it.
After repairing it, verify that the RCA TV remote works without issues. If you still can’t pair the RCA remote with your TV, you should update the TV firmware.
Update the RCA TV Firmware
If the RCA remote keeps disconnecting, it may be due to a bug in the TV firmware. Update the RCA TV to the latest software to improve stability and make the remote more responsive.
Roku TV: Go to Settings → select System → choose System Update → click Check Now → If it shows an update is available, tap Update now → Your RCA Roku TV will restart automatically to finish installing the latest firmware.
Google/Android TV: Navigate to Settings → choose Device Preferences or System → select About → tap System update → click Network Update → If an update is available, the RCA TV will show a Software Update prompt → Follow the on-screen guidelines to download and install the latest updates.
webOS TV: Head to Settings → select All Settings → click Support → choose Software Update → click Check for Updates → If an update is shown, tap Download and Install to begin updating the firmware → Once the process is complete, switch off the TV for 10 seconds and turn it on back to finish the firmware installation.
After updating the RCA TV firmware, reprogram the remote and check if it works. If not, try the next fix.
Reset the RCA TV Remote
If one or more buttons on the RCA TV remote are not working, it is because of an unknown glitch. However, you can solve this by resetting the RCA remote to its initial settings. Eject the batteries from the RCA Android or Roku TV remote. Hold the Power key for 5-10 seconds. Insert the batteries back in and re-pair the remote to reset it.
Google TV Remote: Hold the Mute and Select (Center) buttons for a few seconds. Release the buttons if the LED turns solid white. After ten seconds, a countdown sound will play to indicate that the remote has been reset.
RCA Magic Remote: Press the Home and Settings buttons on the remote for five seconds. If the LED flashes three times, the remote completes the reset.
After resetting the remote controller, reinitialize the RCA remote and see if it works fine without issues. If the RCA remote still doesn’t work, try the next fix.
Test the IR Emitter on the Remote
If you use a basic RCA remote, ensure the remote’s IR emitter is functional. You can perform a camera test to find out whether your RCA TV remote sensor is working or not. To do this, launch the Camera app on your iPhone or Android. Then, point the RCA remote at the phone’s rear camera. Randomly press buttons on the RCA remote and see if the flashlight is visible on the camera screen.
If you can’t see any light flash, you can confirm that the RCA remote’s IR emitter is faulty. You can buy a replacement remote or try using remote alternatives.
Contact RCA Customer Support
If the RCA remote is a new one and it stops working in a few months, you can contact RCA support. Optionally, visit the nearest RCA service center and ask them whether they can fix the malfunctioning remote for free or at an extra cost. If the repairable costs are high, it is better to buy an RCA replacement remote from Amazon.
Try Remote Alternatives
If you don’t wish to buy a remote, you can use these alternative techniques to operate your RCA TV.
- Use the Remote App: To control the TV using a phone, you can install and use the RCA TV remote app. You should have an IR blaster built into your Android phone to use unofficial IR remote apps. To use official apps, you should connect your RCA TV to WiFi, which should be the same as your iPhone or Android.
- Use a Wireless Keyboard: If you keep a wireless keyboard, connect it to your RCA TV and use it as a remote. Using this device, you can manage streaming apps, search for entertainment titles, and much more. We suggest buying a Logitech K400 keyboard from Amazon, which comes with a touchpad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pop out the batteries from the RCA universal remote. Hold the 1 button on the remote for 60 seconds to clear the pairing memory. Insert the batteries back in and set it up from the beginning.
