If you own a TiVo device, you must depend on a remote control to operate it. There are several reasons for the TiVo remote not working, other than hardware failure. Besides searching for a replacement remote, you can try the workarounds given in this guide to rectify the TiVo remote issues.
Identifying the root cause of the issue allows you to solve the issues easily. The following table shows the common problems and reasons for the TiVo remote issue and the solutions to fix it.
| Problems | Reasons | Solutions |
|---|---|---|
| Some buttons on the TiVo remote are not working | Batteries on the remote may be weak or drained | Inspect and replace the batteries |
| The TiVo remote sometimes works and sometimes does not | There might be an obstruction that blocks the remote signals | Ensure no obstructions between the TiVo device and the remote |
| TiVo remote rapidly flashes red or amber whenever you press any buttons | Due to technical issues, the TiVo remote might be unpaired | Reprogram your TiVo remote |
| The TiVo remote pairing fails continuously | An error or a glitch in the remote | Reset your TiVo remote |
| The remote fails to work even after a reset | There might be any hardware issues or damages on the remote | Contact TiVo customer support |
Change the Batteries
If your TiVo remote is not working, the first thing you should do is check whether the battery compartment is clean. Remove the battery panel at the back of the TiVo remote and eject the batteries out of the remote. Then, take a piece of cloth and clean the battery compartment.
If you have not changed the batteries for a very long time, you need to replace the batteries. Take a fresh pair of AA batteries and insert them properly according to the positive and negative polarities. After changing the batteries, try operating your remote. If your TiVo remote is not working, move to the next step.
Clear the Obstructions and Interference
If the LED light on the remote is blinking after changing the batteries, but the DVR is not responding, then there is an obstruction that blocks the signals. Check whether there is any object that is present before your TV or DVR and blocks the signals. If there is any obstruction within the line of sight between them, move such objects to fix the issues.
Verify that no microwave ovens, baby monitors, and induction cookers are near your DVR or TiVo-connected TV. These devices will interfere with your TiVo remote and block signals from reaching your DVR or TV. After clearing the obstructions, check whether your TiVo remote is working. If not, try the next troubleshooting method.
Power Cycle the TiVo Remote and DVR
If your TiVo DVR is not responding to the remote after trying the above fixes, then the problem might be with your DVR. However, on the safer side, you can power cycle both the remote and the DVR for an effective result.
First, power cycle your DVR by unplugging the power cord from the power outlet. Then, press the Power button on your DVR for a few seconds to drain the residual power. Wait for 15 seconds, connect the power cord back to the electrical outlet, and turn it on.
Now, take your TiVo remote and remove the batteries. Press each and every button on your TiVo remote once for 2 seconds. This will release the buttons that are locked due to the dust particles on the gap. Finally, reinsert the batteries correctly and try operating your remote. If it does not work properly, proceed to the next step.
Reprogram your TiVo Remote
There is a chance for the TiVo remote to be unpaired when it has not been used for a very long time or due to technical issues. Sometimes, the TiVo remote can disconnect itself due to physical damage, dead batteries, etc. If your remote is unpaired due to any of the reasons mentioned above, you need to program your TiVo remote control again to control your TiVo Stream 4K or DVR.
Reset the TiVo Remote to Factory Settings
If your TiVo remote is not pairing with your DVR or it is not responding after performing walkarounds, resetting is the one-last solution. When you reset your remote, it will be unpaired from your device, and the pairing history stored on it will be erased. Once you reset the TiVo remote to its factory settings, you can re-pair the remote and check if it works. If it doesn’t work, test the TiVo remote emitter.
Inspect the TiVo Remote’s IR Emitter
In some cases, the IR emitter may be faulty, and this could be the reason the TiVo remote is dysfunctional. The IR emitter may get broken or defective when the TiVo remote gets dropped accidentally on the floor. To find out whether the issue is with the remote’s IR emitter, you can conduct a simple camera test.
Take your smartphone and open the camera app. Then, point the IR emitter of your remote in front of the camera. Press any button on the TiVo remote and check whether the light passes through the camera. If the light is visible through the camera, you can confirm that there is no issue with your IR emitter. Otherwise, you have to repair or purchase a new replacement remote.
Contact TiVo Customer Support
You can contact TiVo’s customer support when there is no physical damage on your remote and none of the fixes work. Visit the official support page of TiVo, and you can see several options for contacting them. You can ask your query with the live chatbot or go through the self-service quick links. You can also fill out the contact form regarding your issues. If you want instant support from TiVo, you can directly contact them over a call by dialing 877-367-8486.
Try these Remote Alternatives
Until you repair or fix your malfunctioned TiVo remote, you can use the TiVo app as an alternate remote. The TiVo app allows you to control smart TVs and streaming devices powered by TiVo OS. You can install the TiVo app on your handset from the Play Store or App Store. Once installed, you need to connect your TiVo device and phone to the same WiFi. Then, pair your device to get the remote interface. Using that, you can control your TiVo device handily.
If you don’t want to use your smartphone and wish to get a separate remote, purchase a universal remote from Amazon.
