You’ve been waiting for this moment all day… You’re finally sitting or lying comfortably in front of the television to relax and unplug. But guess what, the remote control has decided to ruin your evening. You’ve pressed all the buttons, nothing to do, she refuses to obey you. What a calamity! You no longer know whether to laugh or cry. But one thing is for sure, it’s not about throwing in the towel, whether you like it or not, it will work out in the end! And we intend to make it easy for you. Here are some ways to resolve it without getting angry.

Why doesn’t the remote control work?

Sitting in front of the television to zap or watch your favorite program is a moment of grace after a long day of hard work. So, obviously, when the remote control starts to malfunction or flatly refuses to work, there is something to be annoyed about. First thing: let’s breathe calmly and stay calm. Because anger won’t solve anything. Instead, you need to think calmly to try to determine the source of the problem. And this, even if your match is supposed to start in 10 minutes! Very often the reason is not immediately obvious. Several causes can explain this sudden block. The good news is that the solution is usually very simple. Here are the options available to you.

Check the batteries in the remote control

It may seem trivial to you, but very often it is simply flat batteries. If the battery is low, it is normal for the controls to stop responding. So, before anything else, you need to make sure of this first. Then remove the batteries and insert new ones. Sometimes you even have to turn them over, if you don’t have spare batteries on hand. On the other hand, if the problem is not resolved, there is another option to try. Test your batteries on another device. Do they work correctly? Well, in that case, go back to the remote control compartment and do a little cleaning. Sometimes it’s just the dirt that’s to blame and blocks the contact. Use a cotton ball soaked in a liquid product suitable for this type of electrical device. Normally, the problem will be solved!

Check the signal

Is your remote control more temperamental than you thought? If the battery change wasn’t glorious, now is the time to check the signal. Most models are infrared remote controls: Technically, a corresponding light-emitting diode is installed on the front and sends a signal (invisible to the naked eye) to the TV. But how do you know if it’s there? The maneuver is very simple, don’t worry. Take your smartphone and turn on the camera. Point it directly at the front of the remote where the LED strip is located, an area recognizable by the semi-transparent plastic. Press any button on the remote and if it emits a signal, you will see the LED light up or flash. If you don’t see any flashes, it means the remote control is not emitting any signal.

What to do when the remote control refuses to work?

Well, how to get out of trouble if replacing the battery didn’t work? Don’t worry, we won’t leave you in this mess, there are other options to try. Starting from this:

• Get the remote control, a pencil, pliers and a pencil sharpener.
• Sharpen your pencil carefully. And cut a part of it, trying to cut out the same length as a stack.
• Sharpen it with a utility knife to have a very sharp tip.
• Then take the old battery and, using pliers, remove the upper part of the positive side so that you can insert it into the “fake” battery and make it easier to insert. It’s a small, concave piece of metal.
• Then, gently insert the new battery, placing this small piece on the positive side. Place the battery next to it and check if the remote control works.

Normally, since this trick has already been proven, it should work. But be careful, this is only a temporary trick. Sure, you’ll save your batteries for a few days, but it’s better to fix the problem permanently as soon as you have the chance.

Another trick to repair the remote control

Don’t like waste? Before you consider throwing away the remote control or incurring the expense of purchasing a new model, try repairing the old one first with the following method.

• Open the remote control. To do this, pry the housing shell sideways with a thin knife or loosen the small screws in the battery compartment.
• Then check inside the remote and electronics for dust or debris. The conductive rubber contacts or mat can get dirty easily. If so, a little cleaning is in order!
• Prepare a mixture of water and spirit vinegar.
• Moisten a clean cloth (preferably soft microfibre) with a small amount of this liquid.
• Warning: never pour vinegar or water directly on the contacts or the rubber part!
  Now dab this area, applying light pressure to the contact points and electronics.
  Finally, leave the remote uncovered to dry properly before reassembling it.
  Logically, once cleaned properly, it should work again!