Before diving into the troubleshooting process, ensure that the remote, DirecTV box, and other accessories (TV, soundbar, etc.) are compatible with each other.
1. Perform a cold restart of the DirecTV box and connected devices.
If your DirecTV remote stops working, one possible reason could be that the input modules of the box or connected devices are in an error state, and residual current on the components prevents the modules from restarting properly. To fix this issue, perform a cold restart of the DirecTV box and any connected devices. By doing so, you will reset the components and clear any errors that might be causing the problem.
2. Try new batteries.
Another reason your DirecTV remote might not be working could be due to drained or nearly drained batteries that cannot provide enough current for the remote to operate properly. To resolve this issue, replace the batteries in the remote with new ones. Always make sure to use good-quality batteries and check the battery compartment for any signs of corrosion or debris that might interfere with the battery contacts.
3. Insert a piece of tin foil on top of the batteries.
If the spring in the battery compartment of the DirecTV remote is permanently compressed and doesn’t return to its required position, it can prevent the battery from making a proper connection with the remote, causing the remote to malfunction. In this case, you can insert a small piece of tin foil on top of the battery to help establish the necessary connection. By doing so, you can potentially fix the issue and get your remote working again. However, it’s important to be cautious when using tin foil, as improper placement could cause a short circuit.
4. Update the firmware of the TV.
A TV with outdated firmware will not be compatible with your DirecTV box and its remote. In this case, updating the TV’s firmware will solve the problem. To update the firmware for Sony Google TV models, follow these steps:
5. Use the ‘Clear My Box’ command.
If your DirecTV box takes a long time to respond to remote commands, ranging from a few seconds to minutes, it could be due to an overloaded cache and data buffers within the box. To resolve this issue, you can use the “Clean My Box” command to clear the cache and improve the box’s performance. By doing this, you should notice a significant improvement in the responsiveness of your DirecTV box to remote commands.
6. Reset the DirecTV remote.
If your DirecTV remote stops working due to invalid firmware, it might cause issues with sending commands or make them incomprehensible to the receiving device. In this situation, resetting the DirecTV remote can help resolve the problem. By resetting the remote, you will restore it to its default settings, which can often fix any firmware-related issues and allow the remote to function properly once again.
7. Reset the DirecTV box to factory defaults.
If your DirecTV box is unable to process signals from the remote due to corrupted firmware or improperly functioning essential modules, you can resolve this issue by resetting the box to its factory defaults. Before performing a reset, ensure you back up any important data or information stored on the box, as the process will erase all existing settings and content. Once the box is reset, it should restore the proper functioning of the essential modules, allowing it to process the remote’s signals correctly.
8. Reset your TV to the factory defaults.
Your TV will not respond to the DirecTV remote if the TV’s firmware is missing essential modules. In this case, resetting your TV to factory defaults will resolve the issue. Before resetting the TV, make sure to back up any information or data on it. To reset a Bravia TV:
9. Reprogram the DirecTV remote.
In case your remote is successfully controlling the DirecTV box but not your TV or any other accessories, such as a soundbar, it’s possible that the remote has lost its programming or was never programmed correctly. To resolve this issue, you’ll need to reprogram your remote to control the TV or other accessory. If that fails and you want to use code to pair with the remote, please follow these instructions: However, the problem lies in finding the 5-digit code. If the code is incorrect, the remote will either not function at all or only some functions will work. You will need to find the code that enables all the remote functions to work. That code can be found either in the remote’s manual or by searching the Internet. Here is a list of codes that have worked for different people in various circumstances; you can try them to see if they work for you as well:
1175612434114231204911524118641175612434120510005611758100831065010250,114541006011756
If a particular button is not working (e.g., volume fails to control the TV), you can program another button on the remote to control volume. To do this, you will need to consult the manual that came with the remote or visit the DirecTV website. If you have a newer Genie remote, the process of reprogramming becomes a bit simpler.
10. Clean the DirecTV remote.
If dust, debris, or rust has accumulated under the remote’s buttons, either the remote or some of its buttons will stop working. In this case, cleaning the DirecTV remote will solve the problem. If your remote is under warranty or a protection plan, it would be better to take advantage of that service. It would be better to take pictures of the circuitry at each step, as it will make reassembly easier. If none of the above worked, then either the remote is faulty or the receiver/TV has problems with connectivity. You can test another remote with your setup or try the remote in use with another setup. In the case that the remote is faulty, you will need a replacement remote. Until then, you can use a mobile app (such as the DirecTV app) to work as a remote control for your setup. If the problem is with the receiver or TV, have them checked at an authorized service center.
