Is your Apple TV remote not working all of a sudden? Do not fret; There are several reasons why the Apple TV remote stopped working. The problems with the Apple TV remote will mostly occur for various reasons, such as connectivity issues, low battery power, firmware bugs, or damaged remote. You can quickly fix the issues on the Apple TV remote with simple basic troubleshooting methods discussed in this guide.
How to Fix Apple TV Siri Remote Not Working
If you are unsure what’s causing the problem with your Apple TV remote, try our solutions individually to fix the issue.
Use the Remote Within Range
It is natural for wirelessly connected devices to have a range that needs to be maintained. Find your Apple TV remote and try using it within the 20-foot (6-meter) range to control the TV. There is no harm in moving a little closer, but make sure you aren’t far from the connectivity range.
Remove Interference
Staying within range is not enough. Ensure no other objects are blocking the line between your Apple TV and Apple TV remote. It could be a piece of furniture, a soundbar, a receiver, or even a mobile phone. No matter how big or small the object is, remove them at once.
Clear the IR Sensors
Sometimes, the thing disrupting the signal is not an object but dirt. If there is any dust built up on the IR sensors of your Apple TV or remote, clean them at once to solve the issue. To avoid such problems from happening in the future, clean your TV, Apple TV Box, remote, and other devices connected to them regularly.
Charge Your Apple TV Remote
If moving within range and removing interferences didn’t work, the problem could be a drained battery. A fully charged Apple TV remote lasts several months, so we naturally forget about it.
![Apple TV Remote Not Working - Charge Apple TV Remote](https://www.appletvlearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Apple-TV-Remote-Not-Working-Charge-Apple-TV-Remote-1.jpg)
If you use a black or silver Apple TV remote or Siri remote that is part of Apple TV 4K & HD, they come with in-built internal batteries that can be charged using a Lightning cable. The charging process will take a minimum of 30 minutes. So be patient till then. If you are using an older aluminum or white Apple TV remote, they come with a removable coin battery that can be replaced with a new one.
Note: You can check the battery percentage on your Apple TV through Settings → Remotes and Devices → Remote.
If your Apple TV remote is not charging, check the cable for any damage. If the cables are in working condition, use a different charger or power outlet.
Restart Apple TV Remote
If the problem persists, try restarting the Apple TV remote. Press and hold the TV or Control Center button and the volume down button on your Apple TV remote for 5 seconds. Keep pressing the button until the status light turns off and turns back on. Wait for about 10 seconds till an alert notification titled Connection Lost appears on the screen. Now, your remote will restart, and you can continue using it when the Connected notification appears on the screen.
Sometimes, minor glitches on the Apple TV will be the reason behind the problem. It can be solved by restarting your Apple TV.
Update Apple TV Remote Firmware
The remote firmware update comes along with your Apple TV update. All you need to do is connect your remote to a power supply via the Lightning cable and place it near your Apple TV. Do not disconnect it from power for at least 30 minutes.
You can check the Apple TV’s remote firmware version by visiting Settings → Remotes and Devices → Remote → Firmware Version.
Reset Apple TV Remote
If restarting or updating didn’t solve the issue, try resetting your Apple TV remote. You can get rid of all the issues on the remote by performing a reset. To do so, unpair your remote and pair your Apple TV remote back again. After resetting, try using the remote again. If the issue continues, move on to the last fix.
Contact Apple Support
If the Apple TV remote doesn’t work even after trying the above troubleshooting methods, you need to contact the Apple Support team for guidance. The support team will provide you with the required solutions to make the remote work again.
Try these Alternatives!
If none of the above-mentioned methods helped you fix the issue, there are two other alternative solutions you can follow.
- If your old Apple TV Remote stops working, get a new one. Ensure the new remote is compatible with your Apple TV model before purchasing one.
- You can use your iPhone and iPad as a virtual remote for your Apple TV. To do it, add the Apple TV remote app icon on the iPhone’s Control Center. Then, select the Remote icon from the iOS Control Center. You will see the remote interface on the iPhone screen. Now, use this virtual remote to control the Apple TV.
FAQ
If every other button on your Apple TV remote works except for the volume button, check if that happens with all apps or specific apps, and try restarting your remote. Also, ensure the IR sensors are clean. Dust built up on them will interfere with the working of these buttons.