How to Pair Samsung Remote to TV? Step-by-Step Guide (Plus Troubleshooting Tips)

The latest Samsung smart TVs come with a smart remote with Infrared and Bluetooth connectivity, meaning you don’t have to point the remote to the TV’s sensor to select apps, change channels, or adjust the settings.

However, your Samsung remote must be in sync with the TV for you to control it accordingly.

Pairing your Samsung remote with your TV might seem difficult, but it is much easier than you think.

Keep reading to learn more.

How to Pair Samsung Remote to TV


KEY TAKEAWAYS

To pair your Samsung remote, press and hold the RETURN and PLAY/PAUSE buttons until you see the message on your TV.

If you experience some issues when trying to pair your Samsung remote with the TV, try these fixes: 

  1. Check the batteries
  2. Check your remote’s and your TV’s IR sensors
  3. Reset the remote
  4. Reset the TV

Pairing a Samsung Remote to a TV

Your Samsung remote should connect to your TV automatically for easy setup, regardless of the smart TV model.

However, you may need to pair your Samsung remote with your TV afresh when you replace the batteries or get a new remote replacement.

Manual pairing is also necessary when connecting the smart remote to a different compatible Samsung TV.

Here are the steps: 

  • Turn on your Samsung smart TV by pressing the TV’s power button
  • Flip your Samsung remote and remove the back cover to access the battery compartment
  • Properly insert the new batteries into the remote
  • Locate your TV’s remote control sensor (usually on the TV’s bottom center or lower right side)
  • Point the Samsung remote at the TV’s control sensor, not more than 12 inches from the screen
  • Press the return/back and play/pause buttons simultaneously for about 5 seconds

Press the return back and play pause buttons

  • Your TV will start searching for nearby compatible devices and initiate the pairing process
  • When the pairing is complete, you will see a remote and battery icon appear on the TV screen

Pairing Samsung Smart Remote with a Samsung Smart TV

Older Samsung smart TVs use a different remote control called Smart Touch Control.

The directions for pairing a Samsung Smart Touch Control with your TV differ slightly, given the different button configurations.

Here are the steps:

  • Power up your Samsung smart TV by pressing the TV’s power button
  • Remove the remote’s back cover to access the battery compartment 
  • Correctly insert the new batteries into the remote
  • Locate your TV’s IR receiver/sensor
  • Aim the remote at the TV’s IR sensor
  • Press and hold the return and guide buttons simultaneously for about 3 seconds

Press and hold the return and guide buttons

  • Your TV will display pairing information at the lower-left section of the screen
  • You will see a remote and green battery icon appear on the TV screen if the pairing is successful

Troubleshooting Samsung Remote Pairing Issues

Sometimes your Samsung remote may act up and fail to pair to your TV even after following the correct procedure.

When this occurs, you need to troubleshoot and fix the remote before trying the pairing process again.

Here are a few tips to fix Samsung remote pairing issues:

1. Reset the Remote

One of the quickest ways to fix pairing issues is to reset the remote. Your remote may fail to pair to your TV because of slight glitches and bugs caused by electrostatic charge. Resetting it can help fix the problem.

Follow these steps to reset your Samsung remote:

  • Flip the remote and remove the back cover to access the battery compartment
  • Remove the batteries from the remote
  • Press the Power button on the remote for at least 8 seconds to drain any residual charge
  • Reinsert the battery and close the back cover
  • Try the pairing procedure afresh

How to Reset Samsung Smart Remote

2. Reset the TV

If resetting the remote control does not solve the issue, the problem could be with your TV. 

You can perform a soft reset or a full factory reset to fix pairing issues. A soft reset clears electrical glitches and refreshes your TV, while a factory reset erases all custom settings, restoring your TV to its original state.

To soft reset your TV:

  • With the TV turned on, unplug the power cord from the wall outlet
  • Unplug the One Connect box if your TV has one
  • Use a microfiber cloth to clean the controls on the TV’s bezel
  • Wait for at least 60 seconds
  • Plug the power cord back into the wall outlet
  • Power on your TV
  • Retry the pairing process

Follow these steps to factory reset your Samsung TV without a remote

  • Turn on the TV
  • Connect a wired USB keyboard to your TV’s USB port
  • Press and hold the Esc and Windows button to access TV settings
  • Use the direction keys to navigate to General Settings
  • Go to Reset and press the Enter key
  • Enter the default PIN 0000 and press Enter
  • Select Reset and wait for the process to complete
  • Try pairing your remote to the TV

How to Perform a Samsung Smart TV Factory Reset Without a Remote

3. Check the Batteries

Bad or weak batteries can cause pairing issues, leaving you frustrated.

If the batteries are old or weak, consider replacing them with new functional ones. 

You should also check the battery terminals for any damages or defects and ensure you insert the new batteries correctly.

4. Check the Remote Control Sensor

If your remote still cannot pair to your TV, check the TV’s IR receiver or control sensor for obstructions or damage.

The remote should have a clear line of sight to the IR receiver or control sensor to emit signals to the TV.

Troubleshooting Samsung Remote Issues


Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Why is my Samsung remote not pairing?

Answer: Your Samsung remote might fail to pair with your TV for several reasons, including damaged remote, drained or flat batteries, infrared sensor problems, and pairing issues. A dirty or defective remote control pad and electronic glitches can cause your Samsung remote to not pair with your TV. To resolve the issue, replace the batteries with new ones and clean the control pad. If the remote is faulty, consider purchasing a replacement.

Question: How do I manually pair my Samsung smart remote?

Answer: To manually pair your Samsung smart remote:

Press and hold the back and the play/pause buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds until your TV starts searching for nearby devices. Your remote will connect to your TV within 10 seconds.

Question: Why is my Samsung TV not responding to the remote?

Answer: The most probable reason your Samsung TV is not responding to the remote is weak or bad batteries. Replace the old batteries with new ones and check if this resolves the issue. If you are using the remote for the first time, you must pair it to the TV, or your TV won’t respond. If the TV fails to respond, update its firmware to the latest version.

Question: How do I reset my Samsung remote?

Answer: Resetting a Samsung remote is relatively easy. Access the battery compartment by removing the back cover. Remove the batteries from the remote and press the power button for about 10 seconds to reset it. Reinsert the batteries and check if the remote is working.

Question: How do I restart my Samsung TV with the remote?

Answer: To restart your Samsung TV using the remote:

Press and hold the power button on the remote control for a few seconds until the TV turns off and back on. Pressing the power button helps discharge your TV and fix minor glitches such as non-responsive apps.


 

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