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LG TV Remote (Blinks/Scrolls/Won’t Turn On or Off/Won’t Control Volume)

There are so many things that can go wrong with your LG TV remote and it’s hard to know where to start so you can fix it. A lot of the time, it may just be one single button that has decided to stop working. If have any issue, I have created this guide to help find the answer.

Issues with your LG TV remote can either be hardware issues, your settings, the connection between the remote and TV, or dirt under the buttons. Troubleshooting the remote will fix most issues, but sometimes the TV needs to be reset or the remote needs to be cleaned or replaced.

Angry man holding TV remote

You can find specific remote issues and their fixes below. I have also summarised the steps to troubleshoot the remote, re-register the remote and performing a hard reset of the TV.

LG TV Remote Won’t Change Channels

Annoyed man changing TV channels with remote

This seems to be an issue with LG’s Magic Remote. You should be able to change the channels with your Magic Remote using the key pad, channel up/down buttons and via voice control.

The most likely issue is that your remote is not properly connected to your TV set top box. This should be set up under the TV’s ‘Universal Control’ menu. Below is how you can set it up.

Connect the Set Top Box via Universal Control

To start this process, press the ‘Home’ button. Then select the ‘Set Top Box’ option. From here you will need to follow the prompts, telling the TV things like which input port it is in.

Make sure the ‘SimpLink’ option is turned on. This is LG’s brand name for the communication between your devices.

Once you have followed the prompts, you will notice you have been taken to a device test, with something like ‘Remote Type 1’. Use the remote pointer (not the buttons on the remote) to press the ‘Power’, ‘Play’, and ‘Pause’ buttons displayed.

If the preview on the left does not respond to these commands, select the arrow to cycle to ‘Remote Type 2’. Repeat this process until the buttons on the screen are controlling the preview. Then click ‘Next’ to finalise the setup.

Note that you may need to attempt plugging the set top box into a different HDMI port. Some HDMI ports are better than others for supporting remote control features, such as the HDMI-CEC port.

If none of these are working, you should try troubleshooting the remote. This process can be found on the LG support page here, but I have summarised these steps below.

Troubleshooting the LG Magic Remote

Step 1: Replace the batteries.

Step 2: Make sure nothing is blocking the IR sensor. Nothing should in the line-of-site between the remote and the TV.

Step 3: Re-register you Magic Remote (details below).

Step 4: Check you have properly set up Universal Control (details above).

Step 5: Request a replacement remote.

Re-registering your Magic Remote is a simple process and can often fix a lot of issues with an unknown cause.

Re-Registering the LG Magic Remote

Re-registering the Magic remote is standard across all models, except the 2010/2011 Magic Motion Remote. All other models use the following process.

Hold down the ‘Back’ and Home’ buttons (at the same time) for 5 seconds. When the red light starts flashing, you know your remote has been unregistered.

Your LG TV should automatically prompt you to re-register the remote, in which case you should just press the ‘Ok’ button. If you are not automatically prompted, try reinserting the remote’s USB dongle and wait 20 seconds for the prompt.

The 2010/2011 Magic remote is the same process, but you will need to hold the ‘Enter’ and ‘Mute’ buttons instead of the ‘Back’ and ‘Home’ buttons.

LG TV Remote Keeps Scrolling

Confused female trying to use TV remote

If your LG TV remote keeps scrolling, jumping up and down the menus, it is likely a hardware issue with the scroll wheel on the remote.

Try opening up the remote. You will need to prize it open using something flat like a butter knife. Be careful handling the circuit board, but remove the scroll wheel to expose the cradle underneath

You will need some form of lubrication, such as WD40, to rub into the cradle of the scroll wheel. Make sure you don’t leave excess lubrication behind. Reconstruct the remote and test the scroll wheel again.

LG TV Remote Won’t Change Volume

Hand holding TV remote

Sometimes the LG remote will not be able to change the volume because the TV is no longer communicating to an external speaker system. You can try reverting the sound back to the TV’s internal speakers to test this.

Start by pressing the ‘Home’ button on the remote and follow the sequence below to change back to the TV’s internal speakers.

Settings > All Settings > Sounds > Sound Out > Internal TV Speaker.

If the internal speakers work with the remote, you will need to fix the connection with your external audio device. This can be done through the following settings.

Settings > All Settings > Connection > Device Connector > Bluetooth/Soundbar.

If your remote still won’t change the volume on your LG TV, you may want to do a hard reset of the TV. Sometimes it may be a glitch in the TV. To do this, follow the steps below.

Perform a Hard Reset of the LG TV

Step 1: Turn off the TV and unplug the power from the wall socket.

Step 2: Press and hold the power button on the TV for 10 seconds.

Step 3: Plug the TV back in and turn it on again.

This is usually a relatively easy fix for many issues or bugs in the TV.

LG TV Remote Won’t Control Soundbar Volume

Wall mounted TV and soundbar speaker

As I mentioned earlier, some people find that the volume doesn’t work with their external audio device, such as a soundbar. If this is the case, you will need to reconnect your soundbar and try different settings. You can find these settings by following the pathway below.

Settings > All Settings > Connection > Device Connector > Bluetooth/Soundbar.

You should also try plugging the soundbar into a different HDMI port. Ports such as the HDMI-ARC or HDMI-CEC have more functions than standard ports. It may be a matter of rearranging your device inputs to find what works for you.

LG TV Not Responding to Remote or Buttons

Remote pointed at TV screen

If your LG TV has stopped responding to the remote, if may be that you need to change the batteries or re-register the remote. Refer to the troubleshooting steps mentioned earlier in this article.

If it is also the buttons on the TV that aren’t working, you will be stuck as to what you can do. Try doing a hard reset on the TV, mentioned above, to see if this fixes the issue.

If not, some people have found this to be a hardware issue with the circuit board. If this is the case, you will need a repair or replacement. You can contact LG to try to fix the hardware or replace the entire TV.

LG TV Remote Function Not Available

TV remote pointed at screen

Sometimes you LG TV may pick up a signal from another remote. Make sure there are no other remotes in the same vicinity as the TV to see if this fixes the ‘Function Not Available’ issue. You may need to remove the batteries of the second remote to test this.

If it is your own remote causing the trouble, try re-registering your remote. You can find how to do this earlier in the article.

Otherwise, this issue may be related to failing hardware. Some people have noticed that this message will disappear if they disconnect the side panel board.

This is certainly something that should be replaced by LG. Be careful disconnecting hardware yourself, as this may void your warranty.

LG Magic Remote Power Button Blinks 3 Times

The LG Magic Remote’s power button blinking 3 times often indicates a pairing issue between the remote and the TV. To resolve this, try resetting the remote by pressing and holding the ‘OK’ button on the remote for a few seconds until the pairing message appears on the screen. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the re-pairing process and restore functionality.

LG TV Remote Keeps Blinking

Child on sofa watching TV

If your LG remote is blinking, this means that it is not paired with the TV. Refer to the information earlier in this article on how to re-register your remote with the TV. It is an easy fix.

LG TV Remote Guide Button Not Working

Back of male watching TV

Sometimes individual buttons stop working because of a build-up of dirt or debris under the button. To fix this, turn the TV off at the wall and press the guide button continuously for about one minute. Sometimes you may need to tap the remote in your hand as well to dislodge debris.

If it was not the physical button, you may want to re-register the remote with the TV. This is detailed above.

It is important to note that this button is programmed to bring up the guide for the LG TV. Some people think this button is not working because they thought it would bring up the guide for a cable box.

This, however, is not possible with this remote. You can get to your cable guide by pressing the button with the three dots on the remote, and selected ‘guide’.

LG TV Remote Keeps Disconnecting

Bored female flipping through TV channels with remote

One likely issue is that low batteries are causing the remote to continually disconnect. In this case, simply replace the batteries and your problem should be solved.

If this does not fix the issue, you may need to try the rest of the troubleshooting tips mentioned above. If this still does not work, there could be an issue with the infrared signal from the remote.

Make sure you are close enough to the TV for the remote signal to reach, but if this is not the problem, it would be worth contacting LG so they can repair or replace the remote.

LG TV Remote Slow to Respond

Confused male holding a TV remote and staring at screen

The LG TV remote is usually slow to respond because of a build-up of dirt or debris under the buttons. To fix this for all buttons, you should remove the batteries from the remote and hold the power button for approximately 5 seconds to drain all the power out.

Then, continuously press all the buttons multiple times to loosen any dirt. You may also need to tap the remote in your hand. Alternatively, you could open up the remote and clean the button pads with a cotton tip and isopropyl.

If this fails, try the troubleshooting tips mentioned in the beginning of this article.

LG TV Remote Won’t Change Input

Confused man holding TV remote and watching TV

It is unclear why some LG remotes won’t change the input. However, you can try troubleshooting the remote or doing a hard reset, as mentioned in the beginning of this article.

You may also like to consider dislodging/cleaning any debris from the remote, which I have explained above. If all else fails, you may need to contact LG.

LG TV Remote Won’t Turn TV On/Off

Angry male frustrated TV won't work

Sometimes having ‘SimpLink’ enabled on your TV will not allow you to use the power button on your remote. If this is the case, turn the TV on using the buttons on the TV and navigate to SimpLink options below.

Settings > General > SimpLink > Off

You may also have an object blocking the pathway between the remote and the TV. Make sure this path is clear. Otherwise, try re-registering and troubleshooting the remote, mentioned above.

How to Control Soundbar Volume With LG TV Remote

Woman watching TV on sofa

You will need to connect the TV to the soundbar to be able to control the volume with your LG remote. Follow the steps below to do this.

Step 1: Press the ‘Home’ button on your remote.

Step 2: Navigate to ‘Device Connector’.

Step 3: Select ‘Sounbar’

Step 4: Select the HDMI port your soundbar is plugged into. These usually go into the optical HDMI port.

Step 5: Select the manufacturer.

Step 6: Test each ‘Remote Type’ by pressing the buttons on the screen using the cursor. Once you have found one that works, select ‘Next’.

Step 7: Select ‘Done’.

Some people have noticed that, regardless of the true soundbar manufacturer, selecting Philips as the manufacturer tends to have the least amount of issues.

How to Change Input on LG TV Remote

Frustrated female with broken TV

The input button on the LG TV remote should be located between the ‘TV’ and ‘3’ buttons. The button should have an image of a plug on it. You can press this button to cycle through the TV inputs.

If you have a remote that does not have that button, press the ‘Home’ button. You should see an ‘Inputs’ menu. Once you have selected this, you will be able to select which input you would like to use.

If you have a magic remote, you can program the Quick Access Menu to change inputs. To do this, press and hold the ‘0’ button for three seconds and assign each HDMI input to an individual number. For example, you can assign ‘HDMI 1’ to the number ‘1’.

LG TV Remote Home Button Not Working

Remote pointed at TV screen

If the home button is not working, try cleaning out debris from the button by removing the remote’s batteries and pressing the home button continuously for about one minute.

You could also try cleaning the pad for the buttons with isopropyl and a cotton tip. You can get to the pads by carefully prising open the remote casing with a butter knife. Make sure you don’t get excess isopropyl in the remote casing.

If this doesn’t work, you may need to try the troubleshooting method mentioned at the beginning of this article. Another possibility is that you need to re-initialise (factory reset) the TV. You can do this with the following process.

Settings > General > Reset to Initial Settings.

Keep in mind that re-initialising your TV may reset your preferences and log you out of any streaming services.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on April 29, 2021.

LG TV Remote Menu Button Not Working

Female having trouble turning TV on with remote

If the menu button is not working, you should try the same fixes as above, under ‘LG TV Home Button Not Working’.

LG TV Remote Arrows/Cursor Not Working

Remote pointed at TV

If the cursor is not working on your remote, it is most likely that you need to re-register the remote with the TV. This is a simple fix, which I have detailed at the beginning of this article.

You can also try a hard reset of the TV or troubleshooting the remote to see if this fixes the issue.

If you have an older (standard) remote, the arrows may not work if the pads have dirt or debris under them. In this case, try the fix under ‘LG TV Remote Home Button Not Working’.

LG TV Remote Light Not Working

Hand using TV remote

The light on your LG TV remote may not be working if the batteries in the remote are flat. Otherwise, you should try to un-pair and re-register the remote using the method explained at the beginning of this article.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 29, 2021.

There is also the chance that your remote has failed, in which case you could contact LG. It is easy enough for them to send you a replacement remote if it is a fault in the hardware.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 29, 2021.

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