Xfinity Remote Not Working (How To Fix/Reset)

Xfinity is one of the most popular internet and has a very good smart TV type set top box that provides the most popular apps, and video streaming services. However, in rare cases the Xfinity remote can stop working. In this article I will explain the troubleshooting steps you should take to fix an Xfinity remote that isn’t working.

Start by replacing the batteries and ensure they are facing the right way. If it’s still not working do the following steps, do a system reboot by unplugging the Xfinity set top box, factory reset your Xfinity remote, pair and repair your Xfinity remote.

Holding a remote while pointing in the TV

If it’s still not working after these steps then you may need a whole new Xfinity remote. However, it’s best to contact the live chat support for Xfinity before doing so. Below I will explain step by step how to perform each of these troubleshooting steps.

Xfinity Remote Not Working

The Xfinity remote is required to use your Xfinity device. Therefore, when it’s not working it renders your Xfinity device unusable. There are some easy fixes that can be causing the issue, here’s what they are.

There is a red LED light on Xfinity remotes that will blink when you press a button. If it blinks multiple times it means that the batteries are running low and should be replaced. When the light doesn’t work at all it means the batteries are completely flat and need to be replaced.

As you may know, when replacing the batteries each battery needs to be facing the right way. It’s possible that by accident you or someone in your household put them in facing the wrong direction. This causes the Xfinity remote to not get power even if the batteries are brand new. This is a very easy check so you should ensure they’re facing the right way and try replacing the batteries with a brand new set.

Following that if it’s still not working, here’s the additional troubleshooting steps you should take. Note that each of these are a potential solution. So, after trying each step try to use your Xfinity remote to verify whether it’s working or not.

1. Do a system reboot of your Xfinity device

The Xfinity devices like smartphones, and computers can have an error in the code that runs in the background, or one of the apps can cause a fatal error that won’t allow the remote to work. Xfinity recommends doing a system reboot of your Xfinity device to start up the operating system and apps from a clean slate.

This is very easy to do. Simply unplug your Xfinity device while it’s turned on, leave it off for a few seconds, then plug it back in. It’s generally safe to turn it off at the wall, and then unplug it. However, you can simply pull the power cord out from the rear of your Xfinity device. Then plug it back in like you would a phone charger.

2. Factory reset your Xfinity remote

This step does not work with all Xfinity remotes. It works for the Xfinity voice remote, the XR11 and the XR15. The model number for your remote is written on your remote. To find the model number open the battery cover and it will be written in white lettering just above the part where you put the batteries in.

It’s possible it also works for other remotes, however, there is limited info available online. For the XR15 you hold the top left button and the bottom right button that are surrounding the center button with the arrows on the center of your remote. For the XR11 you hold the ‘Setup’ button. (Update on How to Reset XR11, XR15 and XR16 xfinity remotes below)

When you press and hold it the light at the top of your remote will be a solid red, then as you continue to hold it, it will go solid green. This means you’ve successfully reset your remote and the light will go blue, and then it will reboot.

Each of the different Xfinity devices have different instructions for how to do this, you can find the owners manual online on this page of the official Xfinity website. Download it and look up the instructions for how to reset the remote, if it’s possible to do with the remote you have.

After it has been reset you need to re-pair it to your TV which is covered in the next step.

3. Unpair and re-pair your Xfinity remote

Once you’ve reset the remote you need to program it and re-pair it. Here’s a video that shows the instructions for how to do it on the newer version of the Xfinity remote.

If your remote is a bit older, grab the owners manual for your specific device using the link given above to the page on the official Xfinity website. It shows what each device looks like and has a link to get an online version of the owner’s manual.

4. Ensure you have line of sight to the TV and Xfinity device

An Xfinity remote uses a radio frequency that sends a signal outwards in all directions from the remote. But, also uses an infrared (IR) signal for some of the buttons. The infrared signal requires line of sight from the end of the remote to the device, and you need to be close enough for it to work.

Because of that check that there isn’t something blocking the front of the TV or the front of your Xfinity device. Usual culprits are soundbars, or decorative items that are sitting in front of the infrared receiver on the front of your TV and Xfinity device. And ensure you’re close enough to the TV and Xfinity device. Within about 10 feet (3 metres) is generally close enough. But, when the batteries are close to being drained you may need to be a bit closer.

5. Chat to the Xfinity live support to get guidance on the next steps

Provided you’ve tried each of these steps then it’s likely that your Xfinity remote is faulty and needs to be replaced with a new one. An Xfinity remote can be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

Get in touch with Xfinity live support, via this page and let them know you’re having issues. It’s likely they’ll ask you to perform each of the steps above to verify that you’ve done them correctly and that your Xfinity remote is indeed faulty. After which point they will advise you of the next steps to take.

Xfinity Remote Red Light When Pressing Button

If the red light on your Xfinity remote is on when you press a button, it could indicate that the batteries are low or that the remote is not paired with your cable box. Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

Replace the batteries: Make sure the batteries in the remote are fresh and fully charged. Try replacing them with new ones.
Reprogram the remote: Try reprogramming the remote to your cable box. This can be done through the Xfinity settings menu.
Reset the remote: Remove the batteries from the remote and press and hold the “Setup” button for 5 seconds. Release the button and reinsert the batteries.
Contact support: If none of these solutions work, you may need to contact Xfinity customer support or a professional repair service for further assistance.

Xfinity Remote Not Turning On/Off TV

Woman holding a remote while watching tv

The Xfinity remote controls both the TV and your Xfinity device using the all power button. However, from time to time these can get out of sync which causes your Xfinity remote to not turn your TV on or off. Here’s how to fix this issue.

Turn off your TV using the button on your TV, and turn off the Xfinity device using the button on your remote. After that press the ‘all power button’ of your Xfinity remote. This will power up both the TV and the Xfinity device and put them back in sync so that the TV power button works again.

If the problem persists it’s likely an issue with the power saver mode on your Xfinity device. It will automatically turn off your Xfinity device when your TV is turned off. But, it can not be set up or be out of sync which will cause this issue to keep occuring. For full details on how to set it up power saver mode read this instructional page on the Xfinity website.

Can get out of sync. Turn the button your tv when press the all power button

Xfinity Remote Keeps Blinking

When using your Xfinity remote the LED light at the top of the remote should only blink once. However, if it keeps blinking here’s what causes it and how to fix it.

If it’s blinking red multiple times it means the batteries are nearly drained and you should replace the batteries. If it keeps blinking it indicates an issue with the internal computer on your Xfinity remote and you should restart your remote by taking out the batteries and putting them in again.

Failing that you should factory reset and re-pair your Xfinity remote. I’ve provided full step by step instructions for how to do that near the top of this article. Scroll up and look for step ‘2. Factory reset your Xfinity remote’. Follow the instructions in that step, and if it’s still not working follow each of the other easy steps in that list. There are 5 in total. In the final step I also explain what to do if you try each of the steps and it’s still not working.

First take the batteries in out to reset the remote and see if that’s resolved the issue. If not perform the following, replace the batteries with a new pair, unplug your Xfinity device and plug it back in to reset it, factory reset your Xfinity remote and re-pair it to your TV and Xfinity device.