Remote For DirecTV Not Working: How To Fix it

Is your remote for DirecTV not working? Here are a few troubleshooting tips that should get you up and running.

If you are a DIRECTV customer, it can be frustrating when your remote stops working. Not being able to change the channel or access your favorite shows can be a major inconvenience, and it can be difficult to figure out what to do when the remote goes haywire.

There are several reasons for your DIRECTV remote might not be working, ranging from battery health to hardware failure. This guide will take you through various troubleshooting steps to help you fix the issue in minutes.

Know the DirecTV Remote Model

Before we start, it’s important to note that there are two main DirecTV remotes.

DirecTV Universal Remote

The DirecTV universal remote is a variation of the provider’s remotes that can be programmed to work with multiple devices, including your TV, audio system, and other home theater components. It can be convenient if you want to use a single remote to control all your entertainment devices. To program it, you’ll need to enter a code corresponding to the device you want to control. These codes are in the manual, but you can also look them up on the DirecTV website.

DirecTV Genie Remote

The DirecTV Genie remote is a type of remote control specifically designed to work with a DirecTV Genie receiver. The Genie remote is a more advanced version of the standard DirecTV remote, and it includes additional features and functionality, such as the ability to control multiple TVs and access advanced menu options. The genie remote can control all genie devices in RF mode, even without a line of sight. However, it still works with other DirecTV receivers in IR mode.

How to Fix Remote for DirecTV Not Working

If your DirecTV remote is not working, there are a few possible reasons why this might be happening and a few troubleshooting steps you can try to fix the issue. Here are some things to try if your DirecTV remote isn’t working.

Check the connection

If you are using an IR DirecTV remote, you need to ensure the remote is within range of the receiver box and that there aren’t any objects blocking the signal between the two. If the receiver box is in a different room or behind a wall, you may need to use a DIRECTV IR Extender to ensure the remote can communicate with the box.

Check Battery Health

Your battery health may as well be the reason behind the remote for DirecTV not working issue. Fortunately, the DirecTV Universal Remote has an inbuilt battery level indicator. To check if your batteries need to be replaced, press and hold the 1 button and check for a green light. If it stays on, your batteries are good. If it blinks, it means they are weakening.

Reset DirecTV Receiver and Remote

The problem may also be that the receiver is not responding appropriately to the remote due to cache issues. You can reset your DirecTV remote and receiver to clear any temporary issues and return it to its default settings but still retain your recorded programs and saved settings.

Here’s how to Reset the Direct TV Receiver:

1. Unplug the power cord from the back of the receiver.
2. Wait 15 seconds.
3. Plug the power cord back into the receiver.
4. Wait for the receiver to restart and complete the boot-up process, which may take several minutes.

If you cannot reset the receiver using the above steps, you can also try resetting it using the reset button on the front or back panel of the receiver. To do this, locate the reset button and press and hold it for at least 10 seconds until the receiver restarts.

To reset the Direct TV Remote control:

1. Open the battery compartment cover and remove the batteries.
2. Press and hold the Power button for three seconds.
3. Insert the batteries again and close the battery compartment cover.

Check if the issue has been fixed.

Clean Your Direct TV Remote

The reason for your remote for DirecTV not working may be a minor issue such as dust build-up on the buttons or something else blocking the signal light bulb. In such a case, use a soft linen-based cloth to wipe the front panel of the receiver as well as the buttons.

Check for Stuck Buttons

Another cause for the remote for DirecTV not working issue is a button stuck in the pressed position. Such a button usually sends a signal, and it can make others unable to send their signal or the receiver unable to respond.

Use the DirecTV app

Another solution to remote for DirecTV not working is using the DirecTV app if you have a receiver model HR20 and above. The DirecTV app is available for iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Once you’ve installed it on your device, you’ll need to link it to your DirecTV account. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the DirecTV app on your phone or tablet.
2. Select “Sign In” from the main menu.
3. Enter the email address and password associated with your DirecTV account.
4. Select “Sign In” to link the app to your account.

Once you’ve signed in to the app, you can use it to control your DirecTV system and access all of the same features as you would with a physical remote control. You can change the channel, adjust the volume, browse the on-screen guide, and more, all from the app on your device.

Here’s how to access the remote control functionalities:

1. Open the DIRECTV App.
2. Select the remote control icon next to Settings.
3. Select a receiver from the drop-down list. If receivers are grayed out, they may be inactive or not connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your mobile device.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the setup.

The DirecTV app also has some additional features that you won’t find on a physical remote, such as the ability to stream live and recorded TV shows and movies on your phone or tablet. You can also use the app to set up and manage your DVR recordings and schedule future recordings.

Program DirecTV Remote Control

To program DirecTV remote TV control, you’ll need to enter a code corresponding to the device you want to control. Here’s how to program DirecTV remote:

1. Point the remote at your Genie HD DVR, Genie Mini, or Wireless Genie Mini.
2. Press and hold the MUTE and SELECT buttons on the remote until the green light at the top of the remote blinks twice.
3. Enter the code for the device using the number buttons on the remote. You can find a list of codes for various devices in the instruction manual that came with your remote, or you can look them up on the DirecTV website.
4. Point the remote at the device and press the POWER button. If the device turns off, the remote is now programmed to control it. If the device doesn’t turn off, try entering a different code and repeating the process.

If you’re having trouble programming your DirecTV remote, you can also try using the automatic code search feature. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Turn on the device you want to control (e.g., TV, audio system).
2. Press and hold the MUTE and SELECT buttons on the remote until the green light at the top of the remote blinks twice.
3. Press 9-8-1. The green light will blink twice.
4. Press the POWER button. The green light will blink twice.
5. Point the remote at the device and press the CHANNEL UP button repeatedly until the device turns off. When the device turns off, press the SELECT button to save the code.

If the device doesn’t turn off after going through all the codes, it means that the remote is not able to control that device. In that case, you’ll need to use a different remote or try a different method of controlling the device.

Consider replacing the remote

If none of the above troubleshooting steps fix the issue and your remote is still not working, it may be time to consider replacing it. You can purchase a new DirecTV remote from the DirecTV website or from a retailer that sells DirecTV products.

FAQ

Why is DirecTV remote not working?

The DirecTV remote not working issue can be caused by several issues, from minor ones to others that require you to replace the remote. The guide above should help you sort out any DirecTV remote issues you are having.

Where can I find DIRECTV remote codes?

DIRECTV provides a Remote Control Code Lookup tool you can use to find codes for your specific remote model.

How do I reset my remote?

To reset DIRECTV remotes to their default factory settings, press and hold the MUTE and SELECT buttons until the remote flashes three times. Then, enter 981 and press SELECT. The remote will flash four times to let you know it has been reset.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if your DirecTV remote is not working, there are several troubleshooting steps you can try to fix the issue. These include checking the batteries, checking the connection, resetting the remote, checking for updates, and replacing the remote if necessary. If you’re unable to fix the problem with your remote, you can also use the DirecTV app on your phone or tablet as an alternative way to control your DirecTV system. By following the above steps, you should be able to get your DirecTV remote back working in no time.

Enjoy!