The Apple TV remote is a slick and minimalist controller that allows you to easily navigate the Apple TV interface and select content. But what do you do when the remote stops responding? A non-working Apple TV remote can be frustrating, especially if you rely on the streaming device for entertainment. Even many users reported that their Apple TV remove not working. So, here we are going to share some tips to get rid of the issue.
My Apple TV Remote Not Working: Reasons and Solutions
The Remote Has Run Out of Batteries
The most obvious issue is that your Siri Remote has run out of battery power. Check the bottom of the remote to see if the battery icon is flashing red to indicate low battery.
To resolve, you’ll need to connect your remote to a Lightning to USB cable and plug it into a USB power adapter or a Mac/PC to charge. Apple recommends charging for at least 30 minutes, which should provide months of battery life.
Remote and Apple TV Have Lost Connection
If your remote has sufficient battery charge but still won’t connect to your Apple TV, the two devices may have lost their pairing connection.
You can re-pair them by holding down the Menu button and Volume Up simultaneously on the remote while pointing it directly at the Apple TV from around 3 inches away. The remote’s status light should blink rapidly when pairing mode is activated.
Physical Interference Between Devices
Check whether there are any physical objects that could be obstructing or interfering with the line-of-sight connection between the remote and Apple TV.
Bluetooth connectivity can be disrupted by objects in the path or significant distances greater than 20 feet. Move them closer together and remove any obstructing objects.
Older Apple TV Software Version
If you haven’t updated in a while, an outdated Apple TV software version could be preventing full remote functionality.
Go to Settings > System > Software Updates to check for and install the latest tvOS update. A more recent update may resolve remote connectivity issues.
Remote Requires Restart
As a hardware reset, you can restart the Siri Remote by pressing and holding the TV/Control Center button and Volume Down simultaneously for 5+ seconds until the status light blinks.
This will restart the remote and re-establish the connection. You may see a “Connection Lost” notification on screen.
Apple TV Requires Restart
Similarly, you can restart the Apple TV hardware by unplugging the power cord for at least 6 seconds before reconnecting.
Allow the Apple TV to fully reboot and this may resolve any software issues preventing remote commands from going through.
Hardware Damage
In some cases, hardware damage on either device could be causing remote malfunctions. For example, severe damage to the remote or its Bluetooth antenna can disrupt connections.
Carefully inspect both the remote and Apple TV for any signs of external damage. This may require professional repair or replacement if the issues persist.
Alternative Control Methods
If you’ve tried the above troubleshooting tips and the Apple TV remote still isn’t working, there are a few alternative control methods available:
- Use the Apple TV Remote app on iPhone/iPad to remotely control the interface.
- Control Apple TV via Siri voice commands by holding down the remote’s Siri button.
- Connect another MFi Bluetooth remote or Apple wireless keyboard.
- Use the touch surface on top of Apple TV 4K models to navigate if needed.
When To Contact Apple Support
If you’ve exhausted all remote troubleshooting steps and the issue persists, reach out to Apple Support for further assistance. You can contact them online or by phone.
Be prepared to provide your Apple TV and remote model number, tvOS version, and detailed information about the issues you’re experiencing. Apple Support can diagnose deeper problems and arrange repair or replacement if covered by warranty.
A non-responsive Apple TV remote can certainly be annoying, but following this troubleshooting guide should help get you back in control. Check connections, charge the battery, restart both devices, and update software. With luck, your remote will be working again in no time. If you need more tips for the same, share your feedback in the comment box.