Why cant I connect my universal remote to my TV?

How to connect a universal remote to a TV :

1. Manually turn on the device (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.) you wish to program.

2. Press and hold the CODE SEARCH/SETUP button on the remote until the INDICATOR LIGHT lights, then release.

3. Press and release the button for the device you are programming (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.). For AUX, press AUX then the device Button you are assigning to AUX. The INDICATOR LIGHT will blink then remain lit.

4. Enter the three or four digit code for your device using the number buttons in the GE Universal Remote. After your code is entered the INDICATOR LIGHT will turn off.

5. Aim the remote at the device (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.) and press the POWER button. Your device should turn off.

Note:  If your device does not respond to the first code listed, If your TV, VCR, DVD, etc. does not respond after you have tried all the codes for your brand or if your brand is not listed, try searching for your codes by  following the steps below.

1.Turn on the device you wish to program.

2.LIGHT lights, then release. Press and hold CODE SEARCH/SETUP until the INDICATOR

3.programming (TV, VCR, DVD, etc.). The INDICATOR LIGHT will blink once then remain lit. For AUX, press AUX then the device

button you are assigning to AUX. Press and release the device button for the device you are

4. 2 seconds between each time you press POWER. Important: You may have to press POWER up to 250 times.Press and release POWER until your device turns off. Wait at least

5.INDICATOR LIGHT will go off.

When your device turns off press the ENTER/SAVE button. The SLEEP FEATURE (RM94902, RM94904 and RM94905) This feature will turn off your TV at the time you choose from 1-99 minutes.

To Use the Sleep Feature:

1. Press and hold the SLEEP button until the INDICATOR LIGHT stays lit.

2. Enter time in minutes using the numerical keypad. (Minutes 1-99;press 0 before the actual number).

3. Lease remote aimed at television. The Sleep Function will not function properly unless the remote is left aimed at the television.

Turn Off the Sleep Feature: 

Press and hold SLEEP until the INDICATOR LIGHT blinks or press the

POWER button to turn off the TV.

Article ID : 00188837 / Last Modified : 04/04/2019

IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.

Follow the steps below if your programmed universal remote control stops working:

1. Install new batteries in the remote control.
2. Make sure that the Infrared (IR) sensor of the device isn't blocked.
3. Depending on the remote control, press the appropriate function button or move the slide switch for the product to be operated.
4. Try using the remote control at varying distances from the product.
5. If the issue is still unresolved, reprogram the preset code number for the product into the remote control.
   • For preset code numbers and programming information, visit the Remote Control Programming Support website.

6. If the universal remote doesn't operate any devices, follow these additional steps.

Note:

• Some products require setting the Command Mode to allow remote operation. For model-specific information, check your manual.
• Some products must be turned on prior to remote operation.
• Universal remote controls may not be able to operate all the functions of a device. Special operations such as menu, sleep, and timer functions may require the use of the original remote control.
• Devices with no IR remote control functions can't be controlled.
• Products that require a Radio Frequency (RF) controller can't be controlled.

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Have you ever lost the remote to your TV? Unless you’re some kind of wizard, the answer is likely a resounding “yes.” Everyone misplaces remotes, and that’s where universal remote controls come into play. These devices can be programmed to work with almost any type of TV, DVD player, cable box, or other home theater and restore the convenience you lost.

They are particularly helpful if you purchase a CRT. If you’re looking for suggestions for a universal remote, the Philips Universal Remote is one of the most affordable and easiest to use. Don’t panic at the thought of programming a universal remote, either – it only takes a few minutes to do and absolutely no technical skill. 

There are multiple ways to program a universal remote, but the two most common are direct code entry and auto code search.

Before you begin, make sure the remote has fresh batteries and that the TV is plugged in. The programming process can take several minutes to complete, but you want no interruptions during this time. If the signal between the TV and the remote is lost, you’ll have to start from the beginning.

Something else to bear in mind is that not all universal remotes use the same programming methods. While this guide is a generalized article for how to program a remote, refer to the specific instructions that come with your brand of remote. 

A Note On Remote Types

Every brand of universal remote is different. Some will have a series of buttons for specific devices like a DVR, while others will have more generalized buttons like TV, STR, and AUD. A little-known fact is that it doesn’t matter which button you use – any device can be linked to any button.

If you want to control a Blu-Ray player but you don’t have the corresponding button on your remote, just pick a device button. Write it down so you don’t forget later on.

How to Program a Universal Remote Through Direct Code Entry

Direct Code Entry is the most recommended method for programming a universal remote. It relies on an included Code List for specific devices, although this same list can be found online based on the brand of your remote. 

1. If you have the included documentation for your universal remote, look at the codes for your specific brand of TV or device. If you don’t have the documentation, look online for a code list.
2. Press and hold the Setup button on your remote until the red light turns on.

1. Press the button on your remote for the type of device you want to control, whether a TV or a set-top box. The red light will turn on and remain on. 

1. Use the numbers on your remote to enter the first of the four-digit codes listed on your code list. The red light on your remote will turn off after you’ve entered the final digit.

1. After you’ve entered the final digit, point your remote at your device and test whether it controls the device like you expect. If it doesn’t, repeat steps two through four. After you find a code that works for one device, repeat all of the above steps as many times as needed for each device you want the remote to control.

Not every code in the code list will control every aspect of your device. For example, one code might turn a TV on and off and change the channel, but it won’t control the volume. If you find a code that only controls part of a device, keep testing codes until you find one that works for every aspect – then write that code down for safekeeping.

How to Program a Universal Remote Through Auto Code Search

Auto code search is probably the easiest programming method, as it requires the least amount of input on your part. It searches an internal database and tries code after code until it finds one that works. The previously-mentioned Philips Universal Remote uses auto code search, and programming it goes like this: 

1. Turn on the TV or device you want to sync the remote with.
2. Press the Setup button until the red light on the remote activates.

1. Press the button on the remote that corresponds to the device you’re trying to program; for the sake of the example, we’ll say TV. The red light will blink one time and remain on.

1. Point the remote at your TV and then press and release the Power button on the remote. The red light will blink several times and then remain on once it has finished transmitting codes.

1. If your TV turned off, manually press the power button on the TV itself. If not, repeat steps four and five.
2. Point the remote at the TV and press the Volume Up button. This will resend the first ten codes from step four. If the TV turns off, it means you’ve found a code that works for it. If not, press the Volume Up button to test the other codes, allowing roughly three seconds between presses. Repeat this until you find the correct code. 

1. Press the Power button on the remote to turn your TV back on, then test the other buttons on the remote to make sure everything works as it should. If a button doesn’t work, go back to step two. 

Note that auto code search will only work with a device that has an on/off button. If your TV doesn’t have manual control features (or they are broken), then you’ll need to use Direct Code Entry instead. 

What Are the Most Common Universal Remotes?

If you begin to search for universal remotes, you’ll soon find that every brand from Magnavox to Sanyo produces them. Keep in mind that you do not need to match the brand of your universal remote to your TV. 

Itdoesn’t matter if you have a Sylvania TV and an Orion remote – as long as the remote is a programmable universal device, it will work with almost anything. However, the most common types of universal remotes are from the brands RCA, Philips, and – if you want to invest in a more expensive option – Logitech. 

RCA provides the Remote Code Finder website, a database that makes it easy to enter the revision model of your remote, the brand name, and the device type, and easily find a list of codes. 

If you want to control more modern TVs (and even streaming services like Apple TV), consider the Logitech Harmony. This is a high-end universal remote that can control a vast number of devices.  

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