How to Connect a Universal Remote to a TV? [Full Guide]

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Nowadays, the streaming device market is brimming with a wide array of brands, like Roku, Samsung, LG, Vizio, Sony, etc. Different TV manufacturers design different remotes for their streaming devices. Roku TV uses the Roku remote, Samsung TV uses the Samsung TV remote, and the same is true for other brands.

Fortunately, the universal remote breaks the dilemma as it is compatible with various TV brands. To use a universal remote to control your TVs from different brands, you need to set up a connection between the remote and these TVs. There are different tutorials on how to connect a universal remote to a TV.

Two Types of Universal Remotes

Before diving into the programming process, let's have a look at the types of universal remotes. They are generally divided into virtual universal remotes and physical universal remotes.

Virtual universal remotes, also known as universal remote apps, extend the functionality of your mobile device, turning it into a versatile remote control. In other words, you can use your mobile device to control multi-brand streaming devices.

Physical universal remotes are handheld devices that function by initiating the signals sent by the original remotes for a variety of electronic devices such as TVs, DVD players, sound systems, and streaming devices.

Universal remotes from well-known brands, like GE, One For All, and RCA are available. Prices for universal remotes vary widely, from basic models costing around $10-$20 to high-end models with advanced features costing $100 or more.

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How to Program a Virtual Universal Remote?

There are multiple choices of universal remote apps, and the free TV remote app (learn more) issued by BoostVision Technology is popular for its high compatibility, friendly use, and versatility. If you have a Roku box, Apple TV, and Samsung TV simultaneously, the app could be a good assistant to you.

Universal remote apps like the above third-party app function after a pairing process as they generally interact with streaming devices over a Wi-Fi network. Typically, the pairing process goes as follows:

Step 1. Install the universal remote app on your smartphone or tablet.

Step 2. Launch the app after ensuring your mobile device is connected to the same network as your streaming device.

Step 3. Tap the connect button on the app interface and follow the on-screen instructions to finish the connection.

• See also: How to connect phone to smart TV?

How to Program a Physical Universal Remote?

Even though the majority of universal remotes utilize infrared technology to communicate with TVs, programming them is usually necessary for them to work properly with various TV brands and models, as each TV model has a particular set of IR codes that it reacts to.

How to connect universal remote to TV? There are many different methods to connect a universal remote to a TV, including auto code search, direct code entry, and brand code search. These methods are a bit different, and the following reveals their differences.

Auto Code Search

Auto code search, also known as auto-programming, allows you to program a universal remote to a TV without codes. If you have no idea of the specific code for the brand or type of device you wish to control, auto-programming could be the optimal solution.

Here are the general steps to pair a universal remote to a TV in this method:

Step 1. Turn on your TV by pressing the physical power button if you have no access to the TV remote.

Step 2. While pointing the universal remote to the TV, press and release the TV button on the universal remote.

Step 3. Press the TV button again and the power button at the same time. Hold them until the power light turns off and then back on.

Step 4. Press and release the play button on the universal remote and wait to see if the TV turns off, indicating the correct code. If the TV remains on, press the play button again and wait for the turn-off process.

Step 5. Press and release the reverse button on the universal remote every two seconds until the TV turns on. This will happen when the remote has successfully searched for the corrected code.

Step 6. Press the stop button to save the code and test if the universal remote controls your TV functions.

Direct Code Entry

Here comes the second way to establish the connection between a universal remote and your TV, which could be the easiest way to program the remote by inputting a specific code provided in the remote's manual for each device.

Here is how to program a universal remote via direct code entry:

Step 1. Power on your TV and point the universal remote at the TV.

Step 2. Press the setup button (optional) on the universal remote and press and hold the TV button. The LEDs for your TV and power buttons will light up.

Step 3. Enter the code for your TV while holding the TV button. Continue holding the TV button when the power button on the remote turns off.

Step 4. See if the power button lights up again and stays on. If yes, the code you entered is correct, and you can release the TV button; if the power button blinks several times, the code is incorrect, and you need to repeat the above steps.

Step 5. After pairing, test if the universal remote works with your TV.

Brand Code Search

Brand code search integrates the advantages of the above two methods, simplifying the programming procedure by using a database of pre-set codes organized by brands.

Step 1. Turn on the TV you wish to control and point the universal remote to it.

Step 2. Locate the brand codes from the list provided with the universal remote.

Step 3. Press and hold the TV button on the universal remote. Continue holding the button when its LED turns on and remains on.

Step 4. While holding the TV button, press and hold the power button, and the power button should light up.

Step 5. Release both buttons and see if the TV button remains on. If yes, move to the next step; if not, repeat the steps.

Step 6. Enter the first code of the brand, while the TV button's LED is on.

Step 7. Press and release the power button repeatedly on the remote to try turning off your TV. If your TV turns off, the remote has found the correct code.

Step 8. Press the stop button on the universal remote to save the code (the LED light turning off), then press other buttons to test if your TV responds to the remote.

Conclusion

Whether you choose a virtual or physical universal remote, a programming procedure is necessary to ensure all the functions of your TV can be controlled by the remote control. How to pair universal remote to TV? The steps have been displayed above; if you can't pair the remote to your TV through those steps, contact the app developer or manufacturer for professional assistance.