How to fix Apple TV remote not working properly

Key takeaways:
Check the battery level of your remote. On your Apple TV, open Settings > Remotes and Devices > Remote.
Restart Apple TV remote. Press and hold the TV/Control Center button together with Volume Down for 5 seconds. Then release the buttons and wait for a Connection Lost message to appear on your TV screen.
Pair the remote if it didn't pair automatically. Hold the remote about three inches from your Apple TV, then press and hold Back/Menu + Up for at least 5 seconds. When prompted, place the remote on your Apple TV to complete the pairing process.

Apple TV remote won’t pair or you find it malfunctioning in another way? Let’s look at what might be causing the trouble and how to reset Apple TV remote to regain power over your TV experience. I'll include both officially recommended methods and tips that have worked for me personally.

Reasons why you find Apple TV remote not working

When you find yourself wondering, “why is my Apple TV remote not working?” all of the main possible reasons fall into two categories:

Battery problems. If the power charge levels are too low, or the battery itself is already weak or worn out, your Apple TV remote won’t pair with the rest of your media setup.
Lack of connection. This may be due to a hardware failure within your Apple TV or the remote. Otherwise simply checking and removing sources of wireless interference will help solve this issue.

How to fix an Apple TV remote

Below is a list of the most effective fixes. Tip #6 saves me whenever my Apple TV remote is not working.

#1. Move the remote closer to the Apple TV

Sometimes, a quick relocation can fix the issue, saving you time looking deeper into possible solutions. If your Apple TV is not responding to the remote, try moving closer to the Apple TV box. While the remote Bluetooth connection range varies from 10 to 40 meters depending on your device’s model, it’s a good idea to get the remote near your Apple TV to see if it starts responding.

#2. Charge your remote

Another basic troubleshooting step is checking whether your Apple remote is not working simply because it ran out of battery. If you have a modern remote, use a Lightning or USB-C cable to charge it, which will take about 15 to 30 minutes. If you have one of the older models from before 2013, instead of charging it, you’ll have to replace the 2032 coin cell battery by twisting the panel on the back.

#3. Reset your Apple TV remote

This method is basically the same as the good old “turn it off and back on again” trick, which is often very effective at solving minor technical glitches. Here’s how to reset the Apple TV remote:

Press and hold the TV/Control Center button (a box icon with a line underneath) and the Volume Down button for at least five seconds.
Release the buttons and wait for the Connection Lost message to appear.
Wait for your remote to restart and the Connected message to appear.

This kind of reset should quickly help repair the Apple TV remote.

#4. Use a shielded HDMI cable

An Apple TV remote uses Bluetooth to communicate with an Apple TV, but the cable connecting the box and the TV itself may cause wireless interference for Bluetooth. If it’s not properly shielded, it may act as an antenna broadcasting electromagnetic waves. Replacing that cable with a well-shielded HDMI can prevent existing and future problems with the Apple TV remote not working.

If you suspect your network may be experiencing problems or interference, also try using NetSpot to check it out. NetSpot is an instant Wi-Fi booster that lets you find and fix weak spots in your wireless coverage relying on clear visual data (see below). With NetSpot, no technical background is needed to run fast signal diagnostics, manage, and troubleshoot any network in question.

Follow these steps to optimize and extend your Wi-Fi signal with NetSpot:

Perform a live Wi-Fi scan with built-in speed tests for any points in your living, outdoor, or office space.
Visualize where the signal is strong or weak.
Find areas of channel interference.
Adjust the locations of your access points and choose placement for new hotspots, if needed.

#5. Unpair and re-pair your remote

Perhaps, the wireless connection has been lost, and that’s why your Apple TV remote is not working anymore. Follow these steps if your Apple TV not responding to the remote:

Hold your remote about three inches from the Apple TV.
Press and hold the Back or Menu button and volume up for about five seconds.
Place the remote on top of your Apple TV box to complete pairing if prompted.
Restart your Apple TV.

If resetting and re-pairing your Apple TV remote didn’t help, that could be a sign that it’s your Apple TV that’s causing the problem. Try restarting the whole setup to repair Apple TV remote. To do this, simply unplug your Apple TV from power for at least six seconds, then plug it back in.

#6. Use the Apple TV remote app

Here goes my favorite tip, which works in 99.99% of cases. Apart from its native remote, Apple offers you an alternative way to control your Apple TV, and that’s with the Apple TV Remote app on your iPhone or iPad. If this is not the first time you’re wondering why your Apple TV remote won’t pair, it’s definitely time to set up the app on your iOS devices. Here’s how:

Go to Settings > Control Center.
Tap + next to the Apple TV Remote icon to add it to Control Center.
Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen and press the remote icon.
Choose your TV from the menu.
Follow the on-screen instructions to enter a four-digit code.

#7. Buy a new remote (if all else fails)

If you’re still wondering, “Why is my Apple TV remote not working?” while you’re able to control your Apple TV with your iPhone or a third-party remote, that may indicate that your Apple remote has a hardware problem. At this point, you’d have to contact Apple for further assistance and possible repairs, or replace the remote altogether, which would cost you about $59.

Try these apps if Apple TV is not responding to remote

Although the Apple TV remote not working is a common issue among users, luckily, most of the time, it’s pretty easy to fix. Depending on the root cause of the problem, you’ll either have to recharge, re-pair, or reset your remote. I recommend trying these methods first before moving to more complex and costly ones.

If you're looking to improve your streaming and watching experience, grab JustStream (to get desired video quality when mirroring your Mac screen to your Apple TV) and NetSpot (to ensure a strong network connection for each device at all times). Both apps are available to you for free through a seven-day trial of Setapp, a platform of more than 250 high-performance iOS and macOS apps.

FAQs

How do I reset my Apple TV with a frozen remote?

If your remote is frozen, use the Apple TV Remote app on your iPhone or iPad to access the TV’s settings and reset your Apple TV without a remote.

How do you know when your Apple TV remote is dying?

Your Apple TV will show you an on-screen notification if your remote battery is low. You can also check it yourself by going into Settings, clicking on Remotes and Devices, then clicking Remote.

How do I force reset Apple TV?

Simply open its Settings > System > Reset, then select Reset. If your Apple TV is unresponsive, you can force reset it by unplugging the device, waiting for six seconds, and then plugging it back in.

How do I connect to Apple TV without a remote?

Install the free Apple TV Remote app on any iOS device that’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Apple TV. Tap on Add Apple TV option in the app to pair the two devices and connect to Apple TV.

Can I use my iPhone as an Apple TV remote?

Yes, absolutely. Install an Apple TV Remote app on your iOS device and easily use it as a remote.