The Apple TV remote automatically connects to your streaming device in 2-3 seconds. With an aluminum build, touchpad, dedicated Siri, and home buttons, the inline remote is one of the best things about the Apple TV experience. However, many have complained about Apple TV not responding to the remote. If you are facing the same problem, read on to find out the best ways to fix the problem.
Normally, you can keep pressing the power button on the Apple TV remote until a “Connected” popup appears in the upper right corner of the screen. If the problem persists, read the recommendations to get the remote working again. This issue can occur on Apple TV HD and all Apple TV 4K models, including the new Apple TV 4K (2022).
1. Wait a while
You’ll have to wait for your remote to connect to an Apple TV. Usually it takes about 2-3 seconds, but sometimes you may need to wait longer.
2. Move the remote near Apple TV
If you keep more distance between your Apple TV and the remote, it may lose connection and stop working. The latest Siri Remote works with your Apple TV via Bluetooth 5.0, which has a connection range of 40 meters. But the first-generation Apple TV remote comes with Bluetooth 4.0, which has a connection range of 10 meters.
Older Apple TV remotes with IR emitters have a connection range of only 5-6 meters. Also remove any physical objects between the Apple TV and the remote.
3. Restart the Apple TV Remote
You can restart your Apple TV remote and try to reconnect it. You need to turn on Apple TV and follow the steps below to complete the reboot process.
Step 1: Press and hold the Control Center and Volume Down buttons for five seconds.
2nd step: When the light on your Apple TV blinks, release the buttons and check for the “Lost Connection” pop-up on your screen.
Step 3: After 5-10 seconds, the “Remote Connected” notification should appear on the screen.
4. Check the Apple TV remote battery and charge it
Apple TV won’t respond to the remote if the battery is low. You will need to use the Apple TV remote from an iPhone or iPad and check the remote’s battery from the tvOS settings. Here’s what you need to do.
Step 1: Swipe down from the right corner of your iPhone to open Control Center.
2nd step: Tap the Apple TV remote icon and choose your TV.
Step 3: Use the virtual remote to open Apple TV settings.
Step 4: Open Remotes and Devices.
Step 5: Select Remote.
Step 6: Check the battery level of the remote control in the following menu.
If you have a Siri Remote, charge it using a Lightning or USB Type-C cable. For earlier remote control models, you must replace the old batteries.
5. Check HDMI mode
Apple TV will not respond to your remote if you are in the wrong source of HDMI mode. You will need to use the TV remote to switch to the correct Apple TV HDMI mode.
6. Check for Physical Damage
Have you recently dropped your Apple TV remote from a considerable height? This could seriously damage your remote control. Apple TV will not respond if your remote is badly broken. You should order a new Apple TV from the retailer and use the virtual remote on your iPhone or iPad for now.
7. Keep Apple TV Remote away from electronic devices
Home electronics and appliances can affect the remote signals from your Apple TV remote. You need to move your remote away from these devices and try again. A community member was experiencing remote input lag on Apple TV. He managed to solve the problem by moving the remote control away from a surge protector.
8. Use Siri Trick
This is yet another effective trick to activate your Apple TV remote. Say you have a Siri-enabled Apple TV remote, hold down the Siri button and ask the assistant a random question. When your Apple TV detects Siri, you can press the Back or Control Center button to return to the Home screen.
9. Update Apple TV
Apple regularly releases tvOS updates to add new features and fix bugs like unstable remote connections. You can use Apple TV remote on iPhone or iPad and update tvOS to the latest version.
Step 1: Open Settings on your Apple TV.
2nd step: Select System.
Step 3: Click Software Updates.
Step 4: Download and install tvOS updates from the following menu.
Enjoy smooth Apple TV navigation
Once you troubleshoot the remote, you should invest in an Apple TV remote cover to protect it from accidental damage. What trick worked for you? Share your findings in the comments below.