Onkyo Receiver Remote Not Working? (Let’s Fix it Fast!)

Your Onkyo receiver remote not working, and you’re wondering why? We know the solution!

Whether this is the first time your Onkyo receiver’s remote has ceased functioning or you have encountered this issue previously, it’s either the battery or the programming.

You can effectively address the issue with either of these steps:

Keep reading to understand each of the solutions in detail!

How to Fix Onkyo Receiver Remote Not Working?

Note: Have you checked if the remote’s LED lamp responds to pressing buttons?

1. Reinsert the Remote Control Batteries

Often referred to as a “discharge,” temporarily removing your Onkyo receiver remote batteries can be an effective solution for underlying communication issues. 

The quality of the batteries themselves and a variety of environmental factors can cause them to wear much faster and degrade over a quicker period.

Therefore, here’s how to reinsert the batteries of your Onkyo remote:

1. Turn the remote upside down and locate the compartment.
2. Push the latch upwards to remove the compartment’s cover.
3. Eject both batteries from the sockets on your Onkyo remote.
4. Hold the “Power” button on the remote for about 20 seconds.
5. Next, hold each other button on the remote for 2–3 seconds.
6. Reinsert the batteries back into the remote and test the device.

Note: If the remote is still unresponsive, try inserting a fresh set of triple-A batteries!

What Causes Remote Batteries to Wear Faster?

The most often factors for accelerated battery consumption involve:

• Frequent or long-term use of the remote control.
• Misuse of the batteries, not using the remote unit.
• Environmental factors including heat or humidity.
• A fault with the internal components of the remote.

Important: Inspect the small polarity springs inside the compartment and verify that they are not missing, bent, or defective.

2. Initiate a Remote Factory Reset

A practical fix if the Onkyo receiver remote not working is to perform a remote factory reset.

As long as the remote has intact batteries, the TV’s LED lamp on the front tip should blink twice if the procedure is done.

The remote will then be reprogrammed automatically to the receiver.

Here’s how to factory reset the Onkyo receiver remote:

1. Ensure both of the remote control’s batteries are in.
2. Locate the “Mode” and “Clear” buttons on the unit.
3. Hold the buttons for 4 seconds until the LED blinks.
4. Wait until the remote has reset after the second blink.

If the factory reset is successful, the Onkyo remote control will be temporarily unresponsive and the LED light will go blank. 

Note: Wait for at least 20–30 seconds before attempting to interact with the Onkyo receiver and determine if the issue is fixed.

3. Upload the Latest Onkyo Firmware

Users suggested that uploading the most current firmware for your Onkyo receiver could indeed address communication issues with the remote control.

All you need is a USB flash drive and a PC or laptop that’s connected to the internet.

3.1 How to Download Onkyo Firmware Update?

1. Connect the USB flash drive to one of your PC’s ports.
2. Go to the Onkyo’s receivers page on your PC or laptop.
3. Next, press on the respective receiver model you have.
4. Navigate to the firmware update page and click the link.
5. Wait until the latest firmware for your receiver is installed.
6. After that, open the storage drive of your USB flash drive.
7. Ensure all content and files are removed from the drive.
8. Then, drag and drop the firmware file into the USB storage.

3.2 How to Upload the Onkyo Firmware Update?

Well, updating the receiver requires navigating through the system menu. Assuming the remote control is still unresponsive, use the directional buttons on the front pad to navigate the menu.

Once you have the OS downloaded on your USB, follow these steps to install it:

1. Plug the USB drive into one of the USB ports on Onkyo.
2. Now, press [SETTINGS/GEAR] to open the setup menu.
3. Set “Multi-Zone” and “HDMI CEC” to Off within the menu.
4. Head to “Miscellaneous” and head to “Firmware Update.”
5. Search for the “Firmware Update” line on the settings page.
6. Highlight the tile using the directional buttons and press “OK.”
7. Wait until the firmware procedure starts and the unit updates.

Note: Do not interact with the Onkyo receiver while the update is still in progress!

4. Check for Physical Obstructions (Interference)

Another reason why the Onkyo remote not working with receiver may be because of underlying interference in your setup.

As established, all Onkyo receiver models use a standard IR signal to communicate with the device, which can be easily interfered with.

• Typically, there are two interference types – wireless and physical interference.

4.1 How to Address ‘Physical’ Interference?

Physical interference is much more common with IR remotes, in comparison to ones that use Bluetooth or radio frequency.

To ensure there’s none in your setup, move away solid objects in front or close to your receiver or remote that could be actively blocking the signal. 

Also, verify the IR lamps on both your remote and receiver are free of dust accumulation, and try moving closer to the receiver while using the remote. 

4.2 How to Address ‘Wireless’ Interference?

Wireless interference on the other hand is often caused by wireless devices or ones that emit any type of frequency.

This includes Bluetooth devices, Wi-Fi, and even cellular phones, as potential causes of interference.

Note: We recommend moving all wireless devices away from your receiver and remote while testing for interference, to determine if there will be a change. 

5. Re-program the Onkyo Remote

Unlike the remote reset, this procedure involves re-establishing the signal connection between the receiver and the remote.

By default, IR remotes do not require a programming sequence to reconnect, but in this scenario, your Onkyo receiver needs to be registered as an output device.

Here’s how to re-program the Onkyo remote in easy steps:

1. Ensure the Onkyo receiver is plugged in and turned on.
2. Hold “DISPLAY” and “REMOTE MODE” on the remote.
3. Wait for the remote’s indicator to light up in input mode.
4. Check if the receiver responds to the remote’s inputs.

Tip: If the remote does not seem to respond, try pressing the “0” button on the keypad 5 times after repeating the programming instructions. 

6. Buy and Test via Universal Remote

The best method to determine whether the issue is with the Onkyo remote or the receiver is to use a universal IR remote. 

As established, the Onkyo receiver uses a standard IR communication to operate over distance, so a universal remote should be able to operate some of the receiver’s features.

• Check if your TV’s remote uses IR and not RF (Bluetooth – radio frequency) and test it on the Onkyo receiver.

If the Onkyo receiver responds to a third-party remote control, consider buying a replacement.

Note: Some universal remotes require additional programming to work with a third-party device!