Your Samsung Sound Bar Remote Not Working? FIX IT NOW!

Samsung sound bar remote not working, and you wonder why? Continue reading this guide!

The remote of the Samsung soundbar may be refusing to communicate due to a battery issue, improper device programming, or an obstructed line of sight/interference.

So, this guide will help you unveil reliable solutions for the problem and provide you with top-tier troubleshooting.

If the Samsung soundbar’s remote is not working, reinsert the batteries, reprogram the remote, and hard reset the Samsung soundbar.

If the issue persists, clear out potential wireless interference and input the remote’s “Reset” key combination.

Now, let’s discover the possible causes of the issue!

Why Did the Samsung Soundbar Remote Stopped Working?

samsung sound bar remote not working

Here’s what can prevent the Samsung soundbar’s remote from working:

Keep reading to uncover the solutions for the issues above!

Samsung Sound Bar Remote Not Working – Quick Fix

Note: Have you tried using the remote while standing right in front of the Samsung soundbar?

1. Discharge the Soundbar’s Remote Control

Well, performing a hard reset on the Samsung soundbar’s remote control should be your first step, as it can eliminate all underlying functionality issues.

The discharge can be achieved by temporarily removing the batteries from the remote’s compartment and waiting for 60 seconds.

Here’s how to discharge the Samsung remote control:

1. Place the Samsung remote upside-down.
2. Remove the battery compartment’s cover from the bottom.
3. Next, remove both battery units from the compartment.
4. Press and hold the remote’s “Power” button for 30 seconds.
5. Place both batteries back into the compartment and close it.
6. Try to use your remote control with your Samsung soundbar.

Important: Insert a Fresh Set of Batteries!

If only discharging the remote did not restore the functionality, you should insert a fresh set of two AAA alkaline batteries into the compartment of the remote.

Ensure the batteries match the polarity of the compartment and the “negative” battery side touches your remote’s spring.

Note: No point in further troubleshooting if you’re not confident that the batteries are working!

2. Unplug the Samsung Soundbar’s Power

You can address issues with the Samsung soundbar by temporarily suspending the power supply of the hardware.

An underlying issue with the soundbar’s power supply may prevent clear communication with the remote control and result in consistent communication issues.

Here’s how to properly “power” cycle the Samsung soundbar:

1. Turn off the soundbar by holding “Power” for 5 seconds.
2. Wait until all of Samsung’s indicators have powered off.
3. Next, unplug the power cord of the Samsung soundbar.
4. Press and hold the “Power” button for ~15–30 seconds.
5. Finally, reseat the supplying cord back into the wall outlet.

Tip: Inspect the condition of the outlet and the soundbar’s power cable while it is unplugged!

3. Clean the Soundbar & Remote Sensors

The next step is to ensure the communication of the Samsung soundbar’s remote is not blocked by dust or debris on either of the IR sensors. 

The Samsung soundbar remote control uses an infrared sensor to project the signal wave, and its final destination is the soundbar’s IR sensor.

Thus, if one of the sensors is blocked, covered, or obstructed by anything, your remote won’t be able to control the soundbar, as it requires a direct line of sight.

How to Clean “IR” Sensors On Samsung Equipment?

Cleaning the IR sensor must be done with a microfiber cloth and some rubbing alcohol to neutralize all obstructions on the surface of the receiver.

• Ensure the cloth is clean and wait until both receivers are fully dry before testing the remote control. 

To ensure the sensor does not get obstructed by anything going forward, avoid positioning your Samsung soundbar or storing the remote in dusty or non-ventilated compartments. 

Important: Have you checked if there is an object in front of the Samsung soundbar IR receiver?

4. Clear Out Wireless IR Interference

The original and all universal Samsung soundbar remotes are designed to only use IR signals to communicate with the soundbar.

Hence, a potential interference caused by nearby devices or physical obstructions will prevent the remote’s signal from reaching the receiver of the soundbar.

Here’s what can interfere with the sound bar remote’s IR:

• Any electronic devices with built-in IR sensors.
• Bluetooth, wireless, or cellular devices nearby.
• Fluorescent, sunlight, or flashing LED lightning.
• Physical obstructions, such as large furniture.

The solution to interference is to keep all wireless devices and anything that can block or cover the signal in a 10–15-foot range from the soundbar, and the remote.

Quick Tip: Try using the remote control right in front of the Samsung soundbar!

5. Reprogram the Samsung Remote

Perhaps, the remote control has lost programming with the Samsung soundbar, and you’re no longer able to use it for communication.

The next step is to complete the initial programming of the remote to re-detect the Samsung soundbar’s IR receiver and establish a successful pairing.

Follow these instructions to reprogram the remote to the Samsung soundbar:

1. Verify the Samsung soundbar is plugged in and powered on.
2. Point the remote towards the soundbar and press “Source.”
3. Keep holding the button for ~15 seconds to start the pairing.
4. Release the button when the display says “ID Set” or “Optical.”

When pressed once, the “Source” button will cycle to the next input of the Samsung soundbar.

• If the device was previously set to “HDMI,” pressing “Source” will set it to “Optical” and so on.

Tip: Activating Samsung’s wireless function requires pressing the “Bluetooth” or “BT” button!

6. Test the Remote Controls’s IR Blaster

If the programming was also unsuccessful, you can test the remote’s IR blaster by pointing it toward your digital or smartphone camera.

Any button pressed on the remote should initiate an infrared signal, which is invisible to the naked human eye but capturable by any digital camera.

So, open the “Camera” application on your smartphone, point the remote control towards the IR bulb, and press any button.

If the remote is working, you should see a purplish blinking light only through the smartphone camera, which activates every time you press a button on your remote.

Warning: If you see no blinking light when pressing buttons through the camera, it means that the remote control is not working so replace the batteries.

7. Factory Reset the Samsung Remote Control

Another practical solution is to reset the system of the Samsung remote control.

Keep in mind that the reset instructions vary based on the model of remote control you have, but finalizing the procedure resets the remote’s connection to the soundbar.

Here’s how to factory reset the remote of the Samsung soundbar:

1. First, remove the batteries from the remote control compartment.
2. Hold the “Power” and “Settings” button on the remote’s faceplate.
3. After 15 seconds, reinsert both battery units and test the remote.

Note: If the remote does not have a “Settings” or cogwheel button, use “Home” instead!

8. Control the Soundbar over HDMI-CEC (Workaround)

Well, if nothing works, we have a temporary solution before purchasing a new remote, which is activating and configuring the “HDMI-CEC” feature on the connected TV. 

The functionality allows you to bypass your Samsung soundbar remote control completely and operate the device using your TV remote instead. 

Follow these steps to set up “HDMI-CEC” on your TV:

1. Open the “Settings” application or tab on your TV device.
2. Navigate to the “HDMI” or “Video” tab from the categories.
3. Scroll down and locate the “HDMI-CEC” feature in the list.
4. Highlight the pane using the remote control and press “OK.”
5. After the feature has been set to “On,” exit the configuration.

When ready, the “Volume” and “Power” functions of the TV’s remote control will also work on the Samsung soundbar, as long as both devices are within range.

While TV remote functions are soundbar-compatible for the most part, you should still conduct tests for your model.

Note: If you can’t find the feature, check online or consult with the TV’s user manual for exact HDMI-CEC activation instructions.

Quick Recap

So, if the Samsung sound bar remote not working, discharge the remote control, replace the batteries, and reprogram it to the Samsung soundbar.

If the problem persists, check if there’s IR interference, set up “HDMI-CEC” on your TV and factory reset the remote.

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