Is Your Denon Remote Not Working? (Here’s The Easy Fix!)

If the Denon remote is not working, we developed a few proven-to-work and easy solutions! 

The sudden malfunction of the Denon receiver’s remote can be a result of inactive batteries, disrupted line of sight or programming issues.

We’ve structured a guide featuring the most helpful solutions, such as:

Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of each solution above!

Denon Remote Not Working – 7 Effective Solutions!

Note: Have you tried rebooting the Denon receiver?

1. Reinsert the Remote Control Batteries

The most frequent cause for the recurring functionality loss of your Denon receiver’s remote control are dead or weak batteries.

Thus, the first solution is to reinsert the batteries, drain all of the remote’s residue electricity and place the batteries back in.

In other words, here’s how to ‘power cycle’ the Denon remote control:

1. Locate the battery compartment on the remote’s underside.
2. Pull the release latch to open the battery compartment unit.
3. Next, eject both batteries from the remote’s battery storage.
4. Hold the “Power” button of the remote for about 20 seconds.
5. Press and hold each of the remote’s buttons for ~3 seconds.

If reinserting the batteries did not have any effect, then it’s time to replace the remote’s batteries with brand-new ones.

So, based on the receiver model, the remote either takes two double-A batteries or two triple-A batteries. 

2. Correct the Remote’s Line of Sight

Similar to other universal TV remotes, the Denon remote control too uses an IR (Infrared) signal to communicate with the receiver.

So, unlike radio frequency remotes working over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, with IR, there must be a direct line of sight with the TV/receiver.

So, start by removing solid obstructions in between the receiver and remote, such as any type of furniture.

Now, dislocate other wireless devices in close proximity to the Denon receiver or the remote to ensure there are no aerial conflicts with the transmitted signal.

Also, move within a 3–5 feet distance from the receiver and check if the remote will now work! 

3. Hard Reset the Denon Receiver

A standard method to resolve the Denon receiver remote not working issue is to perform a hard reset on the receiver.

As the name of the method suggests, a hard reset involves temporarily suspending the receiver’s power supply until all system services are relaunched successfully.

So, follow these steps to hard reset the Denon receiver:

1. Press the “Power” button on the receiver’s front panel.
2. Wait until the device powers off, and the display goes out.
3. Unplug the power adapter of the receiver from the outlet.
4. Wait for a full 40–45 seconds until the device discharges.
5. Reconnect the power cable and test the Denon remote.

While at it, check if there’s any issue with the power supply equipment of the Denon receiver!

There are several important things to check concerning the receiver’s power:

• The functionality of the power outlet.
• The functionality of external equipment.
• The functionality of the power adapter.

Quick Tip: You should try connecting the Denon receiver to a different outlet, removing all third-party equipment and if possible, testing with another power cable. 

4. Change the Remote’s Operation Zone

Your Denon receiver’s remote has an Operating Target Zone that shifts the communication patterns.

By default, all Denon remotes are designed to communicate with the receiver on the “MAIN ZONE” that can be activated via a simple button combination.

If you’ve accidentally picked an unprogrammed zone, it is possible for the remote to temporarily cease all operations to the receiver and other devices.

• You can change the remote’s zone by pressing “MAIN” or “ZONE2” on the remote!

If the operation zone changes successfully, the indicator lamp next to the remote’s tip should illuminate in solid blue.

Pressing the button multiple times will cycle through all available zones, so test the other remote functions after each press.

5. Clean the Receiver’s Remote Control

Perhaps, some of the Denon remote control’s buttons got stuck as a result of excessive dust accumulation or debris underneath the keypad. 

Well, remote disassembly is fairly simple, as the Denon remote has an average of 4–6 screws, using a Philips-headed screwdriver.

Remove the remote’s batteries, undo each of the screws, and gently pull down the bottom compartment to expose the keypad.

Use a microfiber cloth along with some rubbing alcohol to carefully collect dust accumulation.

Note: Do not re-insert the batteries before the remote’s hardware has fully dried up!

6. Deactivate the Television’s HDMI-CEC

HDMI-CEC interference is one of the least known causes for the Denon remote not working issues.

So, the HDMI-CEC (HDMI Consumer Electronics Control) is a convenience-oriented feature, but could often misuse the remote’s signal and cease all receiver communications.

For that purpose, the next step is to use your TV’s remote control to manually access the system menu and ensure the “HDMI-CEC” feature is set to “Off.”

How to Deactivate HDMI-CEC On Popular TVs?
Samsung (Anynet+)	Go to “Settings” → “General” → “Device Manager” → “Anynet+” → “OFF.”
Sony (Bravia Sync)	Go to “Settings” → “External Inputs” → “Bravia Sync” → “OFF.”
Philips (EasyLink)	Go to “Settings” → “General Settings” → “EasyLink” → “HDMI-CEC” → “OFF.”
Vizio (CEC)	Go to “Settings” → “System” → “CEC/HDMI-CEC” → “OFF.”
Hisense (HDMI-CEC)	Go to “Settings” → “System” → “HDMI-CEC/CEC Control” → “OFF.”
Roku TV (1-Touch Play)	Go to “Settings” → “System” → “Control other Devices (CEC)” → “OFF.”
Toshiba (Regza Link)	Go to “Settings” → “Setup” → “Regza Link” → “OFF.”

Tip: If your TV brand isn’t listed above, consult the user manual or check online for the exact instructions on how to deactivate the HDMI-CEC feature.

7. Operate Denon with a TV Remote Control

Denon receivers have the so-called “Remote Control Learning” function, that allows for any IR-enabled TV remote control to operate the receiver.

So, you can discover and entertain this feature through the system menu of the receiver, which you can access without using a remote.

Hence, all you’re going to need is a universal remote control that uses IR to program and use it with your Denon receiver. 

Here’s how to use the remote control learning feature on Denon:

1. Tap the “Settings” button in the upper left corner of your screen.
2. Now, go to “My Devices” to display a list of your built-in devices.
3. Select “This Unit” and navigate to the “Remote Control” section.
4. Select “IR Control” and pick a setup command to use the remote.
5. Follow the on-screen steps to program the universal TV remote.

Throughout the remote setup, you will be prompted to input different key combinations on the device, so ensure you’re next to the receiver and paying attention to the prompts on the display.

Tip: Use the built-in directional pad and “Select” buttons on the Denon receiver!