Sony Bravia TV Remote Not Working? (Try This Now!)

Sony Bravia TV remote not working just when you are about to relax and you press the power button? We’ve all been there–don’t worry, it’s probably easy to fix.

If you have already tried to replace the batteries, but it didn’t help, there are several more advanced steps to try, and bring your remote back to life.

Let’s get into it…

How to Fix When the Sony Bravia TV Remote Not Working?

Note: Have you tested all of the buttons and functions on the Sony Bravia remote?

1. Reinsert your Remote Batteries

So, before attempting anything more complicated, you should try reseating your remote control batteries, as there could be a temporary fault with the plus/minus terminals.

This means that the batteries are still delivering charge, but the polarity +/- springs in the compartment are not intact.

To reseat the Sony Bravia TV remote batteries, slide the battery compartment downwards, eject both batteries, and hold the “Power” button for ~25–30 seconds to discharge. 

Once the discharge period has elapsed, reinsert both AAA batteries into the compartment and verify they are properly facing the positive and negative terminals.

Pro Tip: Another way to reset the remote is to eject the batteries and hold every button for about ~2 seconds.

2. Unplug the Sony Bravia TV Power

In some cases, the TV itself might have run into a problem, which disrupts the communication with the remote control.

Hence, the next step is to conduct the so-called “power cycle” on your Bravia TV to determine if the issue lies with the TV or not.

You can perform the power reset by suspending the electrical power supply of the Bravia TV for approximately ~60 seconds.

This is the average amount it takes for the hardware electricity to drain entirely, and for the TV to be reset.

Note: The power reset does not erase any information on your Sony Bravia TV!

3. Insert a Fresh Battery Set in the Remote

Perhaps, the batteries of the Sony Bravia remote are no longer delivering sufficient electricity to the remote MCU.

Hence, the next step is to insert a fresh pair of two triple-A batteries into the remote control compartment and test the functionality.

Verify that the batteries are brand-new, and if possible, Energizer or Duracell (high-end brands).

4. Reprogram the Sony Bravia Remote

Another reason why the Sony Bravia remote not working with TV is because of an improper pairing.

Hence, the next solution is to reprogram the remote control in 3 different methods, to determine if that restores the functionality for good.

Note: Not all methods below can be applicable for your Bravia remote, so test all three!

4.1 – Programming with Pairing Mode:

There is a simple 3-step method for programming new remotes to the Sony Bravia TV.

Since this method requires accessing the TV settings, you can use the built-in navigation buttons (VOL & CH) on the side of the TV to access the menu.

• Go to Settings on the TV and select Remotes & Accessories.
• Then navigate to Bluetooth settings to clear the pairing profile.
• Press and hold the Volume down and Mic buttons together.
• Once the remote is in pairing mode, follow the TV instructions.

4.2 – Programming with Manufacturer Codes:

Sony Bravia TVs and remote controls have pre-designed manufacturer codes that allow them to establish a private connection to the TV.

If the key combination method does not work, there is a predefined code that you can input into the remote control.

The remote-specific pairing codes include: 2778, 0810, 1825, 4448, 4189, 1651, 0653.

4.3 – Programming with the BRAVIA Connect App:

The Sony | BRAVIA Connect application allows you to manage all of your TV’s external devices, including the remote control.

So, if your Bravia model uses a Bluetooth remote control, you can follow the instructions below to complete the pairing.

• Install the BRAVIA Connect app on your smartphone from the app store.
• Follow the app instructions to pair your smartphone with the Sony Bravia.
• Use your smartphone to control the TV’s functions after successful pairing.

Note: In the BRAVIA app, you can either access a digital remote or initiate pairing of the physical remote control through the settings.

5. Check for Wireless/Physical Interference

Wireless and physical interference can impact both IR and RF remote controls by disrupting the signal communication or dispersing the signal.

Therefore, the next step is to identify whether the transmitted signal of the remote control is suppressed or blocked by any environmental means.

Let’s have a look at the potential causes for interference:

How to Distinguish IR (Infrared) and RF (Bluetooth) Remotes:

Learning how to tell the difference between the signal and communication your remote control uses is the key to identifying and eliminating the interference.

Older Sony Bravia TVs might still use IR, while newer models are all operated via Bluetooth, thus, radio frequency.

The traditional way of testing is to cover the “eye” of the remote and press a button. So, if the TV responds, then it’s RF; if not, it is IR. 

Since that is not currently possible, you can either consult the Sony user manual or check the exact model of the remote control online.

6. Reset the Remote to Default Settings

Before attempting anything more drastic, ZontSound recommends a clean factory reset of the Sony Bravia TV remote.

The procedure wipes the pairing data of the remote and eliminates any underlying errors that could be disrupting the communication with the TV.

Follow these steps to factory reset the Sony Bravia TV remote control:

1. Locate the POWER, TV/VIDEO, and VOL buttons on the Bravia remote.
2. Simultaneously hold all three buttons (POWER, TV/VIDEO, and VOL-).
3. Wait until the S indicator and all Component Select buttons light up.
4. Release the buttons once the lights are illuminated to start the procedure.
5. Wait until the indicator and Component Select buttons turn off one by one.
6. Test the functionality of the remote control after all buttons have gone off.

⚠️Alert: The remote factory reset clears all registered pairing data of the remote control.

7. Inspect the Remote HW & Keypad

The remote malfunction might be caused by internal hardware problems, such as problems with the IR, battery contacts, or the MCU (Main Control Board).

If so, you must access and inspect the hardware of the remote and each potential malfunction of the components. 

You can easily access the remote by undoing the back panel screws with a Phillips screwdriver, separating the casing from the back and carefully lifting the back cover. 

Now, inspect the following components:

• Battery Contacts: Check if the battery compartment has sustained any damage.
• Circuit Board: Verify that the soldering of the remote circuit board is still soldered.
• Button Pads: Check if the rubber buttons and the remote contacts are in position.
• IR Emitter: Ensure the IR “eye” of the remote control is functional by starting a test.

You can test the IR emitter of the Sony Bravia remote control by opening the Camera app on your smartphone and pointing it towards the “eye”.

Now, press any button and check if you can see the emitter flash through the camera on your phone. 

If you detect any physical issues with the Sony Bravia remote control, do not hesitate to contact Sony customer support.

Note: The camera test only works for IR Sony Bravia remote controls. 

8. Program a Universal Remote Control

If all else fails and the Sony Bravia TV remote is not working, we recommend testing with a fully universal remote control with a standard pairing code.

If the remote uses IR, then you don’t have to access the TV settings and only activate the “Pairing” mode instead.

• To pair most universal remote controls, hold the “Home” or “Pair” button, then input the pairing code value for your remote model.

To check the exact pairing codes for your Sony Bravia TV intended for third-party universal remotes, check the Remote Control Codes & Programming page on Sony’s official website.

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