Samsung TV remote blinking red only power button works

If your Samsung remote is blinking red every time you try to use it, it may have unpaired itself from the TV. Luckily, fixing this issue is a piece of cake.

When your Samsung remote is blinking red, turn on the TV and hold the remote control 2-feet away, aiming it at the screen. Press and hold the return and play/pause buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds. A remote and battery icon will appear once the pairing process is complete.

Simply re-pairing the remote will work for most people. For the rest of you, there are several other proven fixes. You should try all of them (below) before considering buying a replacement.

A Samsung remote that is flashing red but not responding is extremely frustrating, but don’t panic! Knowing why your remote is behaving this way can help you easily troubleshoot and fix the problem quickly.

Here are the most common reasons your Samsung remote is blinking red but not working or responding.

1.   Pairing issues

When your Samsung remote is blinking red, the most likely cause of this issue is a connection/communication problem between the remote control and TV.

For your Samsung remote control to work, you must pair it with your TV. The remote will pair up with the TV automatically during the initial setup, and it will likely remain paired for awhile.

However, eventually your remote control may unpair itself from your TV and start flashing red every time you try to use it. If this is the case, you need to pair it back manually.

Fortunately, pairing your Samsung remote is quick and straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Turn on your Samsung TV using power button on the TV itself
2. Hold the remote control 1-2 feet away and point the remote towards the TV, aiming at the IR sensor
3. Press and hold the Return and Play/Pause buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds
4. Wait for the pairing process to finish
5. A remote and battery icon will appear on the screen to indicate successful pairing

2.   Weak or dying batteries

This one sounds obvious but you’d be surprised how often it gets overlooked.

Weak or dying batteries can also cause your remote not to respond and start blinking red instead. If the batteries do not have enough charge, your remote simply won’t work properly.

The quickest way to test the batteries is by trying them with another device. If everything seems fine, the problem could be emanating from somewhere else.

In most cases, you do not have to go through all the trouble of testing the batteries. Simply install new, fresh batteries and make sure they are placed in facing the right way.

Here are the steps to install new batteries:

1. Turn your remote control onto its back. You will notice a directional arrow on the back cover
2. Open the battery compartment by pushing the back cover towards the direction of the arrow
3. Remove the weak or dead batteries
4. Correctly install two AA batteries
5. Test your remote on your TV (You may need to pair up your remote with your TV)

HINT: Use Lithium Ion batteries instead of your standard Alkaline batteries, you’ll get more consistent performance out of your remote!

3.   IR sensor obstruction

Sometimes, your Samsung remote may stop responding and start blinking red when you try to use it because of an obstruction between the remote control and your TV.

If the remote blinks red when you go to use it, it is undoubtedly transmitting signals. However, the signals may not be reaching the TV receiver due to some obstruction.

Everyday items found in the living room, such as sound bars, books, kids blocks, furniture, etc. can prevent your remote from having a clear line of sight with the TV receiver.

Removing these items out of the way may resolve the issue and ensure the remote control resumes normal function.

For best results, ensure you point the remote directly at the TV receiver to get a clear line of sight. Also, make sure the remote control is 1-2 feet away from the IR sensor when using it.

On rare occasions, dust or dirt may block the TV sensor, causing it not to respond when you try to use your remote control.

You can fix this by cleaning the area gently using a cotton swab or a soft cloth. Avoid using spray cleaners or any liquids to protect the sensor from possible damage.

4.   Physical damage

Any physical damage to your remote may cause it not to work. The remote control may still flash a red light, but it will not work because of incomplete circuit connections on the motherboard.

Since a remote control gets a lot of use, normal tear and wear over time can cause it to malfunction.

If the remote is not working because of physical damage, the only viable option is to replace it with a new one. Some components of a damaged remote may be repairable, but it makes more economic sense to buy a replacement.

You can buy a replacement directly from Samsung or opt for a universal smart remote. However, a universal remote may have entirely different settings, and you may struggle to pair it up with your Samsung TV.

5. Stuck buttons

Sometimes the remote isn’t completely broken, but maybe a button or two is sticking.

Dirt, grime, and oxidation has a tendency to build up over time, causing your remote to function weirdly, or not at all.

The good news is that fixing buttons that do not work because of dirt, grime or oxidation is relatively easy if you’re willing to spend the time.

But before you take your remote apart, try this: quickly press and release every single button on your remote many times. I know it sounds silly, but just do it! Press every button as many times as you can, in and out.

A lot of times this is enough to dislodge whatever is in your remote that is causing the button to stick!

If this didn’t work, the next thing to do is to take apart your remote:

1. Turn your remote control onto its back. You will notice a directional arrow on the back cover
2. Open the battery compartment and remove the batteries
3. Locate and unscrew the screws using the correct screwdriver size
4. Disassemble the front cover from the back cover to access the circuit board
5. Using a rubber eraser, gently rub the contacts to remove any oxidation
6. Remove the rubber padding from the case and wash it in warm soapy water
7. Dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and clean the rubber contacts
8. Assemble the remote and tighten all the screws
9. Test your remote control

Other ways to fix a Samsung remote that is blinking red

If you have tried all the above steps and none of them seems to work, consider power-cycling your remote control and/or TV.

Power resetting your remote and TV can help fix a wide range of bugs and issues you’re experiencing.

1.   Power-cycle your remote control

The process of resetting a problematic Samsung remote control is quick and straightforward. Here are the steps:

1. Open the battery compartment of your remote control
2. Remove the batteries
3. Press the power button for at least 20 seconds (this will drain your remote’s capacitors of any residual power, fully resetting it!)
4. Re-install the batteries
5. Test the remote

2.   Power-cycle your Samsung TV

Power cyclying your Samsung TV can help fix a myriad of issues. Moreover, the process is equally fast and straightforward. Here are the steps:

1. Unplug your TV from the wall outlet
2. Press and hold the Power Button for at least 60 seconds (this will drain your TV’s capacitors of any residual power, fully resetting it!)
3. Re-plug the TV back into the wall
4. Turn your TV on
5. Test the remote

If power-cyling the TV didn’t work, you might consider factory resetting it as a final effort to fix your remote. Keep in mind that all your TV settings will be lost and you’ll need to re-sign into all your streaming apps.

Use SmartThings app as a remote

If you simply cannot get your Samsung remote to work and don’t want to wait for your replacement to arrive, you can use the Samsung SmartThings app to control your TV!

Simply download the SmartThings app from the Google Play store or the App store then set up your account.

Once you have your account, you’ll need to add your TV to the SmartThings app:

1. Open the SmartThings app and click the “+” sign at the upper right corner
2. Select Device and then Samsung as the brand
3. Scroll down and select TV

SmartThings should find your TV and start to connect. Now you can use your smart phone as a remote!

Conclusion

If your Samsung remote is blinking, consider these fixes:

• Re-pair your remote control with your Samsung TV
• Replace weak or dying batteries with new ones
• Remove any possible obstructions that are blocking your TV’s IR sensor
• Power-cycle your remote control
• Power-cycle your Samsung TV, followed by a factory reset
• Purchase a replacement remote control

If none of those fixes worked for you, download the SmartThings app and use your phone as a temporary remote.

Were you able to get your Samsung remote to stop flashing red? If so, let me know how in the comments below!