Help! My Sony TV remote control doesn't work

Unless serious physical damage was done, most of the time, your remote will stop working or become unresponsive because the batteries are running out. If your remote control has been damaged (chewed, smashed, water damage, etc.), you will likely need to replace the remote.

If your remote isn't physically damaged, you may need to open your TV remote control and swap the batteries out.

Test the batteries:

• Remove the batteries for 1 minute, then reinsert them correctly (Plus [+] and Minus [-] poles).
• If that doesn’t work, replace them with new batteries.

Tips for battery use:

• Insert the Minus [-] side first, as shown in the image below.
• Avoid mixing old and new batteries or different brands.
• Do not use rechargeable batteries.
  

Still Not Working?

• If the remote remains unresponsive after replacing the batteries, continue troubleshooting or consider getting a new remote control.

1. Test the buttons:

   • Press each button twice to ensure none are jammed.

2. Reset the remote control:

   • Remove the batteries for 1 minute.
   • Press and hold the Power button for 3 seconds.
   • Reinsert the batteries and close the compartment.

3. Clean the battery terminals:

   • Remove the batteries and clean the terminals with a cotton ball or soft cloth dipped in a small amount of rubbing alcohol.
   • Reinsert the batteries after cleaning.

4. Update the remote software (Android TVs):

   • For Android TVs released in 2015 or later, updating the remote control software may resolve the issue.

5. Microphone button not working?

   • Refer to this article if the  Microphone button doesn’t respond to voice commands.

Check your remote control type

Do you have an Infrared (IR) remote control or a Wireless remote control? Don't worry if you don't know yet - they're quite easy to tell apart.  

The steps in this section will vary depending on the type of remote control you have.

Infrared (IR) remote control

Wireless or Touchpad remote control

1. Check the TV LED (power/standby lamp):
   Make sure the TV LED located on the front or bottom of the TV is On.

   • If the LED is lit or blinking red, go to Step 2.
   • If the LED isn't lit, ensure the AC power cord or adapter is securely connected.

2. Turn on the TV without a remote:

   • Use the buttons on the TV itself.
   • For help locating the power button, inspect all sides of the TV, refer to your online TV manual, or check the following articles:
     • Power button location on BRAVIA TV models (2018-2024)
     • Power button location on BRAVIA TV models (2014-2017)

3. Perform a power reset:

   • Unplug the TV, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in.
   • A power reset can help resolve external issues (e.g., network services, data broadcasting, or connected devices).

4. Disconnect external devices:

   • Remove USB drives, HDMI devices, and other cables to confirm if a device is causing the issue.
     Note: Do not unplug the TV's power cable.
   • If connections are complicated, take note of them - make sure you can reconnect everything first before you start disconnecting devices or cables.

5. Check for device-related issues:

   • If the TV lamp flashes after reconnecting a specific device, that device may be faulty.

If you can't find your remote control or it's not working properly, you can use your smartphone as a temporary or wireless (Wi-Fi) remote control. Simply download the Google Home, Google TV, or Sony | BRAVIA Connect mobile app. You can then use the app to control your TV from your smartphone.

Using the Google Home app

1. Install the latest version of the Google Home app on your smartphone.
2. Launch the app.
3. Log in with your Google Account.
   • Make sure you use the same account for your smartphone and TV.
4. Grant permissions for 'Nearby Devices' and 'Location access'.
5. The app will search for compatible devices.
   • If your device isn’t listed, tap Add device to manually add it.
6. Once your device is added, select it and tap 'Open remote'.
   • You can now use your smartphone as a virtual remote.
   • If the remote doesn’t open, you may need to create a 'room' for your device:
     1. Select your device and tap Add to a room.
     2. Follow the prompts to create and name the 'room'.
     3. Tap Open remote again.
     4. Enter the 6-digit code displayed on your TV in the Google Home app.

For additional information, refer to this Google Support article.

Using the Google TV or Sony | BRAVIA Connect app

Refer to this Sony support article for details: How to control your TV using the Sony | BRAVIA Connect app or Google TV™ app.