Do-it-yourself TV remote repair: how to fix contacts, restore buttons

The remote control is a practical addition to your TV that makes it easy to change channels, turn the device on and off, and use other Smart TV features. Frequent and careless use of the appliance may cause malfunctions that render it useless. To solve the problem, it is necessary to have an idea about the principle of operation of the remote control, possible malfunctions, as well as methods for their solution and prevention in order to reduce their likelihood in the future.

Structure and working principle of the remote control

The remote control market is diverse with devices of various shapes and sizes. All devices consist of 4 elements:

1. Frame.
2. Pay.
3. Keyboard matrix.
4. Battery.

The board consists of a complex of electronic components. These include:

1. Keyboard microcontroller.
2. Quartz resonator.
3. output transistor stage.
4. Infrared LED.

The principle of operation of the device is that there are microcircuits on the board, each of which is responsible for its own process. Pressing the button closes the tracks. It is processed by the microcontroller. Then a sequence of characters is generated and sent to the receiver of the device using flashes of infrared light of a certain frequency. The operation of the microcontroller is supported by a quartz resonator. Its reference frequency is approximately 250,000 kHz.

Types of problems

Before repairing the remote control, you need to determine the type of malfunction. The most common problems include:

1. No response when all buttons are pressed.
2. The buttons on the remote are hard to press.
3. Some buttons are broken.
4. Cracks and breakage due to impact or fall.
5. Sticky buttons.
6. Problems with batteries.

Device Diagnostics

When all the buttons on the remote don’t work, the batteries need to be changed first. On a weak charge, a reaction to one or two clicks is possible, after which the device stops working again. If replacing the batteries did not help, then this is a problem with the electronics. First you need to check the remote. This can be done using the cell phone camera. The device is directed to the camera with an LED, after which a random button is held on it and a picture is taken. A working button in a photo will produce a bright spot. This indicates a problem with the TV.

The diode is lit – the button is working

Attention! There are situations when several buttons do not work. In this case, the problem is in the contacts or their coating.

How to disassemble the remote control for the TV

First of all, you need to disassemble the device. The body halves of the remote control can be fixed with screws, latches or have a double fixation. The screws are located in the battery compartment. After unscrewing the screws, you need to carefully separate the case. If it does not work, then there are latches in the remote control. You can use a plastic card or a flathead screwdriver to separate the case halves. The tool must be inserted into the connection line of the two body halves. This must be done before a clicking sound occurs.

After removing the top cover, separate the rubber base. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the remote control board. As a result, the remote control is ready for cleaning and repair.

Do-it-yourself TV remote control troubleshooting

The remote control repair algorithm depends on the type of malfunction. However, it is almost the same on different devices.

Restoring contacts

Prolonged use of the remote control leads to the fact that the coating of the contacts is erased. This causes the TV to stop responding to the device. To solve the problem, you need conductive glue for the remote control buttons, foil and scissors. Work sequence:

1. Use your smartphone’s camera to detect broken keys.
2. Disassemble the remote.
3. Use a knife or scalpel to remove residues of spraying on the contacts, then clean the surface with fine-grained sandpaper.
4. Cut out new contact planes of the desired size with scissors from the foil. They must match the pads on the board.
5. Degrease the surface on the board with alcohol.
6. Stick new contacts on the glue.

After that, you can check the functionality of the buttons. If the TV does not respond to pressing them, you need to look for another reason for the remote control malfunction.

Note! To simplify the work, you can purchase special ready-made repair kits. They come with a tube of glue and graphite-coated rubber gaskets.

Repair after falls and shocks

When hit, most of the potential energy is absorbed by the body of the remote control. First you need to conduct a visual inspection for cracks. They can be removed with glue. If the device does not work, then the board was damaged during the fall. A magnifying glass lens should be used during visual inspection, as damage cannot be seen with the naked eye. They can be found in several ways:

1. The contacts in the battery pack have fallen off or cracks have appeared in them. You can solve the problem with a soldering iron.
2. Connections of hinged elements with the board are broken. These include an infrared diode, a resonator and capacitors. They need to be soldered back.

3. Malfunction of the quartz resonator. You can determine the breakdown by shaking the board. If there is a rustle, the part must be replaced.
4. With a strong impact, the conductive paths can come off. To restore the device to work, they need to be soldered back. If this is not possible, a single-core copper cable can be connected instead. After attaching, it must be fixed with glue.

Carefully! Do not use acid during soldering. It is not removed from the board, which can lead to the destruction of contacts in the future. It is better to use rosin or other flux that does not contain acids.

How to repair the TV remote control if the buttons do not work or stick

Usually there are problems with the bottom of the keyboard. The following factors can lead to this:

• careless handling of the device;
• spilled liquid;
• prolonged exposure to direct sunlight;
• dirty hands.

To fix the problem, you need to clean the board and buttons. Scheme of work:

1. First you need to remove the batteries and disassemble the remote control.
2. Pull out the board.
3. To clean the chips, you need ear sticks soaked in alcohol.
4. Degrease the contact surfaces in the battery pack. In the presence of white or green plaque, you can use fine-grained sandpaper.
5. Wash the housing thoroughly in soapy water. For better cleaning, it is recommended to use a toothbrush.

How to repair a TV remote control with your own hands – how to disassemble the device, repair and restore buttons, clean the board: https ://youtu.be/OMKh7245x10

Checking the batteries

Also, the remote control may not work due to dead batteries. The reason for 80% of all calls to service centers is problems with batteries. You can check the possible cause by replacing the batteries or checking them on a multimeter. This must be done in the DC current measurement mode on the 10A range. If you select lower limits, you can burn the fuse. Testing is best done separately for each battery. Voltage measurement is best done in operating mode. If there are oxides, deposits or rust on the contact surfaces, they must be removed with an elastic band or fine-grained sandpaper.

Troubleshooting

If the remote control is not protected by a plastic
case, then over time, the board and the rubber base, together with dust, collect fat deposits from the hands. As a result, the contacts of the buttons deteriorate or are completely destroyed. To prevent malfunctions of the device, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance in a timely manner. After removing the top cover of the remote control, you need to pay attention to the contacts located on the board. They can be graphite or alkaline coated. Graphite gives the contacts a black color, so it is easy to confuse it with dirt. Incorrect removal of the coating will lead to the fact that the contact will be damaged. In the presence of a small amount of contamination, local cleaning can be limited. For this purpose, ordinary ear sticks are suitable. They need to be moistened in alcohol, and then carefully remove the plaque. The use of other solvents may damage the contacts.
In case of more extensive contamination, it is recommended to wash the board together with the rubber base in warm soapy water using a toothbrush with soft bristles. After that, you need to thoroughly rinse off the soap residue and dry the components with a hair dryer. If the device refuses to work, you need to check the battery compartment for oxidation or deformation of the contacts. Oxides can be cleaned with a knife. If the integrity of the contacts is violated, pliers or round-nose pliers will be required. If it is not possible to set the spring from the battery compartment, then the remote control must be disassembled. After disassembling and cleaning the device, you need to check the soldering points of the radio components, especially the infrared diode and battery contacts. In these places, ring cracks often form. It is also necessary to inspect the board itself for kinks and cracks,

Important! If the device has been dropped, the crystal may be broken. With this problem, it is better to contact the nearest service center to repair the device.

Do-it-yourself remote control repair at home with improvised means: https://youtu.be/rdI8vdxQ7Yw

What should I do if I can’t fix the remote control myself?

In some cases, it is impossible to repair the remote control yourself. In these situations, there are 2 options:

1. Take the device to a service center.
2. Buy a new remote control on the radio market or order delivery of the original device.

Acquiring an analogue will cost less. At the same time, you can buy a multifunctional device that can control several devices. Almost all users can perform minor repairs related to the remote control: it is possible to replace batteries or stick new contact surfaces without having certain knowledge. In case of complex breakdowns, it is recommended to contact a service center or buy an analogue.