TV remote control code: how to find out the right combination?

Most TV remote controls (RCs) use infrared ports to transmit signals. For each model, the set of commands programmed into the remote control is unique. The manufacturer deliberately does this so that different signals do not intersect with each other. In this article, you will learn how to find the individual code for your TV.

Why do you need to know the remote control code?

TV remote controls use a communication method called pulse code modulation. Each command from the remote control to the TV is assigned a certain sequence of numbers, and through them the device is controlled.
For example:

• in order to turn on the TV, the combination 000 is used;
• coding 011 is used to increase the volume, etc.

If the old remote control is damaged or lost, the TV owner usually buys a universal remote control, since the original device is simply impossible to find (because some TV models are discontinued after 2-3 years, they are no longer supported, remotes for them are also not produced). The universal remote control is a third-party remote control that allows you to program the settings of most popular TV receiver models. This remote control is immediately configured for the desired TV model. For this, a special code is used, which varies from 2 to 5 digits (3 digits are the most common). After sending the original code from the new remote to the TV, the latter will recognize such a remote as its own, and then you can use it to control the TV.

The remote control code is not official technical information. This database has been compiled by a third party to help you identify compatible remotes and TVs.

What are remote controls?

Conventionally, remote controls can be divided into 3 categories – original, compatible with all devices of one specific brand and universal. More about varieties:

• Original. These are devices for a specific brand TV model. This remote comes with the TV. Usually these are the latest models with added extra features that are not supported by other TVs.
• Compatible with TV brand (in whole or in part). For example, Toshiba TV remote controls almost always use the same commands for initial settings (power on/off, change channel, change volume). A similar situation with TV Xiaomi and LG. But Samsung and Sony usually release a separate model of remote control with a set of unique commands for each TV.
• Universal. Such devices are sometimes called programmable. Their infrared sensor supports the entire range of infrared signals used in remote controls. But only one range can be used at a time (can be changed as needed). Sometimes they can help control other devices such as DVD players, kitchen systems, stereos, etc.

Summing up, let’s say that the first two categories are control devices created for a specific type of technical device. An additional difference is that the first type is produced in our own factory, where the TV itself is assembled, and the non-original remote control is manufactured by another company under license. The universal control panel (UPDU) is a learning control device. You can choose its shape, size, color and design according to your personal preference. Inside such a device there is a special program and a code library that allows you to determine almost all TV signals. There are also applications for smartphones with the function of a universal remote control. To properly configure such a program, you must do the following:

1. Install the application that uses the infraport as a regular program from the store of your OS (the recommended program for most modern phone modifications is “Mi Remote”).
2. Launch the downloaded remote control app.
3. Select your TV model from the list for which you want to set up the remote control.
4. If necessary, check command compatibility – edit the functions of each key manually.

Video instruction for setting up a mobile universal remote control:
The main advantage of using a smartphone is that commands for most popular TV models are already integrated into the application. You do not need to look for a code, you only need to indicate the serial number or article number of the TV (indicated on the packaging and in the technical documentation).

How to find out the TV code?

When searching for the code for the remote control, it is recommended that you first read the instructions for the TV. Some manuals are very precise and contain a wide range of information. There you can find the universal code for connecting the remote control to the TV. If the information you need was not found in the instructions, enter the model of your native TV remote control in the search engine, which can be found under the battery cover. It is also possible to find out the code from it.

Table of universal remote control codes for TVs

The code for your TV can be found in the table. It lists the most popular TV brands and the correct code values ​​for them.

How to set up a universal remote?

Insert batteries into the remote control and turn on the TV, which will be synchronized with the remote control. The next steps will be different. If you do not know the code for your TV model, go to the automatic setup section, if you know the code, refer to the instructions for manual setup.

Not all TV remotes can be set up automatically.

In auto mode

To recode the remote control in auto mode, use the main remote control or the button on the cabinet to turn on the TV. Bring the universal remote to the TV and do not remove it until the end of the program. Further steps for different models are described below.

UE SUPRA

SUPRA (Supra) remote controls are often used to control LG, Samsung or Philips TVs. The setup looks like this:

1. Press and hold the “Power” button on the remote control for 5-6 seconds until the LED indicator lights up.
2. Wait until the sound icon appears on the screen, then try changing the volume settings. If the TV responds, the setup was successful.

Vivanco

Universal remotes from the German manufacturer. How to set up:

1. Simultaneously press and hold the “SET” and “TV” buttons for 5-10 seconds until the indicator next to the “POWER” button lights up.
2. When the TV turns off, press “OK” immediately.
3. Use the universal remote control to turn on the TV and try different commands.

If the TV does not listen to the new remote, most likely you did not press “OK” fast enough and the whole process needs to be repeated.

UE Gal

To enter programming mode, press and hold the “TV” button for 5 seconds. Then point the remote at the TV and press the “Power” button every 1 second. When the TV detects a signal (turns on or off), you will need to press “OK”.

The “OK” button must be pressed within 3 seconds. If time is lost, the programming process must be repeated from the beginning.

Thomson

Universal remotes from a well-known French brand. How to set up:

1. Press and hold the “TV” button on the remote control for 5–10 seconds, thereby selecting the desired mode. As a result, the indicator on the front panel of the remote control should light up.
2. Wait a minute – if the required code is already in the remote control’s memory, the device will set it automatically.

UE DEXP

These are remotes from a Russian brand of electronics. Setting algorithm:

1. Press and hold the “Set” button to turn on the indicator.
2. Click on the channel search to start the automatic search for codes.
3. As soon as the light on the remote control goes out, immediately press “OK”, saving the found code.

If the button is pressed too late, you will have to repeat the algorithm over again.

UE “Beeline”

This company also produces universal remotes. How to set up:

1. Simultaneously press the “C” and “Setup” buttons.
2. Wait for the initialization to complete and the indicator light to flash twice, then release the buttons.
3. Check the performance through the “Volume” (“Vol”) button.

UE Huayu

Most of the time, these remotes don’t need to be set up, you just need to put in the batteries and start using them, but sometimes they do require more owner input. It is configured as follows:

1. On the remote control, press the “Set” button, then, without releasing the previous one, the “Power” button.
2. Release two buttons at the same time.
3. Press the “Power” button again.
4. Make sure the sound icon appears on the screen. This means that the setup was successful.
5. To exit programming mode, press the “Set” button twice.

In manual mode

In manual mode, the user must enter the compatible code on the remote control himself. Since manufacturers use several sets of commands for their TVs, you will have to brute-force. If one code does not fit, enter the next one, and so on.

If you do not manage to enter the password within one minute, the TV will return to its normal state and the setup will have to be started from the beginning.

UE Huayu

To set the code manually, press the “Power” and “Set” buttons at the same time. This will take you into programming mode. Wait until the PU indicator lights up continuously. Then enter a four-digit code. When the indicator turns off, press the “Set” button to exit the mode.

OFA (one for all)

These remote controls are suitable for all types of TVs. To set them, press and hold the “Magic”, “SET” or “SETUP” button (depending on the type of remote control) for 5 to 10 seconds. When the LED lights up, enter the individual TV code. If you were able to set up the remote control, the LED indicator will blink twice and the TV will turn off.

UE SUPRA

To set the code manually, turn on the TV, press the “Power” button on the remote control, and without releasing it, enter the TV model code. When the device’s LED blinks twice, release the power button.

UE Gal

For manual tuning, turn on the TV and press and hold the “TV” button (the indicator light should light up). After releasing the button, enter the device code. After entering the fourth digit, the combination will be stored in the device’s memory and the TV screen will turn off.

Philips

To tune, press and hold the “TV” button for 5-10 seconds. When the buttons on the remote control or the screen backlight flashes and the “TV” mode indicator lights up, enter the TV code. If the setting is accepted, the backlight flashes three more times. If not accepted, the backlight will blink once and the “TV” mode indicator will light up.

UE DEXP

Hold down the “Set” button and wait for the indicator to light up. Enter the found password manually and click “OK”. The remote control will remember the specified combination. General video instruction for manual configuration:

No code

There is another method for setting up a universal remote, for which you do not need to know the code. You need to do the following:

1. Turn on the TV and then point the universal remote at it.
2. Press and hold the “TV” and “OK” buttons at the same time for 3 seconds until the indicator on the remote control lights up.
3. After that, turn on the channel switch key “+”, and press it until the TV turns off. This means that the code is matched.
4. Press the “TV” button to save the settings.

Possible problems

When setting up a new remote control and entering codes, there may be a number of problems. We will analyze the most common of them.

Unauthorized factory reset

This is the most common problem that users of universal remotes face. All data is stored in volatile memory. This means restoring the factory settings after removing the batteries from the remote control. After that, you need to reconfigure.

Button icons do not match the specified functions

There are more than 160 commands used in infrared sensor remote controls. Sometimes several of them work on the TV at the same time. Therefore, the developer of the UPDU often cannot register the codes for absolutely all TV models in one control device. In this case, it is recommended to use the manual programming mode for each button (if supported). Or you can use a smartphone with an IrDA port.

The setting is done, but the remote control does not work

The problem is solved by user resetting the remote to factory settings. The implementation of this is similar for all remote controls. How to reset:

None of the options listed in the table are suitable.

It happens that none of the options indicated in the table is suitable, and the remote control is not configured. In this case, experts recommend using auto-tuning or seeking professional advice. Some of the most common causes of the problem:

• The model of the universal remote is not suitable for the specific TV. Before buying a device, you should familiarize yourself with the list of suitable brands and technical specifications.
• Smart TV receives commands using Bluetooth. If the TV uses Bluetooth instead of an infrared sensor, there is no way to use the universal remote.
• The signal may be weak due to dead batteries. Before use, it is important to make sure that all equipment is working properly.
• Samsung TV features. For brand TVs released before 2012, you need universal remotes of the same production years. Others won’t work.

Codes for remotes are most often needed to set up universal remotes when the old remote is broken or lost. This is often the only way to control a TV that has already been discontinued by the manufacturer.