7 Ways to Fix an Insignia Remote That's Not Working

Learn how to fix your Insignia remote when it stops working

Co-authored by Jocotra Cathey and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: September 26, 2024 Fact Checked

Is your Insignia remote not responding to your button presses or is it sending "ghost" button presses? Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can fix your remote when it stops working. This wikiHow article lists a few different things for you to try to solve when your Insignia remote isn't working.

Things You Should Know

Power cycle your remote since it's the easiest solution.
Simply remove the batteries to reset your remote.
If your remote isn't fixed, you can always download an app to control your Smart TV with your smartphone.

1

Reset or power cycle your remote.

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Turning it off and on actually works sometimes. To power cycle or reset your Insignia remote, simply remove the batteries, wait for 2 minutes, then put them back in to see if that worked.
- You want to wait the full 2 minutes to make sure all the power has drained from your remote, effectively turning it off completely.
- If you're worried that there's a stuck button, repeatedly press all the buttons on the remote. Hand lotion and oils, drink spills, crumbs, and dust can easily cause your stuck buttons. Pressing the buttons repeatedly should loosen any that are stuck.

2

Check your remote's batteries.

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Put in new batteries to ensure dead batteries weren't the cause. You might think that the batteries you inserted would last at least 2 years, but they could have prematurely drained due to overuse, heat, or many other reasons.
- To make sure your batteries aren't the cause, insert new batteries into your remote and try it.

3

Re-pair your remote.

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Pair your remote with your TV again. Sometimes, your remote will randomly unpair with your TV, so you'll need to re-pair. Depending on the kind of remote you have, there are different ways to do this:^{[1]
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- Using an enhanced version of the Insignia RC, open the back panel and press the "Pair" button for a few seconds.
- Without a pairing button, press and hold the "Home" button for about 30 seconds.
- If neither of the previous options work, press and hold the "Left Navigation" and "Menu" buttons at the same time (the "Left Navigation" button is the left button on the circular navigation button).

4

Look for obstructions.

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Anything in the way can block signals. Make sure there isn't a blockage between your remote and the Smart TV's receiver.
- Anything like decor, picture frames, vases, books, candles, or other knick-knacks can block signals from your remote to your TV, making it appear that your remote doesn't work. Move these to see if your remote can control your TV.

5

Reboot your TV.

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Turning it off and on again might help! Your TV is more complicated than your remote and might actually be the source of your remote not working. Rebooting your TV is akin to turning it off and back on again and may clear some technical glitches.^{[2]
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- To turn off your Insignia Fire TV, press the "Settings" button on your remote, then go to Device & Software > Restart.^{[3]
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- If you have a different Insignia TV, you can turn it off and unplug it from the wall to ensure a full reboot.

6

Reset your TV.

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As a last resort, reset your TV. Since your TV is more complicated than your remote, it could be the source of your problems. Just know that resetting your TV to factory settings will also clear any personal data that you've set.
- To reset your TV, go to Settings > System > Reset to Factory Defaults.
- If your remote won't work to navigate to those settings, press and hold the Power button on your TV until you get a factory reset dialog on your screen.

7

Get a new remote or contact Insignia Support.

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If nothing worked, you'll need to go a step further. If your remote was exposed to water, dropped several times, or was exposed to high temps, you'll most likely need a new remote. You can use a universal remote, like an RCA Universal Remote, Philips, ONN, and GE Universal Remote.
- If your remote was never dropped or exposed to these elements and you believe you have a bad remote due to manufacturing errors, contact customer support.

Expert Q&A

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Question

Are there any other methods to troubleshoot a remote?

Jocotra Cathey
TV Mounting Service Expert
Jocotra Cathey is a TV Mounting Service Expert and the business owner of TV Mount Charlotte, a professional TV mounting company operating in Charlotte, North Carolina. For the past 18 years, Jocotra's company has offered premier home theater installation services, specializing in home theater design, wiring and installation, projector and screen installation, wire concealing, and more. He has received certifications in Computer Science and Low-Voltage Certification from Central Piedmont Community College.

Jocotra Cathey

TV Mounting Service Expert

Expert Answer

Make sure that the batteries have a good connection and that you don't see any corrosion. If you're sure that the batteries are good, you may want to take something like a screwdriver and clean it because sometimes the batteries in the remote are loose, and that's why sometimes you see people spinning the batteries. So, I suggest cleaning the batteries and the contact points of the remote to get a better connection.

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Instead of getting a new remote, you can use your smartphone. Download the appropriate app for your TV and voila! A free solution to your issue!

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