How to Program an RCA Universal Remote Without a "Code Search" Button

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Written by Jack Lloyd

Last Updated: July 14, 2024

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Finding Codes Online

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Entering a Code

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Enabling Code Search

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Video

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

This wikiHow teaches you how to program your RCA universal remote for use with a TV or TV component (e.g., a DVD player) when your remote doesn't have a "Code Search" button. You can use the official RCA website to find your remote's programming code for your preferred item and then enter it using the remote control itself. If this doesn't work, you can still activate and use the Code Search feature on any RCA universal remote control without needing to have a dedicated "Code Search" button.

Things You Should Know

You need your remote’s revision number, which is usually on the back of the device.
Find the remote code on a remote code finder website.
Enter the code on your remote, then enable code search to program the RCA universal remote.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Finding Codes Online

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You'll usually find this model number, which is comprised of a mix of numbers and letters, on the back of the remote (e.g., on the battery cover).
You can normally find the brand name on the top of the remote, but you may have to look for the brand name on the battery cover as well.

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Go to https://www.rcaaccessories.com/remote-code-finder/ in your computer's web browser.
It's on the left side of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
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Select your remote control's revision number. Find in the drop-down menu the number that matches the code you found on your remote, then click the number to select it.
- You can skip down to the correct number by typing in the first couple of characters once the drop-down menu is open.
This is the middle drop-down box. Clicking it prompts a drop-down menu.
Click in the drop-down menu the brand name you found for your remote.
It's on the far-right side of the page. A drop-down menu will appear.
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Click the item with which you want to use your remote. For example, if you're attempting to program your remote for a TV, you would click TV in the "Device Type" drop-down menu.
- If you don't see your item's name, you'll need to use the Code Search method instead. This applies to the Other category as well.
You should see at least one four-digit code in the middle of the page; depending on your item, you may see two or more codes here.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Entering a Code

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For example, if you're programming your remote for a TV, make sure that the TV is powered on.
Doing so ensures that you won't have to worry about interference from other items when entering your code.
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Hold down the item's button. The item's button will usually have the name of the item for which you want to program the remote written on or under it.
- For example, if you're programming your remote for the TV, you would hold down the TV button.
4
Enter the code while holding down the item's button. Use the remote control's keypad to type in the four-digit code that you retrieved from the RCA Remote Code Finder website.
- For example, if you're programming the remote for a TV, you would hold down the TV button while typing in the four-digit code from the website.
Doing so enters the code.
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Look for the confirmation flash. If the programming was successful, you'll see the remote control's LED light flash one time.
- If you see four flashes instead, your remote encountered an error. Try a different code if the website listed more than one possible code for your item.
Try using Code Search mode. Even though your remote control doesn't have a Code Search button, you can enable code searching for any RCA remote. You'll need to do this if you were unable to program your remote for your selected item by entering the code(s) that you found on the RCA Remote Code Finder page.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Enabling Code Search

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For example, if you're programming your remote for a TV, make sure that the TV is powered on.
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Select between a VCR and a DVD player if necessary. If you're attempting to program your remote for a VCR or a DVD player, do the following:^{[1]
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- Hold down the VCR/DVD button on the remote.
- While holding the VCR/DVD button, press 2 for a VCR or 3 for a DVD player.
- Release both buttons and wait for your remote control's LED light to stop flashing.
Hold down the Power button along with the button for the item for which you want to program your remote.
When your remote control's LED light turns on and stays on, you can release the item's button and the Power button.
This will ensure that the remote enters the codes correctly.
Doing so will cause the remote to enter a batch of 10 separate codes into the item for which you're programming it.
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Wait for the LED light to stop flashing. Once the LED light stop's flashing, you can proceed.
- If your item turns off, skip the next step.
Each time you press "Play", wait for the LED light to stop flashing and then check the item; if the item turns off, continue to the next step.
It's the "Rewind" arrow on your remote. This will cause the item to check the last-sent code.
If it did turn back on, you can skip the next step.
Make sure you're waiting for at least two seconds between pressing the "Reverse" button and checking the item. Once the item turns back on, you can proceed.
Hold down the "Stop" button until the remote control's light turns off. You have successfully programmed your RCA remote for your selected item.

Community Q&A

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Question

My TV will turn off, but the volume and channel button won't work. What does this mean?

Community Answer

You may have chosen a code that gives partial control of the remote over your TV. Many universal remotes have codes that do this for different TV makes and models. You'll have to try other codes until you land on one that gives you full control.

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Question

Where can I find the code for a Sharp TV?

Community Answer

You can look up the control online for the manual or look in the hard copy that comes with the remote.

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My TV cannot be turned on manually. How do I program the remote control?

Community Answer

Order an OME (factory or original manufacture equipment) remote from the TV manufacturer and it should work fine. Use the model numbers on the back of your TV to determine which remote you should order.

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Tips

The Code Search option should work for any RCA universal remote, though entering directly a code for your item is usually much quicker.

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