Smart TV Remote: Types, Pairing and Fixes
A smart TV remote does more than change channels: many have a voice button, app keys and Bluetooth pairing. This guide explains the remote types, how to pair a Samsung, TCL or Haier remote, how to set a universal remote, and what to do when the remote stops working.
Updated 11 November 2026
Types of TV remote
- Infrared (IR) remote: the basic type. It must point at the TV's sensor. Normal LED TVs and many budget smart TVs use it.
- Bluetooth smart remote: works without pointing, and often has a microphone for voice search. Most Google TV and newer Samsung remotes are of this type.
- Pointer remote: you move a cursor on screen like a mouse. LG calls theirs the Magic Remote.
- Air mouse: a third-party remote with a gyro pointer and often a small keyboard. Handy for browsers on a TV box.
- Phone app: your phone becomes the remote over Wi-Fi.
Samsung smart TV remote
Samsung smart TVs come with a slim Smart Remote. Some newer Samsung models use a SolarCell remote that charges from room light or a USB-C cable instead of batteries; older ones use AA or AAA cells.
How to pair a Samsung smart remote:
- Stand close to the TV and point the remote at it.
- Press and hold the Back and Play/Pause buttons together for about 3 seconds.
- Wait for the pairing message on screen.
If you lose it, the SmartThings app on your phone works as a remote once the TV is on Wi-Fi. See all models on the Samsung LED TV page, such as Samsung UA43U8000FUSMM 43 Inch 4K Smart LED TV and Samsung QA55Q7FAAUSMM 55 Inch QLED TV.
TCL, Haier and other Google TV remotes
Google TV models from TCL, Haier, Xiaomi, Hisense and Dawlance usually come with a Bluetooth remote that has a Google Assistant voice button and shortcut keys for apps such as YouTube and Netflix.
To pair a Google TV remote, open Settings, then Remotes and accessories, then Pair remote, and follow the button combination shown on screen. If the remote is not working at all, use the free Google TV app on your phone to reach the settings.
Voice search works on models such as TCL 43P79K 43 Inch QLED TV and Haier H43S80EUX 43 Inch QLED TV. Read more on the TCL and Haier brand pages.
Voice remote: what you can do with it
Press and hold the microphone button and speak. On Google TV you can say things like "open YouTube", "play cricket highlights", "turn up the volume" or "switch to HDMI 1". Short, clear English commands work best for settings.
Voice needs the TV to be on Wi-Fi. If the microphone does not respond, re-pair the remote, because an IR-only connection cannot carry voice.
Ecostar, Dawlance, Orient and LG remotes
Ecostar, Dawlance and Orient remotes are mostly IR with app shortcut keys. A lost or broken remote is best replaced with the original from the brand's service centre, because cheap copies often miss the smart keys.
LG smart TVs use webOS and many come with the Magic Remote pointer. The LG ThinQ app can act as a remote. For Ecostar models, see the Ecostar LED TV list, for example Ecostar CX-43Q964 43 Inch QLED TV.
How to set up a universal remote on an LED TV
A universal remote can replace a lost IR remote for basic use.
- Turn the TV on and point the universal remote at it.
- Hold the setup or TV button until the light stays on.
- Enter the code listed for your TV brand in the remote's booklet, or use auto search: press power or channel up again and again until the TV turns off, then save.
- Test volume, channel, input and menu.
Universal remotes usually handle power, volume, input and arrows. Voice search, app keys and Bluetooth features of a smart remote will not work.
Smart TV remote not working: quick fixes
- Change the batteries, or charge a SolarCell remote.
- Point your phone camera at the remote front and press a button. If you see a light on the phone screen, the remote is sending signals.
- Remove anything in front of the TV's sensor, such as a sound bar or decoration.
- Unplug the TV for two minutes, then plug it back in.
- Re-pair a Bluetooth remote as explained above.
- If one button is stuck or the remote was dropped in water, it needs replacement.
For other faults, see LED TV problems and fixes.
Use your phone as a TV remote
- Google TV app (Android and iPhone): for TCL, Haier, Xiaomi, Hisense and other Google TVs.
- SmartThings: for Samsung TVs.
- LG ThinQ: for LG TVs.
The phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi. A phone remote is very handy for typing passwords and search words. Some Android phones also have an IR blaster that can control normal LED TVs.
How to control a TV without a remote
Every TV has at least one physical button, usually under the middle or at the back of the lower edge. A short press turns it on, and on many models a press opens a small menu for input, volume and channel. If the TV buttons do nothing, the key lock may be on; see the smart TV settings and reset guide.
