Why Won’t My Roku/Samsung TV Remote Change Channels?

When it is advertising time on your TV, you may switch to other channels for ongoing entertainment. However, the remote won’t change channels, and the annoying ads still play on the TV screen.

Why won’t your TV remote change channels? How to get rid of the issue? The common reasons and solutions are detailed in this post. Please scroll down to learn about them.

Samsung & Roku Remote Won’t Change Channels

You are not alone. Roku and Samsung users run into the same issue:

My Roku remote recently stopped being able to change TV channels on my TCL, Model 55S401, software version 11.0.0, build 4139-30. All other functions of the remote such as scrolling through the main menus, controlling all the apps, etc., work fine. The batteries in the remote are fine and I did a factory reset to the TV. It did not help. — from Roku community

I have a 2021 55″ Samsung and for some reason, I can’t use the remote anymore to use and change channels for the guide on TV. It works for everything else except using it for the remote for your TV channels. Would just resetting the Smart Hub would fix or a whole reset? — from Samsung community

Why TV Remote Not Changing Channels?

If you press every button on your remote but the TV doesn’t change channels or execute other commands, the common reasons are low or dead batteries, temporary glitches, software issues, improper operations, and remote malfunction.

Low batteries can’t power the remote, and thus the remote can’t send any signal to the TV. Not to mention the batteries are dead.

Temporary glitches are the second culprit behind the issue. It is complicated to explain why they cause the issue, but they could be easily removed through a device restart.

Software issues lie in the TV operating system. An old version of the OS may contain some bugs that cause different issues, and the TV remote not changing channels is a common one. But luckily, TV manufacturers lease new updates for their TV systems to fix the bugs from time to time.

Improper operations of the remote may also be responsible for the issue. For example, the TV remote is not pointed directly at the TV’s front panel, or the distance between the remote and the TV is too long. In these cases, the remote sends signals, but the TV can’t receive them because of obstacles or a long distance, and therefore the TV can’t respond to the remote.

A damaged remote, undoubtedly, doesn’t work as it should. If a remote has been used for many years, its components are aging, and thus the remote fails to work. Another case is that the remote suffers a heavy fall, which causes the remote’s components to be damaged.

But if your TV remote won’t change channels but volume works, the stuck or corrupted Channel buttons might also be responsible for the issue. Other possible reasons include the enabled parental channel lock or the

Several solutions to the remote issue come into being based on the above common reasons. The following provides you with step-by-step tutorials.

Note: If your Samsung remote won’t change channels but Volume works, skip to Fix 3 directly. If this fix doesn’t work, try the next solutions.

Fix 1. Check the Remote Batteries

If your “dysfunctional” TV remote is powered by a pair of batteries, first and foremost, check if the batteries are the cause.

Open the battery compartment on the back of the remote and observe if the batteries are installed well or reinstall the batteries. Misplaced batteries are unable to power the remote either.

If the remote still can’t change channels, it is time to replace the batteries. Under normal use, batteries in the remote, like Roku remote batteries, should last up to six months. When was the last time you replaced the batteries for your remote? Above 6 months? If yes, replace the batteries again.

Prepare two fresh batteries and install them into the battery compartment. Try using the remote to change channels again. If the TV is stuck on one channel, please move to the next solution.

If you have changed batteries recently but your remote can’t change channels, please move to the next solution.

Fix 2. Correct the Operations

Recall the way you use your remote. If you stand far away from your TV with the TV remote, please move closer to the TV, and then point the remote directly at the TV’s front panel. While using the remote, ensure there are no obstacles such as walls or ornaments between the remote and your TV.

Fix 3. Check the Channel Buttons

See if the Channel buttons on your remote get stuck because of debris, dust, or an unknown liquid. Use a soft brush to remove the dirt and then use a piece of soft cotton to gently wipe the buttons and their surroundings.

Continue to press the buttons for several buttons until they are released. After that, press them again and see if the channel on your Samsung TV will be changed.

The highly-used buttons on the remote have a much shorter lifespan than those in less use, and the Channel button might be the former. Thus, the Channel buttons may be worn out if nothing happens.

Fix 4. Restart the TV

A restart can solve many issues related to electronic products, including TV remote not changing channels. If you have not restarted your television, restart it right now.

Locate the physical power button on the TV, which is always under the logo or on the back of the TV, then power off the television using the button, next unplug it from the wall outlet, and plug it back into the outlet after about one minute. Once it reboots, try to change the channels.

Fix 5. Use Another TV Remote

If the above solutions are useless, there is a high chance that the remote will go dead. You may need to replace it with a new one. It takes at least several hours to purchase a new remote either from an offline store or from an online store. To regain full control over your TV most quickly, you can try using a remote app.

The Universal TV Remote app designed by BoostVision, a professional TV remote app developer, might be the optimal choice. The app can turn your smartphone (which runs on iOS and Android) into a remote control for streaming devices from popular TV manufacturers, such as Roku, Samsung, LG, and more.

In addition, the app can make it easier for you to control your TV. The app works as a physical remote, but it boasts some functions common physical remotes don’t have. It provides you with a touchpad, which allows you to control your TV in the way you control your laptop. An on-screen keyboard can also be found in the app, which is used for quick and easy text input.

As for channel switching, the app has a built-in channel list. Thanks to that, you can browse all the installed apps on your TV with a single tap.

So, when your TV remote refuses to change channels, you can give the app a try.

Step 1. Download and install the app on your smartphone.

Step 2. Ensure your smartphone is connected to the network your smartphone is connected to.

Step 3. When the installation finishes, launch the app on your smartphone and click Tap to connect zone.

Step 4. Choose your TV from the device list and wait for the connection to be set up.

Step 5. Once the connection finishes, you can tap the Channel buttons on the remote to change changes or tap the Channel list button at the button of your phone screen to launch the channel you want.

For more usage of the app, please refer to How to Use Universal TV Remote. You can also use the app to perform the following solutions and see if they will help you.

Fix 6. Update the TV System

Updating your TV system to the latest version removes various bugs in the old version that prevent your remote from functioning well.

The steps about how to update the OS on Roku TV and Samsung TV are displayed below.

To update the system on Roku TV, go to Settings > System > System update > Check now. If there is new software available or there are updates for channels, then the TV will download and install them once completed and once completed, the TV will reboot.

You can update the system easily on Samsung TV through a USB drive. For the details, please check the Samsung support page.

Fix 7. Reset the TV

A reset can bring electronic devices into a factory state, which means the cause of the remote not changing channels could be removed. Therefore, try resetting your TV.

To reset Roku TV, go to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset > Factory reset everything and follow the on-screen instructions.

To reset your Samsung TV, go to Settings > General > Reset and follow the on-screen instructions.

Conclusion

Have you changed channels successfully on your TV using your remote? The remote not changing channels issue can be caused by the remote itself, improper operations, and TV issues.

If you shake off the remote not changing channels issue through the shared solutions above, that’s so great, and please share the solution guide with those who run into the same issue.

Remote Won’t Change Channels FAQ

Q: Why is my LG TV not responding to my remote?

The reasons are various, including low or dead batteries, stuck buttons, signal interference, pairing issues, and so on. The possible reasons and solutions are detailed in Top 11 Fixes to LG TV Remote Not Working.

Q: Can I use my phone as a remote?

With the Universal TV Remote app from BoostVision, you can use your phone that runs Android or iOS as a remote to control Roku TV, Fire TV, Samsung TV, LG TV, Sony TV, Vizio TV, etc.

1. Launch the app on your phone.
2. Click the Tap to connect zone and choose your TV from the device list.
3. Once the connection between the two devices is set up, you can use your phone to control your TV.

Q: Will any TV remote work on my TV?

Since manufacturers rarely change the IR commands for their TVs, an IR remote will almost certainly work on any TV. Therefore, if your smart TV has an infrared sensor, a universal remote should work with it.

Q: How do I pair my remote to my TV?

If you use an IR remote, it is unnecessary to pair it to your TV. As long as you install fresh batteries into its battery compartment, you can use it to control your TV. If you use a wireless or Bluetooth remote, the pairing process varies on different types of remote. You can refer to the remote manual to set up the connection.