The basic steps to pair your Samsung remote
Most Samsung remotes connect to your TV through one of two methods: infrared (IR), which requires line of sight and works with older models, or Bluetooth, which is standard on newer Samsung TVs and doesn't require you to point the remote directly at the screen. To pair a Bluetooth remote, point it at your TV, hold the Pairing button (usually on the back) for three to five seconds until you see a pairing message on your screen, then release. Your TV will search for the remote for about 30 seconds. If pairing succeeds, you'll see a confirmation on screen.
If your remote uses infrared, you don't need to pair it at all — just point it at the TV and press a button. The TV will respond immediately if the batteries are working and nothing is blocking the signal between the remote and the sensor on the front of your TV.
If pairing fails or your remote stops responding after working before, the most common cause is dead or dying batteries. Replace them with fresh alkaline batteries (usually AA or AAA, depending on your remote model) and try pairing again.
Key Takeaways
- Samsung Bluetooth remotes pair by holding the Pairing button on the back for three to five seconds while pointing at the TV.
- Infrared remotes do not require pairing — they work immediately when you point them at the TV and press a button.
- Dead batteries are the most common reason a remote stops working, so replace them before troubleshooting anything else.
- If your TV doesn't recognize the remote after pairing, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then try pairing again.
- You can check which type of remote you have by looking for a Pairing button on the back — Bluetooth remotes have one, infrared remotes do not.
How to tell if your remote uses Bluetooth or infrared
The easiest way to identify your remote type is to look at the back. Bluetooth remotes have a small Pairing button, usually recessed or marked with a symbol. Infrared remotes do not have this button. You can also check your TV's manual or the Samsung support website by searching for your specific remote model number, which is printed on the back of the remote.
Another way to test is to try pairing: point a Bluetooth remote at your TV and hold the Pairing button. If nothing happens on screen after five seconds, you likely have an infrared remote. With an infrared remote, simply press any button while pointing at the TV — if it responds, the remote is working.
What to do if your remote won't pair
Start by replacing the batteries with fresh ones. Many pairing failures happen because the remote has low power and can't complete the handshake with the TV. After installing new batteries, point the remote at your TV, hold the Pairing button for three to five seconds, and wait for the pairing message to appear on screen.
If the message doesn't appear, restart your TV by unplugging it from the wall outlet for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. While the TV is restarting, hold the Pairing button on the remote. This forces your TV to enter pairing mode and gives the remote a fresh chance to connect.
If pairing still fails after a restart, check that nothing is blocking the path between the remote and the TV — thick furniture, mirrors, or other objects can interfere with the signal. Move closer to the TV and try again. If the remote still won't pair, the remote itself may be faulty and may need to be replaced.
Connecting a replacement or additional remote
If you're adding a second remote to the same TV, the pairing process is identical: point the new remote at your TV, hold the Pairing button for three to five seconds, and wait for the confirmation message. Your TV can pair with multiple Bluetooth remotes at once, so you don't need to unpair the first one.
If you're replacing a broken remote with a new one, make sure the new remote is compatible with your TV model. Samsung remotes are not always interchangeable between different TV models or years. Check the model number on the back of the new remote against your TV's manual or the Samsung website to confirm compatibility before attempting to pair.
Troubleshooting when your remote stops working after pairing
If your remote worked before but has stopped responding, the first step is always to replace the batteries. Even if the remote seems to have power, low batteries are the most common cause of sudden failure. After replacing them, try pressing a button to see if the TV responds.
If a fresh set of batteries doesn't fix it, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds. This clears the TV's memory and can restore a connection that has become unstable. Plug the TV back in, wait for it to fully boot, then try using the remote.
If the remote still doesn't work, try re-pairing it by holding the Pairing button for three to five seconds while pointing at the TV. Sometimes the connection drops and needs to be re-established. If re-pairing doesn't work and you've ruled out dead batteries, the remote may have a hardware fault and will need to be replaced.
Using your phone as a temporary remote
If your physical remote stops working and you need to control your TV right away, you can use your smartphone as a temporary remote. Download the SmartThings app (available for both iOS and Android) and open it on your phone. Make sure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your TV, then tap the TV icon in the app to see available devices. Select your Samsung TV and you'll see a virtual remote on your screen that mimics your physical remote's buttons.
The SmartThings app remote works over Wi-Fi rather than Bluetooth or infrared, so it doesn't require line of sight — you can control your TV from another room. This is useful as a backup while you wait for a replacement remote to arrive, but it requires your phone and TV to be on the same network.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pair an infrared remote?
No. Infrared remotes work immediately without pairing — just point them at the TV and press a button. If an infrared remote isn't responding, check that the batteries are fresh and that nothing is blocking the path between the remote and the TV's sensor on the front.
Can I use a Samsung remote from a different TV model?
Not always. Samsung remotes are designed for specific TV models and years. Before buying or using a remote from another TV, check the model numbers on both the remote and your TV against Samsung's compatibility list on their support website.
What if my TV doesn't show a pairing message when I hold the Pairing button?
Replace the batteries first — low power prevents the remote from sending the pairing signal. If new batteries don't help, restart your TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then try pairing again while the TV is booting up.
Can I pair more than one remote to the same TV?
Yes. Samsung TVs can pair with multiple Bluetooth remotes at the same time. Each remote will work independently, so you can have remotes in different rooms controlling the same TV.
Why does my remote work sometimes but not other times?
Intermittent remote problems usually mean the batteries are dying. Replace them with fresh batteries and the issue should stop. If it continues, the remote may have a loose connection inside and may need to be replaced.