How to Program a Universal Remote in 6 Methods

Want to know how to program a universal remote? You’re in the right place. This guide will provide clear, step-by-step instructions to connect universal remote to TV in multiple methods.

Tips for Successful Remote Connection

Before learning how to connect universal remote to TV, let’s go over some helpful tips to ensure the pairing process goes smoothly. These simple steps can save you time and frustration, making the setup quicker and easier.

• Patience: Give enough time to the pairing process and keep the manual handy.
• Ensure a Clear Line of Sight: Point your universal remote directly at the TV without any obstructions, and you can also move your devices closer.
• Double-Check Codes: Ensure you’re entering the correct codes for your TV brand or model.
• Test Remote Functions: Ensure all buttons on the remote work as intended, and check if the batteries are fresh and inserted correctly.

How to Program Universal Remote

There are several pairing processes that you’re allowed to adopt to pair universal remote to TV. You can choose the method that works best based on your remote model and the type of smart TV you have.

Direct Code Entry

Let’s explore how to connect a universal remote to a TV using the simple direct code entry method. Direct code entry is an approach to connecting to your TV or streaming device, which requires the corresponding remote.

Step 1. Press the TV button, and the power light on your universal remote should light up. Then continue to hold the TV button.

Step 2. Enter the correct code for your device while continuing to hold the TV button. When the Power button lights up again, you can release the device button. Now you’ve successfully entered the code and can now use your remote to control the device.

You may need: [2024 Guide] How to Find TV Code for Universal Remote?

Auto Code Search

How to pair universal remote to TV? The auto-programming method allows you to set up a universal remote without code or additional information.

Step 1. Point your universal remote at the device, press and release the correct device button (such as the TV button) on your remote.

Step 2. Press the Power button and the device button (such as the TV button) simultaneously. Hold until the power light on the device turns off and then back on.

Step 3. Press the Play button and wait five seconds to see whether your TV turns off. If so, you found the correct code. If not, repeat the process.

Step 4. Press the Reverse/Rewind button to turn the TV back on. If not, repeat the process until it finds the correct code.

Step 5. Hold down the Stop button to save the code, then test out several functions to make sure they’re working correctly, and use your universal remote.

Brand Code Search

A Brand Code Search is a quick way to program your universal remote to work with devices from specific brands. You simply enter a code linked to the TV’s brand, and the remote will automatically sync with it. Now let’s check how to program universal remote to TV by brand code searching.

Step 1. Turn on your television. Locate the brand codes from the list provided with your universal remote. Press the TV button. When the LED for that button turns on and remains on, keep holding down the button.

Step 2. While holding the TV button, press the Power button until it lights up. Then, release both the buttons and your device button should stay light.

Step 3. Enter the first code of the brand and the LED light for that TV button should then remain on. Press and release the Power button repeatedly until your device turns off. If it turns off, the remote has found the correct code.

Step 4. Press the Stop button on your universal remote to save the code, then use several buttons to examine whether your remote can control your device.

Step 5. If your device doesn’t turn off and the LED blinks four times, try another programming method or make sure you’re using the correct brand code.

For example: If you have a BoostVision universal remote, you can press the corresponding TV brand button for 5 seconds, release it after the LED light flashes three times. Then the settings is complete.

Manual Code Search

How to connect my universal remote to my TV? Instead of having the remote automatically pair through brand codes, you can manually go through each code one by one. Just keep in mind that this method will take a long time since there are so many codes.

Step 1. Turn on your TV and press the corresponding Device and Power buttons on your universal remote simultaneously. When the Power button lights up, then release both buttons.

Step 2. Point the remote at the TV, press the Power button on the universal remote, and wait a few seconds.

Step 3. If your TV turns off, it means the remote has found the correct code. Then press Stop to save the code.

Step 4. If the TV doesn’t turn off, press the Power button again to have the remote try the next code in its database. Repeat this step until the correct code is found.

Use the IR Learning Mode

IR Learning involves positioning your universal remote and the original TV remote so that they are facing each other. This setup allows infrared signals from the original remote to be transferred to the universal remote, enabling it to control your TV.

Note that this process is long and tedious, and it’s important to confirm that your universal remote supports this programming method before starting. Now let’s learn how do you connect a universal remote to a TV:

Step 1. Press the TV button, and activate the learning mode for your universal remote. (You can find whether there is a Learn button on your remote, or contact support to identify where the function button is.)

Step 2. Press any button on the universal remote, and press the corresponding function button on the original remote. Repeat these steps for every function you need to use.

Pair a Virtual Universal Remote

Once you think it’s troublesome to pair the universal remote to your device, you’re empowered to attempt a universal remote app from BoostVision with a simple connection process and no code. How to connect universal remote to TV without code? Keep reading to check the pairing process.

Step 1. Install the virtual universal remote from BoostVision on your mobile device, then ensure your mobile device and TV are under the same wireless network.

Step 2. Launch the remote app on your smartphone or tablet, and click “Tap to connect“to choose your television or streaming device from the device list to connect to.

Step 3. After finishing the connection procedure, you can tap the onscreen buttons to control your device as a physical remote.

Final Thoughts

How do you program a universal remote? You are allowed to try direct code entry, auto code search, brand code search, manual code search, use the IR learning mode, or attempt to pair a virtual universal remote. If you find this post helpful, don’t hesitate to share it with more people who need these effective pairing methods.

How to Program a Universal Remote FAQ

Q: How do I program a universal remote without a code?

You can use auto code search, brand code search, IR Learning Mode, or pair a virtual universal remote with no pairing code.

Q: Where is the code search button?

This button is typically located at the top of your remote and may be labeled Code Search above or below it. If your universal remote has this button or option, you can connect your device by entering the specific code for that device.