Apple TV 3rd gen light blinks but remote fails to work

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Apple TV 3rd gen light blinks but remote fails to work

Hi. I’m trying to get my Apple TV remote to do something more than just make the light flash. Tried a reboot of the unit and no change. Tried unsuccessfully to unpair and pair remote no change. We have since updated our WiFi and cannot navigate to the Apple TV settings. Tried plugging unit directly into Ethernet and the unit boots up normally. Nothing I do with the remote seems to do anything on the tv screen. Only the white LED flashes. Tried replacing battery in remote- no different. Tried controlling with remote on my iphoneX and it recognizes the unit, allows you to select but still none of the remote features work. Without a remote I do not know how to check current software version. I’ve spent 2 hours reading similar issues and posts and nothing works.

Apple TV

Posted on Feb 9, 2022 4:45 PM

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Answer 1

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annerobbo Author

Level 1

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Feb 10, 2022 2:49 PM in response to Urquhart1244

Thanks. The light stays continually lit when powered up and ready for user input. The light blinks in response to a button being pressed on the remote but nothing changes. It does all the usual things except any response from its remote control. Simply no navigation to any feature. Also no noise associated with remote buttons being pressed , just the momentary flashing of the light.

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Answer 2

Feb 10, 2022 4:51 AM in response to annerobbo

If the status light keeps flashing continuously (longer than the regular startup), then the unit may need to have its system software re-installed. You can do so through a USB connected computer: Restore your Apple TV - Apple Support

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Answer 3

rkaufmann87

Level 10

143,688 points

Feb 9, 2022 10:37 PM in response to annerobbo

If your Apple TV remote isn’t working

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Answer 4

Feb 11, 2022 3:04 AM in response to annerobbo

The light blinks in response to a button being pressed on the remote but nothing changes.

That is expected, even for unlinked remotes. It acknowledges that a signal is received, but it will only listen to linked remotes. Try to link again, as outlined on the support page that rkaufmann87 provided (2nd half of the page). Do both steps: first the unlinking, then the re-linking.

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Answer 5

annerobbo Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 12, 2022 4:19 AM in response to Urquhart1244

Thanks. I’ll follow the process to unlink and link the remote and get back to posting the outcome.

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Apple TV 3rd gen light blinks but remote fails to work

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