Level 2

305 points

Remote control not working with reset Apple TV (black model)

Today my Apple TV remote control (the thin, silver one) suddenly stopped working with my Apple TV (black model). If I press the menu button the "bong" sound plays ok, but no other button makes any reaction.

The remote app on my iPad2 did work, however, so I used the remote app to totally reset my Apple TV, hoping that this would solve the problem.

Now the Apple TV starts up and shows the initial "Select language" screen, but still the remote control does not work, and because of the reset procedure the iPad2 has no connection to the Apple TV anymore.

Tried to hold down MENU and "left" ring on the remote control for 6 seconds, but nothing happens. Tried to replace battery, but same result - don't think the battery is the problem.

Observation: When I insert the battery into the remote control while the Apple TV is turned on, the white LED on the Apple TV immediately turns off. Hence the remote control must be transmitting something. The LED stays off until I press the MENU button on the remote control. Then the white LED turns on again and stays on. But still the remote control does not work with my Apple TV.

It is the original remote control that has always worked with the device.

Now, what do I do???

AppleTV 2

Posted on Feb 18, 2014 1:26 PM

Top-ranking reply

dj redline

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Feb 28, 2019 6:23 PM

Second option by "Cupertino_alert" worked:

Un-pair the remote, then re-pair the remote.

To un-pair it, hold down the Menu button and the Left button at the same time until an icon appears on the screen showing a remote with two cloud-like icons. That means the remote is un-paired.

To re-pair the remote - or to pair it with the Apple TV for the first time - hold down the Menu button and the Right button at the same time. It should pair with the Apple TV almost immediately.

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82 replies

Sep 1, 2018 11:48 AM in response to Martin-Skejby

Apple TV remote not working

Nov 22, 2018 8:34 AM in response to cupertino_alert

I’ve been trying for 2 days to get my old Apple TV to work & this set of instructions from 4 years ago is the only thing that worked! Thank you!!

ManoloAR

Level 1

4 points

Nov 24, 2018 8:04 AM in response to cupertino_alert

Spot on instructions! Still good for the 1st gen ATV remotes. Thanks!

Jan 6, 2019 11:30 AM in response to cupertino_alert

Thank you for your post. It worked for me! I’m so grateful.

Jan 10, 2019 10:05 AM in response to Martin-Skejby

Remote not working. Tried changing battery & reset. The home page comes up & says could not sign in. None of the buttons on remote work

4347

Level 1

11 points

Jan 12, 2019 4:01 PM in response to Martin-Skejby

trying to reconnect my remote to Apple TV. Followed instructions but did not work

4347

Level 1

11 points

Jan 12, 2019 4:02 PM in response to 4347

Cannot reconnect remote to Apple tv

TuKaM

Level 1

4 points

Jan 20, 2019 11:19 PM in response to Martin-Skejby

Reliable

Feb 1, 2019 11:01 AM in response to cupertino_alert

Thank you so much! Option#2 worked!!!

Feb 5, 2019 5:13 PM in response to cupertino_alert

Worked perfectly, thank you.

May 30, 2014 6:18 AM in response to Martin-Skejby

Download the Remote app on your iPhone (assuming you have one). It can control the ATV.

Then you can use that to go to Settings > General > Remotes > Learn Remote and use your TV or whatever remote with Apple TV. I've paired my Samnsung TV's remote and now have one less remote to have to deal with.

Kenzooo

Level 1

8 points

Apr 17, 2015 9:01 PM in response to cupertino_alert

Thank you step two worked for me after step one failed to resolve the issue. What annoys me about Apple, is that these solutions appear to live in the forums, published by users as opposed to Apple providing solutions to bugs in their software. Because of the largely unstructured nature of the forums, often useful solutions are difficult to find.

But thank you cupertino_alert, you have saved me this time. :-)

Ken

Chipitay

Level 1

0 points

May 25, 2015 10:58 AM in response to cupertino_alert

Since I unboxed my ATV, my remote control has been dead. ATV lights have never blinked or anything. I cant pass on the first menu that appear when installing ATV for the first time.

Please help me!!

Can it be the batteries even though i have never used it?

Thank you

Jrrzz

Level 1

4 points

Jul 18, 2015 10:12 PM in response to cupertino_alert

Thanks cupertino_alert, worked on first attempt.

The un-paired icon doesn't hang around long and I almost missed it - it appeared in the top LH side of my screen, it's white, almost transparent.

Good luck to the rest of you experiencing this frustrating issue 🙂

Sep 12, 2016 7:08 PM in response to Martin-Skejby

My Apple TVs have you been nothing but a complete pain in my butt. In order to watch a movie with your whole family sitting on the couch waiting, you have to run back-and-forth to the computer and the AppleTV to get the setting straight over and over. I was in the hospital, and came home to find that the remotes on both my Apple TV decided to no longer function even after replacing batteries. Some options to use the remote. Which means having to sign in on my phone every time I need to pause or just volume or change to a different program or whatever. The iPhone as a remote is terrible. I am sick to death of my Apple TVs and done so over it. Getting any kind of device , as anything has to be better than this.

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Remote control not working with reset Apple TV (black model)