At the end of a hard-working day or on a lazy Sunday afternoon, sometimes all we want to do is relax on the couch and watch some TV.
And sometimes the universe has other ideas to spoil our leisure time.
It can be pretty frustrating when the remote control for your set simply is not working properly for instance.
But before throwing it at the wall in frustration or heading straight to the electrical store to purchase a new one, there may be some pretty simple solutions to try first.
Check batteries
Sometimes when something is not working properly it is best to start with the most obvious and simple solution.
If your remote control is not working as it should for instance, then the first thing you should do is to check your batteries.
Carefully remove the battery clips, take out the batteries from your remote, and replace them with fresh and correctly inserted batteries and equip with new battery clips and connectors to see if your remote starts functioning properly once more.
Clean contacts
If your batteries have only recently been changed or your remote still is not working as it should after you have replaced them, then it is safe to assume there is an issue elsewhere.
One particularly problematic area can be the battery contacts.
Over time, our remotes can gather up dirt and dust from our homes and even start to corrode. These things can disrupt the electrical connection in a remote.
To check, carefully prise open the battery compartment, and with either a clean, dry, cloth or a small brush give the contacts a nice, thorough clean.
Additionally, you could try using rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to try and tackle those particularly harsh residues.
Reset or repair
Of course, nowadays TVs and our remotes tend to be a lot more technologically advanced than traditional models.
A lot of devices now are smart devices and remote controls are designed to be paired with a specific device.
Things like a drop out in WiFi or electrical disturbances may cause your remote to lose its pairing with the TV.
If this is the case it might simply need to be reset or re-paired to get working again.
Test infrared emitter
Another thing to check is the infrared emitter, and this is simpler than it may sound.
You can use your smartphone, or a digital camera, to check if a remote is emitting infrared signals.
Merely take a look through the viewfinder on the camera you are using and press a button on the remote while pointing at the camera lens.
If it is working correctly then you should be able to see a faint, purple-like light on your camera screen. If you cannot then there could well be a fault with your remote.
Repair or replace buttons
Sometimes, it is not the entire remote that is broken.
It could merely be that certain buttons on the remote are damaged or worn out. If it is possible to do so, you can prise open the remote and check out the button contacts.
You may be able to clean or fix them if they are dirty or broken, and you can even buy replacement buttons to get them working again.
Consider universal remotes
Sometimes, sadly, a TV remote is just beyond repair and you will have to consider a replacement.
If this is the case, you might want to think about purchasing a universal remote as they can work on multiple devices.
Moreover, they usually come with instructions on how to program them for your specific devices.
Ingrid Maldine is a business writer, editor and management consultant with extensive experience writing and consulting for both start-ups and long established companies. She has ten years management and leadership experience gained at BSkyB in London and Viva Travel Guides in Quito, Ecuador, giving her a depth of insight into innovation in international business. With an MBA from the University of Hull and many years of experience running her own business consultancy, Ingrid’s background allows her to connect with a diverse range of clients, including cutting edge technology and web-based start-ups but also multinationals in need of assistance. Ingrid has played a defining role in shaping organizational strategy for a wide range of different organizations, including for-profit, NGOs and charities. Ingrid has also served on the Board of Directors for the South American Explorers Club in Quito, Ecuador.
