How to Program a Remote Control

Plenty of individuals see a remote control as nothing more than an easy or "lazy" way to change TV channels. The fact of the matter is that many televisions as well as DVD and VHS players will not work properly without a remote control. There are plenty of different remote controls you can purchase if you misplace one of your own. Once you buy a new remote control, you must program it so that it will work with your electronic devices. Follow these steps to get started.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Using Remote Control Codes

1. Turn on the electronic device for which you'll be using your remote control. You will have to do this manually by pressing the "On/Off" button on the device.

2. Locate either the "Code Search" or "Setup" button on your remote control. Which one you have will depend on the remote control.

3. Hold that button for anywhere between five and 10 seconds. The light on your remote should then turn on. Depending on your remote, the light will either blink or remain on after you release the button.

4. Press the corresponding button on your remote for your device that you are programming. In other words, if you want to program your remote to your television, you would press the "TV" button.

5. Use the numbers on your remote to enter the three- or four-digit code for that particular device. The codes for your remote control will be found in the manual. Don't worry if you have lost the manual. You can find codes for practically every remote control on the market on the Internet. Visit the website of the manufacturer of the electronic device (TV, DVD player, among others) or log onto the "Universal Remote Control Codes" website. Once you have entered the code using the remote, you should notice that the light on your remote has turned off.

6. Point your remote towards the device and attempt to turn the device off. If you can do so, you have programmed your remote correctly.

Programming Without Remote Control Codes

7. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 found in Section 1.

8. Begin pressing the "Up" channel button found on your remote. You will probably have to do this a few hundred times (or anywhere between five and 10 minutes). Once the channel changes, your remote will be programmed. Turn the device on and off using your remote to finish programming.

9. Use the "Power" button if the channel button did not program your remote control. Again, you will probably have to press the "Power" button a few hundred times. Once the device that you are programming your remote to has turned off, you will know that you have programmed the remote control correctly.

Tips & Warnings

• You can find manuals for most remote controls on the Internet, either on the manufacturer website or through the Universal Remote Control Codes website. Since each remote control is different, finding the manual for your particular remote control will make programming that remote control a much easier process.

Resources

• Universal remote control codes