How to Program a Universal Remote to My TV
By J. Anthony Cooley
Not having a remote control programmed to your TV prevents you from changing the TV's channels and volume from across the room, causing you to get up from the couch repeatedly. If you no longer have the original remote that came with your TV, use a universal remote instead. Universal remotes are programmable to any TV by using the right programing code, however, depending on the model of your universal remote, there are a few different ways to program a universal remote to your TV. This process does not require any tools and takes less than five minutes to complete.
Programming a Zenith universal remote
Press and hold the "Program" button on the remote for three full seconds. The LED turns on when you have held the program button down long enough. Press the "TV" button on the remote to indicate you are programming a TV.
Go to the TV codes website or the remote's user manual and find the code list by looking up the make of your TV. Enter each digit of the code into the remote using the number pad, then press the "Enter" button. The LED then flashes and turns off.
Point the remote at the TV, then press the "Power" button and the TV should turn on. If the power stays off, go back to Step 2 and enter the next code on the list. Continue to do this until you find a code that works.
Programming a GE universal remote
Turn on the TV you are programming to the remote. Press and hold the "Code Search/Setup" button on the remote control until the indicator lights up, then release the button.
Press the "TV" button so the remote knows that it will be syncing to a TV and not any other device. Find the code list for your TV by looking up the make of your TV on the Jasco Products website or in the remote's user manual.
Enter the first code from the code list into the remote by pressing each digit of the code into the remote's number pad. Aim the remote at the TV and press the "Power" button, the TV should turn off. If the TV does not turn off, repeat the process from step one using the next code on the list until you find a code that works.
Programming an RCA universal remote
Find the code list of your TV by going to the Thompson TV website or the remote's user manual and looking up the manufacture's name of your TV.
Press and hold the "Code Search" button on the remote. Press and hold the "TV" button until the TV button flashes.
Enter the 3-digit code for your TV into the number pad of the remote and release the "Code Search" button. Aim the remote at the TV and press the "Power" button, the TV should respond by turning on. If the TV does not respond, start over at step one and use the next code on the list. Continue this process until you find a code that works.
References
Writer Bio
Jason Cooley began writing in 2005 as the owner of a personal-training business, authoring advertising copy and business contracts. He has since served as a writer with Oral B and On Top of My Diabetes.