Google TV / Chromecast · Remote not working
Google TV remote not working? How to fix it
To fix a Google TV remote, check the batteries, restart the TV or streamer, and pair the remote again: on a Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer, hold Back and Home until the light pulses. On a TV with Google TV built in, pair from Settings > Remotes & Accessories > Pair remote or accessory, and follow the TV maker's on-screen steps.
Fix your Google TV / Chromecast remote
Which TV do you have?
Google TV remote stopped working? Check the batteries, restart the TV or streamer, and pair the remote again. On a Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer, hold Back and Home until the light pulses. While you sort it out, your iPhone can be the remote over your home Wi-Fi.
Every fix, step by step
From Google TV / Chromecast’s own support pages. Work down the list.
Which Google TV remote do you have?
Google TV runs on Google's own streamers (Chromecast with Google TV and Google TV Streamer) and on TVs from other makers, such as Sony, TCL and Hisense. Google's button combinations below are for its own Voice Remotes. For a TV maker's remote, Google says to follow that maker's on-screen pairing instructions. See the brand guides for Sony, TCL and Hisense.
Check the batteries (Chromecast and Google TV Streamer Voice Remote)
- Take both batteries out of the remote.
- Put them back in while you watch the light on the remote. It should flash twice.
- If it doesn't, replace both batteries with the original ones or with 2 fresh 1.5 volt AAA batteries.
- If it still doesn't flash, take the batteries out, wait 5 minutes, and put them back in.
Pair the remote again
- Restart your streaming device: unplug the power cable, wait a few seconds, and plug it back in.
- If the TV shows a pairing screen, press and hold Back and Home on the remote for 3 seconds until the light on the remote pulses.
- If you can reach Settings another way (for example with your phone, below), go to your profile, then Settings > Remotes & Accessories, select the old Voice Remote, then Forget, and pair again.
Pair any remote from Settings
This menu works on Google TV streamers and TVs. Put the remote in pairing mode first, using the maker's instructions.
- Pick the remote from the list.
- On the Bluetooth pairing request screen, select Pair.
Factory-reset the Voice Remote
- Chromecast with Google TV Voice Remote: take out both batteries and wait 5 minutes. Hold Home while you put the batteries back. Keep holding while the light turns on and stays solid. Let go when it starts to pulse. If it doesn't pair by itself, hold Back and Home for 3 seconds.
- Google TV Streamer Voice Remote: press and hold Mute and the center (Select) button together. Keep holding until the light turns solid white.
Power and volume don't work, but the arrows do
The Voice Remote controls the TV's power and volume with infrared. If navigation works but power or volume doesn't, set up the remote buttons for your TV again.
If pairing keeps failing on a Google TV
- Turn the remote or accessory off and on, then pair again.
- If several Bluetooth devices are paired, disconnect the ones you're not using.
- Unplug the TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and try again.
Use your iPhone while you fix it
Your phone can stand in for the remote. Google's own Google TV app works as a remote on iPhone. Open it, tap TVs nearby, select your TV, enter the code shown on the TV, and tap Pair. The Google Home app also has an Open remote button for Google's streamers. Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
- Simple TV Remote is an iPhone remote that works over your home Wi-Fi. It works only if your TV runs a platform it supports. Check your model at /compatibility/.
- With a phone remote you can reach Settings > Remotes & Accessories to pair a new remote, which is hard to do with no remote at all.
Use your iPhone instead
Simple TV Remote works with Google TV and Android TV sets and streamers over your home Wi-Fi. Check your model, then try it free in the app.
Sources
Every compatibility fact on this page comes from these sources. Dates show when we last checked each one. How we build the TV list.
- Google Streaming Help: Troubleshoot the Chromecast or Google TV Voice Remote
- Google TV Help: Set up your Google TV device & remote
- Google TV Help: Connect Bluetooth devices to Google TV
- Google TV Help: Cast, connect & control your TV with the Google TV app (iPhone & iPad)
- Google TV Help: Fix problems with the Google TV virtual remote (iPhone & iPad)
- Google Streaming Help: Use your phone as the remote for your Chromecast or Google TV Streamer
- Google Streaming Help: Find my remote with Google TV Streamer
Questions
Why is my Google TV remote not working?
Usually the batteries are low or the remote has lost its pairing. Take the batteries out and put them back while watching the remote's light: it should flash twice. If it doesn't, put in fresh AAA batteries, then restart the streamer and pair the remote again.
How do I pair a Google TV remote?
On a Chromecast with Google TV or Google TV Streamer, press and hold Back and Home for 3 seconds until the light on the remote pulses. On a TV with Google TV built in, go to Settings > Remotes & Accessories > Pair remote or accessory and follow the TV maker's steps for putting its remote in pairing mode.
How do I reset a Google TV remote?
For the Chromecast with Google TV Voice Remote, take out the batteries for 5 minutes, then hold Home while you put them back and let go when the light pulses. For the Google TV Streamer Voice Remote, hold Mute and the center button until the light turns solid white. Then pair it again.
Why do the arrows work but not power or volume?
The Voice Remote controls the TV's power and volume with infrared, set up for your TV model. Go to Settings > Remotes & Accessories > Set up remote buttons and set up your TV again.
What if pairing keeps failing on my Google TV?
Turn the remote off and on and pair again. If several Bluetooth devices are paired, disconnect the ones you don't use. Then unplug the TV for 10 seconds, plug it back in, and try again.
How do I pair a Sony, TCL or Hisense Google TV remote?
Follow the TV maker's steps, not Google's. For example, TCL Google TV remotes pair by holding HOME and OK together near the TV. Sony and Hisense remotes pair from Settings > Remotes & Accessories, and our brand guides give the exact steps.
How do I find a lost Google TV Streamer remote?
Briefly press the button on the back of the Google TV Streamer, and a paired remote plays a sound for 30 seconds. Don't hold the button down. Press any button on the remote to stop the sound.
Can I use my iPhone as a Google TV remote while I fix it?
Yes. Google's own Google TV app works as a remote: tap TVs nearby, pick your TV and type the code shown on screen. Simple TV Remote works the same way. With a phone remote you can reach Settings > Remotes & Accessories to pair a new remote.
How do I put a Chromecast with Google TV remote into pairing mode?
Press and hold Back and Home until the light on the remote pulses. Google says to hold them for 3 seconds.
Why does my Google TV remote control the menus but not the TV volume?
Volume and power use infrared to talk to the TV. Go to Settings > Remotes & Accessories > Set up remote buttons and set up your TV again.
Can I find a lost Google TV Streamer remote?
Yes, if it is paired. Briefly press the button on the back of the Google TV Streamer, and the remote plays a sound for 30 seconds. Don't hold the button.
Does the Google TV app on iPhone work as a remote?
Open the app, tap TVs nearby, pick your TV, and enter the code shown on screen. Your phone and TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network.
Check your TV free. Pay once if it works.
Simple TV Remote pairs with your TV and sends real commands before you pay anything. If it works, unlock it for $5.99, once.