Sky · Remote not working
Sky Q remote not working? How to fix it
Most Sky Q remote problems clear up when you put in fresh batteries, restart the Sky Q box at the mains, and reset and pair the remote again (hold 7 and 9, then 1 and 3). First press ? on the remote: if the light at the top doesn't flash, the remote itself is the problem.
Fix your Sky remote
Which TV do you have?
Sky Q remote stopped working? Press ? and check the light at the top flashes, put in fresh batteries, and restart the Sky Q box at the mains. If that doesn't fix it, reset the remote with 7 and 9 and pair it again with 1 and 3. While you sort it out, your iPhone can control the box over your home Wi-Fi.
Every fix, step by step
From Sky’s own support pages. Work down the list.
Check the remote is sending a signal
- Press ? on your Sky Q remote and watch the light at the top of the remote.
- If it doesn't flash, put in fresh batteries and try again. If it still doesn't flash, go to resetting and pairing the remote below.
- If it does flash, press Home. The light on the front of the Sky Q box should turn green.
Check whether it's the remote or the box
If the light on the front of the box stays red or amber after you press Home, press the Standby button on the front of the Sky Q box. If the box turns on, the problem is the remote. If it stays red or amber, restart the box.
Restart the Sky Q box
- Press Standby on your Sky Q remote, then switch off or unplug the box at the mains.
- Check there are no lights on the front of the box and all the cables are pushed in firmly.
- Plug in and switch the box back on at the mains.
- Wait for the messages on screen to disappear, then press Home on the remote. Some features can take up to five minutes to come back.
Reset and pair the remote again
Only one remote can be paired with a Sky Q box at a time, and the box needs to be connected to broadband. If you have an old remote, hold 7 and 9 on it until its light flashes to disconnect it first.
- Hold 7 and 9 on the remote until its light flashes. This resets the remote.
- Hold 1 and 3 together to start pairing.
- On the TV screen, select Continue and enter the brand of your TV.
- Select Find it for me, then pick your TV's make and model.
- Press the volume buttons on the Sky Q remote. If your TV's volume doesn't change, select No, try another until it does.
Volume buttons don't change the TV volume
The Sky Q remote changes your TV's volume only once it's set up for your TV. Hold 1 and 3, choose your TV brand, select Find it for me, and keep selecting No, try another until the volume buttons work. Still nothing? Hold 7 and 9 to reset the remote, then try again.
Touchpad doesn't respond
On a Sky Q touch remote, touch control can be switched off.
- Press Home on the remote.
- Select Settings, Setup, then Remote Control.
- Select Sky Q Touch Remote and turn touch control On.
The box is slow to respond early in the morning
In Eco standby, the factory setting, the Sky Q box goes into low power between 2:30am and 5:45am and takes a few minutes to wake. To stop this, press Home, then go to Settings > Setup > Preferences > Standby mode and choose Active or None.
Still not working? Ask Sky for a new remote
If your Sky Q remote is lost, stolen or damaged, Sky's help page has an I still need help option to request a new one.
Use your iPhone while you fix it
Your phone can stand in for the remote. Sky's own Sky Go app has a virtual remote for Sky Q: your phone and the Sky Q box must be on the same Wi-Fi, then select the Remote button in the top right corner of Sky Go.
- Simple TV Remote is an iPhone remote that works over your home Wi-Fi with Sky Q boxes in the UK and Ireland. It finds the box on your network, with no pairing. It doesn't control volume, so use your TV remote for that.
- Guest networks, VPNs and network isolation can stop a phone app from finding the box.
Use your iPhone instead
Simple TV Remote works with Sky Q boxes in the UK and Ireland, over your home Wi-Fi. Check your box, 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.
Questions
Why is my Sky Q remote not working?
Press ? on the remote first. If the light at the top doesn't flash, the remote is the problem: put in fresh batteries, then reset it with 7 and 9 and pair it again with 1 and 3. If the light flashes but nothing happens, press Standby on the front of the box, and restart the box at the mains if it stays red or amber.
How do I reset my Sky Q remote?
Hold 7 and 9 together until the light on the remote flashes. Then hold 1 and 3 to pair it with the box again and follow the steps on screen.
How do I pair my Sky Q remote again?
Hold 1 and 3 together, select Continue, enter your TV's brand, select Find it for me, and pick your TV. The Sky Q box needs to be connected to broadband, and only one remote can be paired at a time.
Why is the volume on my Sky Q remote not working?
The remote isn't set up for your TV. Hold 1 and 3, enter your TV's brand, select Find it for me, and keep selecting No, try another until the volume buttons change your TV's volume. Still nothing? Reset with 7 and 9 and try again.
My Sky Q remote isn't working with new batteries. What now?
Restart the box, then reset and pair the remote. Press Standby, switch the box off at the mains, switch it back on, and press Home once the messages disappear. Then hold 7 and 9, followed by 1 and 3.
How do I restart my Sky Q box?
Press Standby on the remote, then switch off or unplug the box at the mains. Check the lights on the front are off, switch it back on, and press Home once the on-screen messages disappear. Some features can take up to five minutes to come back.
Why does my Sky Q box ignore the remote early in the morning?
It's probably in Eco standby, which puts the box into low power between 2:30am and 5:45am and takes a few minutes to wake. Press Home, then go to Settings > Setup > Preferences > Standby mode and choose Active or None.
Can I use my iPhone as a Sky Q remote while mine is broken?
Yes. Sky Go has a virtual remote for Sky Q, and Simple TV Remote works with Sky Q boxes with no pairing. Your iPhone and the box must be on the same Wi-Fi. Simple TV Remote can't change the volume on Sky Q, so use your TV's own remote for that.
How do I pair a Sky Q remote to my TV?
Hold 1 and 3 together, select Continue, enter your TV's brand, then select Find it for me and pick your TV. Press the volume buttons to test, and select No, try another if the TV's volume doesn't change.
Can I pair two Sky Q remotes to one box?
Sky says only one remote can be paired at a time. Hold 7 and 9 on the old remote until its light flashes before you pair a new one.
Why won't my Sky Q box turn on with the remote?
Press the Standby button on the front of the box. If the box turns on, the problem is the remote. If the light stays red or amber, restart the box at the mains.
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.