--- title: "TCL TV remote not working? How to fix it | Simple TV Remote" description: "TCL TV remote not working? How to fix it On a TCL Google TV, pair the remote again by holding HOME and OK together near the TV. On a TCL Roku TV, voice remotes pair with the button under the battery cover (or Back + Home for 5 seconds). For either kind, start with fresh batteries, a clear path to th" canonical: "https://simpletvremote.com/tv-remote-not-working/tcl/" language: "en" --- TCL · Remote not working # TCL TV remote not working? How to fix it On a TCL Google TV, pair the remote again by holding HOME and OK together near the TV. On a TCL Roku TV, voice remotes pair with the button under the battery cover (or Back + Home for 5 seconds). For either kind, start with fresh batteries, a clear path to the sensor, and a restart of the TV. [Coming soon to iPhone](https://simpletvremote.com/#get)[Check your TV](https://simpletvremote.com/compatibility/)Free check · $5.99 once · No subscription TCL remote stopped working? First check whether your TV runs Google TV or Roku TV, because they pair differently. On a TCL Google TV, hold HOME and OK together near the TV. On a TCL Roku TV, use the pairing button or Back and Home for 5 seconds. While you sort it out, your iPhone can be the remote over your home Wi-Fi. ## Every fix, step by step From TCL’s own support pages. Work down the list. 1. ### Google TV or Roku TV? TCL sells TVs with Google TV (and older Android TV) and TVs with Roku built in. The home screen tells you which one you have. The pairing steps are different, so pick the right section below. 2. ### Google TV and Android TV: check the batteries 1. Open the battery compartment on the back of the remote. 2. Take the batteries out and put them back in, with + and - the right way round. 3. If the remote still doesn't respond, put in new batteries. [Source](https://support.tcl.com/en_US/us-androidtv-troubleshooting/how-to-troubleshoot-your-tcl-android-tv-remote-control) 3. ### Google TV and Android TV: clear the sensor TCL's voice remote sends basic commands by infrared and voice by Bluetooth. Infrared needs a clear path to the front of the TV. Move soundbars, center speakers and decorations out of the way. If the remote works only when you point it straight at the TV, the Bluetooth pairing probably needs fixing. [Source](https://support.tcl.com/en_US/us-androidtv-troubleshooting/how-to-troubleshoot-your-tcl-android-tv-remote-control) 4. ### Google TV: pair the remote again 1. Turn on the TV and stand within about 3 feet of it. 2. Press and hold HOME and OK on the remote at the same time. 3. Keep holding until the pairing animation or prompt appears on screen, then follow any prompts. [Source](https://support.tcl.com/us-googletv-setup-configuration/how-to-pair-remote-with-your-tcl-google-tv-us) 5. ### Google TV and Android TV: if pairing fails 1. Take the batteries out, wait 10 seconds, and put them back. Fresh batteries help most. 2. Move Bluetooth headphones, speakers and game controllers away from the TV while you pair. 3. Unplug the TV, wait 60 seconds, plug it back in, and try HOME + OK again. 4. If you can navigate another way (another remote, a USB keyboard, the TV's button or a phone app), go to Settings > Remotes & Accessories and pair the remote from there. [Source](https://support.tcl.com/us-androidtv-setup-configuration/how-to-pair-your-remote-with-your-tcl-android-tv) 6. ### Test the remote with a phone camera 1. Open the camera on a phone. A front-facing camera or a dark room works better. 2. Point the camera at the front tip of the remote and hold the Power button. 3. A flashing purple, white or pink light means the remote is sending infrared. 4. No light with new batteries means the remote may need replacing. [Source](https://support.tcl.com/en_US/us-androidtv-troubleshooting/how-to-troubleshoot-your-tcl-android-tv-remote-control) 7. ### Roku TV: pair a voice remote Roku simple remotes (no voice button) use infrared. Roku voice remotes connect wirelessly and must be paired with the TV. 1. Put the TV in pairing mode. With no working remote, unplug the TV, wait at least 5 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for the Home screen. 2. Put the remote in pairing mode. If it has a pairing button (on the back or under the battery cover), hold it for 5 seconds until the status light flashes. 3. If there's no pairing button, hold Back and Home for 5 seconds until the status light flashes. 4. If it doesn't pair, make sure the TV and the remote are both in pairing mode at the same time, and restart the TV. [Source](https://support.roku.com/article/pair-your-voice-remote) 8. ### Check the TV's own button TCL says the button on the TV is usually underneath or behind the TCL logo. If the TV responds to that button but not the remote, the problem is the remote. If it responds to neither, the issue is the TV or its power. [Source](https://support.tcl.com/en_US/us-androidtv-troubleshooting/how-to-troubleshoot-your-tcl-android-tv-remote-control) 9. ### Use your iPhone while you fix it Your phone can stand in for the remote. On a TCL Google TV, use Google's own Google TV app: tap TVs nearby, pick your TV, and enter the code shown on screen. On a TCL Roku TV, use the Roku app. 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/. - Roku says its app can't find a Roku TV that isn't connected to the internet, for example after a reset. [Source](https://support.google.com/googletv/answer/11136134?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS) ## Use your iPhone instead Simple TV Remote works with TCL TVs that run Google TV and Roku TV, over your home Wi-Fi. Check your model, then try it free in the app. [TCLTCL C-Series and P-Series (Google TV, UK)TCL's UK C-Series and P-Series TVs from 2022 on (C635K, C745K, C855K, C7K, P7K and later) run Google TV, which Simple TV Remote is built for.Google TV · 2022–2026 · 66 models](https://simpletvremote.com/tcl/uk-google-tv/)[TCLTCL QM Mini-LEDTCL's US QD-Mini LED TVs (QM7, QM8, QM9, QM6K–QM9K, X11L) run Google TV, which Simple TV Remote is built for.Google TV · 2023–2026 · 51 models](https://simpletvremote.com/tcl/qm-mini-led/)[TCLTCL Q-Class and S-Class Google TVTCL's US Q-Class and S-Class TVs with a G at the end of the code (Q650G, S450G, S551G), plus the 2021 5-Series and 6-Series Google TV, run Google TV, which Simple TV Remote is built for.Google TV · 2021–2025 · 51 models](https://simpletvremote.com/tcl/google-tv/)[TCLTCL Android TVTCL's 2020–2021 UK C-Series and P-Series, some later UK P-Series and C6 models, and the US 3- and 4-Series Android TV run Android TV, the older Google platform Simple TV Remote is built for; they aren't tested yet.Android TV · 2020–2024 · 24 models](https://simpletvremote.com/tcl/android-tv/)[TCLTCL Roku TVTCL Roku TV models from 2014–2024.Roku TV · 2014–2024 · 85 models](https://simpletvremote.com/tcl/roku-tv/) ## 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](https://simpletvremote.com/how-we-test/). 1. [TCL Support: How to pair the TCL remote with your TCL TV featuring Google TV](https://support.tcl.com/us-googletv-setup-configuration/how-to-pair-remote-with-your-tcl-google-tv-us)Checked Oct 7, 2026 2. [TCL Support: How to troubleshoot your TCL Android TV remote control](https://support.tcl.com/en_US/us-androidtv-troubleshooting/how-to-troubleshoot-your-tcl-android-tv-remote-control)Checked Oct 7, 2026 3. [TCL Support: How to pair your remote with your TCL Android TV](https://support.tcl.com/us-androidtv-setup-configuration/how-to-pair-your-remote-with-your-tcl-android-tv)Checked Oct 7, 2026 4. [Roku Support: How to set up and pair your Roku voice remote](https://support.roku.com/article/pair-your-voice-remote)Checked Oct 7, 2026 5. [Roku Support: How to use the Roku remote app to control your Roku streaming device](https://support.roku.com/article/roku-remote-on-your-phone)Checked Oct 7, 2026 6. [Google TV Help: Cast, connect & control your TV with the Google TV app (iPhone & iPad)](https://support.google.com/googletv/answer/11136134?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS)Checked Oct 7, 2026 ## Questions Why is my TCL remote not working? Usually it's weak batteries, something blocking the TV's sensor, or a voice remote that has lost its pairing. Reseat or replace the batteries, move soundbars and decorations away from the front of the TV, then pair the remote again. How do I pair a TCL Google TV remote? Turn on the TV, stand within about 3 feet of it, and press and hold HOME and OK together. Keep holding until the pairing animation or prompt appears, then follow any prompts. How do I pair a remote to a TCL Roku TV? Hold the pairing button on the back or under the battery cover for 5 seconds until the status light flashes. If there's no pairing button, hold Back and Home for 5 seconds. Roku simple remotes without a voice button use infrared and don't pair. How do I pair a TCL Roku TV remote without a working remote? Unplug the TV, wait at least 5 seconds, and plug it back in. When the Home screen appears, hold the remote's pairing button, or Back and Home, for 5 seconds. What if my TCL Google TV remote still won't pair? Take the batteries out for 10 seconds and put them back, or use fresh ones. Move Bluetooth headphones, speakers and game controllers away from the TV. Then unplug the TV for 60 seconds and try HOME and OK again. Why does my TCL remote work for power but not voice? Power and basic buttons use infrared, which works without pairing, but voice needs Bluetooth. Pair the remote again with HOME and OK on Google TV, or with the pairing button on a Roku voice remote. How can I tell if my TCL remote is sending a signal? Point the front tip of the remote at a phone camera and hold the Power button. A flashing purple, white or pink light on the screen means it's sending. No light with new batteries means the remote may need replacing. How do I turn on a TCL TV without the remote? Press the button on the TV. TCL says it's usually underneath or behind the TCL logo. If the TV responds to that button but not the remote, the remote is the problem. Can I use my iPhone as a TCL remote? Yes, if the TV is on your Wi-Fi. Use the Google TV app on a TCL Google TV or the Roku app on a TCL Roku TV. Simple TV Remote works on both kinds, and you can check your TV free first. Where is the power button on a TCL TV? TCL says it is usually underneath or behind the TCL logo area. ## 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. [Coming soon to iPhone](https://simpletvremote.com/#get)[Check your TV](https://simpletvremote.com/compatibility/)Free check · $5.99 once · No subscription