Smart TVs are becoming more popular and diverse as technology advances, and newer brands are arriving with a variety of different options. There are many different options available for a smart TV right now, each offering a unique and innovative take with smart features.
One of these options is Fire TV, which is adopted by many different brands such as Toshiba, Redmi, Onida, Amaze, and many others. Fire TVs are smart TVs with Amazon’s Fire OS, allowing you to access thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa for voice access. You can use the included Alexa voice remote to control your TV, search for movies and shows, launch apps, and more. Fire TV has been on the rise in popularity due to its affordability and well-established OS. Right now, many Fire TV models also support 4K resolution, HDR, Dolby Atmos, and other advanced features that enhance your viewing experience.
However, smart TVs are not without problems. One of the common issues that users may encounter is with the remote control. The remote control may not work for various reasons, such as dead batteries, water damage, broken buttons, IR receiver malfunction, or interference from other devices. Today, we will discuss various problems that could cause the Fire TV remote to not work, especially in the case of a Toshiba Fire TV. We will also offer some handy solutions that you can try and see if they help with your problem.
Why Toshiba Fire TV Remote is Not Working?
If the included Fire TV remote of your Toshiba TV is not working properly, you will likely run into many problems. First of all, it might be the only remote paired to your TV at the moment. So, it completely removes your access to the TV. And since most Smart TVs these days have a relatively tedious OSD menu controlled by a single button, it can get pretty difficult to get used to. Not to mention, it is not ideal to always control the TV from the hardware switch.
Without a working remote, you cannot turn ON or OFF your Fire TV, change the volume, switch the input, launch or exit apps, play or pause videos, or use Alexa voice commands. This can limit your options and enjoyment of your Fire TV. Also, If your Fire TV is experiencing other problems, such as buffering, freezing, crashing, or network issues, you may need to use your remote to perform some troubleshooting steps, such as restarting, resetting, updating, or clearing cache and data. Without a working remote, you may not be able to do these steps and resolve the issues.
Therefore, we strongly recommend checking out our guide until the end and testing all of the solutions mentioned in this guide to try and fix your Toshiba Fire TV remote easily.
How to Fix Toshiba Fire TV Remote?
1. Pair Remote with TV
Sometimes, the remote may lose connection with the TV and need to be paired again. To do this, follow these steps:
- Remove the batteries from the remote and wait for 10 seconds.
- Plug in your Fire TV and wait until you see the home screen.
- Put the batteries back in the remote and press and hold the Home button for 10 seconds.
- You should see a message on the screen that says “New Remote Connected”.
2. Change Remote Batteries
The remote may not work if the batteries are low or dead. You can check the battery level by pressing the Alexa or microphone button on the remote. If the LED at the top of the remote flashes red, it means that the batteries are low and need to be replaced. You should also make sure that the batteries are inserted correctly, with the positive and negative terminals matching the markings inside the battery compartment.
3. Clean Dust & Dirt
The remote may not work if dust, dirt, or debris blocks the buttons or the IR sensor. You can try to clean the buttons, and the IR sensor with a soft cloth or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Be careful not to apply too much pressure or liquid, as this may damage the remote.
4. Update TV OS
The remote may not work if your TV’s outdated or corrupted operating system. You can try to update your TV’s OS by following these steps:
- Press the Home button on your remote and select Settings.
- Select Device & Software and then select Check for System Update.
- If there is an update available, select Install Update and wait for it to finish.
- Restart your TV and check if your remote works.
5. Reprogram Remote
The remote may not work if it is programmed incorrectly or has lost its settings. You can try to reprogram your remote by following these steps:
- Press and hold the Menu and Back buttons on your remote for 10 seconds until you see a message on the screen that says “Remote Control Settings”.
- Select Remote Type and choose either IR or Bluetooth, depending on your remote model.
- Select Pair Remote Control and follow the on-screen instructions to pair your remote with your TV.
6. Check Remote Sensors
The remote may not work if its IR sensor or your TV’s IR receiver is faulty or blocked. You can check if your remote’s IR sensor is working by using a smartphone camera:
- Point your remote at your smartphone camera and press any button on the remote.
- Look at your smartphone screen and see if you can see a faint light coming from the remote’s IR sensor.
- If you can see the light, it means that your remote’s IR sensor is working. If not, it means that your remote’s IR sensor is broken, and you may need to replace it.
7. Update Remote Firmware
The remote may not work if its firmware is outdated or corrupted. You can try to update your remote’s firmware by following these steps:
- Press and hold the Menu and Back buttons on your remote for 10 seconds until you see a message on the screen that says “Remote Control Settings”.
- Select Advanced Options and then select Update Remote Firmware.
- If there is an update available, select Install Update and wait for it to finish.
- Restart your TV and check if your remote works.
8. Ensure Proper Connection
The remote may not work if there is interference or a long distance between your remote and your TV. You can try to ensure a proper connection by following these tips:
- Make sure that there is nothing blocking or reflecting the IR signal between your remote and your TV, such as furniture, glass, or sunlight.
- Ensure that there are no other sources of interference near your TV or your remote such as phones, microwaves, or other remotes.
- Make sure that you are within 10 feet of your TV when using your remote.
9. Reset Remote
The remote may not work if it has a software glitch or a memory issue. You can try to reset your remote by following these steps:
- Remove the batteries from the remote and wait for 10 seconds.
- Press and hold any button on the remote for 20 seconds to drain any residual power.
- Put the batteries back in the remote and press any button to turn it on.
- Check if your remote works.
10. Fire TV Mobile Remote
If none of these steps work, you can use the Fire TV mobile app as an alternative way to control your TV. The app is available for Android and iOS devices and allows you to use your smartphone as a virtual remote. You can download the app from the Google Play Store or the App Store and follow the instructions to connect it to your TV.
Toshiba Fire TV Remote Not Working – FAQs
Ans: There are many possible reasons why your Toshiba Fire TV remote may not work properly. The most common issue is if the batteries are drained or not inserted properly. You can check the battery level by pressing the Alexa or microphone button on the remote. If the LED at the top of the remote flashes red, it means that the batteries are low and need to be replaced.
Also, If your remote gets wet or exposed to moisture, it may stop working or malfunction. You should try to dry out the remote as soon as possible by removing the batteries and wiping it with a soft cloth. You can also place it in a bowl of uncooked rice or silica gel packets to absorb the moisture.
Similarly, If some of the buttons on your remote are not working or stuck, it may be due to dirt, dust, or debris blocking the contacts or the IR sensor. You can try to clean the buttons, and the IR sensor with a soft cloth or a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Ans: If your remote uses infrared (IR) technology, ensure there is nothing blocking or reflecting the IR signal between your remote and your TV, such as furniture, glass, or sunlight. You should also avoid placing your Fire TV near other sources of IR interference, such as phones, microwaves, or other remotes.
Or, if your remote is using Bluetooth, make sure that you are within 10 feet of your Fire TV when using your remote. You should also check if your remote is paired with your Fire TV by following these steps:
*Press the Home button on your remote and select Settings.
*Select Controllers & Bluetooth Devices and then select Amazon Fire TV Remotes.
*You should see your remote listed under the paired devices. If not, select Add New Remote and follow the on-screen instructions to pair your remote.
To reset your Toshiba Fire TV remote, you can try the following method:
*Hold down the Home button on the remote for about 10 seconds. This will bring up a menu that will allow you to select “Reset Remote”.
*If that does not work for you, you can go into the Settings menu and select “Reset”.
*Alternatively, you can unplug your Fire TV and wait 60 seconds. Then, press and hold the Left button, Menu button, and Back button at the same time.
Ans: Generally, the average battery life of a Fire TV remote with fresh batteries should give you around 5 to 6 months of battery life. However, this may vary depending on how often you use the remote and what functions you use, such as voice commands, volume control, or navigation. But in any case, you should get up to 3 months of battery life with any Fire TV remote. Failing the same would indicate problems with the batteries you are using with the remote or the remote itself.
Universal remotes can control multiple electronic appliances, such as TVs, DVD players, and sound systems. They are convenient and easy to use, especially if you have lost or damaged your original remote. However, not all universal remotes are compatible with Toshiba Fire TV. Before buying or programming, you need to check the compatibility of a universal remote with your specific Toshiba Fire TV model. But you probably won’t need a remote at all since you can use your smartphone as a WiFi remote for the TV directly with the Fire TV mobile app.
Conclusion
Today, we discussed some of the common problems that can occur with smart TVs, especially with the remote control. In this guide, you can learn how to troubleshoot and fix these problems by following some simple steps, such as changing the batteries, cleaning the dust and dirt, updating the firmware, and more. We have also answered some common queries regarding Fire TV remotes, such as how to check the compatibility of universal remotes or how to use the Fire TV mobile app that might be helpful for you. If you need any more information on the subject, you can reach us via the comment section below.
