Set up LG Universal Control for a set-top box (2023–2025 webOS)

Connect the box over HDMI, then let the TV set it up

Universal Control lets the Magic Remote of a 2023–2025 LG webOS TV run a set-top box, Blu-ray or DVD player or home theatre system, so you can put the box’s own remote away. Connect the box to one of the TV’s HDMI ports and turn the box on: the TV tries to recognise it and set up Universal Control by itself.

If that doesn’t happen, set it up by hand: press the Settings (gear) button, go to All Settings → General → External Devices → Universal Control Settings, and follow the screens. The next step depends on your TV’s user guide:

2024 and 2025 guides: select the HDMI port the box is connected to, then Manage Settings → Start Setting.
2023 guide: select the type of device you want to control, then follow the on-screen guidance.

Universal Control only works with the Magic Remote. It’s a different feature from SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC); see the difference below.

Before you start

Have a Magic Remote. LG says this feature can only be used with the Magic Remote, and that you can buy one separately if your TV didn’t come with it. Some models come with an IR blaster that lets you use a regular remote instead (see the IR blaster question below).
Connect the TV to the internet and accept LG’s User Agreements. LG says the TV needs both to set up Universal Control with the latest information.
Turn the box on. LG says the device must be powered on when you change its settings.
Keep the box’s front clear. The Magic Remote has to reach the box’s own remote receiver, so remove anything placed in front of the box.
Game consoles aren’t supported for manual setup. LG says the manual setting doesn’t work with a game console.

Let the TV set it up automatically

With the TV and the box turned off and unplugged, connect the box’s HDMI output to an HDMI port on the TV. LG’s 2025 owner’s manual says to connect HDMI cables with both devices off and unplugged.
Plug both back in and turn on the TV, then the box.
Wait. LG says the TV recognises the connected device and sets up Universal Control without manual setting, and that this can take several seconds.
If nothing seems to happen, switch the TV to the box’s input. LG says some models only set up Universal Control after you switch to the connected device’s input.
Point the Magic Remote at the box and try a few buttons. LG says you may need to make some further settings afterwards.

LG also says automatic setup isn’t supported for every device. If the Magic Remote still doesn’t run the box, set it up manually.

Set it up manually

Turn the box on and keep it connected to the TV.
Press the Settings (gear) button on the Magic Remote. You can also press and hold it to open All Settings directly.
Select All Settings (the gear icon on screen), then General → External Devices → Universal Control Settings.
Follow the branch for your TV’s user guide.

2024 and 2025 user guides

Select the HDMI port the box is connected to.
Select Manage Settings.
Select Start Setting and follow the on-screen instructions to set up the new remote control.

If you set up this port before, View Settings History lets you retrieve a previous setup instead of starting again.

2023 user guide

Select the type of device you want to control (for example, a set-top box).
Complete the setup by following the guidance on screen.

LG’s guides don’t show these on-screen setup screens or list the brands they include, so this page can’t tell you what to choose there. Have your box’s brand and model to hand.

Change or remove the setup

2024 and 2025 guides: open Universal Control Settings, select the box’s HDMI port, then Manage Settings → Delete Settings. To bring back an earlier setup, use View Settings History.
2023 guide: LG says you can change or cancel the setup but doesn’t say how. Universal Control Settings is the place to start, since that’s where the setup is made.

If the Magic Remote doesn’t run the box

LG’s troubleshooting for “I cannot turn on or operate the device … even after setting the universal remote control” lists three checks:

Check the box’s power. Make sure its power plug is pushed into the outlet.
Replace the Magic Remote’s batteries. LG says to use alkaline batteries.
Clear the front of the box. Make sure nothing blocks the signal in front of the box’s remote control receiver, and point the Magic Remote at the box.

If only some buttons fail, LG says some buttons may not work, depending on the external device’s model. If setup itself didn’t work, check that the TV is online and the User Agreements are accepted, then run the manual setup again.

If the Magic Remote doesn’t control the TV either, the problem is with the remote or the TV, not with Universal Control. See LG TV not responding to the remote.

Common questions

Is this the same as SIMPLINK?

No. SIMPLINK is LG’s name for HDMI-CEC: control commands travel over the HDMI cable, and it only works with devices that support it. Universal Control sets up the Magic Remote to stand in for the box’s own remote, and LG says to point the Magic Remote at the device. LG documents them as separate features with separate settings. For SIMPLINK, see LG TV SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC).

My TV came with an IR blaster. What is it for?

The 2024 and 2025 guides say some models come with an IR blaster that lets you use a regular remote by setting up the integrated remote control. The 2025 C5 owner’s manual says to plug the IR blaster cable into the TV’s IR Blaster port, secure it with the 3M tape provided, and use Universal Control Settings to control the device. It also says this depends on the model and country. The 2023 guide mentions the IR blaster only for Hands-free Voice Control of a connected device.

Can I control the box by voice?

LG says that to control a connected set-top box with the TV’s voice recognition, you first need Universal Control set up, and recommends pointing the Magic Remote at the box after speaking. Voice recognition needs the Magic Remote, a network connection and agreement to the voice terms.

Why does the TV turn off when I switch off the box?

LG says some set-top boxes can be set to turn the TV off with them. That’s the box’s power sync function, not Universal Control; turn it off in the box’s settings.