Samsung remote not responding? Re-pair it with Return + Play/Pause

Re-pair the Samsung Smart Remote

If your Samsung Smart Remote stops responding, re-pair it. Point it at the front of the TV, then press and hold Return and Play/Pause together for 3 seconds or more.

• Return is the curved back-arrow button.
• Play/Pause shows a triangle with two bars.

The Smart Remote normally pairs by itself when the TV turns on. This shortcut is for when it doesn’t. It applies to the Bluetooth Samsung Smart Remote; other Samsung remotes may work differently.

Samsung’s manuals list the same shortcut for 2017–2026 TVs; for 2017–2020 models it’s in Samsung’s UK/EU e-manuals. The 2021 manual adds that pairing isn’t available on AU7 (except the AU7980), TU7, BEA and BET series TVs. The US 2020 e-manual for TU7000 and similar models doesn’t describe pairing; see the paper guide that came with the TV.

Pair it step by step

1. Turn on the TV.
2. Point the remote at the front of the TV. The 2017–2018 manuals say to aim it at the TV’s remote control sensor.
3. Press and hold Return and Play/Pause at the same time for at least 3 seconds.
4. Release them, then try moving around the TV’s menu.

Reset the remote’s connection (2025–2026 TVs)

If re-pairing doesn’t help, the 2025 and 2026 manuals describe resetting a previously connected remote. Press and hold Return and the microphone (Voice) button together for more than 3 seconds. Then pair it again with Return + Play/Pause.

Check the battery

A slow or unresponsive remote may just be low on power:

• Rechargeable Smart Remote: charge it through the USB-C port on the bottom, or turn it over so the solar cell on the back gets light.
• Remote with batteries: fit new ones.

To see how much charge a solar-cell remote has left:

Samsung’s 2017–2020 manuals don’t give a menu path for the remote’s battery level.

Run the TV’s remote check

On 2022–2026 TVs, Settings → Support → Device Care → Self Diagnosis → Remote Control checks the remote’s connection and buttons. You’ll need another way to reach the menu, such as a phone already set up as a remote.

If no remote works at all

Samsung’s 2025 and 2026 manuals note that some models don’t come with a Smart Remote, and point to the remote controls in the SmartThings app instead. If your phone is already set up with the TV, see using your phone as a Samsung TV remote. Connecting a phone for the first time may need you to approve it on the TV.

If pairing, charging and the self-check don’t help, contact Samsung support with your TV and remote model numbers before buying a replacement.