How many times has your remote control stopped working?
You don’t know if there is something wrong with the remote, the TV or you just need new batteries?
You basically have 2 options:
1. Find some new batteries and try them out in the remote (you may need to “borrow” them from another remote in the house)
2. Go and buy some batteries (cos you never have them when you most need them)
However, if you’re curious if your remote control is working properly before you search for replacement batteries – there’s a quick test you can do.
And it’s a pretty cool trick.
Use Your Smart Phone to Test Your Remote Control
Do you have a smartphone or mobile phone with a camera? Then you can easily test your remote control to see if it’s actually working.
Before we get into the neat trick, it’s good to know a little bit about how your TV remote controls your TV – so you can appreciate it.
If you have a standard TV remote, then it typically sends signals to your TV or device using an infrared light beam. A sensor on your TV or device picks up the signal and, like clockwork, your remote works.
Now, you can’t see this infrared beam emitting from your TV remote with the naked eye, but you know what?
Your smartphone can!
Here’s the Cool Trick to Check if Your TV Remote Works
Here’s how you can use your smartphone to check to see if your TV remote is working.
On your smartphone, open the camera app.
Then, point your remote at the camera lens, and press a button – any button – on your remote.
If your TV remote is working properly, you’ll see a cool flickering light coming from the remote’s IR blaster whenever you press a button.
Now, if you don’t see a flickering light, or if it’s dim, it probably means you need new batteries. And if putting in new batteries doesn’t work, it’s time to trash the remote and try a smarter solution (like our SURE Universal app for your Android phone).
What’s also cool about this trick is that you can test your smartphone too to see if includes an IR (infrared) blaster, or to test if the IR blaster isn’t working for some reason.
Give it a Try
Next time your TV remote is acting a bit funny, just whip out your smartphone and use this camera trick to see if there’s a flickering light.
And, if your remote is on its last legs, upgrade to the Sure Universal remote. So, tell us, are you ready to throw away all your remote controls and opt for a universal remote app instead?
My air condition Brands Is mitshubisi hevy duty sure universal remot is not support. Please suggest
Hi, Did you run a full scan of all the AC remote? http://tekoia.com/support-training/detect-your-air-conditioner-remote/ ?
If you did and you still didn’t find a remote that works please send all the details via this form: tekoia.com/contact-us and we will try to add it.
i used this trick to find ir blaster working or not. .. but it’s blinking perfectly but can’t operate devices via my note 4 phone.. please tell me the solution.
Please send us all the details at tekoia.com/contact-us and we will try to help fix that for you.
my note 4 phones’ ir blaster is blinking. but it’s not working. my android version is lollipop 5.1.1 , please give me a solution
Please send us the details at tekoia.com/contact-us and we will try to help you fix it.
Hi. my smartphone is samsung galaxy note 4 and i noticed that it’s ir blaster isn’t working. It worked before. I use du speed booster and du phone cooler. Can it be the problem?
Possibly. Please send us all the details at tekoia.com/contact-us and we will have our support team look into the issue for.
My air conditioning Amana don’t work I tried everything even ir blaster the model number is gz 1002b e3 and my tablet is Samsung galaxy s3 I have infra rad with android 4.00 please help tank’s
Sorry to hear this. Please contact support@tekoia.com so we can look into the issue for you.