What to do if your Now TV remote is not working

The Now TV remote is generally pretty easy to use. When you first set up your Now TV stick or box, it may take a while for the device to initialize. But, the remote should work immediately with your streaming device.

It’s actually basically a Roku remote, which is the software platform that Now TV use in the UK. It’s a well designed operating system with an easy to navigate layout, and as smart sticks go, it’s one of the better ones.

From time to time though, you may face issues with your Now TV remote not working. If it does stop operating properly, here’s a few of the things you’re going to want to do.

Now TV remote not working – What you can do

If your remote isn’t working properly, then there are several different things that we can try to fix it. This can be as simple as just replacing the batteries and restarting your Now TV device, all the way through to a full factory reset.

Something that can make checking your Now TV remote a little easier is to set it up with your iPhone. You can actually use an iPhone as a Now TV remote – this will enable you to firstly ensure the remote is the problem, and secondly carry out some of the actions below.

You can do this within the Now TV app on your device. Simply go into the app and tap the Now TV device at the top of the screen. Then, ensure you’ve selected your Now TV stick or box and select Show remote. This can prove useful as a substitute until we get your remote working again.

Another option download the Roku Remote app on your device to control your Now TV stick too if you want. They use the same software, so the Roku app should work fine to control it. You can use this to scroll through all of the Now TV channels.

We also need to think about the type of remote we’re using. Most people will be using a wi-fi smart remote that comes with the Now TV stick or 4K Now TV box. That’s what the advice below is referring to.

If you have an older Now TV box, then you may have an infrared remote. If this is the case, then some of the below may not apply to you. Skip to the end and I’ll review the fewer things you can do to fix an infrared remote.

But, we’re not going to give up on the wi-fi remote yet. Here’s what you should do to get it up and running again.

Step 1: Remove the batteries and restart the box or stick

Right, the first thing that you’re going to want to try is restarting everything that you’ve been using. This means both the remote itself and the device you’re using with it.

Go ahead and take the batteries out the back of the remote. Then, unplug the Now TV stick or box from the mains. Or you can also do this within the settings of your device by going to System Restart & then Restart. Obviously, you’d need the remote working to do this, or an alternative.

Finally, plug the Now TV device back into your electrics and turn it back on. Wait a few seconds for it to initialize and load. Once it’s loaded, you’ll then want to put the batteries back into your Now TV remote.

Step 2: Re-pair your remote

Not everyone is aware, but there’s actually a pairing button on your remote control. It’s a bit hidden away, but you can use it to try and connect your remote and streaming device together again.

Make sure that you’ve done step 1 first and restarted the device as well as taking the remote batteries out. Then, you can press the pairing button hidden inside the button compartment on your remote.

now-tv-factory-reset
The factory reset button for Now TV remotes is sneakily hidden beneath the battery cover!

Hold this down for 5 seconds whilst your remote starts to re-pair. Then, give it half a minute to a minute for it to reconnect your your stick or box.

If it’s working, then the light on your Now TV remote should start to flash when it’s re-pairing, and stop when it’s paired up properly.

Step 3: Check your wi-fi

There’s really one other thing that can be an issue when trying to set up or use a Now TV stick or box. When you set it up, your remote and device should automatically work together pretty simply.

In fact, it should also auto-pair with your television as well. This should give you the ability to change the volume on your TV, but only when it’s paired correctly.

There’s a possibility that there’s an issue with your Wi-fi if your remote isn’t working. Your Now TV may have accidentally paired to the wrong internet connection, so you’ll need to check the settings of your account to find out which wifi network you’ve connected to.

If you’re in the UK, then most providers will enable you to see what device are connected to your home network. It can be worth checking this, but sometimes smart devices don’t appear.

For example, with most internet providers, you can simply enter the IP address of your router into the URL bar within your web browser to get to your settings. Here, you’ll be able to see whether the smart stick or smart box is connected to your Wi-fi.

smart-stick-connection

If it’s not there, then you’ll want to go ahead with the reset of your device. After a factory reset of your smart stick, you should be able to pick a new Wifi network anyway. If not, then you’ll probably want to reset your router to see if this fixes things.

Additional: Infrared

The main remote for Now TV devices uses the Wi-fi in your home, and can effectively be pointed anywhere whilst working. This is a necessity for their smart sticks, which often plug into the back of your television.

Some people may have an older Now TV box which used to come with an infrared remote. This will only work with your original box, so you can’t use this infrared remote with the stick or newer 4K box at all. You’d need to contact Now TV for a replacement if you’ve lost your smart remote.

But if you do have the older infrared remote, then some of the options above will apply to this remote too. This includes resetting your devices and taking the batteries out of the remote. You can also try factory resetting the device as well.

There’s also a chance that the infrared sensor is temperamental, so make sure there’s nothing between your remote and the box itself. These remotes are less reliable, and there’s not much you can do if they begin to stop working.

Conclusion

So, if you have a Now TV remote control that won’t function, there are a couple of things to try. It’s a good idea to use your phone as a substitute if you can until the problem is resolved.

The new smart remote is great, as it allows us to control the television from anywhere. And even if you do end up having some issues with it, there’s usually a few tricks you can try to fix it.

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About Steve

Hi, I'm Steve. I've worked for the past 8 years in a major furniture retailer in the UK, so I know my way around a desk or two. On the weekends, I spend time with my kids or I'm probably outside in the garden doing something or other!

2 thoughts on “What to do if your Now TV remote is not working”

  1. Fantastic! Thank you so much for the above article. I was just about to buy a replacement remote but the resetting of the device worked and the remote is good as nee again. You have saved me money!

    Reply

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