Can’t Turn Off LG TV with Remote: Troubleshooting
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The remote control is the easiest way to power your TV on or off, so it’s frustrating when it doesn’t work the way it should. Here’s how you can troubleshoot an LG TV that you can’t turn off with the remote.
Press the Television Power Button
If you turn your LG TV on using the power button on the TV itself, it may not respond when you try to turn it off with the remote.
Press the TV power button until the light goes off. Then, try turning the TV on and off with your remote control.
Change Your LG TV Remote’s Batteries
Whenever my LG TV’s remote isn’t working, the first thing I do is change the batteries. After all, dead or low batteries are the most common reason for a TV remote not working.
If your TV uses the LG Magic Remote, you should get a notification when the batteries are running low. If not, you might see a flashing red light on your remote as a low battery warning.
Even if you aren’t notified, it’s always a good idea to change the batteries and see if that solves the problem.
Some LG remote controls take AA batteries, while others take AAA. Open the battery compartment to see which type you need, then switch the old batteries out for new ones.
Remove Objects Blocking the IR Sensor
Most remotes, including LG TV remotes, use an infrared (IR) signal to communicate with the TV. If any objects are blocking its path, your TV won’t receive the signal your remote is sending.
Usually, the IR sensor on an LG TV is near the bottom right corner. However, it’s best to remove anything in front of the TV to be safe.
If there’s anything attached to the bottom part of your TV, such as stickers or plastic wrap, it’s best to remove this too.
Pair the Remote to Your LG TV
LG Magic Remotes need to be paired to your TV before they will work. If the remote stops working entirely, it might need to be paired again.
- Turn on your LG TV using the power button on the TV itself.
- Wait about 10 seconds for everything to boot up.
- Point your remote at the TV and press the wheel button.
Once it’s paired, you’ll see the words “Pairing is Complete” on the screen.
Reset the Connection Between the TV and the Remote
If a simple re-pairing didn’t work, you might need to reset the pairing and start over. Note that this process only applies to the LG Magic Remote.
- Press the Home button and Back button simultaneously for about five seconds.
- Release the buttons once the power button light blinks three times.
- Press the wheel button to re-pair the remote.
If you still can’t turn your TV off after troubleshooting the remote, it’s time to move on to the TV.
Use a Smartphone App
If the only issue with your remote is that it won’t turn the TV off, you can troubleshoot it using the regular remote.
But, if the remote isn’t working at all, you’ll need to use something else to troubleshoot your LG TV. The LG ThinQ app has a remote and is always the first and best choice. If you haven’t, download it now.
There are also a ton of free apps in the Google Play Store and Apple App Store that you can download on your smartphone and use in place of the remote.
Some of the highest-rated choices are:
- TV Remote – Universal Control
- Remote Control for LG
- LG TV Remote Control Plus +
Follow the steps in the app to use the virtual remote with your TV. Note that most apps require you to turn Bluetooth on to operate appropriately.
Update the LG TV’s Software
Outdated software can cause all sorts of issues with your TV and remote.
Newer LG smart TVs update their software automatically. But, if you have an older model or turned off automatic updates, you’ll need to do it manually.
This process may vary depending on the LG TV model you own, and it will only work if your TV is connected to WiFi. But, the general steps are as follows:
- Open your TV’s settings.
- Select “All Settings,” then “Support.”
- Press “Check for Updates.”
If an update is available, download and install it to keep your TV working properly.
Reset Your LG TV
Sometimes, the problem is not with the remote but with the TV itself. Resetting the TV might be the answer.
- Unplug the TV from the wall outlet.
- Wait 5 minutes. Then, plug the TV back in.
- Test the remote to see if you can turn the TV on and off.
This is the process for a soft reset, which is much different than a factory reset.
While some people are nervous about resetting their TVs, soft resets simply shut down all internal processes to clear temporary glitches.
You will not lose any personal settings by following this process.
Replace Your Remote
Whether your power button is defective or the remote has stopped working altogether, there’s not much else you can do.
If nothing else is working, it’s probably time to buy a new remote. You can choose an exact replacement or purchase a universal remote that works with almost all TVs.
