Why Won’t My Xfinity Remote Change Channels?

Xfinity offers a series of remotes to control their digital cable boxes. At times, you may have to troubleshoot issues with the Xfinity remote, especially if you notice that it suddenly won’t change channels.

On average, the Xfinity remote won’t change channels due to problems with compatibility or connectivity. While these are the predominant causes, there are several steps to follow that could fix the lack of channel changing.

If you have an Xfinity remote that won’t change channels anymore, check out the guide below to find out how to approach this problem.

Why Won’t My Xfinity Remote Change Channels?

Xfinity, also known as Comcast Cable Communications, is an American company specializing in cable television, wireless internet, and telephone services. It offers a selection of remotes that are designed to be used with their cable boxes.

The user experience depends on Xfinity remotes, like the XR15 Voice Control option working without a hitch. Despite this, the Xfinity remote may stop working as intended at times, especially when it comes to changing channels.

The main causes affecting the remote’s ability to change channels are faulty connections or a lack of compatibility between the box and the remote. It may also be a good sign that it’s time to change the batteries in the remote.

How to Fix Xfinity Remote Not Changing Channels

If you start experiencing issues with your Xfinity remote not changing channels, you may want to replace it straight away at your nearest Xfinity store. Before this happens, there are some troubleshooting options you can try at home.

Do Some Preliminary Checks

Before you set about trying to fix the Xfinity remote that’s not changing channels, you should first do some checks to try and figure out if there’s a visible cause. Physical damage after a fall or a spill will affect how the Xfinity remote works.

You can inspect the Xfinity remote for external damage, especially if it’s been dropped or if the liquid has been spilled over it. This may require some extra troubleshooting that is more specific to the cause. You may attempt to dry it out in case of a spill, but if it has taken a significant fall, this may have knocked loose some of the internal connections.

In this case, you should take the Xfinity remote to the nearest Xfinity store for a replacement or a more in-depth repair.

Before proceeding with trying to fix the problem of an Xfinity remote not changing channels, you should also check the batteries in the remote. In many cases, once battery levels start depleting, the remote may experience reduced functionality even before the batteries are fully out of power.

Changing the batteries can sort out problems with the remote before that won’t require any extra effort. You should also check that the Xfinity remote is properly connected to the cable box you are using it with.

Reset the Xfinity Remote

This will help with fixing connectivity issues between the remote and the box. To reset the connection between these devices, follow these steps:

• Turn on the TV and the box.
• Change the input source to the Xfinity box.
• Hold the Setup button on the remote until the LED on it changes color from red to green.
• Press the Xfinity button on the remote, which will cause the LED to flash green.
• You will then see pairing instructions on-screen, including a code.
• Press the code on the remote, and it will be paired once more to the TV box.

Check the Compatibility

If you are using an older Xfinity remote model with a newer TV box, you may not be able to change channels. Some Xfinity remotes and TV boxes are region locked, which can cause additional compatibility problems.

When you opt for the services of a new TV box from Xfinity, it is advisable to only use the remote that was provided with it. If you are experiencing issues with the new Xfinity remote or if you are keen on trying to use an older model, contact the support team to check if it will be compatible.

If the problems persist, you can also check with an authorized Xfinity/Comcast store to make sure you are using a compatible Xfinity remote with your box.

Make Sure That the Devices Are Paired

If you are experiencing problems with changing channels and have more than one Xfinity TV box in your household, the remote may not be paired with the relevant box. In this case, you will have to check that the Xfinity remote you want to use to change channels is correctly connected to the box you want to use it with.

Having several TV boxes may also interfere with the connection between correctly paired devices. If you have problems with changing channels with the Xfinity remote, turning it off and back again should reestablish the connection without the need for a reset.

Conclusion

The Xfinity remote can have issues with changing channels due to compatibility or connectivity. In some cases, drained batteries or issues with the signal can trigger this problem. There are a few steps to try before taking the remote in for a replacement.