It is 2020 and losing your TV remote isn’t all bad considering there are multiple ways built-in to control and navigate your Samsung TV. Before you place an order for a new one, consider checking out the list I’ve put together that would help you at least get partial control of the TV. Let’s begin.
Samsung TV Remote Lost
1. Use the Power Button
Contrary to what the name implies, the power button does more than just powering ON/OFF your television.
Depending on your model of your Samsung TV, the power button is located on the back of the TV or in the center of the bottom panel. Pressing it once will toggle power ON/OFF. Also, you can use it as a joystick, which will bring up additional controls such as changing the channel, adjusting volume, and even changing the source to HDMI. Unfortunately, you can’t use it to navigate or open apps on your TV.
Pros: Useful in switching to streaming devices plugged into the TV; can do basic navigation.
Cons: – Can’t navigate the Tizen OS or access the Settings.
Must Read:Â Best Samsung Smart TV Apps You Should Try in 2020
2. Use a wired keyboard
Most modern Samsung TVs have a USB A port at the backside of the TV, which you can use to control the device if you lose your TV remote.
If you have a wired keyboard lying around, you can plug that in the USB port of your TV. Once done, you will be able to control pretty much all aspect of TV using the arrow keys on the keyboard. You can even access the Settings, open and switch apps, etc. I tried a few different keyboards including the wired Apple keyboard and all work fine with one small caveat, you can’t adjust the volume. You can use the arrow keys to navigate, enter to select, ESC to go home, etc.
Mouse, however, does not work with our Samsung TV running Tizen OS.
Pros: Plug and Play, no need to set up anything, most remote features can be executed with the keys
Cons: Not every keyboard is supported by the TV.
3. Get a wireless keyboard with Dongle
Although a wired keyboard works with most Samsung TV right out of the box, I would highly recommend getting cheap wireless keyboard from Amazon. They are portable and offers far more functionality than just basic navigation.
For instance, you can get this cheap wireless mini keyboard+mouse combo that works with a bluetooth dongle and lets you control the TV without any setup. Simply plug the dongle to the USB port on the back of the TV and you’re good to go. You can not only do basic navigation, but also mute, open apps, Â and of course control the volume of the TV.
Pros: Cheaply available; wireless and portable; Plug and Play; Complete Navigational Control; Better than the Remote.
Cons:Â No warranty if it breaks.
4. Use the Samsung app
If your Samsung TV is connected to home WiFi network, then you can easily control it from the Samsung Smartthings app.
You can get the app on both Android and iOS. Next make sure your phone is connected to the same WiFi network as your TV. Select your TV from the list of available devices. From there, it works just like an actual remote and works wirelessly over Wi-Fi.
However, there is one small problem; if you’ve never used the Smartthings app before then you won’t be able to use it after you lose your remote, Â as it requires you to give permission for your phone to connect to your TV. However, you can use an external keyboard to allow this permission, even if you have lost the original remote.
Pros: Fully-fledged remote with all the controls.
Cons:Â Can’t connect the app to the TV unless you allow it from the TV using the remote.
5. Universal Remote
If nothing else works for you then perhaps you can go ahead and buy universal remote for your Samsung TV. I recommend it over the original remote because it works with multiple devices and is often cheaper. I used Universal Remote ($9.99) remote by GE that has codes for most electronic devices that work with an IR remote. You just have to put the remote into a program mode and enter the code specific to your TV. The remote comes with a guide with all the codes. Once pair, you will be able to control all the aspect of your TV from the remote.
Pros: You get all the features of the Samsung remote; reliable; works with multiple devices.
Cons:Â Setting up the remote for every device is a bit exhausting at first.
Final Words
Other than buying a replacement remote for your Samsung Smart TV, these are a few of the things that you can try to control your TV without the original remote. All of the methods work fairly well except for the app as it requires a one-time authentication from the TV. HDMI CEC doesn’t work in this case as it allows you to control devices connected through HDMI using the TV remote but not the other way around. Meaning you can NOT use the Firestick’s remote to control and navigate your TV. What do you think of these methods let me know in the comments below or reach me out on Twitter?
Also Read:Â Best Samsung Keyboard Tips and Tips
