Magnavox Remote Isn't Working? (Possible Causes & Fixes)
Magnavox universal remotes simplify your life by combining controls for all of your audio-visual equipment in a single device. As convenient as this is, when the remote stops working, things get a bit complicated. You have to juggle individual remotes or manually adjust each piece of equipment.
Clean the battery terminals with rubbing alcohol, and put in fresh batteries. Use the remote at the same height as the sensor on the device. Remote should be at an angle no more than 30° left or right and no more than 15 feet from the device. Reprogram the remote. Reset the remote. Contact Magnavox.
Let’s take a look at two universal remotes from Magnavox and how to fix a Magnavox remote that isn’t working.
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What is a Universal Remote?
A universal remote is a device that has controls for each component of your home audio-visual equipment. With a Magnavox universal remote, you can control your television, VCR player, DVD player, surround sound system, auxiliary equipment, satellite equipment and more.
Types of Magnavox Universal Remotes
Magnavox makes two universal remotes. The remotes control 4 or 8 pieces of audio-visual equipment. The remotes run on 2 AAA batteries.
Buttons on Your Magnavox Remote
The buttons on Magnavox universal remotes are labeled and grouped for easy navigation.
Magnavox 4-in-1 Universal Remote Button Groups
- Row 1: Power, code search, sleep mode, and menu
- Row 2: Device selection group for DVD/auxiliary, satellite receiver (DBS)/ cable (CATV), VCR, and TV
- Rows 3 and 4: Volume up/down, replay, mute, and channel up/down
- Rows 5 through 8: Numeric keypad, enter, and source
- Row 9: Rewind, play, and fast forward
- Row 10: Record, pause, and stop
Magnavox 8-in-1 Universal Remote Button Groups
- Row 1: Set and power
- Rows 2 and 3: Device selection group for TV, VCR, DVD, cable, satellite, CD, audio, and game player
- Row 4: Quit, return, repeat, and sleep
- Rows 5 through 8: Numeric keypad, enter, and TV/VCR
- Row 9: Volume up/down, navigator buttons and OK button, and channel up/down
- Rows 10 and 11: Function buttons for swap, picture-in-picture (PIP), mute, input, subtitles/closed captioning (CC), menu, guide, and display
- Row 12: Rewind, play, and fast forward
- Row 13: Record, stop, and pause
Magnavox Universal Remote Codes
Magnavox universal remotes use pre-defined codes to connect audio-visual equipment to the remote. When you set up the remote for a device, such as your DVD player or game player, you will need the code from Magnavox that matches the manufacturer of your equipment.
A full list of codes is available on the Magnavox website. Search for the model number or style of your remote. The code list is under the “Download Support Documents” section.
How to Program a Magnavox Remote
Your Magnavox remote needs to be programmed to connect with each device.
How to Program a 4-in-1 Magnavox Universal Remote
Turn on the device that you want to program. Use the numeric keypad to enter the 4-digit code from the Magnavox website or documentation that came with the remote. Hold down the Code Search button for 2 seconds until the indicator light at the top of the remote lights up.
If the LED light starts blinking, you entered an invalid code. Re-enter the code using the numeric keypad, and press the Code Search button. If the LED light blinks again, contact Magnavox for a correct code.
When the LED light is solid, press the device selection button in the second row of the remote that you want to use for your device. Use the numeric keypad to enter the 4-digit code from Magnavox a second time. The LED light will turn off, indicating that you have successfully added your device to the remote.
Test the connection to your device.
How to Program an 8-in-1 Magnavox Universal Remote
Turn on the device that you want to add to the remote. Use the numeric key pad to enter the 4-digit code for the device, and press the device button that you want to use. Press and hold the Set button for 3 seconds until the LED light turns on. Enter the 4-digit code a second time using the numeric keypad. The LED light turns off when the device is set up correctly. Test the connection to your device.
If the LED light blinks, you entered an incorrect code. Check the code, and try again. If the light blinks again, contact Magnavox for a correct code.
6 Ways to Fix a Magnavox Remote That Isn’t Working
Change the Batteries
Remove the cover from the battery compartment on the back of the remote. Take out the batteries, and clean the terminals with rubbing alcohol. Put in new batteries, and make sure the batteries seat properly. You should hear the snap into the compartment.
Rechargeable batteries don’t work in all devices. Replace these with fresh non-rechargeable batteries to see if the remote works.
Clean the Sensors
Use rubbing alcohol to clean the sensor on the remote and the device. The sensor for the remote is on the upper end. Most sensors on audio-visual equipment and game players are on the front of the devices. If you can’t find the sensor on your device, check the owner’s manual, or contact the manufacturer.
Change the Angle
The sensor on your Magnavox universal remote needs to have line-of-sight with the sensor on your device. Use the remote at the same level as the sensor on your device. The remote should be at an angle no greater than 30° left or right of the device sensor. Stay within 15 feet of the device.
Reprogram the Remote
If you change devices or want to control other devices with your Magnavox remote, reprogram the device function buttons. You can reset the remote, but this is not required. Follow the same steps as you did when you first programmed the remote.
Reset the Remote
Reset your Magnavox universal remote by removing the batteries for 60 seconds. Replace the batteries. Resetting the remote removes codes from the device. Reprogram the remote for your devices.
Contact Magnavox
If your remote does not work after following the steps to troubleshoot, contact Magnavox. The remote may be covered under warranty.
Magnavox Remote App
You can find apps for your Android and Apple devices to control your Magnavox television. The apps are not made by Magnavox, and they only work with Magnavox televisions.
Related Questions
Will a universal remote work on a Magnavox TV?
Yes. You can program a universal remote to work with your Magnavox television. Follow the instructions that came with the remote to add your television.
Can I program the device function buttons for any device?
Yes. Check the Code List to make sure that the remote works with your device. Put a small label over the button to match your device.
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What Did We Learn?
Magnavox universal remotes let you control up to 8 devices in your home. Get familiar with the location of the buttons on the remote before you program it.
Program a Magnavox 4-in-1 Universal Remote by entering the 4-digit code on the numeric keypad. Press Code Search. When the LED light comes on, select the corresponding device button in the second row. Enter the 4-digit code again on the numeric keypad.
Program a Magnavox 8-in-1 Universal Remote by first entering the 4-digit code from the list or Magnavox website. Press the device function button that corresponds to your device. Press and hold the Set button for 3 seconds until the LED light comes on. Enter the 4-digit code on the numeric keypad a second time. The LED light turns off.
If the LED light on the remote blinks while you are programming it, check the code, and try the steps again. If the LED blinks again, contact Magnavox.
Test the connection to your device after you program each function button. Turn the device on and off using the remote, and test some of the functions, such as changing channels, adjusting volume, and using rewind and fast forward.
There are six ways to fix a Magnavox universal remote that isn’t working. Remove the batteries, clean the terminals with rubbing alcohol, and put in fresh batteries. Clean the sensors on the remote and device with rubbing alcohol.
Check the angle of the remote with the device. Stand no more than 15 feet away from the device. Hold the remote at the same level as the device and no more than a 30° left or right of the device.
Reprogram the device by following the same steps that you did when you first set up the remote. Reset the remote by removing the batteries for at least 60 seconds. You will need to reprogram the device function buttons.
If you troubleshoot the issue on your own, and the remote still doesn’t work, contact Magnavox. The remote may be covered under warranty.
You can find apps for Android and Apple devices for your Magnavox television. The apps are not made by Magnavox, and they only work with Magnavox televisions.
Jennifer L. Eggerton loves being hands-on, whether it's with a home DIY project, making repairs, re-decorating a room, or keeping life organized. She enjoys helping people by sharing her knowledge, insights, and experiences, as well as her lessons learned. In addition to her work as a writer, Jennifer is a Jeep® overlander, self-published author, and nature photographer who loves being outdoors.
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