Xfinity Remote Not Working? (Possible Causes & Fixes)
Xfinity is one of the most popular cable providers in the United States. With their huge selection of channels and packages, they’ve got something for everyone. However, sometimes things can go wrong- like when your Xfinity remote isn’t working correctly.
If your Xfinity remote isn’t working, it’s likely the result of dead batteries, broken remote buttons, or a system bug. Swap the batteries out for a fresh pair of AAs or perform a factory reset to eliminate any viruses. If none of these troubleshooting techniques work, reach out to Comcast customer service to further diagnose the issue.
Continue reading to discover why your Xfinity remote isn’t working and tips to solve each problem!
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Why Is My Xfinity Remote Not Working?
Sometimes simple household tech-related items stop working for no reason (or for a reason you’re unfamiliar with). When your Xfinity remote isn’t functioning at its best, there are several possible causes to examine.
The top 7 reasons why your Xfinity remote isn’t working include:
- Dead batteries
- Broken remote buttons
- Too many remotes and TV boxes
- System is experiencing a bug
- Voice control isn’t working
- Not an Xfinity remote
- LED signal is obstructed
Each of these common issues may be a contributor to stopping your Xfinity remote from working properly.
We’ll get more granular below!
Reason #1: Dead Batteries
This seems like an obvious one, but you’d be surprised how often batteries die and are overlooked.
The most common reason for Xfinity remotes not working is that the batteries aren’t fresh, especially alkaline AA and AAA batteries. It’s important to check all of your remote batteries periodically and ensure you put in new ones when needed.
Most remote batteries last about a year, so after that amount of time, it’s a good idea to replace them.
How to Fix the Problem
Fixing this problem is easy- simply pop the back of your remote off and swap out the batteries. Almost all Xfinity remotes take 2 AA batteries.
If you’re positive your batteries are in good condition, then it’s time to check the installation. Make sure that the batteries are inserted correctly with the + and – signs lined up.
If the batteries are fresh and installed correctly, there might be something else causing the remote not to work.
Reason #2: Broken Remote Buttons
Xfinity remotes have been known to break or stop working completely due to broken buttons. If a certain button on your remote is not pressing correctly, then the TV box won’t receive the signal you’re attempting to give.
This is a more common problem in older remotes or devices that have been touched by sticky fingers one too many times. Larger buttons are more likely to experience this type of issue.
How to Fix the Problem
Usually, the buttons are just stuck, whether that be from dust or something like food.
If you gently press the button with a pencil (or another thin, flat object) and it doesn’t return to its normal position, then this means your Xfinity remote is beyond repair.
Luckily, Xfinity remotes aren’t terribly expensive and usually cost under $50. If you can’t fix a button, it’s easiest to replace the entire remote.
Reason #3: Too Many Remotes and TV Boxes
If you have multiple remotes and devices in your house, it’s possible that one might be conflicting with the other and stopping your Xfinity remote from working. This can also be caused by too many TV boxes.
Each remote is specifically programmed to work with the cable box it came with. However, if you have several televisions in your house, all from the same brand, there could be a syncing issue.
This is because all of the remotes are capable of being used with all of the TVs in your household.
How to Fix the Problem
The best way to fix this problem is to reset your Xfinity remote by taking the batteries out for 30 seconds or more. Then replace them and re-pair your remote following the prompts on your television.
Another way to do this is by performing a factory reset.
- Press and hold the A (triangle) and D (diamond) buttons at the same time for three seconds (or until the status light changes from red to green).
- Press 9-8-1.
- The LED light will blink blue three times to indicate that the remote was reset.
- Then, re-pair your remote.
Keep reading for more tips if that’s not the solution you were looking for.
Reason #4: System Is Experiencing a Bug
If you’ve tried all of the solutions above and your Xfinity remote is still not working, it’s possible that there’s a bug with Comcast’s system.
This is rare but can happen every once in a while when something isn’t working quite right. These viruses are completely out of your (the customer’s) control, so usually, the solution requires the company’s intervention.
How to Fix the Problem
At this point, you’ll need to call Comcast’s customer service and ask for help.
Their representatives will be able to identify and confirm whether a system-wide issue is to blame for your remote trouble. The culprit can range from a firmware update they’re performing to an unknown virus.
Remote issues are probably some of the most common that Xfinity customers experience, so their customer service department should be able to help you troubleshoot and fix the problem.
Reason #5: Voice Control Isn’t Working
‘Voice Control’ is a feature specific to Xfinity voice remotes, like the XR11 or XR15.
If your Xfinity remote isn’t responding to your spoken commands, it’s possible that the microphone in the remote is either not working or is blocked.
Additionally, you could be speaking into the microphone unclearly.
How to Fix the Problem
The best way to test whether the microphone is working is to try to change the channel using this feature. If it doesn’t work, you have a problem.
First, make sure you can see the remote microphone and that something like your finger isn’t blocking the receiver while you’re trying to say a command.
Next, clean off the speaker part with a damp paper towel. This will ensure that any food remnants are removed.
Lastly, make sure the voice control feature is enabled on your TV. To do this:
- Turn the volume up on your TV.
- Go to the ‘Accessibility Settings’ menu. You can also press the B key twice on your X1 remote control (unless you’ve assigned another remote shortcut to BB).
- If you have a Voice Remote that’s flat on each end, the B key is located just above and to the left of the number 2 key. The voice control button is two rows up from the ‘OK’ button in the center of the remote.
- If your Voice Remote is angled at each end, the B key is above the right arrow key on the directional arrow pad. The voice control button is directly below the down arrow key on the directional arrow pad.
- Next, follow the prompts on your TV to turn Voice Guidance ‘ON’ or ‘OFF.’ You’ll be asked to use the OK button, the rectangular button seven rows down from the top center of your Xfinity X1 remote.
These steps will guarantee that the voice control feature is enabled on your device.
Reason #6: Not an Xfinity Remote
This is a rather self-explanatory reason, but we’ll include it for those who might not know. If your remote isn’t working and you don’t have an X1 system, it’s not an Xfinity remote.
For some reason or another, maybe your remotes got switched, and you’re trying to use the incorrect one, or you purchased a replacement from a different brand.
Whatever the cause, you need to locate the correct remote.
How to Fix the Problem
Check all of your remotes and see if there’s an Xfinity logo on one of them.
If not, order one that’s specifically compatible with your Xfinity television model!
Reason #7: LED Signal Is Obstructed
Here’s another reason why your Xfinity remote may not be working- the LED signal on the remote is obstructed.
When this happens, the remote becomes useless because its detection port won’t ‘see’ that it’s within range of the TV. It will stop receiving signals and therefore become completely unresponsive to even pressing the power button.
How to Fix the Problem
First, locate the LED light on your remote (typically, this is at the top front of your remote). Then, locate the signal receiver on your TV (usually, on the front and towards the bottom of the screen).
Once you locate both of these features, scan the room and make sure nothing is blocking them from communicating. This could be something as obvious as a plant or as obscure as using the microwave while attempting to change the channel.
Eliminate all physical and invisible interference so that your remote can properly interact with your TV.
How to TroubleShoot the Xfinity Voice Remotes
As far as troubleshooting goes, you can follow these steps to both setup and reset your Xfinity Voice Remotes.
To pair an Xfinity XR15 to your TV:
- Turn the TV on, and press and hold the ‘Xfinity’ and ‘Mute’ buttons on the remote together for 5 seconds (or until the remote light at the top changes from red to green).
- Enter the first 5-digit code listed for the TV manufacturer. As the code is entered, the remote light will blink on each digit.
- A valid code is indicated by the remote light blinking green twice, while an invalid code is indicated by the remote blinking red, then green.
- Aim the remote at the TV and press the ‘Power’ button.
- If the TV turns off, turn the TV back on and verify that the ‘Volume’ and ‘Mute’ buttons work.
- If the TV doesn’t turn off, repeat this process with the next TV manufacturer device code.
To perform a factory reset on an Xfinity XR15 remote:
- Simultaneously press and hold the A button (triangle) and the D button (diamond) until the status light on the remote changes from red to green. This takes about 5-10 seconds.
- Then, press 9-8-1 on your remote to complete the factory reset.
- Once this is complete, you can retry pairing your XR15 remote again.
How to TroubleShoot the Xfinity XR5 v4/v3 Remotes
Xfinity XR5 v4/v3 remotes are the next step down from an XR11 or XR15. They’re great at sensing motion and being able to adapt to movement.
To troubleshoot unresponsive remote buttons on an Xfinity XR5 remote:
- Press any button on the remote
- If the LED does not flash at all, replace the batteries and try again.
- Should the LED flash red five times on any button press, this is an indication that the batteries are very low and should be replaced.
If the buttons are still unresponsive, call Comcast customer support. They will be able to further assist.
How to TroubleShoot the Xfinity XR2 Remote
The Xfinity XR2 remote is similar to the XR5 but without motion-detecting features.
To perform a factory reset on an Xfinity XR2 remote, use the Setup button:
- Press and hold the ‘Setup’ button.
- Wait 5 seconds until the color of the LED on the remote turns from red to green.
- Press 9-8-1. You will see that the LED will blink green twice.
Now, your remote has been reset.
How to TroubleShoot the Xfinity Digital Adapter Remote
The Comcast Polaris Digital Adapter remote is older and more simplistic but still works great for Xfinity televisions. It’s able to control your TV’s adapter, power, and volume.
To reset the Xfinity Digital Adapter remote:
- Find the ‘Reset’ button on your Digital Adapter. The button will be located on the front or back of your device and will be marked as ‘Reset.’
- Press this button and hold it for 5 seconds.
- Release the Reset button and allow for the DTA to restore.
That should do the trick!
What to Do If My Xfinity Remote Still Doesn’t Work?
If your Xfinity remote still isn’t working after trying all the tips above, don’t worry!
The only thing left to do is to call the Comcast customer support line. They can help you troubleshoot this issue further.
Otherwise, if they’re unable to come up with an appropriate solution, Comcast will replace your remote for free, as long as it’s still under a warranty program.
Related Questions
Why does my Xfinity remote have a red light?
There are a couple of different red-light codes that may appear on your Xfinity remote. They are a single red blink, a double red blink, or blinking red 5 times.If your Xfinity remote blinks red twice, the battery on your device is low. If the remote blinks red once, the battery power is very low, and the batteries should be replaced soon.Should your Xfinity remote blink red five times (when pressing any button), this indicates that your battery power is extremely low, and the batteries should be replaced as soon as possible.
Does Xfinity have a remote app?
Yes, Xfinity does have a remote app, and it’s very easy to set up on your mobile device.
- To download the app, go to the App Store on your Apple device or Google Play on your Android device and search for the ‘Xfinity TV Remote’ app.
- On the iTunes or Google Play page, click ‘Get’ or ‘Download’ and install the free app.
Once installed, set up the Xfinity Stream app by:
- Select the ‘Xfinity TV Remote’ app icon on your device.
- Then, click ‘Get Started.’
- Sign in with your Xfinity ID (usually an email or username) and password.
- If you have an Apple device, once logged in, select your preferred TV box by tapping the icon in the upper left corner.
- You can also visit ‘Settings’ to select a default TV box. Ensure that your TV Box and TV are both turned on. When your eligible TV Boxes are displayed on the app, a message can be sent to your TV Box by clicking ‘TEST’ to match the name listed on the Xfinity TV Remote app.
- Tap on each TV Box to enter a name that you’ll be able to identify in the future for controlling your TVs.
- If you have more than one eligible TV Box, go through the same process for each one in your home.
- If you have an eligible DVR on your account, the ‘DVR Manager’ feature will also be activated so that you can schedule recordings from your device.
Xfinity customers (and Non-Xfinity Internet customers) can access free Xfinity WiFi hotspots at out-of-home locations, including malls and other retail chains.
The major benefit of these unlimited hotspots is that they don’t utilize your mobile plan’s data, so you can save on data if you don’t have an unlimited plan.
Usually, they’re called something like ‘XFINITYwifi’ and ‘cablewifi.’ To connect to one of these hotspots, simply select the name of the network and enter the password given to you by the business establishment you’re in.
Do You Need TV or Home Theater Accessory Repair?
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Final Thoughts
When your Xfinity remote isn’t working, it can be very frustrating.
However, with the tips above, you should be able to troubleshoot the issue and get your remote up and running again in no time. If you’re still having problems after trying all of these techniques, don’t hesitate to call Comcast customer support for more assistance.
And remember, the Xfinity Remote App can also be a lifesaver during these moments!
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Emily is a copywriter with over five years of experience in crafting content for the home renovation and remodeling industry. She loves house projects, whether it be painting a room or tweaking small design elements to transform a space. Her favorite aesthetic is french modern because of its clean lines and airy feeling! When not writing, Emily loves to travel and check out architectural details all over the world.
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