Remote control not working? Try this 10-second phone camera test first
Before buying a new remote or getting it repaired, a quick mobile camera trick can reveal whether the fault is the battery, the remote or the TV sensor
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When pressing a remote's buttons stops working while watching TV, most people assume the remote is broken. Some tap it against their hand, others press the buttons harder, but it does not help. Instead of rushing to buy a new remote or get it repaired, a simple test using a mobile phone can show exactly where the problem lies.
Most remotes for TVs, ACs and set-top boxes work on infrared technology. A small bulb is fitted at the front of the remote. When a button is pressed, the bulb emits a light that reaches the TV and signals it to change the channel or adjust the volume. This light is too faint to be seen by the naked eye, but a mobile phone's camera can pick it up clearly. This can be used to check a remote at home.
The test is simple. First, turn on the phone's camera. Then point the front part of the remote, where the small bulb is located, towards the camera. Press and hold any button on the remote while watching the phone's screen.
If a white or purplish light is seen flickering from the bulb on the screen, the remote is working fine and sending out a signal. In that case, the actual problem may lie with the TV's sensor rather than the remote. If the light appears very faint or dim, it means the remote's battery is running low, and replacing it with a new one should fix the issue. However, if no light appears at all when the button is pressed, there could be two reasons: either the battery has died completely or the circuit inside the remote has failed.
One more thing should be checked. Sometimes a remote does not work even though the battery is fine. This happens because dust or rust builds up on the springs inside the battery compartment, preventing the current from passing through even with the battery in place. Before replacing the battery, it is worth opening that compartment and gently wiping it with a dry cloth. After removing the dust, put the battery back and check again. In most cases, this alone gets the remote working again. So the next time a remote stops responding, instead of rushing to the shop, try taking out a phone, turning on the camera and running this 10-second test first.
