Pocket Guide
- Causes: Connectivity problem, remote battery low, pairing failure, interferences, hardware failure, etc.
- Fixes: Charging the remote, checking the signal, replacing and resetting the remote.
The Apple TV remote is used to navigate and control your Apple TV. Using the Siri button on your Apple TV remote, you can ask questions and get things easily on your Apple TV. You can use the remotes with the fourth-generation Apple TV and also on the older versions. In most cases, the Apple TV remote should connect with the Apple TV in about 5 seconds. When that isn’t the case, the Apple TV remote also has some connection issues, and there are many reasons for the Apple TV remote not working. The issue may frustrate you when you try to navigate on your Apple TV. The article covers some important causes and the working fixes you can try when the Apple TV remote connection is lost.
Why Does my Apple TV Remote Keep Losing Connection
Some identified causes for the Apple TV remote losing connection are listed below.
- Connectivity problem
- The battery on the remote may be low
- Remote pairing failed
- Unshielded cable
- Hardware failure
- Apple TV is outdated
How to Fix Apple TV Remote Connection Lost
Try the fixes mentioned below when your Apple TV says the remote connection is lost.
1. Check your Apple TV Remote Battery
1. Initially, navigate to the Settings app on your Apple TV.
2. Select Remote and Devices from the settings menu.
3. Tap Remote from the list.
4. Now, you can find the battery percentage of your Apple TV remote.
2. Charge your Apple TV Remote
If your Apple TV 4k remote connection is lost often, the next common fix you can try is to charge your Apple TV remote. Your Apple TV comes with two types of Apple TV remotes. You need to charge your Siri remote when your Apple TV remote needs a battery change.
1. First, take a lighting cable from Apple devices to use as your Apple TV remote charger.
2. Plug the one end of the lighting cable into the lighting port located at the bottom of the Siri remote.
3. Connect the other end to the computer USB port or a USB power adapter.
4. To charge your computer fully, leave it connected for at least 3 hours.
3. Replace your Apple TV Remote Battery
If you are using old Apple TV models, you need to change your Apple TV remote battery as they do not come with the lighting cable. With this, you can fix the Apple TV remote that keeps losing connection.
1. Use a coin to turn and open the battery component at the back of your aluminum Apple remote. Then, take out the old battery.
2. For the white Apple TV remote, you can find the battery component at the bottom of the remote.
3. Press the release button using a paper clip to open the battery tray.
4. If you wish, you can replace the aluminum remote with the new CR2032 or BR2032 lithium 3V coin battery.
5. You need to use the CR2032 battery on the white Apple TV remote, which you can get from most stores.
4. Reset Apple TV Remote
The next fix you can try when your Apple TV remote connection is lost is to reset the Apple TV remote. There are many ways to reset your Apple TV remote.
1. First, disconnect your Apple TV.
2. Wait for 6 seconds and plug it back again.
3. Launch the home screen using your Apple TV remote to check if the problem is fixed.
Reset your Apple TV Remote Manually
Follow the steps below to reset your Apple remote based on the Apple TV model you own.
Fourth-Generation Siri Remote
1. Press and hold the Menu and Volume Up button on the Siri Remote concurrently until a pop-up message appears on the screen.
2. Locate the Apple TV remote close to the Apple TV till the pop-up on the screen disappears.
3. Now, use the Apple TV remote to navigate your Apple TV.
Second-Generation Siri Remote
1. Press and hold the Back and Volume Up buttons until you see the pop-up on the screen.
2. Place your Apple TV remote close to your Apple TV till the pop-up disappears from the screen.
3. Once the pop-up disappears, try using your Apple TV remote and check if Apple TV remote keeps losing connection issue is resolved.
Older Apple TV Remote
1. Press and hold the Left and Menu buttons simultaneously until a pop-up appears on the screen.
2. After the pop-up appears on the screen, long-press the Right and Menu buttons until the pop-up appears on the screen with a pairing icon.
3. Then, you can use your Apple TV remote to navigate your Apple TV.
5. Check for Remote Signal Coverage
It is vital to operate your remote operating in such a way the signals reach the TV. Apple TV remote connection will be lost when the user isn’t using it within the range. So, you shall try using it a little closer to your TV to check if the issue is resolved.
Besides the range, the user should take a look at any interferences that are blocking the signal. If there are any, you shall remove them to control your Apple TV. It may include wireless interferences, including wireless devices, microwaves, etc.
6. Try Reconnect Siri Remote to Apple TV
Sometimes the remote fails to pair with Apple TV, and it may be the cause for Apple TV remote lost connection issue. It is the most obvious case when the new Apple TV remote connection is lost. To get the issue resolved, you shall try pairing it once again manually. i.e., you shall press and hold the Back/menu button for about five seconds. When you get prompted, you shall place the remote on the Apple TV’s top to finish the pairing.
7. Replace the Remote
When there is any hardware-related issue on the remote controller, you may find the remote not connecting to Apple TV. When any of the fixes give you a hand, you shall replace the old remote with a brand new Apple TV remote controller.
You can try all the above fixes if your Apple TV remote connection is lost frequently. However, if none of the above methods helps you to fix the problem, you need to contact the manufacturer or update the Apple TV with the latest version to control it using the Apple TV remote.
Frequently Asked Questions
The common reason for your Apple TV remote disconnecting is the problem with the Bluetooth connectivity, you need to solve this by connecting the remotes wirelessly and resetting your remote.
Place the Apple TV remote near the TV and press and hold the Back or Menu and Volume Up buttons for six seconds to reconnect your Apple TV remote.
Yes, you can use the Apple TV remote mobile app on your iPhone or iPad to navigate your Apple TV.