This post covers nine possible ways to fix the problem if your Toshiba Fire TV remote is not working. It also contains three additional solutions if the fixes don’t work.
What’s a Toshiba Fire TV?
The Toshiba Fire TV is a smart Television developed by Toshiba, powered by the Amazon Fire TV operating system. It integrates Toshiba’s hardware with Amazon’s robust software, delivering a smooth and intuitive user experience.
With Toshiba Fire TV, users can access all the streaming services, applications, and features available on Amazon FireStick, making it a great choice for those looking for a versatile smart TV with extensive app compatibility.
The interface of Toshiba Fire TV is identical to that of Amazon FireStick or Fire TV Cube, ensuring a familiar and user-friendly navigation experience for viewers already familiar with Amazon Fire TV devices.
The Toshiba Fire TV remote closely resembles the FireStick remote, featuring a similar button layout for user-friendly control.
If your Toshiba Fire TV remote becomes unresponsive or stops working, this guide provides effective troubleshooting methods to help restore its functions.
Purchasing a compatible replacement remote is a practical option for remotes damaged beyond repair.
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Read: How to Install and Use Best VPN for FireStick
9 Possible Ways to Fix the Toshiba Fire TV Remote Not Working
Multiple factors can contribute to the malfunction of a Toshiba Fire TV remote. We have compiled the top nine possible fixes to solve the problem of the Fire TV remote not working. Keep reading!
1. Unpair & Repair Toshiba Remote
The Toshiba Fire TV remote connects to the television via Bluetooth. Although the connection is usually reliable, it sometimes automatically unpairs or disconnects for unknown reasons.
In this case, you may reset and re-pair the remote with the television. Here are the steps:
- Place your Toshiba remote within a 10-foot radius of the Fire TV.
- Switch off the Fire TV.
- Then, tap on the Left, Menu, and Back buttons simultaneously and hold them for around 10 seconds.
- Now, wait up to 1 minute, then remove and reinsert the batteries from the Fire TV remote.
- Unplug the Fire TV from the power source, wait a few seconds, and then plug it back in.
- Turn on the television.
- Now, tap and hold the Home button on the Fire TV remote. Release it when the LED light on the remote starts blinking.
- The remote will pair with the Fire TV within 60 seconds. A message on the television screen will confirm the connection.
2. Power Cycle the Remote
Power cycling refers to turning off the hardware and switching it back on. Here are the steps:
- Remove the batteries from the Fire TV remote. Then, hold the Power button on the remote for about 60 seconds.
- Next, tap all the buttons on the remote multiple times.
- Put new batteries in the remote and hit the power button again to remove any remaining power.
- Use the Fire TV remote to see if the issue persists.
The Fire TV remote contains capacitors that store energy even if the batteries are removed. To reset it, you need to drain the remote completely.
So, to eliminate any residual energy, it’s essential to press the power button to drain the remote fully.
3. Replace Batteries
As easy as it sounds, replacing old and worn-out batteries is the easiest fix to the Toshiba Fire TV remote not working issue. Users often insert batteries in their remotes and forget about them until they malfunction or stop working.
If so, replace the batteries with a new pair and see if the issue persists. If it doesn’t, you know the batteries weren’t the cause, and you can move on to the other fixes.
4. Remove Obstacles
The Toshiba Fire TV remote relies on infrared(IR) beams to communicate with the television. If obstacles are between the remote and the TV, the connection may be disrupted, preventing the remote from functioning properly.
The Fire TV is equipped with an IR sensor. Both devices must transmit and receive the IR beams without hindrances for seamless performance. However, if the beams are obstructed by furniture, walls, Bluetooth devices, electronic signals, speakers, etc., you may experience disrupted signals. When the signals don’t reach the TV, the remote won’t work.
If that’s the case, remove any obstacles from the scene, change your location, and get closer to the TV. Moreover, you must ensure that the TV’s front panel is open and clean.
Wipe the IR sensor with a dry microfiber cloth. Lastly, point the Fire TV remote directly toward the television and check if it starts working.
5. Ensure the IR Sensor is Working
The Fire TV and the Toshiba Fire TV remote communicate through infrared signals. So naturally, any issues with the IR beams or the remote sensor will cause problems.
If you suspect that the IR sensor in the Toshiba Fire TV remote isn’t working, it’s time to test it.
Here is how you can check the infrared sensor on the Toshiba remote:
- Take out your smartphone and launch the camera.
- Point the camera toward the Toshiba remote.
- Now, press any button on the remote and see if you detect any red light in the phone’s camera. The red light indicates that the remote is transmitting IR beams.
- If you don’t notice any red lights when you press the buttons, the remote is defective, or the batteries are dead.
Insert new batteries and check. If the remote is still not working, it must be defective, and you should replace it.
6. Mash the Buttons
The buttons in the Toshiba Fire TV remote can get stuck when you use it too often, and some buttons may remain on permanently.
Mashing the remote buttons is an excellent way to reposition them on the remote and remove any dirt or other hindrances.
Here are the steps:
- Remove the batteries from the Fire TV remote. Then, press the Power button for at least 10 seconds to drain the device’s residual energy.
- Now, start mashing or pressing all the buttons on the remote. Use a bit of force to ensure that every button is moving.
- You can also start by slapping the remote on your palm a few times to release the buttons.
- Repeat the above steps.
It’s common for a remote’s button to get stuck. The Toshiba remote has a predefined cap on the number of simultaneous button presses. If the button is pressed several times, it may stop working. This issue commonly affects the most used buttons, like the volume buttons.
So, if you notice that some buttons are working while others aren’t, it may be caused by the capping.
7. Power Cycle Your TV
We talked about power cycling the Fire TV remote. If that hack didn’t work, performing a power cycle on the TV may be the next best choice.
It will reset the device’s main board without affecting personal settings or customizations. A power cycle will also fix any system glitches or minor issues.
Please follow these steps:
-
- Please turn off the Fire TV and remove its plug from the power source.
- Now, press and hold the physical power button on the Fire TV. Release it after 20 to 30 seconds.
- Wait 2 to 3 minutes to let the Fire TV dissipate all the stored current.
- Again, plug the socket back into the power source. Then, turn on the Fire TV. If you see a red light, it means the power cycle is successful.
Note: The Fire TV, like the remote, can store energy after you turn it off. Therefore, always wait a few minutes to ensure that all the current is drained.
8. Update Your Toshiba Fire TV
If the Toshiba Fire TV remote malfunctions for a while, it can be due to older firmware.
If you are running the Fire TV on an older version, it will affect performance and may also impact the remote. Therefore, try updating your Toshiba Fire TV and see if the issue is fixed.
Here are the steps:
- Open the Settings menu via Fire TV Home.
- Then, press the My Fire TV tab and navigate to the About section.
- Press the Check for System Update tab and download the available update.
Note: Keeping your Fire TV updated is essential to enjoying peak performance. Fire TV updates are rolled out regularly to fix bugs and other threats. So get them as soon as possible.
9. Factory Reset Your TV
Factory reset is an extreme step and should be the last option.
You can try a soft reset to see if the remote starts working without opting for factory defaults. If that doesn’t work, the factory reset may be the only option.
Please follow these steps:
- Navigate to the Fire TV Home. Then, open the Settings menu.
- Go to the Device & Software section.
- Lastly, select the Reset to Factory Defaults tab.
- To proceed, you will have to enter your PIN. If you’ve not saved a PIN, then enter 0000 (the default PIN of Toshiba Fire TV).
- Again, select Reset to confirm.
Although a factory reset may fix many Fire TV issues, it will delete your settings, apps, and other customizations. So, go for it only if you’ve exhausted the other methods without success.
Solutions if Toshiba Fire TV is Still Not Working
If the fixes mentioned above aren’t helpful, it suggests a significant problem with the Toshiba Fire TV or the remote. If that’s the case, here are some options to consider.
1. Contact Toshiba Customer Support
Toshiba’s customer support is prompt and almost always available to assist. So, it is a wise choice, especially if you still cannot identify the Toshiba Fire TV remote issue. Here are some usual ways to contact the Toshiba team:
- Visit https://toshiba-tv.com/rs-en/support using a web browser. Then, select your device type and follow the steps to register a complaint.
- You can also email or make a direct phone call to the Toshiba team.
The support team will appoint a member to review your case and help you identify and solve the issue with your Fire TV. Follow the troubleshooting instructions they offer to resolve your problem.
2. Use the Toshiba Fire TV App
Like most Smart TVs, the Toshiba Fire TV has a dedicated remote control app. The Fire app is fast, dependable, and easy to use. And the best part? It’s readily available on popular App Stores like Google Play and Apple App Store.
The Toshiba Fire app offers an additional benefit: a voice-enabled search to help you navigate easily. So, download the application on your smartphone and sync it with the Fire TV to enjoy a virtual remote even if the other one isn’t working. It would be best if you connected the same WiFi to your phone and Fire TV to establish a connection.
3. Buy a New Remote
If you tried all the possible fixes, but nothing worked, it’s about time you replace the old, malfunctioning Toshiba Fire TV remote with a new one.
Like any other gadget, a remote is susceptible to wear and tear. So, if you have a faulty remote, none of the fixes will work unless you replace it. Always buy a genuine Fire TV remote from certified and authentic sites to avoid scams and knockoffs.
Final Words
If your Toshiba Fire TV remote is not working, I hope one of the methods mentioned in the guide will work for you. You can also opt for the Fire TV remote app and avoid all the hassles of fixing a faulty remote. We hope you will benefit from the blog.
Related:
- How to Pair a FireStick Remote in 1-Minute
- How to Sync FireStick Remote to TV
- How to Connect FireStick to WiFi Without Remote
- How to Set Up Amazon FireStick
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