How To Repair Remote Control Buttons That Don't Work

[@magdielvalencia9477]

after try several times , I realized had to buy a remote control that will cost me close to $40.00 , when I was ready to buy this item I encounter this video, i did everything you said and worked ,. I save my money. thank you.

[@gabbymaymon]

another option is to sand with a sandpaper a little bit the rubber button

[@deonecro]

Just did this on my Harmony 300 remote since the volume buttons were not responding at times. Used a pink rectangular eraser and cotton swabs with 91% Isopropyl alcohol and It worked!! Cleaned the black dimples really well and rubbed down the board with the eraser a couple of times over. thanks for sharing this with us you just saved me from buying a new remote.

[@hugoknight1]

Well done, RJ. Simple to do for the average person. Did mine in about 10 min. Didn't even break anything!

[@alfig5368]

Just tried it and it works. I have an old JVC stereo from 1995. Only a few buttons on the remote would work. Cleaned it up using this method here and it works again. Awesome!!!! Thanks for the video.

[@marksheridanspencer]

Thanks for the tips. I cleaned out the remote as per your instructions and it now works perfectly, after years of malfunctioning. It's like getting a new A/V Receiver. Many thanks.

[@EnerGeezerSquirrel]

Added tip: even if you used warm, not hot, water, waited the time necessary for everything to be bone dry, and all the other cautions mentioned by others, I'd recommend re-assembling with either cotton or thin latex gloves. Touching the contact pads with bare fingers as he did can deposit skin oils on them. Besides being oily and preventing good contact, such human excretions contain acids, which over time eats the graphite conductor, and is why videos of watchmakers and electronic device assemblers usually show them wearing finger "condoms" when handling items for assembly.

[@gerardbduff]

I had a Sony remote that was not working, I was just about to buy a new one when I came across your video. I followed all your steps and the remote is working perfectly now. Thanks very much for the fix, a big thumbs up.

[@alexolazabal4184]

I tried the method in the video, and the volume buttons seemed to work better, but only for a day. I think the conductive layer under the buttons was worn out, so cleaning them ultimately didn’t solve the problem. Luckily, my remote had two other buttons of the same shape that I never use (it’s a Denon RC1183), so I took the rubber pad (shown at 02:00) and a pair of scissors and I cut out the 2 good buttons and switched them with the old ones. It worked GREAT; my remote is as responsive as the 1st day. If the old switcharoo is not an option, I guess you can stick aluminum paper under the worn-out buttons, but I haven’t tried it.

[@rafaliciousbmx]

I just tried the aluminium foil tip you suggested - it worked! Thank you so much for your kind suggestion!

[@michp38]

I saw your video and decided to clean an old ac remote which luckily I did not throw away. Voila it works excellent. Stopped me from buying a new split ac. I might add that I now keep the control in a plastic bag to keep it clean and fungus free. thanks

[@VictorRivarola007]

Excellent video! Thanks. I wish that you would had demonstrated that pressing the key did not work before but it did work afterwards. THIS can be easily done because most cell phone or digital cameras can actually see the infrared light used by those remotes... So just point the remote towards the camera and press the buttons!

[@DubEmerson]

Hey Mr. Bike Guy....thanks a million....saved me 50 dollars on a remote!!

[@dianecagle3021]

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! The volume control on my Sony TV remote would barely work. You'd have to try pressing the volume control 3-4 times before getting any results and then the volume would change so quickly that it wasn't where you wanted it to be. When talking on the phone it was easier to turn the TV off rather than trying to adjust the volume. I followed your wonderfully clear instructions and it worked like a charm. Now the volume control works beautifully, just like new. Thank you again!!!

[@TheViewer01]

I found this video to be very helpful because sometimes buying the original remote controller again for electronics can be hard to find and they tend to be expensive. There are universal electronics controllers out there too but the menu and caption buttons are not always compatible a lot of times. Also the extra features are not compatible or available on the universal remotes. The original remotes are way better to use.

[@Pongo4321234]

Thank you for this information! Used alcohol on contacts and cleaned the plastic and rubber parts with soap and water. 12 year old remote works like new!

[@berryc52]

The volume button had been malfunctioning on my RCA TV remote for months. Took it apart and cleaned it with alcohol as shown. Added small round pieces of aluminum foil inside the volume holes. Put the remote back together. When I pressed the volume button, it went crazy! TV volume increased to its maximum on its own. I took the foil pieces out and put it back together and now, it works like new. Thank you so much

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Did I say something about foil in my video? I don't think I did.

[@berryc52]

No. You did not say anything about foil in your video. I thought that I should give it a try as some of the viewers tried successfully. Bad idea. Thank you once again.@@RJTheBikeGuy

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@berryc52 Okay, I made this video 5 years ago, and didn't recall saying anything about foil. And commenters keep mentioning foil. I have never used foil. My guess in your case, the foil made a circuit and didn't open the circuit when you released the button.

[@berryc52]

@@RJTheBikeGuy Thank you. I am learning. Love doing my own repairs. I have a few other TV and sound system remote controls lying around as many people do. I will certainly know how to clean them, should one of them break down

[@jolynnsalaz1258]

It took me 4 times pushing buttons and smacking the remote..but..IT WORKED!!! I haven't had the guide for 2 weeks. Thank you

[@EyeSaidIt2]

Worked perfect. The stereo remote functions better than ever. Thanks a bunch

[@mikesubocz]

This worked great on my Onkyo RC-AV70M remote (30+ years old). Buttons all work flawlessly now. Thank You!

[@damoncrowfeather4655]

Was getting ready to purchase a new factory remote, I hate the universals.. Saw this, and tried it.. Saved me $40 bucks. Thank u very much.

[@darkpriestess]

Thank you so much. I followed your instructions and now my remote works perfectly

[@stephenmalvini462]

Good video. Additional suggestion, not a highjack. If remote is still not responsive and carbon impregnated rubber contacts are worn, after cleaning you can rub/burnish some powdered carbon into the freshly cleaned rubber contacts with a Q-tip swab. Very little is needed, and you don't want to overdue it and leave any lingering powder. Those contacts' resistance is in the thousands of Ohms, and a very little bit of carbon powder will make a huge difference. Buttons will respond to light pressure again. You can get carbon powder anywhere that sells locksmith stuff, as it's used as a dry lubricant. Alternately, you might even be able to get away with creating some dust from a #2 pencil lead and applying some of that. As I said, it only takes a very little to reduce the resistance and get better contact. Cheers.

[@darkcat5823]

Pencil lead worked a charm! Thank you! My remote turned out to be pretty clean inside so cleaning didn't do much. And you're right; it takes a very little amount of lead to improve contact. I was being generous with it on my first attempt and the problematic button went from barely working to BLASTING the IR light even when I let it go. I verified this by pointing the remote at my web cam. On most cameras you can actually see the IR light so it's a helpful trick to see if you remote is actually working.

[@oscarruf4260]

Worked like a charm on my Motorola Digital Box HD remote. It took me 10 minutes to do the cleaning. THANKS!!

[@stackhousepiano]

Thank you so much, man. Just fixed an 18 year old remote that can’t be replaced. Appreciate it so much!

[@xianbc]

This was wonderful, thank you. I was going to go out and replace my remote but it seems to be working just fine now!

[@kellylowmis5625]

I can't believe this actually worked. First time!! Absolutely amazing. It was only the power button not working, but it's now perfect. Thanks so much!! 😍

[@springokeefe2222]

OMG thank you!!! this worked and I am not a very experienced person at this kind of stuff at all.

[@SoFkwHat80]

Thank you for this , just repaired a remote that had this problem , didn't realise how mucky they get inside. Again thank you , saved me a lot of money.

[@Crusty1703]

Brilliant. It worked. Saved me approx £40. Thank you.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Chances are they are similar if not the same type of buttons. So it is worth a shot.

[@starblue287]

Wow it work Finally it was my bedroom tv control I was so tired of getting up to cut it off when I was about to sleep. Thank you so much 😊

[@chigenerator]

Brilliant! The important INFO button hasn't worked for years and I was about to look for a new remote online, or perhaps even buy a new TV. Now it works!

[@jimwarnock1250]

Appreciate the clear instruction. I followed along and now have a working remote. Thank you.

[@Christopher28fair]

Thanks guy! Worked great! Saved $10 and kept some plastic out of the landfill. AND, I have a stack of AA batteries I blamed for the thing not working - they might all still be good!

[@psi1971]

I was looking for videos to clean my remote and came across this. When I started watching, I thought to myself: hang on, I recognise that voice from somewhere. Blow me down - it's RJ again. Fixing remotes! Great job RJ - thanks to your videos, I've fixed my vintage bike and my not so vintage remote (Logitech Harmony Remote 700 which had a few buttons that didn't respond - using RJ's techniques made the remote work like new) :)

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Before I really started to focus on bikes.

[@bianca952000]

First video I clicked on! 200% SUCCESS!! And I have trouble just changing batteries! Worked for my Dish Tv remote! Thank you for sharing this information!! WOOT WOOT WOOT!!

[@brianadamson2700]

Tried it on my Blaupunkt 32/131J-GB-1B-3HCU-UK remote and it worked a treat. Many thanks for the brilliant instructions.

[@lookylooky100]

Hey it worked. I did what you show us and its like new.

[@2ris2]

Just tried it! Placing the center button back was kinda tricky but it worked! Thanks a lot!

[@metralios]

You saved my day man. I was searching for a replacement for my malfunctioning remote control then sow your video and was very helpful. Thanks

[@tammyrourke7054]

I've tried everything over the years to get functionality back in my RCA remote, it never did really work very well. After watching a few youtube vids, I decided to give it another go, since I can't find a universal that works for my tv and they don't sell replacements. Someone said he used aluminum foil and super glue, but I didn't think that would adhere to the rubber very well. Another video showed rubber cement, so I tried that. It doesn't like to stick to the rubber and balls up. So I looked online for conductive paint and the prices on some of them were scary, but while I was looking, one of the (internet random) things that came up appeared similar to aluminum duct tape...Light bulb! Since I have almost 2 rolls just waiting to be used, I thought why not. Beautiful! I just cut off a length approximate to what I thought I'd need, turned it over and using the outline of most of the buttons on the face plate, the small end of a .22 shell, and freehand drawing the navigational buttons, I traced the outline onto the paper covering the adhesive on the back of the foil. Of course, I tried doing just one before putting all the effort into this and it sticks beautifully. So I cut out all the other button outlines, and using a pair of tweezers, I held each piece foil side up and lifted an edge toward me, causing the paper to release the adhesive. Grasp the very edge of the foil with the tweezer, remove the paper and apply to the back of all the buttons...reassemble the remote, gave it a test run, and ALL of my buttons work better than new! Sorry for the novel, but I'm not equipped to create a video! Hope this helps someone.

[@brrjohnson8131]

I think you just saved my atomic clock. I have to completely reset all the features along with the outdoor temperature reader every time the batteries need changing. I've already soldered its wires when it fell off the sofa separating the back from the face. None of that would've happened if I didn't need to open it in order to force the electronic pads to transmit. Alcohol cleaning did nothing to help in my case. It was already spotless inside.

[@Graceful585]

Worked like a charm. TV is five years old and the On/Off button would work sometimes and others is would be challenging to get it turn on/off. Thank you for the dyi instructions.

[@selcukdesovali8004]

Thank you my friend, your video should be placed in the very first page of a remote control handling manual. you saved more than 20 USD of mine...

[@peterchristensen9585]

This worked great, though after opening the device I was reluctant to try it because all the contacts were covered with a very fine grease. I was afraid perhaps mine worked differently, and the grease was required to make contact. But I cleaned it as instructed -- removing all the grease -- and it works fine. Saved me $40!

[@VitorBart]

One important thing to mention. If you use hot water (like I did) to clean the button material, there's a chance they might deform and don't get back to their original shape (guess how I know). So to avoid there it's better to use regular cold water from the sink.

[@Dreamfyre_]

I WISH I READ THIS COMMENT 30 MIN AGO UGHHHHH

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

In the video I say WARM soapy water. Warm is not HOT.

[@EnchantedSmellyWolf]

If you had the power to make a video preemptively this all could have been avoided.

[@ACE-gj9zq]

@@RJTheBikeGuy -VitorBart is not saying "you" used hot water. He's letting us viewers know, if we were to use hot water, it may damage the rubber keypad...

[@stormtrooperelite1453]

Very good. I got a conductive rubber mat from a colleague at work and he mentions cutting the little black bit off. What does he mean, shouldn't you simply be able to replace the mat altogether or simply clean it like you showed.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Stormtrooper Elite Try cleaning it first. What I think means that if the little rubber contacts in the remote are damaged, to cut a small round piece of the mat and stick it over the worn rubber contact. That might work. But try cleaning it first. And if you do the rubber mat thing, try a single button and see how that works.

[@stormtrooperelite1453]

RJ The Bike Guy hey thanks for the quick answer. The mat on my remote and the one I have are obviously different, and despite the snarky comments about how remotes are cheap to buy, I like to give myself some practice, what kind of engineer would I be without it

[@D.o.l.p.h.e.y]

Thanks! Worked like a charm! My 10+ year old sanyo tv remote now works like new! Pressure to activate the buttons are feather-light again! Slagged the screw though coz the plastic seized over the screw thread. Good thing it also employs side snaps. Peace. 👍

[@edawriter]

It worked for two remotes. During re-assembly all parts must be bone dry. Doing otherwise risks a short. The older remote is slow to respond, so it was time for a new one. The other one was only a year or two old so it's like new.

[@audreyclaudia4637]

It's really worth the try ! My fan remote have been broken for 2 years only for me to realize the only thing I need to do is clean the remote

[@ardhenduchoudhury7807]

worked fine. the power button was not working for quite some months and doing these steps made it functional again

[@delta999999]

I tried this and my dodgy remote control buttons now work great. Thanks! I'll update if anything changes.

[@kyliemiller137]

Omg I had given up trying to turn the tv up.. the eraser and cleaning the button pad worked absolute wonders. Thankyou.

[@kiowastew]

Thank you for this video. Rubbed down the contacts with an eraser and presto, my power and menu button work again!!

[@watamatafoyu]

I can't believe I enjoyed my Friday night watching a video on how to repair a TV remote 😆

[@MeatPopsycle]

Do you have any fix for the contacts on the board itself? The black conductive "paint" or whatever it is that they use on each side of the circuit has worn off, so the connection is not made when you press a button? My remote cost a good bit to replace, and I would really like to fix it. Thanks.

[@eugeneoneal3034]

I had the same problem, the carbon track had cracked, Once the carbon track wears you may as well just replace the remote.

[@MeatPopsycle]

So I thought the same thing, but I found a pen that lays down a line of conductive paint, and it worked perfectly for fixing the remote that came with my Sony ES receiver. Just search Google or Amazon for Electric Paint Pen. You can also get it in a small container, if the pen isn't your thing.

[@weknowaller4662]

I just replayed. It works. It is liquid silver and good way to fix it. Also tu glue a pieces of aluminum folie

[@lenheadleand9361]

MeatPopsycle Jon I ,. l k

[@nikosnikolaidis3762]

worked , thanks a lot :-D , you saved me 30min of searching for a new remote !

[@gregkendrick1874]

My channel button stoped working. You saved me big time. Thank you

[@Subgunman]

There are some electronics supply shops that sell an epoxy based repair kit that you can use on the rubber buttons. It is a conductive and flexible material when cured. If you have silver or copper based trace repair paint you could use it as well but this paint is not flexible and could peel off the back of the pads with time.

[@janebidinian3800]

Thank you so much for this vudeo; I followed your instructions and amazingly it fixed my remote. The most difficult and tine-consuming part of the process, was separating the remote. Persistence, if I can do this (I'm disabled and have Parkinson tremors)

[@RCFrizz]

When I worked doing PC repair, as a matter of course, we cleaned the contacts of video and other expansion cards before re-installing them into the motherboard. It often fixed weird errors and lockups. This was back when a 386 was hot stuff -- 1991 or so.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

The first computer I built for myself was a 386 when they were relatively new. :D

[@RCFrizz]

I build my first PC from components in 1992/3. It was a 386/sx, though. Remember DOS aka Dee One Systems?

[@mrrostien]

Thanks!! It worked. EVERY button works again.saved me £40 plus £30!!! For delivery.

[@jeffcorder2876]

Cheers to "mathesar 2" for his "Printer Paper" method & suggestion (down the thread here)!!! I had tried EVERYTHING except the suggestion of rubbing the bottom of the black rubber button pad on a piece of printer paper to get at VOL+ button working on my MITSU WD65838 remote (MITSUBISHI 290P187A20, 290P187020) NOTE... For others trying this method, DON'T rub off ALL the black stuff on the bottom of the rubber button...it's NOT dirt or crud...it's the Carbon contact ink/paint. If you rub it all off on the printer paper you'll have NO contact! Thanks again "RJ The Bike Guy" & "mathesar 2", ya' saved me from spending $40 -$60 buck for a new remote!!!

[@bitflux2]

you sir deserve a medal! the eraser trick works like a charm, my onkyo receiver controller is back from dead after being declared dead, thanks!

[@downtonviewer]

Amazing what a good cleaning will do! All fixed. Thanks!

[@hexlets4842]

Thanks Bro. Almost sliced my finger off opening the snaps- but after that I was golden.

[@ejames9319]

HaHA so did I nearly took my thumb of but most of my remote works a lot better

[@BiohazardEXTREME]

You just saved me $30. Thank you so much!

[@Mobin92]

Just cut little pieces of aliminum foil and superglue them to the black pads under the buttons. Fixed.

[@MrEvotommy]

Man! Thanks for that tip! Just tried it on my garage door remote and its like a million times better!! Cheers! :D

[@JimPTheOne]

aluminium worked perfectly while other solutions didn't. thank you sir

[@supermario.17]

Thanks man, you're a true hero!

[@trikkk64]

Mobin92 This comment is more valuable than the video itself. Thank you so much, sir!

[@beverlycaragay9127]

GOING to try this tip

[@user-sm8wo3dj5z]

after cleaning use some graphite from a pencil for example, scratch the graphite and rub the powder on the rubber contacts

[@EmmanuelC0403]

Dami Nooki what do you mean by printer paper?

[@borischan5252]

normal A4 papaer

[@nymphetaminefilth5352]

Dami Nooki thank you sooo much!!! Didn't think it'd work at all, luckily i was wrong... :P

[@donaldrogers3162]

Jose Ferreira worked like a champ!!

[@Brit_in_Mindanao]

Thanks for this, worked like a dream on my impossible to replace Denon avr remote. Also fixed a neighbour's remote l😃. So glad I found this.

[@evangelaoates]

It worked! Thank you for your tutorial, sir.

[@suramsingh1354]

Evangela O

[@dr.lijokurian8881]

You saved me from spending around 3k . seen this video just before buying 2 remote controls of my Mitsubishi AC.tried it on the old remote and they are working like a new one

[@allynnichols8460]

Yay! It worked! My only problem was mine has little toggles for channels and volume, and they were a problem. Small and had to be done just right. But got it all back and alls working. Thank you.

[@backyardwarrior8926]

Thanks so much ! I got my 1989 Kenwood home system remote control working now. I cleaned it with Isopropyl alcohol. Hope others will have good result.

[@bambam8206]

Thank you so much, i was going to buy a new remote control but i couldn't even find just a remote without device 🙄 But your video saved me 🥺😭

[@frankofva8803]

You solved this problem for me. My remote works like new. Thank you very much!

[@sharadchavali]

Thanks a lot. It worked excellently well for me for A/C remote.

[@wyattspop]

Works perfectly., I have a $500 Denon receiver and my remote would not power it on, off, volume went down but not up, sure enough the back of the pcb needed cleaning with rubbing alcohol and q-tips plus a cotton ball, side-note, I could not see any dirt until I cleaned it with alcohol, then it was very dirty..every button now works..thank you

[@omnomnomie]

i almost died when my remote stopped working! thank god that this method worked!! thank you sir :)

[@Pete856]

From my experience the problem is either oils from your hands getting in, in which case cleaning with alcohol helps. Or the buttons aren't very conductive anymore, to help this I take a pencil and scrap some of the graphite off and crush it up fine and then rub it into the back of the rubber buttons....this one usually really helps, amazing how little force it take to operate the buttons afterward.

[@squantom2579]

Thanks x1,000,000!!! Worked like a charm! I thought my remote was ruined for good but this fixed it!

[@jamesperrin5691]

Wow this worked really well and stopped me buying a new set of buttons, thanks very much.

[@megacap55]

Thanks , it worked just as haven't isopropyl alcohol just used normal alcohol although isn't the optimal but it worked with my AVR remote control some buttons don't worked and now it works those buttons

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

What is "normal" alcohol?

[@megacap55]

+RJ The Bike Guy alcohol for medical usage the common one for small scratches etc

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Which is probably isopropal alcohol.

[@TheTommyLight]

Just fixed my air conditioner control with this video. Thanks a lot!!!

[@grahamkenworthy3189]

Only yesterday evening the volume down button finally gave up the ghost completely on my Freeview set-top box remote. Thinking it was a battery temperature issue (no central heating!) I'd tried all sorts of cures - breathing warm air past the IR LED, having it snuggled between me and the cat, balancing it on a cup of hot coffee and even trying to keep it wedged under my 'warm' armpit! Anyway, encouraged by your excellent video, I took the bull by the horns, prized it apart, and found - shock horror - that the whole circuit board was very wet, sticky and peppered with ginger hairs (from the cat!).....seemed the humid heat had started to melt the PCB's protective coating!! Wiped the PCB and contacts alike in soapy water, finally rubbing the circuits and the contacts over with window cleaner...but Arrrgh it still didn't work! Finally, I fiddled about sticking a small circle of double sided high-tack aluminum tape onto the worn button contact and, hey presto,....It's now lightening fast....best button on the remote!

[@hueyhoon969]

Thanks for sharing, RJ. Unfortunately I have to cut out some of unused rubber key pad to replace the one which I needed, otherwise it won't works.

[@SuperGreenlaser]

The "sweat" on the rubber is silicone oil that seeps from the rubber each time the button is pressed..warm soapy water will clean it and it is a constant job to do that every year or so

[@disi1971]

SuperGreenlaser there is a better way on how-to prevent the sweat of silicone oil and I tried and tested. Have you notice this sweat of silicone oil did not happen to telephone buttons covered with hard plastic button? Never. Why I don't know. But maybe the heat from our finger could block by the plastic. How to apply this to tv remote control and other remote control? Just cover the remote control with plastic cover. Don't let the remote control used without the plastic cover. 100% I can guarantee that no sweat of silicone oil will happen. I tried this to my tv remote control for 14 years. After my tv broke down, I opened my remote control and found no presence of silicone oil. And also you can check and see the light of infrared of remote control thru cellphone camera.

[@Lucasbagh]

Worked for me. Thnx! Using the alcohol to clean the rubber did the trick.

[@rakeshdwivedi9303]

Thanks a lot for telling the trick, it really works. God bless you. Adv R K Dwivedi, INDIA 🇮🇳

[@yasmeenhamdy3337]

It worked. wow!😍 I would buy another one, but I just watched this video .... thank you so much 😻

[@hannashab3783]

Wow you saved me 50 dollars thanks so much god bless you work for me 💯👍

[@ghostypup]

Thanks for this mate, i,ll have a go at cleaning mine

[@xxr99]

Thank you so much i did what you said and it works like new. And its 20 years old! Great video.ps you also saved me about 75 bucks !

[@choose2bfit]

I was pessimistic and totally wrong. Bad ass my man thanks for the video and the help.

[@YCYip-ci9er]

Thank you for the information. It really works and now my remote control is back to life :)

[@cfguzman]

it worked perfectly, thank you!

[@Mephistahpheles]

Zounds! Thankya! I tried a variety of things to no avail. For the last week or so, I've been using tinfoil (with the remote disassembled)....which worked, but was hugely inconvenient. The eraser trick worked perfect! Thanks again!

[@r.franklinghazi6818]

Thank you very very very much!!!!!! Greetings from Suriname (North-East of Brasil South America

[@octoparrot5761]

Worked the first time. Now my 0 and replay buttons work again. Amazing.

[@JPELOFFPHOTOGRAPHY]

Your are a legend!!!! Power button fixed. Thank You!!!!!!!!

[@thatzraja]

Thankz a lot... From INDIA ..really works 👍👍👍

[@JoJo-xz6fw]

This is brilliant, saved me buying a new one 👍. My remote had been playing up for a while until it eventually stopped working completely . I carried out the process a couple of times as detailed in the video. I used alcohol based hand GEL, plenty at home ATM. Hey Presto, it works perfectly. Thank you.