Fixing a Remote Control With Aluminium Foil

Some of the buttons on my remote control had stopped working. I really felt like giving it the ol' smashie smash, but I gained some control of the situation, and didn't let it push my buttons. I fixed 'er real good.

[@brendamoody1309]

Thank you so much for showing me how to clean my remote you are an angel. There was moisture in in my remote.i took it apart an dried it out. You saved me at least $15.00. dollars. You are a blessing thank you thank you thank you.😊😊😊❤❤😂❤❤❤

[@JerryEricsson]

Growing up on a farm in rural North Dakota, some 25 miles from the nearest town over horrid dirt roads, we found that when things broke we had to be innovative when repairs were needed. I discovered many ways to fix things that I still use today when the store is just down the road.

[@TheVicar]

I live quite close to stores in the north of England, but just love to repair everything myself. The satisfaction of keeping appliances alive yourself is much better than any consumer hit of buying new stuff. You learn more and more, and save more and more money. Double bonus!

[@yalnzkurt995]

Thanks, thanks, thanks. Two years after receiving Logitech Harmony 650, half of the keys were not working. After pasting the aluminum foil, it works perfectly. You saved me from giving $ 50 to a new remote. I did it in a slightly different way; First I glued the aluminum foil to a piece of paper. After it was dry, I punched it with a belt-piercing tool and removed a 3 mm diameter round piece. Then, I glued the surface of the paper to the remote control with fast japanese glue. The result is excellent. from Turkey with love.

[@jjohnstone8565]

Metin K has

[@kokoaung904]

L

[@TF856]

I love having no annoying music or irritating noises in your video. And no annoying texts that I have to pause the video to read with a magnifying glass. Some dialogue would have been nice.

[@TB-xw2ui]

Another quick fix for these buttons is graphite from pencil lead. Just run the pencil lead on a file and then run the buttons in the powder you made. I did this for the power button on my TV remote, not sure how long it will last. 😁

[@voicetube]

DUDE!! I actually tried this on an old, OLD Yamaha receiver remote control that I had that I almost felt so upset with (because I had to press down on the buttons so hard even after cleaning multiple times) that I almost felt like smashing it ... but then… I watched your video and although I didn't have "contact cement", I ended up using double stick tape and used scissors to cut the aluminum foil (into the perfect shapes) and it works SPECTACULARLY! Dude… You are a genius :-)

[@malcolmgracias3463]

Awesome hack. I repaired a 10 year old Panasonic AC remote. Very satisfying DIY. Thanks 😊

[@ambientrelaxingandhealingm7552]

UPDATE: 3 years later, remote is still working beautifully :-)

[@awilliams10474]

I really hate it when a person doesn't verbalize teaching you instructions about something . I like to listen to instructions while I'm doing my house work. Plus it doesn't pay homage to a person that's blind and may need to listen

[@roythird5141]

Mine is exactly the same remote as shown here, Onkyo. Only the master volume was out. I used scotch double-sided tape and foil from the kitchen drawer. Works fine now. We'll see how long it lasts; I can always do it again!

[@TheVicar]

Did it last? Using tape was my thought as well, as I've got some super thin but very sticky doubled sided tape

[@2lipToo]

Me too; same remote and same dead button. Where exactly did you place the tape? Just over the master volume? Crossing my fingers you reply!

[@2lipToo]

No need to reply; I figured it out but thank you for your comment about using double-sided tape. ♥

[@MakercentralNet]

Thanks! I used self sticking aluminium tape, used a leather hole puncher so no fiddling with a blade. Popped it out with a little wire from the inside. Not sure how long it will hold, but my 22 year old calculator works once more :)

[@mohamedsharaf8593]

MakerCentral You can also use paper hole puncher

[@gustavarvidsson1586]

A tip that worked for me. Take tiny piece of steel wool and run off the small things that are left on the rubber surface. I tried the most things but this worked

[@HamidKhan-po1px]

You can use paper punch hole for perfect round foil pads

[@crashcris]

That's exactly what I did, and it doesn't matter if the pads are oval or much smaller circles, just as long as the pads are covered and the circles of punched foil are not touching each other. I used superglue. So far I've saved 3 remotes.

[@MaSgasK-g7z]

This is great, I used it to replace the conductive rubber on my cheap ass 4 octave keyboard, so far I made 1 octave, works awesome and sounds more metal. Thank you!

[@FalconXYGTHO]

Worked flawlessly, didn't even use glue. Cheers mate!

[@JulianDupuy]

How long did that fix last with no glue?

[@jrzzrj]

I found that NO glue sticks to this miracle rubber key pad.....except a tiny dab of this stretchy green stuff used for hanging pictures on the wall (without nails)....this really solved my problem and rejuvenated my RC..

[@Kewrock]

100% silicone caulk is the only thing that sticks to silicone rubber.

[@amarilisveguilla2810]

Thanks for the info. Worked for me. After watching a couple of videos at last I found the right one for my remote control problem. I did not used the glue, maybe next time. A lot of Blessings.

[@dottedjaguar7414]

Try double adhesive tape.

[@stormkhan4250]

You could try conductive paint as some peeps have suggested or you could also try adhesive copper tape which you can get from an electronics store. Used to fix circuit tracks, they are already quite thin and comes in rolls of several meters. Only costs like $5 and has enough to let you fix hundreds of remotes ;)

[@juleenforbes]

I just want to say thank you I tried it today and it worked.

[@mikemanmade3087]

Nice. Now if they would only make remotes more durable...

[@norseman43211]

yes worked a treat. thanks for posting

[@west_park7993]

thank you for not playing elevator music.

[@refinetricks2712]

Thanks it totally works.. i have an issue with my tv the power button doesnt working anymore unless you use a remote control..my remote doesnt work anymore the buttons are not working, until i watch this video omg i was shocked it works your a genius lifesaver

[@geoffjohnston1708]

Fantastic solution - I tried it and now the remote works brilliantly - great stuff

[@yiumichael3004]

Thanks, it really works for the power button of my remote. I used Blu-Tack to stick the aluminium foil to the rubber button.

[@jonathansimmonds5784]

Never leav the lid off a tin of contact adhesive, you might become addicted!

[@realityisanalog]

++1 presentation. Repair achieved here. Thanks Mr Mike.

[@west_park7993]

very tedious and very surgical work! I wonder... they used to sale a special electric conducting glue in the auto stores. to repair the broken lines on the rear window heater lines. I wonder, if this may work. Seems it will be much easier.

[@deadfish86]

I've done nearly the same thing on some of my chintzy momentary logic switches. Currently using super glue, as I considered the thickness of the glue could be an issue. The issue now is that I'm not sure that the SG is holding the foil to the pad good enough. On and off works, but I usually have to try a few times to get it to happen, and sometimes it turns itself on. Today's cure is that I just keep the battery detached until I need the radio. Thanks Man, and nice!

[@TF856]

Try leaving the remote face down when you're not using it.

[@guillaumemichallat307]

Tutorial without pain-in-the-ass music, no extra compents, pascience, useful. Thanks

[@حسونيالمالكي-ث2ق]

💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💞💋💋💋💞💋💋🖕🖕🖕🖕🖕👆

[@alfredbelcher3239]

I did the same with my remote but i used double sided tape and foil punched out with a hole punch

[@el_generall]

Nice job! Great video, no annoying background music!

[@nexus3690]

Perfekt. Fernbedienung geht wieder einwandfrei. TOP. Danke.

[@mee9498]

I tried this for the two power buttons on my remote that aren't working, but unfortunately it wasn't successful. What should I try next?

[@vicenteiiimedina1010]

This really works! Thank you mikemanmade! I thought the RC of our motorized curtain was a goner already. Now it works like new!

[@molambo]

wo old batteries inside my control burst and opened the battery feed tracks on the control board! The trails are very thin! If I adapt an aluminum fillet, can I revive the control?

[@Fishbone4u]

I've used a hole punch to make perfect circles in the foil! The risk of using foil is if a piece comes loose, you risk it shorting your electronics. This method works, but you could zap everything if a piece dislodges! Caution!!

[@cobusbekker4664]

thanks for this, i was trying to break my head figuring out a way to make 1 of the buttons on a projector remote conductive again. never would have thought of this. second thanks goes to uncle Google.

[@ebb2421]

over time the soft metal will flake off and deposit in the pcb pads shorting them out. there are pad repairs kits with carbon paint..

[@goodbyepolarbears172]

I just tried some and it was hopeless. The problem being that it is water based so simply refuses to really fix to the silicone. Once dried it is like powder that soon rubs off. I really would like to find something NOT water based but have had no luck so far.

[@fivosteren1382]

Yes this old but good technic. All that i have repaired likethis still working for more than 10 years now

[@muhammadasif8791]

Awesome - I put aluminium foil and fixed my remote , thanks dude

[@sawankumar3118]

G. I am

[@Kenneth_H_Olsen]

Got to try it . Some pads are just deat beat . Cleaned and brushed, some improvement . Lets see if the 1997 Nordlead V1.3 plays again, with aluminium foil. Been nice after 1 million hours on the machine .

[@2lipToo]

Wow! This worked (and I have the same remote). I hope it lasts. Thank you, thank you!

[@manoszoidakis3157]

you can also use aluminium double sized adhesive tape

[@AdamBlumer]

It doesn't work for me. I'm so bummed. And just this morning, the button I'm having the problem with miraculous worked ONCE. I couldn't repeat my fortune. I have several DVD with a TV show recorded on them, but they were never finalized for playing in other DVD players. Of course, this is the one button I really need. All other buttons seem to work fine. Any tips? Thanks.

[@moviesmania-mn8wd]

which buttons are required to fix with alumium foil.

[@skfn]

Thank you! I was ready to give up I used instant glue and thicker aluminium piece. Hope in long term outcome! I was ready to give up, but you saved my reputation and the life of my tv control , at least for to day!

[@samjose11]

will it be some kinda life threatening issue, if he spoke while attending to the remote control?

[@johngritjohngrit140]

I have two LG AKB732955 Freespace Magic Motion Remote Controls. The on/off button for each RC shows IR blue light in a camera view. But the other buttons on both RCs show nothing. How do the other buttons send a signal if there is no blue light?

[@mahimawho7676]

Works perfectly fine. I'm so stunned and grateful. You deserve my sub :)

[@phillipwest2478]

This is not a long term fix. I did this years ago and was lucky if it lasted a week of use. Just buy a replacement remote on eBay.

[@XXXmelXodyXXX]

this is a long term fix , my remote still working after 2 years like new or much better

[@TF856]

When one of our remotes got lost we contacted the manufacturer and they sent us a free remote. But then we found the original and we had one remote for each side of the bed. 😃

[@TF856]

Maybe you needed to clean the surface before sticking in the pieces. Just a thought.

[@miladmollaxi7581]

Thanks .I have a question .I have the glass cleaner at home . My question is can i use a usual glue for the foil or surely have to use the glue of wood like seen in your tuturiol video ??? What kind of glue is suitable for the TV remote ??

[@TF856]

Years ago I used metallic tape to do the same thing. It already had glue on the back. It was a roll of metallic tape left over from putting together a metal shed. Used to waterproof the shed. You can probably get it at most hardware stores. And there was enough tape to fix hundreds of remotes. Less mess. Less fuss. I just cut a narrow strip of a couple inches long and clipped off little squares with scissors and stuck them right in. The method in this video is way too much work.

[@jacksprat2200]

The number bottons in my remote are not working, so I use arrow to move to other channel. Please give me some advice. Thanks

[@mallempallinagamanikanta5046]

Anna nuvvu tesukunna foil box cost enta

[@jessycruz2465]

I have an old sharp crt tv with a busted power button and it has a remote which is also unresponsive. But trying the foil method actually made the remote work again. Thanks!

[@jwooten1951]

best if played back at 2X speed

[@rabblair8402]

Can you use super glue?

[@redfox6701]

The power button of our remote doesn't work anymore, but the rest of the buttons work. It annoys me a lot, even the power button of our TV is not working anymore.

[@caveredecorator5310]

foil worked perfect. thanks so much

[@gobindlimbu8819]

Thanks for inf.I shall try.

[@mn.raunaq]

what type of glue are you using? I tried super glue, white adhesive, synthetic rubber based adhesive, but each of these wears out after few weeks, the one which holds the aluminum for about a month is nail polish!!! I need a longer staying solution.

[@1canyonguy]

The Vid shows he is using contact cement made by DAP but hes not saying how long the fix was good for.

[@Manosspan1]

I also had the same problem.Have you found any solution ? Also you can use these tool www.plaisio-cdn.gr/ProductImages/1000x1000/241245.JPG to create round foil pieces

[@Manosspan1]

He wrote on comments " I don't have this remote anymore as this fix failed (5 months later) "

[@anthonysteventinsay5812]

Try, glue used for shoe sole.. It might work..

[@mn.raunaq]

@@anthonysteventinsay5812 that is synthetic rubber based glue and did not work for me well.

[@naseerahmad1372]

❤ nice information

[@rinoliuzzi2942]

hello everyone. How can I reconstruct the conductive inner conductive layer in the rubber keys ?? How can I create a homemade graphite paint?

[@andrepretorius8709]

Hi Mike@ It's working!!! Thank for the tip!

[@ciirakimani9102]

worked like a charm....thanks...

[@nancytarlton1521]

I have a samsung remote and when I opened it up there was no rubber pad only a cardboard looking one which I could not remove. I had high hopes of fixing my remote. Ugh

[@hamcamp]

worked a treat, thanks mate.

[@orlakelly101]

Thanks! I was about to chuck my remote but this worked!

[@zsoltbalazs5145]

Thank you so mutch........now i am repair and good working

[@bajer111]

Hah! That's the EXACT remote control I'm trying to fix!

[@bajer111]

Also; it worked, thanks

[@janbalga7702]

I solve it with self-adhesive Al foil and cut it out with a hole punch.

[@morep5466]

No doubt it will work good but you used rubber based adhesive, so will it stick to aluminium foil for long? I have a doubt.

[@dafranceschi1023]

I thought I was clumsy. Tedious work.

[@nordcape]

I did it and it works,very smart .

[@stevenl]

I tried it to my calculator and it's worked, Thanks bruhh

[@andrewmv]

Worked perfectly. Thanks very much for the video.

[@jimkovacs7]

you totally forgot to clean the contact side, men !!!

[@DjSuca]

thnks u have saved my day, and wallets

[@RJB_FixinStuff]

Hey mike!. I liked your video and don't mind the quiet either. Also wanted to add that I used that shelf adhesive aluminum tape forme the homeless deathspot and it worked really well. It's a bit of a bitch to cut but overall worth the hassle.

[@jrzzrj]

I found NO glue sticks to this miracle rubber key pad.....except a tiny dab of this stretchy green stuff used for hanging pictures on the wall (without nails)....this really solved my problem and rejuvenated my RC....

[@Fishbone4u]

@@jrzzrj It's because the buttons are silicone.

[@Fishbone4u]

Use a paper hole punch!

[@anis5646]

Thank's Man , works like a charme :o Amazing !

[@anthonysteventinsay5812]

Great & Best Solution/Remedy! Very practical n effective. ? Will it work on Wireless fones? Will it affect tel. Lines tones w/cordless phones using this Technique? Can't buy repair - kit for button pads here. Phils. Verifying n finding takes time n risk "pandemic Looking forward for your suggestions n comments. Thank you! I'll try it!, & advise wat happened. Stay Safe!

[@marymcdonough2590]

What about using a hole puncher for the foil?

[@dustyfog7482]

great advice- thank you!!

[@kkvishwakarmavishwakarma]

सिगरेट की पन्नी भी काम करती है क्विकफिक्स से चिपका दो गोल काटने के लिये पेपर पंच का प्रयोग करें।

[@FranciscVasile]

this didnt work for me. my top 5 buttons arențt working anymore. the bad thing is that the damn power button isnt working. i tried using another button (wich works on the bottom) for the power button and not working also. What to try next? cleanned it with alchool, putting aluminium foil...

[@78a67h]

Just move the power button to another location. Then do the repair again for smashing results. Good luck

[@robertflock1520]

try stained glass copper tape

[@annthomas3123]

A big THANK YOU!

[@susanluraschi1400]

Damn. He's married. Such nice hands.

[@brandonstandinger6671]

Hmm hands get ya going huh, and here I am just letting mine go to hell, calluses, dirt, cuts, scrapes scars and burn marks even a crooked finger. But, did you happen to notice the Pacaderm, the lg pink one?

[@garybrandon7930]

Cheers. Great advice.

[@delucerrr]

Thank you.You helped me a lot !

[@naimboutros1939]

very fiddly, not sure if its worth the effort

[@charlescollier9302]

Have you tried the liquid copper that is used to repair circuit board traces?

[@mikemanmade3087]

No. This was kindof a quick fix that I videoed. I don't have this remote anymore as this fix failed (5 months later). Almost instantly after the failure, the remote had a catastrophic collision with the TV cabinet.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

lol - the ol' "smashie smash"

[@Hottabych6262]

Пока пульт разбирал у меня терпение кончилось.

[@theresavarty3519]

I like idea But it would've been better if you talked the way through it

[@brianvice1144]

Thank you!!!!

[@samispam1000]

I’m doubtful this works for more than a couple of days. I’ve tried several glues and none stuck to the silicone pads for more than a few days. Anyone have long term success with this contact cement?

[@nicechubbchubbs]

Open an old computer keyboard and you will finde a printed plastic elastic foil. Cut small squares and use double sticky tape and stick it to the remote board. If you need a bigger gap between the board and the foil, add another layer of double sticky tape.

[@MrPyth01]

you can just use a tinny bit of actual silicone, that thing sticks to glass...

[@TheSaxophonecat]

Some verbal description would’ve helped. Why for instants

[@josephlong2278]

aluminium is conductive, wont the button keep energized.???

[@johncoops6897]

Ummmmm - WOT? The original button was conductive, which is why it energises when you press it. When the remote wears out, the button is no longer conductive, so the button never energises. So, if you don't want the button to operate and energize, then don't repair it. Solved.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

+Joseph Long - I don't think you understand how buttons work. Press to activate. No press, no activate. It works by shorting the circuit on the opposite side of the button, you know, the part the button presses into.

[@pacoiniestra]

It worked 100% .... I just have to say thanks !!

[@devasim9571]

Very Helpful. Thank yoy

[@16uy9aming4]

thank you so much big help