Remote controls for our electronic devices do eventually wear out. You might notice the buttons you press no longer do anything, no matter how hard you press on them. There are a few things you can do to determine whether it is worthwhile to attempt to repair a broken remote or replace it with a new one.

Check the Batteries: If most or all of the buttons are not working, it is a good sign the batteries need to be replaced. Make sure to check for signs of corrosion around the battery connectors inside the remote. If there is sign of corrosion, you can use rubbing alcohol and cotton-tipped swabs to clean the connections before installing new batteries.

Only a Few Buttons Don’t Work: In cases where your most frequently used buttons have stopped working, this could indicate the conducting material under the button has degraded and is no longer present. To verify if this is the problem, carefully remove the batteries and take apart the remote control. If there is a film on the circuit board underneath the non-working key, clean it using rubbing alcohol and a cotton-tipped swab. Let it dry completely and reassemble the remote.

If the few buttons you cleaned still not work, chances are it is time for a new remote. DIY repair kits cost around $20 to $30, with no guarantee they will resolve your problem. New universal TV remotes cost about the same, so it makes more sense to purchase a new remote. Order a new remote control from Replacement Remotes today online, or by calling 855-573-6683.

In the last blog post we started exploring the evolution of the television remote, which is continued in this posting. The ultrasonic remote invented in the late 1950s continued to be the preferred remote control used by television manufacturers until the late 1970s. It was during this time, advancements in RF (infrared light) signals resulted in creating new remote controls using this new technology.

RF remotes eliminated the clicking sound and made no noise anytime a button was pressed. Additionally, the new remotes included a wider range of features like being able to manually enter channel numbers rather than cycling up and down using the change channel button. It was also during this time computer technologies were advancing. In the 1980s remotes were being created for more than just TVs and could be included with a new stereo system, VCR, or Beta video tape machine. The creation of cable and satellite TV resulted in yet, another remote control used for changing channels on the receiver.

It quickly become apparent homes were being cluttered with multiple remote control devices. Fortunately for everyone, the universal remote control fixed this problem and allowed people to program multiple devices into a single remote and change between them by simply pushing the device button they wanted to operate. Even though RV remotes are still common today, they are quickly being replaced by Bluetooth technologies.

With Bluetooth, the remote does not have to be aimed directly at the device. In addition, the Bluetooth capabilities on smartphones and tablets make it possible to convert them into device remotes by downloading and installing the appropriate app.  Remote controls have improved over the years with increased functionality and more features. Since we use one remote frequently, they do tend to wear out over time. Luckily, you can acquire a new remote control for your devices directly from Replacement Remotes. Feel free to visit our website or contact us at 855-573-6683 for further assistance.