It may happen that the remote control (Siri Remote) of the Apple TV 4th generation or newer suddenly stops working. In most cases the connection is lost or certain buttons do not work. Fortunately, you can then repair the remote and reconnect the Apple TV remote control to the Apple TV.
First, it is advisable to charge the remote control for at least 30 minutes, this way you can be sure that the battery is sufficiently charged to function.
Restart Siri remote
- Press and hold the TV and MIN (volume) button simultaneously for 5 seconds
- The status light on the Apple TV turns off and on
- Release the buttons
After 5 to 10 seconds, the message ‘Disconnected’ will appear on the TV screen. The remote control will now restart. Once the ‘Connected’ message appears, you can use the remote control.
Re-pair the Apple TV remote
- Keep the Siri Remote ±7 cm away from the Apple TV
- Press the MENU/BACK and PLUS (volume) buttons at the same time
- Wait a few moments while you press the buttons
- This is now being repaired and relinked
A message will now appear on the screen with the message ‘Pair remote control’. After a few moments, it will be linked to the media box again and you can use it again.
Restore Siri remote
When you re-pair the Apple TV remote using the steps above, it will also be automatically restored. The recovery procedure is therefore initiated when you press and hold the MENU/BACK and PLUS (volume) buttons simultaneously for a few moments. If this unfortunately does not provide a solution, it is best to restore the Apple TV.
If you can’t pair the remote, make sure your Apple TV is updated to the latest version of tvOS. Use an iPhone or iPad to control the Apple TV when the Siri Remote is (temporarily) not working.