Sony's FAQ has a Remote control section: TV remote control not operating properly or not responding at all, how to pair or re-pair your wireless or voice command remote to your Google TV or Android TV, voice commands do not work, how to use Google Assistant and how to perform a remote control software update. To re-pair a Google TV voice remote, point it at the TV and press and hold the Back and Home buttons together until the pairing light flashes, keep the remote close to the TV, and follow the on-screen prompt.
The checks in more detail
If the LED on the remote lights but the TV does not respond, remove and reinsert both batteries and check the LED flashes, and replace them if weak. Test whether the TV responds to its own power button, which separates a remote fault from a TV fault, as in Sony's power article. Infrared-only remotes need line of sight, so remove obstructions and check with a phone camera that the remote's LED flashes.
Bluetooth remotes can be disturbed by wireless interference, so move routers, cordless phones and speakers away, and turn off Bluetooth accessories to test. If pairing keeps failing, unplug the TV for two minutes, then re-pair. If some buttons stop working after a software update, Sony has a remote software update procedure, and the Google TV app on a phone can act as a temporary remote. Enable Control for HDMI (BRAVIA Sync) if you want the Sony remote to operate other devices.
Voice commands need the internet, a Google account and the microphone button. Replace the remote if buttons stay dead. Keep spare batteries and set up the Google TV app as a backup remote before you need it. A remote that fails at a fixed distance usually has weak batteries. If the remote works only very close, the battery is nearly flat or a soundbar blocks the receiver.
Differential
Likely causes of “Sony BRAVIA TV line remote will not control the TV”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
An unpaired remote
What separates it The remote gets no response because it has become unpaired from the TV
How to confirm Hold the Back and Home buttons to pair the remote again
- 2
Weak batteries
What separates it The buttons work intermittently because the batteries are weak
How to confirm Replace both batteries at the same time, using fresh ones
- 3
A blocked infrared path
What separates it The remote works only up close because the infrared path is blocked
How to confirm Remove obstacles between the remote and the TV, and point it at the TV
- 4
Bluetooth interference
What separates it The response is delayed because of Bluetooth interference from nearby devices
How to confirm Move other Bluetooth devices away from the TV, and see whether the delay stops
- 5
A software issue
What separates it The buttons are dead after an update because of a software issue
How to confirm Update the software of the remote, following the steps on the TV
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The model of the remote that you are using
- The state of the batteries in the remote
- Whether the phone app controls the TV
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedReplace both batteries
ReversibleReplace both batteries, and check the LED on the remote when you press a button.
Re-pair the remote
ReversibleRe-pair the remote by holding the Back and Home buttons, until the TV pairs it.
Move closer
ReversibleMove closer to the TV, and clear any obstacles from between it and the remote.
Unplug the TV
ReversibleUnplug the TV for two minutes, and then plug it in and try the remote.
Use the Google TV app
ReversibleUse the Google TV app as a temporary remote, from your phone, in the meantime.
Update the remote software
ReversibleUpdate the software of the remote, if some of its buttons stay dead, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Replace the remote
ReversibleReplace the remote if it is damaged, since some faults cannot be repaired, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Voice remote
- Google TV BRAVIA models ship with a Bluetooth voice remote.
- Older models
- Older BRAVIA TVs use infrared remotes.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models A80L, A90J, A95L, BRAVIA 2 II LED TV, BRAVIA 5 Mini LED TV, BRAVIA 7 Mini LED TV, BRAVIA 8 II QD-OLED TV, BRAVIA 9 Mini LED TV, X85K, X900H, X90L, X95L.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If re-pairing fails with new batteries, replace the remote
- !If the TV ignores its own button too, see the power steps
- !If voice fails, check the internet and Google account
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Index of Google TV help articles.
Google TV help topics.
Power cord, reset, TV button and external devices.
Restart, reset settings, update, Safe Mode and Clear data.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I pair a BRAVIA remote?+
Hold Back and Home together until it pairs.
Does Sony have a remote FAQ?+
Yes, Sony has a section about the remote control, in its support articles.
Why are some buttons dead?+
Some buttons are dead because of a software or a battery fault.
Do voice commands need the internet?+
Yes, voice commands need the internet, so check that the TV is online.
What is Control for HDMI?+
Control for HDMI is Sony's name for HDMI-CEC, which links the devices.
Does the remote have software?+
Yes, and Sony has an update procedure.
Should I test the TV button?+
Yes, test with the button on the TV, to see whether the TV itself responds.