Chromecast remote not working for IR functions even with new batteries

[sayago]

Hello,

My Chromecast TV remote has been successfully working for a few months and suddenly it stopped working, but only on its IR functions (volume up & down, turning TV on & off, etc.). Everything else remains working as before.

After reading many posts here and there, I thought it might be the batteries (despite the Chromecast still displaying a high level for them), but I tried with 3 different pairs of brand new 1.5 AAA batteries and always the same outcome: I can successfully unpair the remote, factory reset it, reconnect with the Chromecast again, even update its firmware to version 26.6.

But every time I try to configure the other remote buttons for my TV, it doesn't work at all. There are no issues when I try to add a new device (Panasonic TV in this case), but when I press the volume buttons then the LED lights twice and nothing happens. Even the remote gets disconnected from the Chromecast and I need to use my phone to get back in the menu and reconnect it.

Any idea what is going on and how to solve it?

Please, let me know if I need to provide further information.

[aperezdeleon]

Hi there sayago,

Thanks for reaching out to our community.

I understand you've been working on resolving the lack of control in your remote, and it sounds like you've already tried a factory reset. Let's try to figure out what is going on.

To be sure we're on the same page, make sure you've gone through the correct process of reassigning the remote buttons to your TV by:

1. Going to Settings >Remotes & Accessories>Set up remote buttons.
2. Selecting  your TV>Set up buttons and reconfigure the buttons for Volume, Power, or Input.

If you've done that and your remote still isn't able to control your TV my recommendation would be to restart the Chromecast by unplugging it from the USB-C connection, then plug it back in after a minute.

Let me know how it goes.

Regards,

Angel.

[sayago]

Thank you for your reply, Angel

Yes, I've gone through that process for setting up the Volume, Power and Input buttons and it never worked.

Regarding restarting the Chromecast itself, I've tried following your instructions, reconnecting the remote again and it's not working at all.

But this time something new is happening: when trying to set up the Volume buttons and the Chromecast plays some music and asks to change the volume up and down, the first time I press the volume up or down button, it works. I can see my TV's volume bar changing. But only the first time. Then the remote starts displaying again the annoying led every time I press any other volume button and it gets kind of blocked. I mean, I can not even use the "arrow" buttons to select Yes or No for a few seconds. After those few seconds, I can use the remote again. Even the volume buttons. But, again, only once before it gets stuck again.

Any ideas or suggestions?

BTW, I've tried with both firmware versions: 26.0 and 26.6 and both are having the same outcome.

[aperezdeleon]

Hiya sayago,

Thanks for getting back to me.

I appreciate your update. It sounds like your remote is acting strangely. Let's see what's going on.

Since your remote seems to be having trouble with IR functions, let's ensure both Chromecast and the remote are on the same software version by performing another factory reset on both devices. Here's an article on how to factory reset your Chromecast.

If you perform the factory reset on both devices but the remote still has trouble controlling certain functions, please fill out this form. Doing so will allow my team to gather more information and determine the best course of action.

Let me know how it goes.

Regards,

Angel.

[chonmediano]

Hi, Sayago.

Firmware version 26.6 is the culprit. What happens when you do a factory reset on the remote is that it reverts back to an older version and then asks you to update.

If you don't apply the update, the connectivity issue is gone, although you do lose the ability to use IR due to a firmware version mismatch between the chromecast itself and the remote.

My workaround is to remove the batteries and reinsert them. I hope Google addresses this issue in a future update.

[sayago]

Thank you, chonmediano.

I've also tried factory resetting the remote and still the same with firmware version 26.0.

But now, somehow, it seems that my remote can perform the Volume, Power or Input functions once in a while before getting stuck for a few seconds.

Please, read my reply above to get more details about the remote's current behaviour.

[chonmediano]

Hi, Sayago.

At this point, the only thing that works for me is to remove/reinsert the batteries when it stops responding. I have to do it 4 or 5 times a day, which is unacceptable.

This issue wasn't present on firmware 24.7 (which is the version my remote reverts to when reset).

I hope we get a patch in the upcoming weeks.

[sayago]

I thought it might be that the batteries are running out of energy, hence it allows me to press the volume button once or twice, but I've tried with two different sets of new batteries and still have the same issue. 

I'm currently working with firmware version 26.0 which is the one that I get when factory resetting the remote. No idea how to get version 24.7.

But yep, hopefully, this gets fixed soon or anyone can provide a long-lasting solution.