Apple TV Remote Volume Not Working: Causes & DIY Fixes

Apple TV is an expensive streaming device that comes with Siri supported remote to control the device. On some occasions, the Apple TV remote may not work, or in rare cases, buttons like Volume buttons will go inactive. If the Volume button on your Apple TV remote is not working, then this issue is caused due to several reasons like object interference, physical damage to the buttons, etc. Rather than taking the remote immediately to the Apple Store, try some basic troubleshooting methods below and fix the issue all by yourself.

Why is Apple TV Remote Volume Not Working

Apple TV remote volume may fail to work for the following reasons.

If the batteries charge is low or dead

Minor bug issue in the Apple TV Software

The issue with the hardware of the Apple TV remote

Loose connection of HDMI Cable

If you have unintentionally pressed the Mute button.

It may be due to the physical damage of the remote.

How to Fix Apple TV Remote Volume Not Working

The following are the workarounds to fix the Apple TV remote volume not working issue.

Charge the Batteries

Poor or weak batteries are the primary reason behind Apple TV remote volume not working issue. So, first, check the battery level and charge the Apple TV remote if it is on low power.

[1] On Apple TV, go to the Settings menu.

[2] Choose Remotes and Devices from the right pane.

[3] Under the new list, select the Remote option.

[4] Once you tap on it, the screen will show you the information regarding your remote’s battery level.

[5] If the remote batteries are low or weak, you can proceed further by charging them.

Remove the Obstruction and Move Closer to Apple TV

Since Apple TV remote uses Bluetooth or IR sensors, ensure to keep the Apple TV remote in closer range for better response. However, the range of the remote varies based on the version and technology that the Apple TV remote runs. Also, make sure there should be no obstacles between the devices.

Sometimes the remote just has some dust or other residue like water, food particles, etc., which might affect the remote volume button from working, or you might even find it hard to press the buttons. So, use Cotton Swab or a Lint-Free cloth and 70% Isopropyl Alchohol to clean the IR Sensors and remote buttons.

Restart the Apple TV

If there is any issue with the Apple TV, then the remote might fails to work. So, restarting will help you to remove the glitches and minor bugs.

[1] Press and hold the Menu and Back button until the Apple TV indicator light blinks rapidly.

[2] Then, unplug the cable from the socket and wait for a few seconds.

[3] Now, plug the cable back into the socket and turn On the TV. If the TV screen shows the Apple TV logo, then the TV is restarted successfully.

Restart the Apple TV remote

Like restarting the Apple TV, you can restart your Apple TV remote. To do so,

[1 Press and hold the Control center and the Volume down button for five seconds.

[2] When the Apple TV’s status light flashes, release the buttons. Now, a remote connection lost notification would pop up from the top-right corner of the Apple TV screen.

[3] In the next 5-10 seconds, the screen will see a pop-up notification as Remote Connected.

[4] Now, You can check if the remote volume is functioning properly or not.

Update the Apple TV

[1] Go to Settings on Apple TV.

[2] Scroll down and select the System option.

[3] Select Software Updates and see if there are any new updates available. If yes, click the Download and Install button.

Enabling HDMI-CEC

If the TV or the receiver does not support HDMI-CEC, then you will encounter Apple TV remote volume not working issue. Even if your TV does support that, you will need to enable it on your TV receiver’s menu. To activate the HDMI- CEC,

Go to Settings >> Select Remotes and Devices >> Click Control TVs and Receivers and see if the HDMI-CEC is activated.

The other reason is if you are using an Unshielded HDMI cable, it can lead to some interference causing Remote-Lag problems. So, purchase a new cable and see if the issue is solved.

Re-Pairing the Remote

[1] Place the Siri remote closer to the Apple TV.

[2] Hold down the Back and Volume Up buttons for at least 6 seconds.

[3] For 1st generation remotes, hold down the Menu button and Volume-Up button.

[4] When you see the message that the remote has been paired successfully, release the buttons.

Use Apple TV Remote App

For iPhones running on iOS 12 and above, the Apple TV remote app is already installed on their iPhones. For older models, follow the below steps. Before that, make sure both your Apple TV and your iPhone software are up-to-date.

[1] Open the App Store and download the Apple TV Remote app on your iOS device.

[2] Then, Connect the Apple TV and iOS device to the same WiFi network.

[3] Launch the application on your device and tap on Add Apple TV.

[4] Now, choose your Apple TV.

[5] Go back to your phone and click on Settings > Control Center > Customize Controls.

[6] Tap on the plus sign(+) next to the Apple TV remote.

[7] Open Control Centre and select the Apple TV icon.

[8]Now, tap on your Apple TV, and start using your iOS device to control the Apple TV.

[9] Finally, adjust the volume of the Apple TV using the remote app on your iPhone.

Buy New Remote

If none of the methods work out in fixing the issue, then you can go ahead and buy the new Apple TV remote. You can buy a new replacement remote from the official website or third-party sites. The price starts from $19 up to $59. If your remote is under warranty, then you can visit the nearby Apple Store for repair.

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