LG TV Remote App Not Working: Causes & DIY Fixes to Try
When the LG TV Magic Remote stops working, anyone can make use of the LG ThinQ app from iPhone, iPad, Android smartphone, or tablet to control the LG TV. Although it is an official remote app, it is prone to issues. So, there are chances for the LG ThinQ app to stop working due to unstable internet, long wireless range, outdated app version, etc. Notably, these errors are common and they can be fixed with easy tricks. Once the issue gets fixed, you can use this app as a substitute to control your LG TV.
Why is LG TV Remote App Not Working
If the LG TV remote app is not working, it can be for any one of these reasons.
| SCENARIO | REASONS |
|---|---|
| 1 | LG TV and smartphone are not connected to the same WIFI network |
| 2 | Technical problems in your LG Smart TV cause remote app pairing issues |
| 3 | LG Smart TV is running with outdated firmware, and it has a lot of bugs |
| 4 | A corrupted cache in the LG TV remote app may cause errors |
DIY Fixes LG TV Remote App Not Working
Follow these troubleshooting methods to fix if the LG TV remote app is not working on an Android or iOS device.
Check the WIFI Network
The LG ThinQ remote app requires a strong WIFI network to use. Additionally, you should connect your smartphone and LG Smart TV to the same WIFI network for remote pairing.
1. Go to WIFI Settings on your Android or iOS device.
2. Connect your smartphone to a WIFI network.
3. Similarly, connect your LG TV to WIFI without a remote to continue. Ensure it is sharing the same wireless router.
Now, open the LG ThinQ app and pair it to use the remote app to control the LG TV.
Pair LG TV with LG ThinQ
For using the remote app, LG TV needs to be paired with the LG ThinQ app. However, some users may face difficulties in connecting the LG TV to the remote app. Follow the step-by-step instructions for device pairing.
1. Press the Settings button on the remote control.
2. Click All Settings or directly click the Connection menu.
3. Select WIFI Connection and click on your WIFI name.
FYI: If you are connecting for the first time, enter the password of your WIFI network and click Connect.
4. Open the LG ThinQ app on your Android or iOS device.
5. Click Add a device → Select Device → TV.
6. Select your LG Smart TV and enter the code displayed on the TV screen.
7. After that, click Go to Home to go to the main screen.
8. Click on your TV to view the remote control.
Now you can control your LG TV without using a remote control.
Check the Device Compatibility
You can install the LG ThinQ app from official stores like Play Store (Android) and App Store (iOS). However, your device should meet the minimum requirements to install the app on your device.
- Android smartphones and tablets (requires Android 7.0 or up)
- iPhone (requires iOS 14.0 or later)
- iPad (requires iPadOS 14.0 or above)
Force Close the Recent Apps
In some situations, you may see that the LG ThinQ app is loading slowly. If too many apps are running in the background, the LG ThinQ app cannot work properly due to insufficient RAM. So, it is recommended to force close all the apps on your device.
1. View all the background apps running by clicking the Recent apps button.
2. If you are using iPhone, you can close 3 apps at a time. For Android, click Close All to force close all the apps.
Again, open the LG ThinQ app and check if it is working without any problems.
Soft Reset LG Smart TV
Sometimes, errors may persist within LG Smart TV, which is the reason for the remote app not working issue. To fix this, you can soft reset your LG Smart TV to bring it back to working condition.
1. Press the Power button and hold it for 10 seconds.
2. Once the TV is turned off, eject the LG TV cord from the wall socket.
3. Keep it unplugged for 60 seconds.
4. Plug the TV cord back in and turn on your LG Smart TV.
Pair your LG TV with LG ThinQ and check if the app is now working or not.
Delete the Remote App Cache
Like other applications, the remote apps will store cache to improve the app’s performance on your smartphone. Possibly, the cache files may get corrupted over time which causes the app to stop working.
1. Go to Settings on your Android smartphone.
2. Click on Apps and choose LG ThinQ or any other remote app.
3. Next, tap Storage & Cache → Clear Cache.
If you are using iPhone, you can uninstall the app to clear the cache. Go to Settings → iPhone Storage → LG ThinQ → Delete App. After that, reinstall the LG ThinQ app and check whether it works without any errors.
Update the LG ThinQ App
It is essential to update LG ThinQ to the latest version to fix if there are any technical problems in the application. If you haven’t updated the app, follow the below instructions to do it.
1. Go to the Play Store or App Store on your Android or iOS smartphone.
2. Search for LG ThinQ and click on the app.
3. Click Update if an update is available for the app.
After updating the app, launch LG ThinQ and check whether you can control your LG TV using a virtual remote.
Update LG Smart TV
Once you update the remote app, you should update your LG Smart TV firmware. It would help in many situations, like the app not connecting to LG Smart TV, the volume button not working, and a black screen issue.
1. Press the Settings button on the LG TV remote.
2. Click All Settings, select Support, and click Software Update.
3. Tap Check for Updates. Click Download and Install if an update is available.
LG Smart TV will reboot automatically to install the latest update on your TV. Once completed, open the LG ThinQ app on your smartphone and test whether it is working now.
Reset LG Smart TV
If you have tried all the methods but the remote app is not working, you should finally reset the LG TV to factory settings. As a result, it will bring it back to defaults as it were out of the box.
1. Go to Settings on your LG Smart TV.
2. Click All Settings and select Support.
3. Scroll down and click Reset to Initial Settings.
Wait for a few minutes until the TV gets restarted automatically. Later, you can start using the LG ThinQ app by pairing it with your LG TV. Remember to connect your TV to the same WIFI as your smartphone.
Tip: You shall learn the tricks to reset your LG Smart TV without a remote, which will be useful when the physical remote isn’t working or is damaged.
Use Third-Party Remote Apps
If you can’t install LG ThinQ on your smartphone, it means that your device is incompatible. Therefore, the only solution is to use alternate third-party remote apps. Moreover, some remote apps work by emitting IR signals to the TV sensor. You can install and use any one of the best LG TV remote apps if you want to control your LG without an internet connection.
| Remote Apps | Download Link |
|---|---|
| Smart Remote for LG TVs | Get it on Google Play |
| Remote for LG TV | Get it on Google Play |
FAQ
It is an indication that the remote’s battery is very low. You should replace the old batteries with newer ones to fix the issue. Still, it doesn’t work, you can use the LG TV remote app as an alternative.
