When Dish Remote won’t change channels but volume works it’s hard to tell what’s wrong.
We totally agree that having your remote adjust the volume, but being unable to change channels could be really baffling.
With the assistance of many Dish users, we were able to construct a troubleshooting guide that’ll target all possible issues with your remote!
Let’s go!
When Dish Remote isn’t changing channels but the volume works, is to discharge the unit and replace the current batteries.
Moving on, make sure no obstructions stay in the way between the TV/receiver and factory reset the remote.
Keep reading to find out all about the mysterious problem with your Dish Remote!
Why Dish Remote Won’t Change Channels But Volume Works?
If your Dish Remote otherwise works, but you’re unable to change the channels, it’s probably an issue with your receiver.
Nonetheless, we would not exclude a potential hardware problem with the remote, we must also pay attention to the rest of your setup, to identify the problem.
Here are the causes due to which your Dish Remote will refuse to change channels:
- A Battery Fault with the Dish Remote
- Underlying Software Problem with the Receiver
- Obstructions, Interrupting the Remote’ Signal
- Programming Problem Between the Remote and Receiver
To properly address all of the following problems, we shall proceed with the troubleshooting guide, including all of our handy solutions!
Dish Remote Won’t Change Channels – Fixed in Easy Steps!
After thoroughly researching the problem with your Dish Remote, it’s time to unwrap the solutions.
We’ll go from rookie troubleshooting, all the way to trying advanced solutions that’ll definitely get the problem with your Dish Remote fixed!
Let’s jump straight in!
Solution #1 Power Cycle the Dish Remote
The first thing you should try is carrying out a Power Cycle on your Dish Remote.
It’s a rather easy way to get the problem with your Dish Remote settled and it doesn’t take away much of your time either.
To conduct a power cycle, the batteries of the remote must be displaced.
Follow these instructions to achieve the power cycle of your Dish Remote:
- Place the Dish Remote with the buttons facing down.
- Detach the battery compartment cover of your remote.
- Eject the two AA batteries inside of the device.
- Wait for 60 seconds, while the batteries of your remote are taken out.
- Re-insert the AA batteries you’ve taken out from your Dish Remote.
- Place the battery compartment cover back in its place.
- Try to use the Dish Remote to change the channels.
By the time you’re testing the Dish Remote, you must also make sure that your satellite receiver is turned on and connected to a TV. Only then, you could check if the channels can be changed now.
Note: Keep the batteries taken out for at least 60 seconds, to properly discharge the remote.
Solution #2 Hard Reset your Dish Receiver
Next, we’ll be focusing our sights on the receiver itself. It sounds too unreal for your remote to be able to adjust the volume, but unable to change the channels.
The most reasonable outcome we could come up with right now is that the issue is with the TV guide of your receiver.
To address issues with the guide, we must reboot the device!
Here’s how to Hard Reset your Dish Receiver in less than 2 minutes:
- Use your remote to shut down the receiver.
- Disconnect the Power Adapter of the receiver, from the electrical outlet.
- Wait for a total of 60 seconds, while the power cable of the receiver is detached.
- Reconnect the power adapter of the receiver, back into the outlet.
- Turn on the receiver, using your remote (or press the power button on the box itself).
- Test the remote…
Although 60 seconds is enough to get your Dish Receiver discharged, many users tend to keep it unplugged for over 5 minutes. It’s proven that the longer you keep an electrical device unplugged, the better it’ll power cycle.
Note: Not waiting for long enough while the receiver is unplugged, will not discharge it.
Solution #3 Inspect the Receiver-TV Connection
Dish reported that a quick solution to this problem could be to change the input of your TV, on the Dish Receiver.
For instance, if using a coaxial cable, you’ll have more than one option, where to plug the cable in. By doing this, you’ll refresh the signal of your Dish Remote.
- The cable that connects your receiver to the TV must be in good condition!
Follow these steps to refresh the wireless signal of your Dish Remote:
For Coaxial Cable Users:
- Unplug the coaxial cable of your TV, from the back of the receiver.
- Connect the coax to a different port on your receiver.
- Check if your TV has another coaxial port and plug the cable in there.
- Test…
For RCA Cable Users:
It’s enough to make sure that each thread of the RCA cable is connected to a port that answers the cable’s color. If the remote is still failing to work, reconnect all RCA cables and re-plug them.
Note: If the cable that connects to your TV is damaged, care to replace it as soon as possible.
Solution #4 Manage Physical & Wireless Interference
When Dish Remote won’t change channels but the volume work, we could straight away tell that there is some sort of interception to the wireless signal.
Whether it’ll be caused by physical or wireless interference, if something is blocking the signal, the receiver won’t detect it.
- The interference could either be physical or wireless!
Let’s now uncover the sources of both types of interferences:
Physical Interference:
- Objects or Large Furniture Next to the Receiver
- Dusty Receiver or Remote “Eye”
- Hardware Damage to the Remote
Wireless Interference:
- Other TV Devices Close to your Receiver
- RF Transmitter or Radio Interceptors
- WiFi Routers or Bluetooth Devices with Modern Technology
The concept of interference is that something is “cutting” the signal coming out of your remote.
Whether it’ll be another wireless (RF) signal or caused by physical objects, if it’s stopping the signal from reaching the endpoint (the receiver), it’s labeled as “Interference”.
Note: Make sure that no physical or wireless interference exists in your setup and test.
Solution #5 Replace the Batteries in the Dish Remote
Perhaps, the batteries inside of your Dish Remote are causing the problem.
When the batteries are getting low on charge, you could notice that some (or most) of the buttons would stop responding to presses persistently.
To address this problem, we shall replace the batteries inside of your Dish Remote:
- Place the remote upside down.
- Take out the battery compartment cover.
- Eject the old batteries.
- Insert two new AA batteries inside the device.
- Re-install the compartment.
- Test your remote…
Alert: Only use brand new batteries with your Dish Remote, to avoid causing device damage.
Solution #6 Factory Reset the Dish Receiver
If nothing worked out, it’s time to Factory Reset your Dish Receiver and gets this problem settled once and for all.
During a factory reset, you don’t have to use the Channel +/- buttons in any way.
During a factory reset, your receiver will flush all of its software settings, along with installed apps, memorized channels and settings presets.
That’s exactly what we want to achieve during that reset since if the issue is settings-related, this is the only way to identify it.
Follow these instructions to perform a Factory Reset on your Dish Receiver:
- Press the Menu button on your Dish Remote twice.
- Select “Receiver”.
- Choose “Tools”.
- Tap on “Reset to Factory Defaults”.
- Highlight “Reset Receiver to Factory Defaults” and hit “OK”.
- Select “Yes” on the confirmation page that’ll appear on your TV.
- Wait for your receiver to restart…
Once the factory reset has started, it’ll take your receiver 3 – 5 minutes to complete the factory reset. Do not interact with the device for the time being.
Notice: Once the factory reset has been completed, you’ll be back at the setup page of the box.
Quick Recap:
To get around the “Dish Remote won’t change channels but volume works” problem, discharge the remote and reboot your Dish Receiver.
If that didn’t work, replace the batteries in the Dish remote, hard reset the receiver, and perform a Factory Reset.
We hope that the issue is now gone so follow us for more relevant content.
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Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites.