mediacom remote won't change channel

Remotes are anything but perfect, and sometimes a Mediacom remote won’t change channel.

I would also like to point out that not all remotes are universal, and not all universal remotes work with every television and cable installation (despite their name).

If you opt to replace a Mediacom Xtream remote with a universal remote, be sure to check the documentation and user manual for a list of supported devices.

Otherwise, your “universal” remote may be a dud and fail to support your hardware.

Why Won’t My Mediacom Remote Change the Channel?

There is a myriad of reasons why a Mediacom remote may not be communicating with the receiver properly, and consequently, fail to change the channel.

The methods used to troubleshoot a Mediacom remote that won’t change channels are quick and fairly straightforward.

I would recommend starting with changing the batteries, resetting the remote, and changing the remote’s transmission mode.

How to Fix Mediacom Remote Won’t Change Channel

fix mediacom remote won't change channel

In addition to universal remote-control alternatives, you may also find that a Mediacom Xtream remote won’t change channel. I know it can be an infuriating test of patience, but don’t despair.

The two easiest ways to fix the remote are to make sure it has a direct line of sight with the receiver and to reset the remote.

I’m going to take you through the most common solutions.

If none of the solutions mentioned below solve your problem, keep in mind that, as a last resort, you can always contact technical support to speak with a representative.

Solution #1: Reset the Remote

Resetting the remote may help alleviate channel-changing problems by allowing the remote to reload its programming and re-sync with your television setup.

Plus, note that it’s a quick and painless process that only takes a fraction of a minute to complete.

It’s so easy, in fact, that you only have to press two buttons on the remote. After the reset procedure is complete, try turning your TV off, turning it back on, and testing the channel buttons on the remote.

  1. Simultaneously press and hold the TiVo and pause buttons.
  2. Wait for five seconds.
  3. Verify that the red light turns on.
  4. Press the zero button on your remote.
  5. Wait as the reset procedure finishes automatically.

Note: When the red light appears, it should be a solid red light and not a blinking red light.

Solution #2: Change the Batteries

Though it may seem like common sense, some battery issues can look like other problems.

You may think that dead batteries would cause the entire remote not to function – but this is only true if the batteries are completely dead.

There are some cases where the batteries are mostly dead, but they still have a small amount of electricity in them. In these cases, the remote can behave erratically, with some remote functions working properly and other functions not working at all.

Furthermore, weak and almost dead batteries can affect the signal strength of your remote.

The weakened signal causes inconsistent results, where the remote may sometimes work in close proximity to the TV and cable box but not at a farther distance away.

  1. Remove the plastic cover on the back of the remote.
  2. Remove the old batteries.
  3. Check the battery leads for turquoise corrosion.
  4. If found, clean leads with baking soda and hot water.
  5. If cleaned, dry the battery leads.
  6. Replace old batteries with two fresh AA batteries.
  7. Replace cover.
  8. Test remote on TV.

Note: Some people use wire brushes to clean corrosion. However, because the battery housing is so small, you may find it easier to use a toothbrush or a small amount of steel wool.

Solution #3: Restart the Cable Box

Restarting the cable box can eliminate problems when the Mediacom remote isn’t successfully changing channels for a variety of reasons.

One reason could be that the cable box is frozen. This sometimes happens when there is an unforeseeable poor connection or disrupted connection with the cable connection.

In addition, sometimes the cable box will freeze due to a weak signal. And of course, some weak signals are caused by external factors such as Mother Nature and storms that disrupt the cable network.

Fortunately, restarting your cable box is a simple process that takes less than a minute.

  1. Unplug the cable box’s power cord from the wall
  2. Wait for 20 seconds.
  3. Plug the power cord back in.

Note: After you have rebooted your cable box, it would be a good time to double-check that all of the cables in the back of the box are securely fastened and plugged in completely.

Solution #4: Ensure a Direct Line of Sight to the TV and Cable Receiver

Remote controls, TVs, and cable receivers use special wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum called RF (Radio Frequency) and IR (Infrared) transmissions.

Unfortunately, these types of light can be blocked or dampened due to obstructions, which could be causing your Mediacom remote to fail to change the channel.

  1. Clean your TV’s RF or IR receiver with a damp cloth.
  2. Clean your cable receiver’s RF or IR receiver with a damp cloth.
  3. Clean your remote’s RF or IR transmitter with a damp cloth.
  4. Ensure the remote has a direct line of sight to the receiver.
  5. Ensure no obstructions (especially metal) block the receiver’s signal.

Solution #5: Replace the Remote

Sometimes an old or damaged remote simply needs to be replaced.

There are, conceivably, some instances when some of the buttons would work (such as the TiVo or power button) but not the channel buttons.

The good news is that you don’t have to purchase the exact same make and model of the remote you are replacing. There are many suitable universal remote alternatives.

Solution #6: Change the Remote Control’s Mode

The type of frequency your remote control uses could have an impact on its ability to successfully send a signal to the receiver to change a channel.

Use the following steps to set your remote to use IR:

  1. Press and hold the TiVo button.
  2. Press and hold the red C button.
  3. Wait until the light flashes red.
  4. Test your remote and try to change the channel.

Use the following steps to set your remote to use RF:

  1. Press and hold the TiVo button.
  2. Press and hold the green D button.
  3. Wait until the light flashes red.
  4. Test your remote and try to change the channel.

Note: Take a few minutes to test both the RF and IR transmission modes to see which works better for your Mediacom installation.

If you didn’t know which transmission mode your remote control was already using, remember to test both IR and RF modes just to be safe,

Furthermore, though most of these steps are fairly simple, reprogramming the remote is arguably the most difficult, so you may want to save that solution for last.

Read Next: How To Reset Mediacom Router In Easy Steps

Bottom Line

Presumably, the aforementioned troubleshooting steps helped you answer the question why a  Mediacom remote won’t change channel.

If none of these solutions worked and you either found tech support unhelpful or you didn’t want to deal with them, it may be worth your time to browse through Mediacom forums to find others having the same problem as you.

Lastly, note that if you still experience the same problem even after replacing the remote, the root cause is likely your television or cable box.