xfinity remote not changing channels

The Xfinity remote not changing channels out of a sudden?

Well, did you try increasing the volume?

We can recognize where the problem is coming from straight away! When the remote can’t change only channels but ALL other functions are working, the issue is with the button.

However in case, the remote does not work at all, probably the device is disconnected from the receiver!

When Xfinity remote can’t change channels, users need to check whether the remote buttons are stuck and power discharge the unit by removing the batteries. The next step is to hard reset the receiver as well and perform the pairing process from the beginning.

Let’s next learn more about the causes and then solve the problem in a matter of minutes!

Why The Xfinity Remote Will Not Change Channels?

If your remote refuses to change channels, then this most likely is a button problem.

This could happen due to low charge, thus insufficient batteries, or programming issues with the remote.

Either way, issues such as this one are resolved universally and do not require professional and time-consuming troubleshooting. Let’s learn more!

Here’s what could be causing the channel-changing issues on your Xfinity remote:

  • The Remote has run out of batteries/insufficient charge!
  • The remote is not in the line of sight of the TV’s IR “eye”
  • The Remote IR transmitter is obstructed
  • The remote got unpaired from the TV
  • TV is frozen (stuck)

Let’s now look up the best fix solutions to resolve your Xfinity remote’s problems:

How to Fix When Xfinity Remote Won’t Change Channels?

fix xfinity remote not changing channels

The solution includes a chronological approach in which we’ll learn how to address ALL possibilities by using the method of exclusion.

We’ll target all possible causes and with a bit of luck by the end of this guide, you’ll know the cause of the problem as well as the solution!

Let’s jump right in!

Solution #1 Power Cycle the Xfinity Remote

The first thing you should do is perform a power cycle on your Xfinity remote!

The problem you’re experiencing has a high chance to be related to power issues in your remote, that occurred due to insufficient power withdrawal.

Your best way to go right now is to discharge the unit completely and perform a power circulation!

Follow these instructions to perform a power reset on your Xfinity remote:

  1. Turn the remote Upside Down.
  2. Locate the Battery Compartment on the bottom of the device.
  3. Undo the compartment’s cover and Remove It.
  4. Expose the batteries inside of the remote.
  5. Eject the batteries out of the device.
  6. Wait for 5 Minutes while the batteries are removed.
  7. Press and hold each button on the remote for 2 Seconds.
  8. When you’re ready hold the Power button for 30 seconds.
  9. Reinsert the batteries and rebuild your remote.

Now with the hardware discharged, feel free to test whether you can change the channels!

Note: The more time you keep the batteries out of the remote, the better it will discharge.

Solution #2 Replace the Remote’s Batteries

replace batteries

If a power cycle didn’t help resolve your Xfinity remote’s problem, then perhaps replacing the batteries is at hand.

If the battery units have run out of charge, the remote will not receive power no matter what you do.

Here’s how to replace the remote’s batteries:

  1. Perform the same steps as above to Remove the Batteries.
  2. Grab a fresh set of Two x AA Batteries.
  3. Insert the two new batteries inside of your Xfinity remote.
  4. Attempt to use the remote on your TV/cable box.
Alert: Watch out for the electric poles inside the battery compartment!

Solution #3 Clear Out Wireless Interference

Wireless interference is all around us most of the time.

However, there are times and certain environments that could stimulate the interference and cause it to block the IR wireless signals sent by another device – your Xfinity remote.

You should make sure that your setup is free of interference of any kind.

clear interference

The following could cause wireless signal interference in your setup:

  • RF transmitters/baby phones near your TV, remote, or cable box
  • Other TVs that are accepting the signal of your remote accidentally
  • Solid objects/obstructions between your TV and cable box
  • Wirelessly working devices, such as radios

In addition, you should make sure that the IR “eye” of your Xfinity remote (on the front tip) is free of dust and debris. Do the same for your cable box or TV receiver point.

Tip: Test if your remote could communicate with the TV/cable box after each attempt to resolve the interference.

Solution #4 Reprogram the Xfinity Remote

If the remote isn’t changing the channels of your TV device or cable box, then this most likely is a programming issue with the device.

The remote could have gotten unpaired from the TV or cable box as a result of a software problem but you won’t have access to any sort of input.

Follow these instructions to reprogram your Xfinity remote to the TV itself or a TV box:

  1. Turn on your TV or cable box.
  2. Grab your Xfinity remote and press the Setup Button.
  3. Keep holding the button until the light at the top changes to Green Color.
  4. On your remote, press the 9-9-1 Button Sequence.
  5. Once the TV turns itself off, press the Setup Button to lock the code.
  6. Hit the Power Button on the remote to start your TV.
Note: If the TV turns on after pressing the power button, you know that the reprogramming was successful and now the remote works.

Solution #5 Hard Reset the TV/Cable Box

The issue in your situation could be with the TV or the cable box, rather than the remote.

In such a situation, we should shift our attention toward the receiver. What a hard reset practically does is cause your TV or cable box to discharge and refresh ALL services!

reset tv box

Let’s first review how to hard reset a TV:

How to Hard Reset a TV?

Follow these steps to hard reset your TV:

  1. Unplug your TV from the Power Source.
  2. Wait for 5 Minutes while the TV is discharging.
  3. Reconnect the Power Adapter of the TV back into the power source.
  4. Turn the device on and check if the Xfinity remote would work now.

How to Hard Reset a Cable Box?

Here’s how to hard reset your cable box in easy steps:

  1. Locate the Power Button on your cable box.
  2. Press and hold the cable box’s power button for 10 Seconds.
  3. Wait for the cable to shut off.
  4. Unplug the Power Adapter of the cable box.
  5. Wait for another 5 Minutes while the cable box is discharging.
  6. Reconnect the power adapter of the cable box back into the source.
Tip: Test pairing the remote to the TV, using solution #4, once the power circulation is over!

Solution #6 Factory Reset the Remote

If nothing worked so far, then a factory reset will perhaps resolve the issue with your Xfinity remote.

The factory reset process is standard for most of the Xfinity remotes and will resolve your channel switching problem along with any software remote issues that the device has.

reset remote

Here’s how to perform a factory reset on your Xfinity remote in easy steps:

  1. Make sure that the Xfinity remote has batteries inserted.
  2. Press and hold the А (triangle) and D (diamond) Buttons at the same time.
  3. Hold both of the buttons for 3-5 Seconds.
  4. On the keypad of the Xfinity remote, insert 9-8-1 consecutively.
  5. Wait for the LED of the remote to blink three times.

The remote not blinking would mean that it didn’t accept the reset. Perform all steps again and wait for the blinks in order to finalize the reset of your remote. Good Luck!

Note: If the remote blinks 3 times after inserting the keycode correctly, it means that the reset is successful and you can proceed.

Quick Recap:

Thus, when the Xfinity remote is not changing channels, the problem is always related either to the connectivity (pairing) or to the remote’s batteries. Of course, there is always the possibility of an interrupted line of sight but it’s safe to assume that most users check first on the obvious!

Read Next: How to Fix Xfinity XR16 Remote Not Working?

Wrapping Up:

Now that we’ve learned why Xfinity remote not changing channels and how to solve the problem in a few easy steps, our job is done!

In case the problem is persistent, users often continue the troubleshooting by contacting the supplier or acquiring a new remote unit.

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