As a TCL TV owner, you may be looking for a way to consolidate your remote controls. Universal remotes offer a convenient solution to control multiple devices from a single remote, and depending on how much of our blog you've seen you'll know we think they're a great option for home theaters. While TCL doesn't manufacture a universal remote themselves, a TCL TV can work with universal remotes just like any other TV can. Hence the term “universal“!
To connect your universal remote to your TCL TV, you can attempt to pair the devices using the remote's auto-code-search feature, which is built into most universal remotes. You can manually enter the paring code that matches your brand of TV, and most brands have several codes you should try.
In this article, we'll discuss the essential codes you'll need to program a universal remote for your TCL TV, regardless of the brand or model of the remote. We will cover various universal remotes, as well as touch on different methods for identifying and inputting the codes. So, without any further ado, let's get started!
The Most Common TCL Remote Codes
Maybe you lost your TCL remote, or maybe you're just upgrading to a universal option. Either way, when using a universal remote with your TCL TV (or Hisense TV for that matter, which we have compared with TCl in this guide), you need to have the proper code to successfully program the remote. And be aware of our related guide on how to simply turn a Roku TCL TV on without the remote!
These codes vary depending on the brand and model of your universal remote. Sidenote: we recommend the Phillips-6-Device universal remote (on Amazon), because 6 devices is just enough to make a noticeable difference for most home theatre enthusiasts.
We've compiled some of the most common remote options in a table below, including programming instructions and the codes you'll need, and you can also reference this document from TCL with many, many more codes. Use this if you don't see your option on our summary list below. And note that if you're using a Vizio, RCA, Spectrum, or Phillips remote, we have dedicated guides for those.
| Universal Remote Brand (Most Common) | TCL TV Pairing Code(s) To Try |
|---|---|
| AT&T DirecTV | 11756, 10706 |
| AT&T U-Verse | 1346, 12434 |
| CenturyLink | 2414, 2434, 3183 |
| Charter (Spectrum) | 11756 |
| Comcast Cable (Xfinity) | 11756, 12434, 12290, 12292 |
| Cox Communications | 1756, 11756, 12434 |
| DISH Satellite TV | 1756, 535, 645 |
| RCA/VOXX | 11756, 12434,387, 12049 |
| Verizon FIOS | 180 |
| GE | 2891 |
| Phillips | 16475, 2301, 3431, 2856, 16573, 0091 |
And, for each of these brands, there are more codes. Don't get discouraged though–note how Comcast, Cox, and Charter use overlapping codes above. Along with DISH. The codes are sort of a hassle to work through, but you only have to do it once, and we we'll see below if your universal remote can do the auto-code-search you won't even need to do this at all.
One quick note of help for some users: if you're universal remote is Phillips or RCA, we have dedicated articles for those universal remote brands you can check out too.
What If My Universal Remote Brand Isn't Listed?
You can look at TCL's larger database of universal remote codes here if you still can't find yours. If yours isn't listed, then head over to your universal remote manufacturer's website to download more codes that will work for your TCL TV.
How To Program Your Universal Remote (Two Methods)
As promised, we'll start with the easiest way to pair your universal remote to your TCL TV: automagially!
Automatic Code Search
Programming your universal remote with the automatic code search method is quite simple. First, turn on your TCL TV and make sure it's ready to receive commands.
Next, aim the universal remote directly at the TV, and press and hold the ‘TV' button or the corresponding device button on the remote. The remote will automatically start searching its library of remote codes.
Once it finds the correct code, your TCL TV should respond to the remote commands. This method saves time, as it doesn't require manually entering codes. However, you may need to repeat the process if the code doesn't work correctly or the remote loses connection with the TV.
And if you don't know if your universal remote has this capability, google the make/model of the universal remote to find the manual and figure out how exactly to run the auto-code search.
Direct Code Entry
For this method, first you need your pairing code on hand.
Make sure your TCL TV is turned on and visible, and then work through the pairing steps below. Note that these are generalized and should work for almost every universal remote (you could say these instructions are universal, haha)–but if the steps don't make sense to you, then you'll want to look up the manual for your unique universal remote and see what the steps are if they don't follow this path:
- Turn on your TCL TV.
- Press and hold the TV button on your universal remote for 3 seconds until the LED light on the remote turns on.
- Enter the TCL TV universal remote code for your device. You can find the code for your specific remote in the user manual or by searching online.
- Press the Power button on the remote. If the TV turns off, your remote is now paired with your TCL TV.
- Test the remote by pressing other buttons to ensure they work with your TV.
In some cases, you may need to try multiple codes before finding the one that works best with your TCL TV. Be patient, as the process may take more time than the automatic code search method. Once the remote control successfully operates your TCL TV (including volume, menu, or channel control), you know the process is complete.
Troubleshooting Your TCL Universal Remote
Sometimes, you may face issues with your TCL Universal Remote not functioning properly. So, let's look at some common problems with universal remotes so you can continue sail through any issues here and get to watching.
First, ensure there's a clear path between the remote and your TCL TV's remote sensor. Obstructions like sound bars may block the TV sensor and cause the remote not to work. If this is the case, reposition your soundbar or any other obstacles.
Next, you can replace the batteries on the remote and try pairing it again. If it connected but is acting up, you have a remote issue. If you never got connected at all, you may have used the wrong pairing code and need to move back up the article a bit before you're connected.
Controlling it All
Setting up a universal remote for your TCL TV can initially seem like a daunting task, especially with all those codes floating around. However, with the right guidance and a bit of patience, it becomes a pretty straightforward process.
The convenience of controlling multiple devices from a single remote is unparalleled, especially in a home theater setting, so we'd encourage you to keep working through it if you're not connected yet, and, if you are, start adding other devices to your universal remote–use it to control your Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV to add more convenience (and enjoyment) to your home theater!
