Xfinity Remote Not Working? 5 Easy Fixes to Try

Ever press the volume button on your Xfinity remote and get no response? Maybe the channels still change, but the TV won’t turn on or voice commands have stopped working. The cause isn’t always a faulty remote. Weak batteries, lost pairing, or incorrect TV settings can also be responsible. Before buying a replacement, try these five fixes to get your Xfinity remote working again.

1. Check and Replace the Batteries

Weak or dead batteries are one of the first things to check when your Xfinity remote stops responding.

Try these steps:

• Replace the old batteries with a fresh set of the correct type.
• Check that the positive (+) and negative (-) ends are positioned correctly.
• Press a button and check whether the remote’s LED lights up.
• Make sure the battery contacts are clean and free of corrosion.

If the LED lights up but your TV or Xfinity TV box does not respond, the problem may be related to pairing or the device itself.

2. Check Your Xfinity TV Box

If your remote lights up but does not change channels or control your Xfinity TV box, check whether the box is working properly.

1. Make sure the TV box is powered on.
2. Check that your TV is set to the correct HDMI input.
3. Try using the physical power button on the box, if available.
4. If the box appears frozen, restart it using its power controls or the Xfinity app, if supported.

Wait for the box to finish restarting, then test the remote again.

If the remote works with the TV box but not with your television’s volume or power buttons, skip to the next relevant fix.

3. Fix Xfinity Voice Remote Commands

If your Xfinity Voice Remote is not responding to voice commands, check how you are using the microphone button.

Follow these steps:

1. Press and hold the microphone button.
2. Speak clearly while holding the remote about 1 to 8 inches from your mouth.
3. Release the button when you finish speaking.
4. Check whether the requested action appears on the screen.

If voice commands still do not work, try replacing the batteries and restarting the TV box.

Also, check whether your remote model supports the voice feature you are trying to use. If regular buttons work but voice commands do not, the issue may be specific to the microphone or voice control function.

4. Fix Xfinity Remote Volume and Power Buttons

Does your Xfinity remote change channels but fail to adjust the volume or turn your TV on and off?

The remote may still be paired with your Xfinity TV box but not correctly programmed to control your television.

To fix this issue, program the remote for your TV brand and model. The setup steps vary depending on whether you have an XR15, XR16, or another Xfinity remote.

For step-by-step instructions, read our guide on how to program an Xfinity remote to pair your remote and set up your TV’s power and volume controls. 

After programming, test the power and volume buttons. If they still do not work, check that you selected the correct TV during setup and follow the instructions for your specific remote model.

5. Reset and Re-Pair Your Xfinity Remote

If the other fixes have not worked, resetting your remote may help. The reset procedure depends on the model, so make sure you identify your remote before following these steps.

Reset an XR15 Remote

For an Xfinity XR15 remote:

1. Press and hold the A and D buttons together.
2. Wait until the LED changes from red to green.
3. Enter 981 using the number buttons.
4. Watch for the LED to blink blue three times.

This reset clears the remote’s pairing, so you may need to pair it with your Xfinity TV box again.

Reset an XR16 Remote

The XR16 uses a different setup process. To begin the procedure described for this model:

1. Press and hold the Info and Home buttons for about five seconds, until the LED responds.
2. Press Power, Last, and Volume Down in sequence.

Follow the model-specific instructions to complete the reset and setup. If these button combinations do not work, check Xfinity’s official instructions for your exact remote version before trying another reset method.

Re-Pair Your Remote

After resetting the remote, pair it with your TV box again.

For supported XR16 remotes, press the microphone button and say, “Program remote.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

When Should You Replace Your Xfinity Remote?

If your Xfinity remote still does not work after checking the batteries, restarting the TV box, and completing the correct setup procedure, the remote itself may be damaged.

Consider contacting Xfinity support if:

• The LED does not respond even with fresh batteries.
• Several buttons remain unresponsive.
• The microphone function fails after troubleshooting.
• The remote will not pair with a compatible TV box.

Xfinity support can help determine whether the remote needs further troubleshooting or replacement.

Get Your Xfinity Remote Working Again

When your Xfinity remote stops working, start with the batteries and TV box before moving on to voice commands, TV controls, and resetting the remote. These checks can help you narrow down the cause without replacing the remote unnecessarily.

Video Tutorial

Frequently Asked Questions