How to Check if a Remote Control is Transmitting an Infrared Signal

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Many households have 5 or 6 remote controls laying around the house. Sometimes, it stops working and you don't know what happened. Most remote controls use infrared light to transmit the signal. The human eye cannot see this light, however a camera can. This article will explain how to detect whether or not your remote is still giving a signal.

Steps

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    Note: some buttons may not transmit signals via default. Best button to try first is the power button.
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    While holding the button on the remote and viewing the digital camera screen if you see a blueish light, that means the infrared signal is working properly, there is a problem with the direct connection (if it's a universal remote, try setting it up, if its not, you're probably not pointing it correctly).
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Will the remote work if the infrared light goes off after the TV switches on?
    Community Answer
    The only time the infrared light in a remote is lit is during a key press. The TV has no infrared light; it has an infrared receiver instead. Many digital cameras and cellphones can detect infrared lights, however, so you can check to see if the bulb in the remote is working by viewing it thru the camera on your camcorder or phone.
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    Not Helpful 6 Helpful 15
  • Question
    The remote will turn on my Sony Hard Disk recorder, but no other functions work. What could be the issue?
    Community Answer
    Place your remote's LED in front of your mobile phone camera. It will show a glow in the camera when you press any button of the remote.
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    Not Helpful 12 Helpful 18
  • Question
    How can I determine if the sensor on the TV is working?
    Community Answer
    Most sensors also have a light next to them. If the light does not flash or pulsate, it may not be sensing a signal, which only happens when a button on the remote is pressed.
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      Tips

      • This also may help you detect infrared security cameras and AIR (Active Infrared) alarm sensor. However, this will not work on a passive infrared detector,the cheapest and most often used type.
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      • If everything you've done has failed, consult the Related wikiHow section.
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      • Try a Universal Remote Control.
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      • The remote control you think is not working.
      • Good tested batteries installed properly into remote control.
      • Any digital camera (camera phone and computer cams work too)
      • A helper to press the remote button (optional)
      • Try pointing remote control towards the back of a radio (switched on) on an empty channel on the am band and listen for "clicking" sounds

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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about remote controls, check out our in-depth interview with Jocotra Cathey .

      References

      1. http://www.davesrepair.com/DRSNbackissues/drsn0703.htm - Where i found this - copied legally
      2. http://www.replacementremotes.com/how_to_test_my_remote_control.cfm - This page is copyrighted and i pulled some info from it. Copied legally (with permission).

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Brian Griffiths

        Feb 11, 2017

        "This really works, and the remote beam is clearly visible on the camera's screen. I now know that there is a ..." more
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