Engadget guide explains how to reset an Apple TV remote

The guide explains that the dedicated remote, which is small and kept to essential buttons, can lose its connection or cut in and out. A reset may also be useful when an Apple TV is being sold or given to a friend or family member. Before taking that step, users can check for a few common problems.

For a quick reset of a first-generation or later Siri Remote, the guide tells users to unplug the Apple TV for at least six seconds, then press and hold the TV/Control Center and Volume Down buttons for five seconds. When a disconnect message appears, pressing and holding Back (or Menu) and Volume Up for five seconds should re-pair the remote. With older aluminum or white Apple TV remotes, users should point the remote at the TV and press Menu and Home for six seconds, then once the status light blinks, press and hold Menu and Right for six seconds.

The remote itself can be restarted by holding TV/Control Center and Volume Down for about five seconds until the Apple TV status light flashes off and on. The guide instructs users to release the buttons, wait up to 10 seconds and press any button; a Remote Connected message indicates the issue is fixed. If not, re-pairing requires pointing the remote at the Apple TV from about three inches away while pressing and holding Back (or Menu) and Volume Up for five seconds. The set may prompt the user to place the remote on top of the Apple TV. If the pairing attempt does not work the first time, the guide suggests unplugging the Apple TV, waiting 10 seconds and trying again.

Before resetting, the guide advises eliminating common causes: battery level, signal strength and Bluetooth pairing issues. Battery level can be checked at Settings, Remote and Devices, Remote, Battery Level. Older aluminum remotes use a coin to open the battery cover and white remotes use a paperclip; newer remotes have a rechargeable built-in battery. Restarting the full Apple TV through Settings, System, Restart can fix possible signal loss or Bluetooth problems. On tvOS 18.0 or later, users can see Bluetooth RSSI signal strength under Settings, Remotes and Devices, Remote; a weak reading suggests moving closer to the Apple TV or removing obstructions between the remote and the streamer.

If the remote still is not responding, a full factory reset will erase all settings, content, downloaded apps and personal account information on the Apple TV, according to the guide. Owners who do not want to erase their data can use an iPhone or iPad as a remote by opening Control Center and tapping the remote icon. If the remote itself seems broken, Engadget suggests checking warranty coverage or contacting Apple support, and also ensuring the Apple TV is updated to the latest tvOS. If the hardware is outdated, an upgrade to a newer model like the Apple TV 4K is another option.