How to Use Insignia TV Remote & Pair to TV? Step By Step

Insignia is a brand owned by Best Buy. They make affordable TVs and other electronics. The Insignia TV remote is the tool that helps you control your TV.

It lets you do things like:

• Turn the TV on and off
• Change channels
• Adjust volume
• Access TV menus and settings
• Control other devices like cable boxes

Learning how to use your remote will make watching TV more fun and easy.

Setting Up Your Insignia TV Remote

Before you can use your remote, you need to set it up. Let’s go through the steps.

Unboxing and Preparing Your Remote

When you get your new Insignia TV, you’ll find the remote in the box. Here’s what to do:

• Take the remote out of its packaging
• Check if there’s any plastic wrap or protective film on it
• Look at the remote to make sure it’s not damaged
• Find the battery compartment on the back of the remote

Inserting Batteries

Most Insignia TV remotes need two AAA batteries. Here’s how to put them in:

• Find the battery cover on the back of the remote
• Slide the cover off
• Put in two new AAA batteries
• Make sure the + and – ends of the batteries match the marks inside the remote
• Put the cover back on

Pairing the Remote with Your Insignia TV

Usually, your remote will work with your TV right away. But sometimes you might need to pair them. Here’s how:

Automatic Pairing

1. Turn on your Insignia TV
2. Point the remote at the TV
3. Press any button on the remote
4. The TV should detect the remote automatically

Manual Pairing

If automatic pairing doesn’t work, try this:

1. Turn on your TV
2. Find the pairing button on the remote (it’s usually near the batteries)
3. Press and hold the pairing button for 5-10 seconds
4. Wait for a message on the TV screen saying the remote is paired

Troubleshooting Pairing Issues

If you’re having trouble pairing your remote, try these tips:

• Check if the batteries are put in correctly
• Use new batteries
• Move closer to the TV
• Make sure nothing is blocking the remote’s signal
• Take out the batteries, wait 10 seconds, then put them back in
• Look in the TV manual for specific pairing instructions
• Contact Insignia customer support if you still have problems

Insignia TV Remote Layout and Functions

Now that your remote is set up, let’s learn about its buttons and what they do.

Button Overview and Locations

Insignia TV remotes usually have these main sections:

• Power and Input Buttons: At the top
• Volume and Channel Buttons: Just below the power section
• Navigation Pad and OK Button: In the middle
• Number Pad: Near the bottom
• Extra Buttons: For things like menus, guides, and streaming services

Here’s a table showing common buttons and their locations:

Button Type	Location	Function
Power	Top	Turns TV on/off
Input/Source	Top	Switches between devices
Volume	Upper middle	Adjusts sound
Channel	Upper middle	Changes channels
Navigation Pad	Center	Moves through menus
OK/Enter	Center of Navigation Pad	Selects options
Number Pad	Bottom	Enters channel numbers
Menu	Various	Opens TV settings

Understanding Button Functions and Icons

Let’s look at what some common buttons do:

• Home or Menu: Opens the main TV menu
• Back or Return: Goes back to the previous screen
• Play/Pause: Controls video playback
• Fast Forward/Rewind: Speeds up or reverses video
• CC or Subtitle: Turns on closed captions
• Info: Shows information about what you’re watching
• Sleep or Timer: Sets a time for the TV to turn off

Navigating the On-Screen Menu

To use your TV’s on-screen menu:

1. Press the Home or Menu button
2. Use the navigation pad to move up, down, left, or right
3. Press OK to select an option
4. Use the Back button to go to the previous screen

You can adjust things like:

• Picture settings (brightness, color, etc.)
• Sound settings
• Channel lists
• Network settings
• System settings

Basic Remote Operations

Now let’s cover the most common things you’ll do with your remote.

Turning the TV On and Off

• To turn the TV on or off, press the Power button at the top of the remote
• Make sure you’re pointing the remote at the TV

Adjusting Volume and Mute

• Use the Volume Up and Down buttons to change how loud the TV is
• Press the Mute button to turn off all sound
• Press Mute again to turn the sound back on

Changing Channels

There are two main ways to change channels:

1. Using Channel Up/Down Buttons: • Press Channel Up to go to the next channel • Press Channel Down to go to the previous channel
2. Using the Number Pad: • Type in the channel number you want • Press OK or wait a few seconds for the channel to change

Navigating Menus and Making Selections

• Use the navigation pad (up, down, left, right buttons) to move around menus
• Press OK to select an option
• Use the Back button to go to the previous screen

Accessing the Home Screen

• Press the Home or Menu button to go to the main screen
• From here, you can access all your apps, settings, and TV features

Advanced Remote Features

Your Insignia TV remote can do more than just basic functions. Let’s explore some advanced features.

Controlling External Devices

You can use your Insignia remote to control other devices like cable boxes or DVD players.

Setting Up Your Remote for Other Devices

1. Turn on the device you want to control
2. On your Insignia remote, hold down the Setup button until the light blinks twice
3. Enter the code for your device (find this in your TV manual or on Insignia’s website)
4. Point the remote at the device and press the Power button
5. If the device turns off, the code works. If not, try a different code

Switching Between Devices

• Once you’ve set up your remote for other devices, use the device buttons (like TV, CBL, DVD) at the top of the remote to switch between them

Customizing Buttons for External Devices

Some Insignia remotes let you change what buttons do for different devices. Check your TV manual for instructions on how to do this.

Programming the Remote for Other Devices

If you’ve lost the remote for another device, you can often use your Insignia remote instead.

Using Automatic Code Search

1. Turn on the device you want to control
2. On your Insignia remote, hold down the Setup button until the light blinks twice
3. Press the button for the type of device (like DVD)
4. Point the remote at the device and keep pressing the Power button until the device turns off
5. Press Setup to save the code

Entering Device Codes Manually

1. Find the code for your device in the TV manual or on Insignia’s website
2. On your Insignia remote, hold down the Setup button until the light blinks twice
3. Enter the code using the number pad
4. Point the remote at the device and press Power to test it

Troubleshooting Programming Issues

If you’re having trouble programming your remote:

• Make sure you’re using the right code for your device
• Try moving closer to the device
• Check if anything is blocking the remote’s signal
• Use new batteries
• Contact Insignia customer support if you still have problems

Voice Control (If Applicable)

Some newer Insignia TV remotes have voice control. Here’s how to use it:

Activating Voice Control

1. Hold down the Voice or Microphone button on your remote
2. Wait for a message on the screen or a light on the remote
3. Speak your command clearly, holding the remote close to your mouth

Using Voice Commands

You can use voice commands for things like:

• Changing channels: “Go to channel 5”
• Adjusting volume: “Turn up the volume”
• Opening apps: “Open Netflix”
• Searching for shows: “Find action movies”
• Controlling playback: “Pause” or “Fast forward”

Tips for Effective Voice Control

• Speak clearly and at a normal speed
• Use simple commands
• Try to reduce background noise
• Check your TV manual for a list of voice commands that work with your TV

Using the Insignia TV Remote App

Some Insignia TVs have a smartphone app you can use as a remote.

Downloading and Installing the App

1. Go to the App Store (for iPhones) or Google Play Store (for Android phones)
2. Search for “Insignia TV Remote”
3. Download and install the official app
4. Open the app and follow the setup instructions

Pairing the App with Your TV

1. Make sure your phone and TV are on the same Wi-Fi network
2. Open the Insignia TV Remote app
3. Follow the app’s instructions to find your TV
4. Enter the code shown on your TV screen to pair the app

App Features and Benefits

The app can do some cool things:

• It has a touchpad for easy navigation
• You can type using your phone’s keyboard
• It might have voice control
• You can open apps directly from your phone
• You don’t need to point it at the TV like a regular remote

Customizing Your Remote Experience

You can change some things about how your remote works to make it easier for you to use.

Changing Button Mappings

Some Insignia remotes let you change what buttons do.

Reassigning Button Functions

1. Press the Home or Menu button
2. Go to Settings or System, then Remote Settings
3. Choose the button you want to change
4. Pick what you want that button to do
5. Save your changes

Creating Shortcuts for Favorite Channels or Apps

1. Go to the channel or app you want to make a shortcut for
2. Hold down the button you want to use as a shortcut
3. Wait for a message saying the shortcut is saved
4. Now, pressing that button will go straight to that channel or app

Creating and Managing Favorite Channel Lists

You can make a list of your favorite channels for quick access:

1. Press the Home or Menu button
2. Go to Settings or Channel Setup
3. Look for an option like Favorite Channels or Edit Channel List
4. Use the OK button to mark channels as favorites
5. Save your changes

To use your favorite channels list:

• Press the FAV or Favorite button on your remote (if it has one)
• Or go to the Favorite Channels section in your TV’s channel guide

Adjusting Remote Settings

You can change some settings about how your remote works.

Changing Remote Language

1. Press the Home or Menu button
2. Go to Settings or System, then Remote Settings
3. Look for a Language option
4. Choose the language you want
5. Save your changes

Adjusting Button Sensitivity

1. Press the Home or Menu button
2. Go to Settings or System, then Remote Settings
3. Look for Button Sensitivity
4. Adjust it to how you like it
5. Save your changes

Enabling or Disabling Audio Feedback

Some remotes make sounds when you press buttons. To turn this on or off:

1. Press the Home or Menu button
2. Go to Settings or System, then Remote Settings
3. Look for Audio Feedback
4. Turn it on or off
5. Save your changes

Troubleshooting Common Remote Issues

Sometimes your remote might not work right. Here are some common problems and how to fix them.

Remote Not Responding or Lagging

If your remote isn’t working or is slow:

• Check the batteries: Put in new ones
• Make sure nothing is blocking the remote’s signal
• Point the remote directly at the TV
• Try resetting the remote:
  1. Take out the batteries
  2. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds
  3. Put the batteries back in
  4. Try the remote again

Buttons Not Working as Expected

If some buttons aren’t doing what they should:

• Make sure the remote is in TV mode (press the TV button if there is one)
• Try reprogramming the buttons (see the “Changing Button Mappings” section)
• Reset the remote to factory settings (check your TV manual for instructions)

Lost or Damaged Remote

If you can’t find your remote or it’s broken:

• Look for buttons on the TV itself (usually on the back or side)
• Buy a new Insignia remote from their website or a store
• Use a universal remote
• Try the Insignia TV Remote app on your smartphone

Optimizing Remote Performance

To make your remote work its best and last longer:

Extending Battery Life

• Take out the batteries if you won’t use the remote for a long time
• Use good quality batteries
• Turn off the remote’s backlight if it has one

Proper Remote Handling and Storage

• Don’t drop the remote or get it wet
• Keep it away from very hot or cold places
• Store it somewhere safe when you’re not using it

Cleaning and Maintenance

• Clean the remote gently with a soft, slightly damp cloth
• Don’t use harsh chemicals or scrub it hard
• Check for and remove any dirt around the buttons regularly

Tips and Tricks for Advanced Users

Here are some extra things you can do with your Insignia TV remote:

Hidden Features and Button Combinations

• Hold down the CC (Closed Caption) button for 3 seconds to quickly turn captions on or off
• Hold down the Input button to quickly switch between devices
• During videos, press Fast Forward or Rewind multiple times to change speed

Integrating with Smart Home Devices

Some Insignia TVs work with smart home systems like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This lets you control your TV with voice commands even without the remote. Check your TV manual for setup instructions.

Using HDMI-CEC for Seamless Control

HDMI-CEC lets your TV remote control other devices connected by HDMI cable. To use it:

1. Press the Home or Menu button
2. Go to Settings or System
3. Look for HDMI Settings or HDMI Control
4. Turn on HDMI-CEC
5. Choose which functions you want to control
6. Save your changes

Remember, the other devices need to support HDMI-CEC too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are answers to some common questions about Insignia TV remotes:

• Can I use my Insignia TV remote with other devices?

Yes, many Insignia TV remotes can control other devices like cable boxes or DVD players. You’ll need to program the remote for each device. Check the “Controlling External Devices” section of this guide for instructions.

• How do I reset my Insignia TV remote?

To reset your remote:

1. Take out the batteries
2. Hold down the power button for 30 seconds
3. Put the batteries back in
4. Try using the remote again If this doesn’t work, check your TV manual or contact Insignia support.

• What should I do if my remote stops working?

Try these steps:

1. Put in new batteries
2. Make sure nothing is blocking the remote’s signal
3. Point the remote directly at the TV
4. Try resetting the remote (see previous question)
5. If it still doesn’t work, contact Insignia customer support

• How can I customize my remote’s button functions?

Some Insignia remotes let you change what buttons do. Here’s how:

1. Press the Home or Menu button
2. Go to Settings or System, then Remote Settings
3. Look for an option to change button functions
4. Choose the button you want to change
5. Pick its new function
6. Save your changes Not all remotes have this feature. Check your TV manual to see if yours does.