How to Connect Sky Remote to TV (Easy UK Step-by-Step Guide)

Connecting your Sky remote to your TV is a simple but clever trick. It lets your Sky remote control two devices at once. You can use it to change Sky channels and also to manage your television. This means you can turn the TV on, turn it off, and change the volume, all with one remote. Many people in the UK need to do this.

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OUR EXPERT

Daniel Harris

Satellite TV & Freeview Specialist

With more than 12 years of hands-on experience in satellite television, Freeview systems, and UK broadcast technology, Daniel focuses on helping users choose the right satellite receivers, tune Freeview channels, and solve common signal and setup issues across the UK.

Updated May 15, 2025

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Maybe you just bought a new TV, or your volume buttons have stopped working. This guide will show you how. We cover all the common Sky remotes, like the new Sky Q remote and the older Sky+ HD remote. You will learn the steps in just a few minutes.

Sky Remote Types Used in the UK

First, you need to know which Sky remote you own. The way you connect it to your TV depends on the model. Here are the three main types you will find in homes across the UK.

Sky Q Remote

The Sky Q remote is the newest type. It feels smooth and looks modern. This remote connects to your Sky Q box using Bluetooth, so you don’t always have to point it. But to talk to your TV, it uses an invisible beam of light called infrared. Even though it pairs with the box automatically, you still need to set it up to control the TV. You do this through easy menus on your TV screen.

Sky+ HD Remote

This is the classic remote with colourful buttons. It only uses that invisible infrared light to communicate. You must point it directly at your TV for it to work. To connect it to your television, you need to tell it a secret number called a ‘TV code’. This code is unique to your TV’s brand, like Samsung or Sony.

Older Sky Remotes

These are the bigger, chunkier remotes from older Sky boxes. They work in the exact same way as the Sky+ HD remote. They use infrared and need a TV code to connect. They might not have codes for the very latest TV models, but they work with most televisions in the UK.

What to Check Before Connecting Sky Remote to TV

Before you start, get everything ready. This makes the connection process much easier. First, use your TV’s own remote to turn the television on. Next, check your Sky box is powered on and not in standby mode. You should see a light on the front. Make sure you know if you have a Sky Q or Sky+ style remote. Put brand new batteries in your Sky remote. Old batteries are a common reason for problems. If you have a Sky+ or older remote, ensure you can point it in a straight line at your TV with nothing blocking the signal.

How to Connect Sky Remote to TV (Sky Q Remote)

Follow these simple steps to connect your Sky Q remote to your television. It’s like making them best friends.

Step 1: Turn On TV and Sky Box

Start by turning on your television with its normal remote. Then, look at your Sky Q box. Make sure it is switched on. You should see the Sky home screen or a blue screen on your TV.

Step 2: Open Sky Settings

Pick up your Sky Q remote. Press the Home button. This brings the main menu onto your TV screen. Use the round directional pad to move to Settings. Press the Select button in the middle. Now, choose Setup and then find Audio Visual. Select it.

Step 3: Select Remote Control Setup

Inside the Audio Visual menu, find the option called Remote Control. Select it. A new choice will appear named TV Setup. Choose TV Setup. Your Sky box is now ready to help you connect the remote to your TV.

Step 4: Choose Your TV Brand

A long list of television brand names will show up. These include all the popular UK brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, Panasonic, and Hisense. Scroll through the list using the up and down arrows. Find your TV’s brand and press Select.

Step 5: Test TV Controls

The screen will now ask you a question. It will say, “Does the volume up button work?”. Press the Volume Up button on your Sky Q remote. If the sound on your TV gets louder, press Yes on the screen. Next, it will ask you to test the power button. Press the Standby button (the one with a power symbol). If your TV switches off, press Yes. Wait a moment, then press Standby again to turn your TV back on.

Step 6: Save and Exit

If both tests worked, press Confirm or Save. A message will tell you the setup is complete. You can now press the Back or Home button to leave the menu. Great job! Your Sky Q remote is now connected to your TV.

How to Connect Sky Remote to TV (Sky+ HD & Older Remotes)

For these remotes, you connect them using a special code. This method works for Sky+ HD remotes and the older models.

Step 1: Find Your TV Brand Code

You need a 4-digit number for your specific TV brand. This is your TV code. You can find it on the Sky website or by searching online. Try a search like “Sky remote code for LG TV UK”. Write down one or two codes for your brand.

Step 2: Put the Sky Remote Into Setup Mode

Turn your television on. Point your Sky remote directly at the TV screen. Now, press and hold the Select button and the bright Red button together. Keep holding them. After a couple of seconds, the small red light on the remote will flash once. Let go of the buttons.

Step 3: Enter the TV Code

Quickly type the 4-digit code you found. For example, if your code is 3456, press 3, 4, 5, 6. If the code is correct, the red light on the remote will flash two times. If the light doesn’t flash, you might have typed too slowly. Go back to Step 2 and try again.

Step 4: Test TV Functions

Now, press the TV button at the very top of the remote. This tells the remote you now want to control the television. Try pressing the Volume Up button. If the volume on your television increases, you did it! Also, try the Standby button to turn the TV off and then on again.

Step 5: Repeat With Another Code if Needed

If the volume or power didn’t work, your TV might need a different code. That’s okay! Just go back to Step 2. Put the remote in setup mode again and type in a different code for your TV brand. Test it again. You may need to try two or three different codes to find the one that works.

How to Connect Sky Remote to TV (Sky+ HD & Older Remotes)

How to Connect Sky Remote to TV Without a Code

Don’t worry if you can’t find a code for your TV. Your remote can search for one by itself.

Make sure your TV is on. Point the Sky remote at it. Hold down Select and the Red button until the light flashes. Let go. Now, immediately press and hold down the TV button at the top. The remote will begin its automatic search. It will try hundreds of codes one after another. When it finds the right code, your TV will turn off. The moment the TV switches off, let go of the TV button and quickly press the Select button to save that code. Turn your TV back on and test the volume. This search can take up to a minute, so please be patient.

Common Problems and Solutions (UK Users)

Sometimes things don’t work perfectly. Here are fixes for the most common issues.

Sky Remote Not Controlling TV Volume

First, double-check you picked the right TV brand in the Sky Q menu or used the correct code. The easiest fix is often to do the whole connection process again from the start. Also, try putting brand new batteries in the remote. Weak batteries make a very poor infrared signal that the TV can’t see.

Sky Remote Won’t Turn TV On or Off

This usually happens when something blocks the signal. Ensure you are pointing the remote directly at the TV, not at the Sky box. Check there is nothing like a magazine or a plant in the way. Try the connection process again with a different TV code.

Sky Remote Works With Sky Box but Not TV

Remember, the remote controls two different things. Pressing the coloured buttons changes Sky channels. But to control the TV, you must first press the TV button at the top. If you press the TV button and the volume still doesn’t work, you need to reprogram the TV connection using the steps above.

Sky Q Remote Not Responding

If your Sky Q remote does nothing at all, it may have lost its connection. Try this reset: Take the batteries out of the remote. Unplug your Sky Q box from the wall for two full minutes. Plug the box back in, wait for it to start up, and then put the batteries back in the remote. This often solves the problem.

How to Reset a Sky Remote

Resetting your remote clears its memory and lets you start fresh. Do this if your remote is behaving very strangely. For a Sky Q remote, remove the batteries, unplug the Sky box for 2 minutes, then reconnect everything. For a Sky+ HD remote, hold Select and Red until the light flashes, then type 999. The light will flash twice to confirm the reset. Now you can connect it to your TV again as if it were brand new.

Tips for UK Sky Users

Here is some helpful advice. Keep your TV’s software up to date. You can update it in your TV’s own settings menu. This helps it work better with all remotes. If your Sky remote is very old and the buttons are sticky, think about buying a new official one from Sky. For trustworthy help, always use the official Sky Help guides on your TV or the Sky website. Avoid using third-party universal remotes, as they often don’t work properly with Sky boxes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I connect a Sky remote to any TV in the UK?
Yes, you can connect it to almost any television that has a normal infrared sensor. You just need to find the right code or use the automatic search.

Does the Sky Q remote work with Smart TVs?
Yes, it works perfectly. It will control the basic power and volume functions of any smart TV. You connect it the same way.

Why won’t my Sky remote control TV volume?
The most common reason is that the remote is not connected to your TV. Follow the steps in this guide to connect it. Also, check the batteries.

Can one Sky remote control both TV and Sky box?
Yes, that is the whole point! Once connected, you use the number buttons for channels, and the volume/power buttons for the TV.

Can a Sky remote control a soundbar?
Usually, no. Sky remotes are designed to control TVs. To control a soundbar’s volume, you normally need to use the soundbar’s own remote.

Conclusion

Connecting your Sky remote to your TV is an easy job. Just follow the right steps for your type of remote. Use the on-screen menu for Sky Q, or use a code for Sky+ HD. If you have problems, try resetting the remote or doing the connection again. With fresh batteries and a clear path, it should work perfectly. Now you can enjoy the convenience of using just one remote for everything.