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

Your Sky remote is a clever gadget. It can control your Sky box and your television at the same time. This means you only need one remote on your sofa. You can use it to change channels and adjust your TV’s volume. Many people in the UK find this tricky to set up. They often say, “My volume button doesn’t work!” or “I got a new TV and now my Sky remote won’t turn it on.” This guide will solve those problems. We will show you how to set up a Sky Q remote, a Sky+ HD remote, and older models. You will learn everything in simple steps.

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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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Types of Sky Remotes in the UK

You need to know which Sky remote you own. The setup steps are different for each type. Let’s look at the three main kinds found in UK homes.

Sky Q Remote

The Sky Q remote is the newest type. It feels smooth and modern. This remote uses two ways to talk: Bluetooth and infrared. Bluetooth connects it to your Sky Q box automatically. But, you still need to set it up to control your TV’s power and volume. You do this through menus on your TV screen. It’s a very simple process.

Sky+ HD Remote

This is the most common remote. It has lots of coloured buttons. The Sky+ HD remote only uses infrared light. You must point it directly at your TV for it to work. To make it control your television, you type in a secret number called a ‘TV code’. This tells the remote how to talk to your specific TV brand.

Older Sky Remotes

These are the big, chunky remotes. You might see them in older Sky setups. They work just like the Sky+ HD remote. They use infrared and need a TV code. Sometimes, they don’t have codes for very new TVs, but they still work with most models in the UK.

Things to Check Before Setting Up the Sky Remote

Before you start, get a few things ready. This makes the setup much easier. First, check your Sky box is plugged in and switched on. You should see a light on the front. Next, turn your television on using its own remote. Make sure you know if you have a Sky Q or Sky+ remote. Put fresh batteries in your Sky remote. Old batteries can cause problems. If you have a Sky+ or older remote, make sure you can point it straight at the TV with nothing in the way.

How to Set the Sky Remote to TV (Sky Q Remote)

Follow these steps to make your Sky Q remote control your television. It’s like teaching the remote your TV’s language.

Step 1: Turn On Your TV and Sky Box

First, use your TV’s normal remote to turn it on. Then, look at your Sky Q box. Make sure it is not on standby. 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 up the main menu on your TV. Use the round directional pad to move to Settings. Press Select. Then, choose Setup and find Audio Visual. Press Select again.

Step 3: Select Remote Control Setup

Inside the Audio Visual menu, you will see Remote Control. Select it. A new option will appear called TV Setup. Choose this. Your Sky box is now ready to learn about your TV.

Step 4: Choose Your TV Brand

A big list of TV brand names will pop up. These are all brands sold in the UK, like Samsung, LG, Sony, and Panasonic. Scroll down until you find your TV’s brand. Use the arrows and press Select on the correct name.

Step 5: Test Volume and Power Buttons

The screen will ask, “Does the volume up button work?”. Press the Volume Up button on your Sky Q remote. If your TV volume goes up, press Yes on the screen. Next, it will ask you to test the power button. Press the Standby button (the power button). If your TV turns off, press Yes. Wait a moment, then press Standby again to turn the TV back on.

Step 6: Save and Exit

If the tests worked, press Confirm or Save. A message will say the setup is complete. You can now press Back-up or Home to leave the menu. Your Sky Q remote now controls your TV!

How to Set the Sky Remote to TV (Sky Q Remote)

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

This method uses a code. It works for Sky+ HD remotes and the older, chunkier models.

Step 1: Find Your TV Brand Code

You need a special 4-digit number for your TV brand. This is called a TV code. You can find it on the Sky website or by searching online for “Sky remote code” and your TV brand (like “Toshiba Sky code”). 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. Now, press and hold the Select button and the bright Red button together. Keep holding them. After a few seconds, the small red light on the remote will flash. 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 1234, press 1, 2, 3, 4. If the code is accepted, the red light will flash two times. If it doesn’t flash, you might have typed too slowly. Start again from Step 2.

Step 4: Test the TV Controls

Press the TV button at the 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 TV increases, it worked! Also, try the Standby (power) button to turn the TV off and on.

Step 5: Try Another Code if Needed

If the volume or power didn’t work, your TV might need a different code. Don’t worry! Go back to Step 2. Put the remote in setup mode again and type a different code for your TV brand. Test it again. You might need to try a few codes to find the right one.

How to Set the Sky Remote to TV Without a Code

What if you can’t find a code for your TV? You can make the remote search for one automatically.

Turn your TV 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 start searching. It will send out hundreds of codes one by one. When it finds the right one, your TV will turn off. As soon as 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 method can take a minute or two, so be patient.

Common Problems and Solutions (UK Users)

Sometimes, things don’t go to plan. Here are fixes for the most common issues.

Sky Remote Not Controlling TV Volume

First, check you used the right code or selected the correct TV brand in the Sky Q menu. The most common fix is to simply do the setup again from the start. Also, try putting brand new batteries in the remote. Weak batteries make the infrared signal too weak for the TV to see.

Sky Remote Power Button Not Working

This is often because something is blocking the signal. Make sure you are pointing the remote directly at the TV. There should be no books, cups, or other objects in the way. Try the setup process again with a different TV code.

Sky Remote Works With Sky Box but Not TV

Remember, the remote has two modes: one for the Sky box and one for the TV. If the Sky buttons work but the TV buttons don’t, you only need to fix the TV part. First, press the TV button at the top of the remote. Then try the volume. If it still fails, reprogram the TV control using the steps above.

Sky Q Remote Not Responding

If your Sky Q remote doesn’t do anything, it might have lost its Bluetooth connection. Try this: take the batteries out of the remote. Unplug your Sky Q box from the wall for two full minutes. Plug the box back in and wait for it to fully start up. Then, put the batteries back in the remote. This often fixes the problem.

How to Reset a Sky Remote

A reset clears the remote’s memory. It’s like giving it a fresh start. Do this if your remote is very confused. For a Sky Q remote, take out the batteries, unplug the Sky box for 2 minutes, then plug it in and replace the batteries. For a Sky+ HD remote, hold Select and Red until the light flashes, then type 999. The light will flash twice. Now you can set it up again as if it were new.

Tips for Sky Users in the UK

Here is some useful advice. Keep your TV’s software updated. You can usually find this in your TV’s own settings menu. This helps it work better with remotes. If your remote is very old and worn out, consider buying a new one from Sky. For help, use the official Sky Help section on your TV or the Sky website. It’s better than using a different universal remote.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can one Sky remote control any TV in the UK?
Yes, almost any TV with an infrared sensor can work. You just need to find the right setup code or use the automatic search.

Does the Sky Q remote work with Smart TVs?
Yes, it does. It controls the basic power and volume functions of a smart TV perfectly. You set it up the same way.

Why won’t my Sky remote turn my TV on or off?
The most likely reason is an incorrect or lost TV code. Follow the steps in this guide to reprogram the remote for your TV.

Can I control TV volume with a Sky remote only?
Yes! That’s the whole point of this setup. Once programmed, you use the Sky remote for volume, power, and Sky channels.

Do Sky remotes work with soundbars?
Usually, no. Sky remotes are designed to control TVs. To control a soundbar’s volume, you often need to program your TV to send the sound signal to the soundbar, or use the soundbar’s own remote.

Conclusion

Setting your Sky remote to control your TV is a simple task. Just follow the correct steps for your remote type: use the on-screen menu for Sky Q, or use a code for Sky+ HD. If you run into trouble, try resetting the remote or doing the setup again. With fresh batteries and a clear line of sight, it should work perfectly. Now you can sit back, relax, and use just one remote for everything.