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

Setting your TV to your Sky remote means teaching the remote how to control your television. Once you do this, you can use just one remote for everything. You can turn your TV on and off, change the volume, and control your Sky box. This is very handy.

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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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Many people in the UK need to do this when they get a new TV. Others find their volume buttons suddenly stop working. This guide will help you fix that. It works for all types of Sky remotes, including the new Sky Q remotes and the older Sky+ HD models. We will take you through each step in a simple way.

Sky Remote Types Used in the UK

The first thing you need to know is which Sky remote you have. There are a few different kinds, and they set up in different ways. Let’s look at the main types you will find in UK homes.

Sky Q Remote

The Sky Q remote is sleek and modern. It connects to your Sky Q box using Bluetooth, so you don’t need to point it directly. But to control your TV, it still uses an infrared signal like a normal remote. The good news is you set it up using easy menus on your TV screen. You don’t need to type in any codes.

Sky+ HD Remote

This is the most common remote with lots of coloured buttons. It only uses infrared light. You must point it at your TV for it to work. To make it control your television, you need to program it with a special number called a ‘TV code’. This code is different for each TV brand.

Older Sky Remotes

These are the bigger, older remotes. They work in the exact same way as the Sky+ HD remote. They use infrared and need a TV code. They might not have codes for the very newest TVs, but they still work with most models you find in the UK.

Things to Check Before Setting TV to Sky Remote

Before you start the setup, make sure you have a few things ready. This will make the process much smoother. First, turn your television on using its own remote. Next, check your Sky box is switched on and not in standby mode. You should see a light on it. Know if you have a Sky Q or a Sky+ style remote. Put new batteries in your Sky remote. Old, weak batteries often cause problems. If you have a Sky+ or older remote, make sure you can point it in a straight line at your TV with nothing blocking the path.

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

Follow these steps to make your Sky Q remote talk to your television. It’s like introducing them to each other.

Step 1: Turn On the TV and Sky Box

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

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 navigation pad to go 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, you will see an option called Remote Control. Select this. A new choice will appear named TV Setup. Choose TV Setup. Your Sky box is now ready to help you set up the remote.

Step 4: Choose Your TV Brand

A long list of television brand names will appear. These include all the popular UK brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and Panasonic. 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 circle and a line). 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. Fantastic! Your Sky Q remote now controls your TV’s power and volume.

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

For these remotes, you use a secret code. This method works for Sky+ HD remotes and the older, bigger 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 searching “Sky remote code for [Your TV Brand] 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 Red button at the same time. 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 6789, press 6, 7, 8, 9. If the code is correct, the red light on the remote will flash two times. If the light doesn’t flash, you might have been too slow. Go back to Step 2 and try again.

Step 4: Test the TV Buttons

Now, press the TV button at the very top of the remote. This switches the remote into ‘TV control mode’. 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 if Necessary

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 Set TV to Sky Remote 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 lots 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 Fixes (UK Users)

Sometimes things go wrong. Here are solutions to 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 setup again from the beginning. Also, try putting brand new batteries in the remote. Weak batteries make a very poor infrared signal.

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 vase or a book in the way. Try the setup process again with a different TV code.

Sky Remote Works With 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 control part 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 set it up 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 cheap universal remotes, as they often don’t work properly with Sky boxes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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

Does 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 set it up the same way.

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

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

Does Sky remote work with soundbars?
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 or set up your TV to control it.

Conclusion

Setting your TV to work with your Sky remote is a simple task. 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 running the setup again. With fresh batteries and a clear path, it should work perfectly. Now you can enjoy using one remote for everything.