How to Set Up Sky Remote for TV (Easy Step-by-Step Guide for UK Users)
Hello! This guide explains how to set up your Sky remote control. A Sky remote lets you control your Sky box and your television with just one gadget. You need to set it up so it can talk to your specific TV brand, like Samsung or LG. This setup is called “pairing” or “programming.”
This guide covers all types of Sky equipment in the UK. This includes Sky Q, Sky Glass, Sky Stream, and older Sky+ HD boxes. People often need this guide when they buy a new TV, get a replacement remote, or find their volume or power buttons have stopped working.
Don’t worry if you’re not tech-savvy. These instructions are made for complete beginners in the UK. Follow the steps, and you’ll be controlling your TV with your Sky remote in no time!
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.
Add as a preferred source on Google
Different Sky Remotes Explained
You might have one of a few different Sky remotes. They look a bit different and work in slightly different ways. Knowing which one you have helps you follow the right steps.
First is the Sky Q Touch Remote. It has a smooth, touch-sensitive area you swipe to move through menus. It works only with a Sky Q box. Next is the Sky Q Button Remote. It does the same job as the Touch remote but uses normal buttons and a directional pad. People often find it easier to use.
If you have Sky Glass (the TV with Sky built-in) or a Sky Stream puck, you will have a sleek, silver remote. It has dedicated buttons for apps like Netflix. This remote controls your Sky device and your TV’s power and volume. Finally, there are Older Sky HD Remotes. These are chunkier, often black or silver, and came with Sky+ HD boxes. They are set up using a different, older method involving code numbers.
The main difference is how you program them. Sky Q, Glass, and Stream remotes use your TV’s menu for setup. Older remotes need you to press a special sequence of buttons. This guide focuses on the newer, simpler methods.
Sky Q Touch Remote
The Sky Q Touch Remote feels very modern. Instead of arrow buttons, it has a glossy black panel. You slide your finger up, down, left, or right on this panel to browse. It requires batteries, just like other remotes.
You set it up through your Sky Q box’s on-screen menus. It talks to your Sky Q box using a wireless signal, so you don’t need to point it directly at the box. However, to control your TV’s volume, you must point it at the TV. This remote is only for use with a Sky Q box. It will not work with older Sky equipment.
Sky Q Button Remote
The Sky Q Button Remote is a more traditional remote. It has a circular directional pad in the centre, with a select button in the middle. Many people prefer this design because the buttons give a clear click when you press them.
Like the Touch remote, it controls your Sky Q box wirelessly. Setting up the TV control (for volume and power) is done through the same Sky Q settings menu. It’s a very reliable remote and the one most Sky Q customers have in their homes today.
Sky Glass / Sky Stream Remote
The remote for Sky Glass and Sky Stream is slim, silver, and lightweight. It has purple buttons for Sky, Netflix, Disney+, and other apps. This remote is quite clever because it controls everything—you don’t usually need your original TV remote at all.
Setup is very easy. When you first plug in your Sky Glass TV or Sky Stream puck, it will guide you through connecting the remote to your TV automatically. It uses technology like HDMI-CEC to talk to your TV seamlessly.
Older Sky HD Remote
The older Sky HD remote is boxier and has more buttons. It often has a blue Sky logo at the top. This remote uses an infrared signal, which means you must point it directly at the Sky box or TV for it to work.
To make it control your TV, you must enter a special 4-digit code. You find this code by looking up your TV brand in a list Sky provides. You then press the TV button, hold down Select and the coloured buttons in a specific order. It’s a more manual process than with newer remotes.
Things to Check Before You Start
Before you begin setting up your remote, collect a few important things. This makes the whole process much smoother and faster.
First, make sure you have your Sky remote with fresh batteries. Flat batteries cause many problems. Next, know your TV’s brand and model number. You can usually find the model on a sticker on the back of the TV or in the TV’s menu. Also, check that your Sky box, Sky Glass, or Sky Stream is switched on and working.
If you have a Sky Q, Glass, or Stream remote, ensure you have a clear line of sight between the remote and your TV for the setup part. For Sky Glass and Stream, a good internet connection is also needed for the system to work properly.
Automatic Setup Method (Recommended)
The easiest way to set up your remote is to let your Sky device do it for you. This automatic method works for Sky Q, Sky Glass, and Sky Stream.
Start by pressing the Home button on your Sky remote. Use the arrow buttons to go to Settings, then select Setup. Inside, find and choose Audio Visual or TV Control. Now, pick the option that says ‘Set up remote’ or ‘Find it for me’.
Your Sky device will now start searching. It sends out lots of signals to find the right one for your TV. Follow any instructions that pop up on the screen. This might take one or two minutes. When it finishes, test it straight away! Press the volume up and down buttons to see if your TV listens. Try the power button to turn your TV off and on.
If the automatic search fails, don’t panic. Just move on to the manual method. The whole automatic process should only take about 3-5 minutes from start to finish.
Notes for Sky Q vs Sky Glass
The automatic setup is very similar on Sky Q and Sky Glass/Sky Stream, but the menu looks a little different. On Sky Q, you go to Settings > Setup > Audio Visual > TV Control. On Sky Glass or Stream, press the Home button, go to Settings, then look for ‘Remote & Voice’ or ‘System’ and find ‘TV Control’ there.
The remote for Sky Glass is often already fully set up when you first turn the TV on. For Sky Q, you usually need to run the setup yourself when you get a new TV or remote. Both systems are designed to be very user-friendly.
What to Do if Auto Setup Fails
Sometimes, the automatic search cannot find your TV. This is common with older or less common TV brands. First, check the basics: Are the batteries good? Is the Sky box on? Are you pointing the remote at the TV?
If it still fails, your Sky device will likely suggest trying the manual setup instead. This is your next best step. You can also try a simple restart. Turn off your Sky box and your TV at the wall plug. Wait 30 seconds, then turn them both back on. Now try the automatic setup again from the beginning.
Manual Sky Remote Setup Using TV Codes
Use the manual method if the automatic search doesn’t work. This involves telling your Sky remote a secret number (a code) that matches your TV brand.
Start the same way: Press Home, go to Settings > Setup > Audio Visual. Choose TV Control, but this time select Manual Setup or ‘Enter code’. A list of TV brand names will appear. Select your TV’s brand, like Samsung, LG, or Sony.
Your Sky box will now show you one or more 4-digit codes to try. It will tell you how to test each one. Usually, you press Select to try the first code, then try changing the volume on your TV. If the volume doesn’t change, press Back to try the next code on the list. Repeat this until you find the code that works!
Popular UK TV Brand Codes
Most common UK TV brands have a code. For Samsung, common codes are 020 or 024. For LG, try 020 or 018. For Sony, 000 or 015 often work. For Hisense, look for 058, and for Philips, try 055. These codes are just examples—your Sky box will give you the exact list to try.
You can also find these codes on the Sky website by searching for “Sky remote codes” and your TV brand name. Keep a note of the code that works for you in case you need it later.
Save Your Settings
Once you find a code that controls your TV’s volume, make sure you save it! Your Sky device should prompt you to save or confirm. If you don’t save, the remote might forget the code when you change the batteries. After saving, test the power button to turn your TV on and off. Congratulations, your remote is now programmed!
Set Up Volume, Mute, and Power Buttons
Sometimes, only the volume or power buttons don’t work. This usually means the remote isn’t fully set up to control your TV. These buttons need their own special setup.
Go to your Sky menu: Settings > Setup > Audio Visual. Look for ‘Control TV’ or ‘Audio System’. Here, you tell your Sky device what you want the volume buttons to control. You have two main choices: TV or Audio System/Soundbar.
If your TV sound comes from the TV’s own speakers, select TV. If you use a separate soundbar or home cinema system, select Audio System. Your Sky device will then guide you through a quick setup, similar to the automatic method, to link the volume buttons to that specific device.
Using Sky Remote with Smart TVs
Most new TVs are Smart TVs, like Samsung, LG, or Sony models. Your Sky remote can work very well with them using a feature called HDMI-CEC. This lets devices connected by an HDMI cable talk to each other.
Each brand calls it something different: Samsung calls it Anynet+, LG calls it Simplink, and Sony calls it Bravia Sync. You must turn this feature ON in your TV’s own settings menu for it to work best.
When CEC is on, your Sky remote can do more. It might turn on your TV and Sky box with one press, or control basic Smart TV menus. It makes using everything together feel like one simple system. Check your TV’s manual or online help to find how to switch HDMI-CEC on.
Troubleshooting Sky Remote Setup Issues
Is your remote still not working? Let’s fix some common problems.
Problem: Volume not working.
Fix: Your remote is likely not programmed for your TV. Go back and complete the Automatic or Manual Setup for TV control.
Problem: Power button doesn’t turn TV off.
Fix: This means the power code is wrong. Repeat the TV control setup. When testing codes, always check the power button, not just the volume.
Problem: Remote not responding at all.
Fix: 1) Replace the batteries with new ones. 2) Restart your Sky box by unplugging it for 30 seconds. 3) For Sky Q/Stream/Glass, re-pair the remote by holding the Home and Select buttons together until the remote light flashes.
Reset Sky Remote to Factory Settings
If your remote is very confused, a reset can help. This clears all its settings and starts it fresh. Warning: You will need to set up your TV control again afterwards.
To reset a Sky Q, Glass, or Stream remote, press and hold the 7 and 9 number buttons together for about 5 seconds. The LED light on the remote will flash. Let go of the buttons. The remote is now reset. You will then need to re-pair it to your Sky box by following the on-screen instructions, and finally set up the TV control again from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use one Sky remote for multiple TVs?
No. A Sky remote is paired to one Sky box and programmed for one specific TV. It won’t control a different TV in another room.
Does the Sky remote work with all TV brands?
It works with almost all brands, but some very old or unusual brands might not have a matching code. Manual setup is best for these.
How long does setup take?
The automatic method takes 3-5 minutes. Manual setup can take 5-10 minutes, depending on how many codes you need to try.
Can I control soundbars?
Yes! During the ‘Audio Visual’ setup, choose ‘Audio System’ instead of ‘TV’ to link your volume buttons to a soundbar.
Is setup different in the UK?
Yes, this guide uses UK-specific menu names and codes. Remotes and codes in other countries can be different.
Conclusion
Setting up your Sky remote is a simple process. Always try the automatic method first—it’s the quickest and easiest. If that doesn’t work, the manual code method will solve the problem.
Remember to check your batteries and know your TV brand before you start. With this guide, you should be able to get your volume and power buttons working perfectly. If you still have trouble, you can visit the Sky Help website or contact their support team for extra help. Enjoy using your one remote to rule them all.
