Did your remote control stop working? A recent update of DIRECTV seems to have created problems for some people. Here are some very simple steps you can take to recover the function.
First, restart the receiver. Look for the red reset button, located on the front of the receiver behind a spring door or on the side. Press and wait for about ten minutes. If that solves your problem, everything is ready.
Otherwise, look at your remote control and see if the light at the top turns on when you press a button. If not, that is usually a sign of depleted batteries and that is another easy solution. However, if the light comes on, that could mean that the remote control is not paired and that is a little harder to fix.
If you can use the front panel of your receiver, press {MENU} and then the down arrow to Settings and Help and press {SELECT}. Then, go to Settings and press {SELECT} again. Finally, lower the arrow towards Remote Control and press {SELECT}. Make sure Reset Remote Control is highlighted. Depending on your configuration, this may be automatic or you may have to enter codes on your remote control.
If you cannot control the receiver at all, this is the manual method: on the remote control, press and hold {MUTE} and {SELECT} until the light flashes three times. Then press Press 9 8 1 and {SELECT}. The remote control will flash four times and should now restart. This puts your Genie remote control in IR mode and you should be able to use it to program the DVR to put the remote control back into RF mode if you wish and program it to control the volume on the TV.
If you are using an older DVR or receiver (in other words, not Genie), you must completely reset the remote control and receiver to remove both from RF mode. Then, you must reprogram all additional devices controlled by that remote control.
If you need to change other settings that are specific to the receiver, such as the receiver mode (for example, if the receiver is set to one of the “other modes” that allow you to use more than one receiver in the same room, you should now be able to use your remote control to access programming and advanced menus on the receiver.
DIRECTV RF Remote RC71
The newest DIRECTV remote control, the RC71 has a completely new design redesigned to give you faster access to the features you need. This remote control adapts well to your hand and simplifies the operation.
The RC71 will also control your TV and/or receiver for volume and power functions, once you have told the remote control which components of the model you have.
When used in RF mode, this remote control is faster and more accurate due to the RF4CE protocol. This bidirectional protocol confirms each button press, so no digits are lost on three-digit channels
In IR mode, this remote control is compatible with all legacy and current DIRECTV receivers.
In RF mode, this remote control will only work with the DIRECTV HR44 Genie and Genie C41 and C41W clients. (When in RF mode, you will continue to use IR for TV / AV functions).