Remote not working, what now? – If a new universal controller is not an option

dismantled remote control

You have replaced the batteries and the remote control is still not working, or just some keys don’t work.  What else can I do?  In most cases it is the remote control itself causing the trouble.
Why, somebody sat on it, it has been dropped, or some liquid has been spilled on it.

Since with most consumer electronic items an infrared system is used, we need to find out, if the remote is transmitting infrared light. That is easy. Find your camcorder or digital camera, position it in front of the remote controller and press the buttons. When the remote works, you see a pulsating light from the infrared diode behind the controller window.
Follow the steps below, if no light at all or only with some buttons.

IR LED

LED test setup

• Remove batteries
• Unscrew all screws you can find
• Dismantle the remote

Most controllers consist of two housing parts which hold a circuit board between them. Unclip top from bottom of the housing with a couple of screw drivers.
Firstly tension the battery terminals with a pair of pliers to ensure consistent power supply for the circuit board.
The keyboard is mostly made up of two parts, the circuit board itself with open contacts and a special rubber mat, which is positioned on top of these contacts.
It is dirt and liquid residue on the rubber mat as well as on the circuit board contacts, which is causing most of the problems. If you can use isopropyl alcohol, or any other cleaning fluid which doesn’t leave residue. Carefully wipe the whole circuit board and rubber mat with cotton buds or a clean tissue. Once the contacts on both sides are clean and dry, align the rubber mat with the contacts on the circuit board and assemble the controller. Check all buttons with your camera. If all light up the LED, you can go ahead and try the remote control on your CD-Player, camera, TV or…

By following this procedure, you have a good chance to keep your old remote controller in a good working condition.