Sydney Butler · February 5th, 2025 · 10 min read 
Streaming on Apple TV devices is usually a hassle-free experience, but things can get buggy sometimes. If your Apple TV Remote volume isn’t working, we’ll help you figure out the problem and how to fix it.
A Beginner’s Guide to Apple TV Remote Volume Buttons
Apple TV remotes have different button layouts, and only the first, second, and third generations have volume controls. Note that these volume buttons don’t work with all audio devices or setups. If your Apple TV remote doesn’t adjust your TV’s playback volume, you’d have to use your TV remote’s volume control.
Why Won’t the Volume Buttons Work on Apple TV Remote?
All Apple TV Remotes have a rechargeable battery. If your remote’s battery gets low or faulty, it may malfunction or fail to work. Interference from nearby devices or objects could also prevent your Apple TV from receiving the Siri Remote signal. Outdated Apple TV software, system bugs, or temporary glitches can cause volume issues.
A system reboot sometimes fixes Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote failures. If the issue persists, proceed to the next section for troubleshooting recommendations.
How to Fix Apple TV Remote Volume Not Working?
Barring physical damage, the troubleshooting recommendations below should get your Apple TV Remote volume controls working correctly again. Note that troubleshooting steps below may vary depending on your Apple TV or Apple TV Remote model.
1. Try a Different App
Confirming that the volume control malfunction isn’t app-specific is a good idea. Try changing the playback volume in different streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu. If the volume control issue only happens in certain apps, update or reinstall them in the App Store.
2. Restart Your Apple TV
If your Apple TV doesn’t respond to the remote or some buttons, a system restart might fix the problem. Unplug your Apple TV from the power source and plug it back in 5-10 seconds.
Alternatively, head to Settings > System and select Restart.
You can also reboot your Apple TV using its remote. Press and hold the TV + Back button (or TV + Menu buttons for 1st generation remotes). Release both buttons when your Apple TV status light starts flashing rapidly.
When your Apple TV comes back on, check if the remote’s volume controls work as expected. Restart your remote (see the next section for instructions) if the issue persists.
3. Restart Your Remote
Restarting your remote disconnects and reconnects it to your Apple TV. That could fix issues with the volume buttons or the remote itself. Here’s how to restart a Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote:
- Press and hold the TV and Volume Down buttons simultaneously for roughly five seconds.
- Release both buttons when the status light on your Apple TV goes off and comes back on.
- A “Remote Disconnected” or “Remote Connection Lost” notification should appear at the top-right corner of your TV screen.
- Afterward, press any button on the remote to reconnect it to your Apple TV.
- You should see a “Remote Connected” notification on your TV screen when the remote is ready to use.
Try adjusting volume output using the Volume Up and Down buttons to check if the remote works.
4. Check for Software Updates
Your Apple TV has to work with various brands (e.g., Samsung, Sony, or LG) and different models within that brand. If you have a new TV or recently received a firmware update, you may also need to update your Apple TV.
Usually, your Apple TV will show a notification when a new update is ready, but you can manually check for available updates.
Go to Settings > System > Software Updates and choose Update Software. On the next page, select Download and Install to install the latest tvOS version on your Apple TV.
Wait for the update installation, then try using the volume controls again.
5. Charge the Remote
As mentioned earlier, your remote may malfunction if its battery gets low. Check your remote’s battery level and charge it if it’s dead or critically low.
Go to Settings > Remotes and Devices > Remote and check the Battery Level row.
If the battery is low, charge the remote from a power outlet using a Lightning or USB-C cable (for 3rd-generation remotes). You can use the remote while charging, but we recommend charging it for at least 30 minutes before use.
6. Move Closer to the Apple TV
The Apple TV remote control uses Bluetooth to communicate with the box itself, but for some TV models, it uses IR (Infrared) to control TV functions such as adjusting the volume. Unfortunately, typical IR issues can prevent this from working correctly.
While Bluetooth will work from any practical distance you may be from the TV, IR can struggle to cover longer distances, especially in bright environments. Move closer to the TV and see whether your Apple TV remote’s volume controls start working. If it works at closer distances, it may indicate that the IR signal isn’t strong enough to overcome distance or interference.
7. Clean Your TV’s IR Sensors
Volume control may not work if you’re using a “TV via IR” volume control setting and you TV’s IR sensors are covered by dirt. Check the IR sensor on your TV and the transmitter on the remote and ensure they’re free of dust and other signal-blocking foreign matter. Refer to your TV’s instruction manual for its IR sensor location.
Remember that Bluetooth will be unaffected by this, which might explain why only volume doesn’t work or works intermittently.
8. Enable HDMI-CEC
HDMI-CEC is a technology that allows devices like Apple TV to control your TV directly. It takes advantage of the bi-directional communication on an HDMI cable. If your TV supports HDMI-CEC, turn it on and ensure it’s enabled on your Apple TV.
Using HDMI-CEC makes your TV immune to IR-related issues or interferences. That’s because Apple TV sends commands to your TV over HDMI after receiving a Bluetooth signal from the remote. Correctly configuring the volume control settings is crucial to effectively managing the TV’s volume and ensuring seamless operation.
Apart from controlling your TV’s volume, HDMI-CEC also lets the Apple TV turn your TV on or off. Contact your TV manufacturer or check its user manual for instructions on turning on HDMI-CEC. Some TVs call the feature HDMI-CEC, but others may use a name that includes the term “Link” or “Sync” somewhere.
To turn on HDMI-CEC on your Apple TV, go to Settings > Remotes and Devices, and set the Control TVs and Receivers option to “On.”
Afterward, connect your Apple TV to the HDMI port (on your TV) that supports HDMI-CEC. Refer to your TV’s instruction manual to confirm which port is HDMI-CEC-compatible.
9. Use an iPhone or iPad As a Remote
iPhones and iPads have a built-in Apple TV Remote app. You can use the app to control your Apple TV if it’s connected to the same Apple ID and Wi-Fi network as your iPhone/iPad.
Open your iPhone or iPad’s Control Center, tap the Remote icon, and use the remote app to adjust your Apple TV volume.
If you don’t see the remote icon in the Control Center, update your iPhone or iPad’s operating system. If the remote still doesn’t work, try the fixes in our Apple TV remote app troubleshooting tutorial.
If the volume controls on the remote app work but the physical remote doesn’t, that indicates possible pairing or hardware issues. Pair your remote to the Apple TV from scratch, or try a different remote if you have one.
10. Reset and Manually Pair Your Remote Again
If restarting your remote changes nothing, you can try resetting and reconnecting it to your Apple TV.
- Press and hold the TV/Control Center and Volume Down (—) buttons for 5-10 seconds. That unpairs and resets your Apple TV or Siri Remote.
- Move and point the remote close to the front of your Apple TV device (within 3-4 inches or 8-10 cm).
- Next, press and hold the Volume Up (+) and Back (˂) buttons for 2-5 seconds.
If you have the 1st generation remote, press and hold the Volume Up (+) and Menu buttons instead.
- You’ll see a pairing success confirmation on your TV screen. Press the volume controls on the remote and check if they adjust audio playback.
If the physical volume keys on the remote still don’t work, try a different remote or the Apple TV Remote app.
11. Try A Different Remote
If you have multiple Apple TVs or have a friend willing to lend you their remote, one final check you can do is to use a different remote. If the other remote doesn’t work, the issue must be with the Apple TV, your TV, or a combination of both.
We also recommend pairing and using your remote with a different Apple TV. If the remote volume buttons work on other Apple TV devices, then your TV or Apple TV is the problem. But if the volume issue persists, then there’s something wrong with the remote itself.
Consider resetting your Apple TV to factory default to eliminate any corrupt settings that may be causing remote malfunction. Also, factory reset your TV and check its settings to ensure everything looks right.
12. Take Your Remote to Apple Support (Or Buy A New One)
If you’re 100% sure your remote is the issue, you can take it back to Apple for a warranty replacement. Repairing an Apple TV remote is rarely worth it, so you’re better off buying a replacement remote if yours is out of warranty.
The good news is that the latest Siri Remote (3rd generation) is backward compatible with older Apple TV devices running tvOS 15.4 or later. So, you can get a nice upgrade to soften the blow of replacing the remote. Additionally, the Siri Remote can also be used to control the volume of a sound bar, highlighting its versatility.
FAQs
How Can I Enable Volume Control on My Apple TV Remote?
Head to Settings > Remotes and Devices and choose your preferred Volume Control settings (we recommend Auto or HDMI).
In “Auto” setting, your Apple TV will automatically select the volume control method most compatible with the connected device(s). The “HDMI” volume control setting, on the other hand, uses HDMI-CEC for volume control.
Choose “HDMI” only if your TV supports volume control over HDMI and HDMI-CEC. Otherwise, select TV via IR if your TV uses an Infrared remote and doesn’t support HDMI-CEC.
How Can I Use My Apple TV Remote to Turn Off the TV?
Go to Settings > Remotes and Devices and scroll down to the “Home Theater Control” section. Finally, set Turn On Your TV with Your Remote to “ON.”
Moving forward, your TV will go off whenever you turn off your Apple TV using the Siri Remote. Similarly, your TV and your Apple TV will also come on when you press the remote’s Power/Back/Menu/TV button.
How Can I Adjust the Sound Using My Apple TV Remote?
Press the Volume Up (+) or Volume Down (—) button on your Apple TV Remote to increase or lower audio playback, respectively.
The 2nd and 3rd generation remotes have a dedicated Mute button. Press the button once to mute/silence audio and again to unmute or resume audio playback.
Conclusion
The fixes above should get your Apple TV Remote volume working again. If the issue persists or reoccurs, your remote or Apple TV may have physical/hardware damage. Contact Apple Support or take your Apple TV and the remote to the nearest Apple Store for inspection, repair, or replacement.
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