You press a button and nothing happens. Or the remote works one minute and ignores you the next. Or the light flashes but the decoder will not respond. A DStv remote that stops working is frustrating, but it is rarely broken.
This guide helps you find out in two minutes whether the problem is the remote, the batteries, the remote’s mode, or the decoder itself. Then it walks you through the fix for each.
On This Page
- The 2-minute test: is it the remote or the decoder?
- Fix 1: Batteries and the battery contacts
- Fix 2: The remote is in the wrong mode
- Fix 3: Something is blocking the decoder
- Fix 4: Restart the decoder
- Fix 5: How to reset a DStv remote
- Some buttons work, others do not
- When to replace the remote
- Common questions
The 2-Minute Test: Is It the Remote or the Decoder?
Point the remote at your phone’s camera and press a button. If you see a small flashing light on the phone screen, the remote is sending a signal and the problem is on the decoder side. If you see nothing, the problem is the remote or its batteries.
Most DStv remotes use infrared light, which your eyes cannot see but a phone camera can. This simple test saves you from buying a new remote you do not need.
A tip: if your phone’s back camera shows nothing even with new batteries, try the front selfie camera. Some phones filter infrared on the main camera.
Also look at the small light on the remote itself when you press a button:
- No light at all: flat batteries, dirty battery contacts, or a dead remote.
- A green flash: the remote is working and sending a signal.
- A red or amber flash: the remote may be in a different mode, or that button is not set up. See Fix 2.
Fix 1: Batteries and the Battery Contacts
Put in two new AA batteries from a fresh pack, matching the plus and minus marks. If the remote still shows no light, clean the metal contacts in the battery compartment. Corrosion from old batteries is a very common cause of a remote that seems dead.
Batteries from the back of a drawer or another device often look fine but are nearly flat. Use new ones, and do not mix an old battery with a new one.
Look closely at the springs and metal plates. White, green or crusty build up means a battery leaked. Rub it off with a cotton bud dipped in a little white vinegar or rubbing alcohol. Let it dry fully, then insert the new batteries.
If the remote works only when you press the back or squeeze it, a contact has bent. Gently lift the metal tab with a toothpick so it presses firmly on the battery.
Fix 2: The Remote Is in the Wrong Mode
Many DStv remotes can control more than one decoder or your TV. If someone pressed the wrong button combination, the remote may now be talking to a different mode, so your decoder ignores it. A reset returns it to the normal setting.
This explains the most confusing version of the problem: the remote light flashes, the phone camera test shows a signal, but the decoder does nothing.
Signs your remote is in the wrong mode:
- The light flashes red or amber instead of green.
- The remote turns the TV on and off, but does not change channels.
- It stopped working after a child or visitor was playing with it.
- You have two decoders in the house, and one remote now controls the other decoder.
On many DStv remotes used with Explora and XtraView setups, holding the Back button for about three seconds switches the remote between decoder modes. If you think this happened, the quickest fix is a reset, covered in Fix 5, which puts the remote back to its default mode.
Fix 3: Something Is Blocking the Decoder
The decoder receives the remote’s signal through a small window on its front panel. If the decoder sits behind a cabinet door, a glass panel, other equipment or a decoration, the signal cannot reach it. Clear the front of the decoder and test again.
Dust and greasy fingerprints on the front panel also weaken the signal. Wipe it with a soft dry cloth.
Strong light can interfere too. Direct sunlight on the decoder, or some energy saving and LED bulbs very close to it, can confuse the sensor. Close the curtains or switch off the nearby light, then test.
Stand within about three metres, point straight at the decoder, and press one button at a time. Pressing quickly or holding several buttons sends a confused signal.
Fix 4: Restart the Decoder
If the camera test shows the remote is sending a signal but the decoder still ignores it, the decoder may be frozen. Switch it off at the wall, wait 60 seconds, then switch on and give it a few minutes to start fully before testing the remote.
A decoder that has run for weeks can stop responding to the remote. So can one hit by a power cut. It may still show a picture. The restart clears this.
If the decoder does not respond to the remote or its own front buttons after a restart, the decoder itself has a problem. Our guide to fixing a DStv decoder that is not booting or working properly covers what to do next.
Fix 5: How to Reset a DStv Remote
A reset clears any wrong programming and returns the remote to its default mode. The button sequence depends on your remote model, so check the model first. It is printed inside the battery compartment or on the back, usually as a letter and number such as A6, A7 or B6.
A wrong sequence cannot damage the remote. If nothing happens, you have simply used the sequence for a different model. Watch the light: it confirms each step.
DStv A6 remote (common with Explora)
- Hold the ARC and Standby buttons together for 3 to 5 seconds, until the light flashes.
- Keep holding ARC and let go of Standby.
- Still holding ARC, type 9949. A green flash after the last digit confirms the reset.
- Let go of ARC.
Some guides list 9499 for this step instead. If 9949 gives no green confirmation, repeat the steps with 9499.
DStv A7 remote
- Hold Standby and Options together for 3 to 5 seconds, until the red light flashes twice.
- Press 9, then 8, then 1.
- Hold OK for 3 to 5 seconds. Four red flashes confirm the reset.
DStv B6 remote
- Hold ARC and TV Power together for 3 to 5 seconds, until the light flashes twice.
- Let go. The light glows red.
- Press any number from 2 to 9 until the light turns green.
Other remote models
Is your model not listed, or did the sequence not confirm? Search for your exact model number with the words “DStv remote reset”. You can also ask at a DStv service centre or agent. Avoid sequences that do not name a model, because codes differ between remotes.
After any reset, test the remote on the decoder straight away. A reset sends the remote back to controlling the main decoder. If you have a second decoder, set its mode up again.
Some Buttons Work, Others Do Not
When only certain buttons fail, the rubber pads under those buttons are usually worn or dirty. Clean around the buttons, and if that does not help, the remote’s keypad has worn out and replacing the remote is the realistic fix.
The channel, volume and OK buttons get the most use, so they wear first. Dirt and spilled drinks also make buttons stick or stop working.
Take the batteries out and gently clean around the stuck buttons with a cotton bud lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol, never water. Press each button several times to work the alcohol in, then let the remote dry for at least 30 minutes before putting the batteries back.
If only the volume does not work, check whether your remote is set up to control your TV’s volume. Many DStv remotes control decoder volume by default, which is separate from the TV’s own volume.
When to Replace the Remote
Replace the remote if any of these apply:
- No light and no camera signal, even with new batteries and clean contacts.
- The remote was dropped and something rattles inside.
- Liquid got inside and cleaning did not help.
- Several buttons still fail after cleaning.
Buy a remote made for your decoder model. Check the decoder type on the label underneath it, and buy from a DStv agent or a trusted shop. Cheap copies often control only some functions, and an Explora remote is not the same as one for an HD single view decoder.
Universal remotes made specifically for DStv decoders are another option. Check the packaging lists your exact decoder before buying.
Common Questions
Why is my DStv remote not working even with new batteries?
Clean the battery contacts first, since corrosion stops power reaching the remote. Then do the phone camera test. If the remote sends a signal, the problem is the remote’s mode, a blocked decoder or a frozen decoder.
How do I reset my DStv remote?
Find the model number inside the battery compartment, then use the reset sequence for that model. The A6, A7 and B6 sequences are listed above. The remote’s light confirms when the reset works.
How do I unlock my DStv remote?
A remote that seems locked is usually in the wrong mode, controlling another decoder or the TV. Resetting the remote returns it to its normal mode and unlocks it.
Why does my DStv remote flash red?
A red flash often means the remote is in a different mode, or the button you pressed is not set up in that mode. A reset usually fixes it.
Why does my remote work only up close?
Weak batteries are the most common reason. If new batteries do not help, clean the decoder’s front panel and the small window at the front of the remote, and remove anything between them.
Can I use DStv without a remote?
Only partly. Some decoders have front panel buttons for power and channels, but you cannot reach most menus without a remote. A replacement remote for your model is the practical fix.
The Short Version
Start with the phone camera test to see whether the remote is sending a signal. If it is not, change the batteries and clean the contacts. If it is, check the remote’s mode, clear the front of the decoder, and restart the decoder. Reset the remote using the sequence for your model. Replace it only when none of this works.
Most dead remotes come back to life with new batteries, clean contacts or a reset. Need an official replacement or warranty help? Start at the official DStv website and choose your country for service centre details.
Frenzy valentine is a passionate blogger, developer, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and author of myfreshgists.com.