How to program a universal remote

Method 1: direct code entry (you have a code)

Look up the code for your device's brand first, then enter it on the remote. This is the fastest method when a code for your brand is listed.

Method 2: automatic or brand code search (no code needed)

Every remote family we cover has a built-in search that tries codes for you, so you never need a printed list. This is also the answer to “how do I program a universal remote without a code”: run the search below instead of Method 1.

GE, UltraPro and Jasco-made Philips remotes: Automatic Code Search

Source: Auto Code Search, Jasco Products.

1. Manually turn on the device you want to control.
2. Press and hold SETUP until the red light turns on, then release it. The red light stays on.
3. Press and release the device button (for example TV, STR, BLU-RAY, AUD, DVD, CBL, SAT or AUX). The red light blinks once and stays on.
4. Point the remote at the device and press and release POWER. The remote sends 10 codes, blinking once for each. If the device doesn't turn off, press POWER again to send the next 10.
5. When the device turns off, turn it back on by hand, point the remote at it and press VOL up, waiting about 3 seconds between presses. Each press resends one code from that batch of 10. When the device turns off again, press the same device button to store that code. If you go past the working code, press VOL down to step backward through the batch. The red light flashes twice at the first or last code of a batch.
6. Test the buttons. If they don't operate the device, run the search again to find another code.

RCA remotes: All Brand Code Search (R271U1 and R271U2)

Source: RCR504BE owner's manual, RCA remotes support.

1. Press and hold the device key for about 2 seconds, until the indicator lights and stays on. Release it.
2. Type the device-type code: 11111 for a TV, 22222 for a VCR, 33333 for a streaming player, 44444 for a satellite receiver, cable box or digital TV converter, or 55555 for a DVD or Blu-ray player. The indicator turns off after the fifth digit.
3. Manually turn on the device.
4. Press and hold the same device key for about 2 seconds until the indicator lights, then release it.
5. Point the remote at the device and press PLAY. The remote sends the on/off command for a new code every 2 seconds. When the device turns off, press STOP to store that code. If the device turned off but you took more than 2 seconds to press STOP, press PLAY to step back through the last few codes, then press STOP when the device turns back on.

RCA's R341U1 and R3F802 manuals describe their own Auto Code Search: Top Brands, Auto Code Search: All Brands and Manual Code Search; full steps and the older revisions' setup videos are on the RCA page.

Factory reset (start over)

If a remote has stored the wrong codes and you want to start clean, reset it before trying again.

1. Press and hold SETUP until the red light stays on, then release it.
2. Press and release MUTE.
3. Press and release 0 (zero). The red light blinks twice, and the remote returns to its factory settings.

GE and Philips Roku TV replacement remotes (models 66814, SRP6220R/27, SRP6120R/27) use a different reset: hold SETUP until the light stays on, then press REWIND four times. Source: Universal Remotes FAQ, Jasco Products.

Full steps and every code, by remote maker

• GE universal remote codesCode list versions CL3 to CL6, every TV and device code, direct entry, auto search and reset
• RCA universal remote codesAll 35 revision numbers, model-to-revision lookup, steps for each revision
• Philips universal remote codesWhich Philips remotes use Jasco's CL lists, and which use a different system

UltraPro remotes are made by Jasco and use the same CL code lists and steps as GE: see the UltraPro, Magnavox and other Jasco-made remotes section on the GE page.

Program for your TV

Pick your TV brand for the exact codes across every remote and version we cover:

• Samsung TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version
• Vizio TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version
• LG TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version
• TCL TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version
• Hisense TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version
• Roku TV TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version
• Insignia TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version
• Element TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version
• Sharp TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version
• Sony TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version
• Toshiba TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version
• Westinghouse TV codesEvery GE, Philips, UltraPro and RCA version

Not sure which remote covers all your devices? See which universal remote covers your TVs.