How to program a universal remote
To program a universal remote, enter the code for your device's brand: on GE, UltraPro and Jasco-made Philips remotes, hold SETUP until the red light turns on, press the device button, type the 4-digit code and test the buttons. Current RCA remotes use 5-digit codes. No code? Run the remote's built-in code search. Find your maker below, or use the finder.
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. If a code from one list fails on your remote, the list version is the usual reason: see how the versions differ.
Direct code entry (GE, Philips US, UltraPro)
Step 1 of 6, GE CL5
- Depending on the model, the red light is a small light at the top of the remote or the power button itself.
Test before you keep a code. Some codes control only a few of a device's functions. Jasco recommends trying the other listed codes to find one that controls more before you settle on one.
If no listed code works: Automatic code search
- Manually turn on the device you want to control.
- Press and hold SETUP until the red light turns on, then release it. The red light stays on.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Test the buttons. If they don't operate the device, run the search again to find another code.
Start over: factory reset
- Press and hold SETUP until the red light stays on, then release it.
- Press and release MUTE.
- Press and release 0 (zero). The red light blinks twice, and the remote returns to its factory settings.
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
- Manually turn on the device you want to control.
- Press and hold SETUP until the red light turns on, then release it. The red light stays on.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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)
- Press and hold the device key for about 2 seconds, until the indicator lights and stays on. Release it.
- 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.
- Manually turn on the device.
- Press and hold the same device key for about 2 seconds until the indicator lights, then release it.
- 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 owner's manual (RCRPST06GBE1) describes two searches, Auto Code Search: Top Brands and Auto Code Search: All Brands. The R3F802 manual (RCR313BE) offers a Brand Code Search, an Auto Code Search and a Manual Code Search. Direct-entry steps for R271U1, R341U1 and R3F802, and RCA's setup videos for every other revision, 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.
- Press and hold SETUP until the red light stays on, then release it.
- Press and release MUTE.
- 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.
Remote lost, broken or still not working after a reset? See universal remotes on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, Universal Remote Codes earns from qualifying purchases. This is an affiliate link, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure
Quick answers
How do I program a universal remote?
On a GE, UltraPro or Jasco-made Philips remote, hold SETUP until the red light turns on, press the device button (TV, CBL, DVD or AUD), type the first 4-digit code for your brand, then test the buttons and try the next code if some do not work. Current RCA remotes use the device key and 5-digit codes instead.
How do I program a universal remote without a code?
Run the remote's built-in code search. On GE, UltraPro and Jasco-made Philips remotes, Automatic Code Search sends 10 codes each time you press POWER until the device turns off. RCA R271U1 and R271U2 remotes have All Brand Code Search, which sends a new code every 2 seconds until the device turns off and you press STOP.
How do I reset a universal remote?
On GE and Jasco-made Philips remotes, hold SETUP until the red light stays on, press MUTE, then press 0. The red light blinks twice and the remote returns to its factory settings. Roku TV replacement remotes (GE and Philips models 66814, SRP6220R/27 and SRP6120R/27) use a different reset: hold SETUP until the light stays on, then press REWIND four times.
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 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
Programming an Xfinity remote instead? See Xfinity remote codes.
Sources
- Jasco universal remote code lists, CL3 to CL6, Jasco Products, maker of GE, UltraPro and many Philips universal remotes. Checked September 24, 2026. Used for: Every GE, Philips and UltraPro code on this site, the battery-compartment label instructions and the direct code entry steps.
- Auto Code Search, Jasco Products. Checked September 24, 2026. Used for: Automatic code search steps (batches of 10 codes, VOL up and VOL down to step through a batch).
- Universal Remotes FAQ, Jasco Products. Checked September 24, 2026. Used for: Troubleshooting answers (batteries, partial codes, channels, shift mode, RF streaming sticks, code saver) and the factory reset sequence.
- RCR504BE owner's manual (revision R271U1 per its code list), RCA remotes support (Jem Accessories). Checked September 24, 2026. Used for: Direct code entry and All Brand Code Search steps for R271U1 remotes, and SHIFT mode.
- RCRPST06GBE1 owner's manual (revision R341U1), RCA remotes support (Jem Accessories). Checked October 17, 2026. Used for: The two code searches an R341U1 remote offers when your brand isn't listed: Auto Code Search: Top Brands and Auto Code Search: All Brands.
- How to program your remote control, RCA remotes support (Jem Accessories). Checked September 24, 2026. Used for: RCA's lookup order (revision number first), the note that more than one code may work, and the split of setup videos into R271U1/R271U2 and all other revisions.
- Setup Videos, RCA remotes support (Jem Accessories). Checked September 24, 2026. Used for: RCA's own programming videos, linked for revisions whose written steps we haven't found.