How to reprogram your DIRECTV remote control

Learn how to connect your DIRECTV remote to TV.

Choose the remote you have at your home:
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Genie (DIRECTV)
Program your Genie remote control
Learn how to program your Genie remote to control an HDTV and audio devices such as a soundbar.
Not your remote?

Program Genie remote for HDTV and other devices


Below is the most common way to program a Genie remote. If these steps don’t work for you, follow the next set of steps to program a remote manually.

  1. Point the remote at your Genie HD DVR, Genie Mini, or Wireless Genie Mini.
  2. Press and hold the MUTE and ENTER buttons (not the SELECT button). Stop when the green light at the top of the remote blinks twice.
  3. When the TV screen displays Applying IR/RF setup, you are in RF mode and ready to program the remote.
  4. Power on the device you want your remote to control.
  5. Press MENU on your remote.
  6. Select Settings > Remote Control > Program Remote.
  7. Select the device you wish to control with the remote.
  8. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete programming.
     
Manual Genie programming instructions for your HDTV or audio device
  1. Point the remote at your Genie HD DVR, Genie Mini, or Wireless Genie Mini.
  2. Press and hold the MUTE and SELECT buttons while continuing to point the remote at a Genie device. Stop when the green light at the top of the remote blinks twice.
  3. Use the buttons on your Genie remote to enter code 961.
  4. Press the channel up button once.
  5. Press Enter.
  6. Select OK when the TV screen displays Your Remote is now setup for RF.
  7. Power on the device you want your remote to control.
  8. Press MENU on your remote.
  9. Select Settings > Remote Control > Program Remote.
  10. Select the device you wish to control with the remote.
  11. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete programming. The directions vary for different devices.

 

Heads up: Genie Remotes work best with Genie receivers. If you are trying to program a Genie Remote to a HR2(x) model receiver, it will not work in RF mode. However if the remote is in IR mode, then it will work. IR needs clear line of sight.
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Universal
Program your Universal remote control
Learn how to set up a Universal remote to control your devices and change the input source.
Not your remote?

Program a Universal remote and change the input source

The Universal remote can control up to four devices. These include TVs, sound systems, game consoles or DVD players. Slide the mode switch at the top of your remote to pick the device you want to control (DIRECTV, AV1, AV2, and TV). If you can’t adjust the TV’s volume, you need to program your TV using the steps below before changing the TV’s input source.

Heads up: Universal remote model number must end in R or RX for it to be RF capable and to pair in RF mode with your receiver. The Universal remote will work with Genie receivers in IR mode, which means it needs a clear line of sight with the receiver.

Program Universal remote for an HD DVR or HD receiver

  1. Press MENU on your remote.
  2. Select Settings > Remote Control > Program Remote.
  3. Choose the device (TV, audio, DVD) you wish to program. If you don’t see your TV or device listed, use the code lookup tool to find the 5-digit code.
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete programming.

 

Program Universal remote for a Standard DVR or SD receiver

  1. Press MENU on your remote.
  2. Select Parental Favs & Setup > System Setup > Remote or Remote Control > Program Remote.
  3. Choose the device (TV, audio, DVD) you wish to program. If you don’t see your TV or device listed, use the code lookup tool to find the 5-digit code.
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the programming.

 

Change your TV’s input source

  1. At the top of the remote, slide the mode switch to TV.
  2. Press and hold the MUTE and SELECT buttons at the same time. Stop when the green light at the top of your remote flashes twice.
  3. Enter 960 using the keypad on the remote control. The green light should flash twice again.
  4. At the top of the remote, slide the mode switch to the DIRECTV logo.
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Gemini
Program your Gemini Voice control remote
Learn how to program your Gemini remote control.
Not your remote?
Set up your remote control based on the service you use:
DIRECTV via Satellite

Learn how to pair your Gemini remote control, control sound bars and check remote batteries.


Refreshing the connection between your remote and Gemini device fixes many common problems. First, unpair your remote from the device:

  1. Press and hold the DASH (–) and APPS buttons until you see the LED lights on the remote blink blue twice.
  2. Restart your Gemini device by pressing and releasing the red button on the side of the device. You can also unplug your device and then plug it back in.

When your Gemini device is back on, pair the remote again:

  1. Point the remote at your Gemini device.
  2. Press and hold FAST FORWARD and REWIND at the same time for 2-3 seconds. When paired, you’ll get an on-screen message that your remote is ready to use.

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Control sound bars

Program your Gemini Voice remote to control them. Here's how:

  1. Press the Home button on your Gemini Voice remote.
  2. Choose Settings and then System.
  3. Select Remote & Devices, then Program Your Remote.
  4. Choose the TV manufacturer or sound bar you want to add.
  5. Follow the prompts to complete.
Battery check

Take your batteries out for a couple of seconds, then put them back in to see if that helps. Or swap them out for a fresh set of batteries. 
DIRECTV via Internet (Gemini and Gemini Air remote)

Learn how to set up and manage your entertainment with one remote.


Pair your Gemini remote control

 

Once your DIRECTV Gemini device is set up and connected:

  1. Remove the battery tag from your Gemini remote.
  2. Follow the on-screen prompts. You’ll be asked to:
  • Pair your Gemini remote and device. Point the remote at your device and press the FAST FORWARD and REWIND buttons for 2-3 seconds at the same time. When they pair, you’ll get a message that your remote is ready to use.

If you have not connected your device, follow these instructions.

 

Use voice control on your Gemini remote

Google Assistant makes it easier than ever to watch what you want and when you want. Just press the mic button on your remote and wait for solid blue lights. Then, say what you want to do:

  • Go to a channel or show (for example, say Go to ABC).
  • Record a show (say Record Mr. Mercedes).
  • Turn closed captions on or off (say Turn on captions).
  • Watch something on Netflix (say Play Stranger Things).
  • Play music on Pandora (say Open Pandora or Play may playlist).
     
Control sound bars or TVs

Learn how to program your Gemini remote to control TV functions or any external soundbars. Follow these steps on your device:

  1. Choose Settings and then System.
  2. Select Remote & Devices, then Program Your Remote.
  3. Choose the TV manufacturer or sound bar you want to add.
  4. Follow the prompts to finish up.

 

Set up your Gemini Air remote
  1. Gently remove the slip from the Gemini Air remote control.
  2. Follow the onscreen prompts to continue setup. This includes accepting terms and conditions, remote pairing, and software updates. It can take several minutes to complete.



Key features of the Gemini Air remote control:
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  • RF mode eliminates the need for the remote and the paired devices to be in line of sight to each other.
  • The Remote Control has a directional pad. Basic operations and functions can be made by pressing the direction, then pressing ok.
  • Once paired, you can also press the Google Assistant button on to control your TV using your voice.


Gemini remote tips and tricks

Here are a few handy tips to help you get the most out of your Gemini Air remote.

  • Press and hold the OK button to activate SPORTS MODE—to access all live sporting events and up-to-the-minute stats.
  • Press FF (>>) twice to skip ahead 15 seconds.
  • Press Record (•) twice to record the series you’re currently watching. 

Choose the remote you have at your home:

  • Genie (DIRECTV)

  • Universal

  • Gemini

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