Table of Contents
- How Universal Remote Codes Work
- Samsung TV Universal Remote Codes
- LG TV Universal Remote Codes
- Sony TV Universal Remote Codes
- Vizio TV Universal Remote Codes
- TCL TV Universal Remote Codes
- More Brands: Hisense, Philips, Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba
- GE Universal Remote Codes
- How to Enter the Code on Your Remote
- What to Do When No Code Works
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Guides
A universal remote code is a short number that tells your universal remote which infrared signal set your TV brand uses. Find your TV brand in the lists below, enter the first code with the direct code entry method, and test the Power button. If the TV does not respond, try the next code for your brand — different models from the same brand often need different codes.
One remote replacing three or four originals is the whole point of a universal remote — but it only works once the remote learns to "speak" your TV's language. That language is the code. This guide gives you the most widely used codes for every major TV brand, explains why there are 3-digit, 4-digit, and 5-digit versions, and shows you exactly how to enter them. Every code below is drawn from published code lists and manufacturer support pages, not guessed.
How Universal Remote Codes Work
Every TV brand controls its sets with a specific set of infrared commands. A universal remote stores hundreds of these command sets in its memory, and the code you enter simply selects the right one. That is why the code depends on two things: your TV brand and your remote brand and model.
Codes come in different lengths. Older and simpler remotes use 3-digit codes, most mid-range remotes use 4-digit codes, and newer remotes — including most RCA, Philips, and One For All models sold today — use 5-digit codes. Check your remote's manual or the sticker inside the battery compartment to see which length yours needs. A 5-digit code will never work on a remote that expects 4 digits, so matching the length is the first step.
It is completely normal for one brand to have many codes. Samsung TVs, for example, have used several different infrared code sets over the years, so a 2015 Samsung and a 2023 Samsung may need different codes even with the same remote. Always start with the first code listed for your brand and work down the list — the first code is usually the one that fits the most models.
One more thing to know: some remote brands number their codes differently. GE universal remotes, for instance, use their own code list versions (labeled CL3, CL4, CL5, and CL6), so a GE code for Samsung looks nothing like an RCA code for Samsung. That is why this guide has a separate GE section — using the wrong remote brand's list is the most common reason codes "don't work."
Samsung TV Universal Remote Codes
Samsung is the most-searched brand for universal remote codes, and it has one of the longest code lists because Samsung has used several infrared protocols across its model years. Try them in order.
| Code Length | Samsung TV Codes (try in order) |
|---|---|
| 5-digit | 10812, 10060, 10702, 10178, 10030, 10766 |
| 4-digit | 0812, 0060, 0702, 0178, 0030 |
| 3-digit | 812, 060, 702, 178, 030 |
Code 10812 is the single most successful Samsung code across RCA, Philips, and Insignia remotes — start there. If your Samsung is a very new model and none of the 5-digit codes respond, use your remote's automatic code search instead of guessing further; the correct set is in the remote's memory even when it is not on the printed list.
LG TV Universal Remote Codes
| Code Length | LG TV Codes (try in order) |
|---|---|
| 5-digit | 11423, 10178, 11265, 10856, 10700 |
| 4-digit | 1423, 0178, 1265, 0856, 0700 |
| 3-digit | 423, 178, 265, 856, 700 |
LG's 11423 covers the widest range of LG LED and OLED models on 5-digit remotes. Note that LG's Magic Remote and newer webOS voice features will not transfer to a basic universal remote — you will get power, volume, channels, input, and menu, which covers daily use.
Sony TV Universal Remote Codes
| Code Length | Sony TV Codes (try in order) |
|---|---|
| 5-digit | 10000, 10810, 10834, 11100, 11317 |
| 4-digit | 0000, 0810, 0834, 1100, 1317 |
| 3-digit | 000, 810, 834, 100, 317 |
Sony has kept its infrared protocol remarkably consistent, which is why the classic 10000 works on an enormous range of Sony TVs, old and new. Sony Android TV and Google TV models pair fine for basic functions; smart-home and voice buttons stay exclusive to the original remote.
Vizio TV Universal Remote Codes
| Code Length | Vizio TV Codes (try in order) |
|---|---|
| 5-digit | 11758, 11756, 10864, 10885, 11499 |
| 4-digit | 1758, 1756, 0864, 0885, 1499 |
| 3-digit | 758, 756, 864, 885, 499 |
Vizio also publishes its own official list for universal remotes: 5-digit codes 10178, 10117, 11756, 01377, 10885, 10864, and 10120, plus 4-digit codes 1758, 0178, 1756, 0128, 0117, 1017, 1078, 0030, 0056, 0205, 1292, and 1004. If the common codes above fail, work through Vizio's official 4-digit list — one of them almost always matches. The same codes cover onn. TVs powered by Vizio.
TCL TV Universal Remote Codes
| Code Length | TCL TV Codes (try in order) |
|---|---|
| 5-digit | 11756, 12434, 12049, 11602, 12187 |
TCL needs a special note: many TCL TVs are Roku TVs, and Roku TV models sometimes need different codes than standard TCL Android/Google TV models. If 11756 does not work on your TCL Roku TV, run the automatic code search on your remote rather than guessing — it will find the Roku-specific set. The same applies to Hisense Roku TVs and onn. Roku TVs below.
More Brands: Hisense, Philips, Panasonic, Sharp, Toshiba
| TV Brand | 5-Digit Codes (try in order) |
|---|---|
| Hisense | 10748, 11660, 12183, 10145, 12355 |
| Philips | 10054, 11454, 10171, 10690, 11154 |
| Panasonic | 10051, 10250, 11291, 10375, 11310 |
| Sharp | 10093, 10165, 10386, 11602, 12360 |
| Toshiba | 10154, 10156, 11265, 10060, 11156 |
| RCA (4-digit) | 0047, 1047, 1147, 1247, 0051 |
| Insignia (3-digit) | 171, 095, 002, 209, 456 |
For older or less common brands — Sanyo, Magnavox, JVC, Emerson, Westinghouse — the printed code list that came with your remote is the best source, since these brands reused several different infrared sets. When the brand is not listed at all, skip straight to the automatic code search method; it tests every set in the remote's memory without you needing the number.
GE Universal Remote Codes
GE (Jasco) universal remotes use their own numbering, which changes between code list versions labeled CL3, CL4, CL5, and CL6. Check the version on the sticker inside the battery compartment or in your manual, and use the official GE code lookup for your exact version when possible. As a starting point, these are the most commonly published GE codes:
| TV Brand | GE Remote Codes |
|---|---|
| Samsung | 0105, 0077, 0085 |
| LG | 0004, 0050, 0338 |
| Sony | 0128, 0013, 0071 |
| Vizio | 1758, 1756 |
| TCL | 2434, 3183 |
| Hisense | 3519, 3537 |
| Philips | 0081, 0062 |
| Panasonic | 0171, 0148 |
| Sharp | 0093, 0165 |
| RCA | 0047, 1147 |
Do not mix GE codes into an RCA or Philips remote — the numbering systems are incompatible, and entering a GE code on an RCA remote will simply fail. Match the code list to the brand printed on your remote, not the brand on your TV.
How to Enter the Code on Your Remote
Once you have the right code, programming takes under a minute. The exact button names vary slightly by remote brand, but the direct code entry sequence is nearly universal:
Turn on the TV using its own power button. Press and hold the Setup button (on some remotes it is labeled Code Search) until the indicator light turns on and stays lit, then release it. Press the TV device button once — the light blinks and stays on. Enter the code on the number pad; the light turns off after the last digit. Now point the remote at the TV and press Power. If the TV turns off, the code worked. Turn it back on and test volume and channel buttons to confirm everything responds.
If the indicator blinks twice or the TV ignores the Power press, that code did not match — repeat the same steps with the next code for your brand. For the full walkthrough of every programming method, including automatic code search for when you cannot find a code, see our companion guide on programming a universal remote.
What to Do When No Code Works
Before assuming the remote is faulty, work through these checks in order. In repair shops, nine out of ten "dead" universal remotes turn out to be one of these simple issues.
Confirm the code length. A 5-digit remote rejects 4-digit codes and vice versa. Re-check the manual or the battery-compartment sticker for the length your model expects.
Use fresh batteries. Weak batteries are the number one cause of programming failures. The remote may light up yet still lack the power to send a clean infrared signal. Put in brand-new alkalines before you try again.
Check the device button. Many remotes have separate TV, DVD, AUX, and streaming buttons, and the code only applies to the button you pressed during setup. If you programmed under AUX by mistake, the TV button still holds the old (or empty) setting.
Clear the line of sight. Infrared needs a clear path. Soundbars, decorations, or even bright sunlight falling directly on the TV's sensor can block or confuse the signal. Point the remote directly at the TV's infrared receiver, usually near the bottom edge or the power LED.
Try the automatic code search. If no printed code works, let the remote find the set itself by cycling through its entire memory. It takes a few minutes but succeeds where lists fail, especially with off-brand and very new TVs.
Accept partial compatibility. Some TVs — particularly certain smart TV platforms — only respond to basic functions (power, volume, input) from universal remotes. App shortcut buttons, voice control, and pointer features are often impossible to duplicate. If power and volume work but Netflix buttons do not, that is a limitation of the technology, not a fault.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the universal remote code for Samsung TV?
The most successful 5-digit Samsung codes are 10812, 10060, 10702, 10178, 10030, and 10766. Start with 10812. For 4-digit remotes use 0812, 0060, 0702, 0178, or 0030. If none respond, use the automatic code search method.
Are universal remote codes the same for all remotes?
No. Codes are specific to the remote brand's numbering system. An RCA code will not work on a GE remote and vice versa. Always use the code list that matches the brand printed on your remote, and check whether your model needs 3, 4, or 5-digit codes.
How do I find the code if my TV brand is not listed?
Use the automatic code search: the remote cycles through every code in its memory until the TV responds. This works for off-brand, very old, and very new TVs that never made it onto printed lists.
Why does the power button work but volume does not?
You found a partially compatible code — it matches the power command set but not the full set for your model. Try the next code for your brand; a fuller match usually appears within two or three tries.
Can one universal remote control my TV and soundbar?
Yes. Program the TV under the TV device button and the soundbar under the AUX or Audio button using each device's own code. Vizio soundbars, for example, use 4-digit code 1517 or 5-digit code 31517.
Do universal remotes work with Fire Stick and Roku?
Only partly. Basic infrared universal remotes can control TVs, but Fire Stick and Roku remotes use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, not infrared — so a standard universal remote cannot pair with the stick itself. It can still control your TV's power, volume, and input while you use the stick's own remote for streaming.
Related Guides
How to Program a Universal Remote — All Methods Explained
TV Remote Not Working? 12 Fixes That Actually Work
How to Control Your TV With Your Phone — Remote Apps
How to Connect a Soundbar to TV — HDMI ARC, Optical, Bluetooth
Samsung TV Remote Not Working — Fix Guide
About the Author — IW Official
A hands-on TV repair technician with years of experience fixing LED, LCD and Smart TVs. Runs a YouTube channel sharing practical, step-by-step TV repair videos, and writes in-depth troubleshooting guides so you can fix it yourself.
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