While Freeview and Freesat are excellent programs, it doesn’t exactly provide the premium TV experience. If you want to splurge on your home entertainment system, you might want to consider switching to Sky TV. After all, it has some of the best channels and shows in the UK and they are constantly creating new packages for its users.
The company has a whole family of additional devices like the Sky remote control and the Sky box.
If you are new to Sky, you can take control of your viewing experience by properly setting up your system. Once you figure out how to program your Sky remote control, why not make the most of your TV and host movie nights with family and friends!
In this article, we break down how you can set up your Sky remote with our complete guide.
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(If you are interested in our other Sky guides you can check out: Watching Sky TV From Multiple Rooms: A Guide)
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Different Sky Remotes
Over the years Sky TV released several versions of the Sky remote. They have one for Sky TV, Sky+, and Sky Q. For Sky TV and Sky+, you should have no problem switching between the two remotes.
The main difference between the two is purely aesthetics, though users have mentioned that it is easier to change the batteries on the Sky TV remote than Sky+. The Sky box isn’t too picky, but you may need to toggle around the settings if you want to use your Sky remote for your HD box.
With the recent addition of Sky Q, they expanded their remote control options. Some of the highlights of these new remotes are voice control, touch feature, and Find My Remote. There are 3 stand-out models. The first kind is similar to the traditional Sky remote control. It has the usual buttons and features. Unlike the regular Sky remote, this one has a voice control option.
The second is the Sky Q Touch remote. Just like its name, it has a touch-feature so you can swipe and scroll through your channels. People have mixed feelings about the touch remote because of its sensitivity. When you accidentally tap or swipe, it can affect your viewing experience. If you don’t have young children at home, it is very easy to use. Among all the Sky remotes, this one really grows on you.
Interested in switching to Sky Q? Check out our Complete Guide to Your Sky Q Installation.
And the third model is a combination of the two. It has the same style and design as the touch remote, but instead of its touch feature, you get the usual buttons. Now that you know the different remote options for Sky, let’s go through the step-by-step process of pairing them with your TV.
How To Connect Your Sky Remote To Your TV
When you are connecting a new Sky remote to your TV, your old Sky handbook can come in handy for the digit codes. However, if you already chucked it in the bin, here is how you can connect your Sky remote to your TV:
Identify Your Model
The first step is identifying the model of your Sky remote and your TV since this can affect the codes you can use. You can identify your model by looking inside your battery cover. Then get the brand and model of your TV. Figuring out the brand is a no-brainer, but the model can be tricky. You can check your TV manual, box, or purchase receipt to find out. With all this information you can find your 3 or 4-digit codes for Sky remote here.
Program Your Remote With A Code
Have your 4-digit code for the Sky remote in front of you to get started. It is a simple process that only takes 3 steps when you know your code.
- Press the TV on your Sky Remote.
- Press Select and the Red button at the same time until the red light on your remote blinks twice.
- Input your 4-digit code and press Select.
Having problems with your sky remote control? If you are sure about your 4-digit code, simply try again. Sometimes it takes a while until your TV can properly save it. If you do not know your exact code, try every 4-digit code listed for your TV brand until you find the right one.
If you have exhausted both methods, but your sky remote control does not pair, maybe it isn’t a 4–digit code. If you have a second-hand Sky remote, it probably is a 3–digit code because it is an older model.
The instructions are the same, press TV, press select and the red button until it blinks twice, then input your code. When you can control the volume, you successfully set up your sky remote control!
How To Connect Your Sky Q Remote To Your TV
If you are connecting a new Sky Q or Sky Q Accessibility remote to your Sky box, here are the following steps:
- Press the Home button on your Sky Q remote.
- Select Settings > Setup > then Remote Control
- Select the Remote you are using
- Then select Control Your TV, then Find It For Me
- From there select your TV brand among the options
- Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 for 2 seconds and enter the code on your screen.
You can see if you successfully paired your Sky Q remote control by changing the volume or flipping through the channels. If it doesn’t work, you simply have to try again.
In the worst-case scenario, set it back to its factory default setting by pressing 7 and 9 together until your remote’s red light flashes 4 times. When you reset your remote control, you can try again.
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How To Connect Your Sky Q Touch Remote To Your TV
If you have a Sky Q Touch Remote or a Sky Q Voice Control remote the instructions vary.
- Press and hold buttons 1 and 3 at the same time
- Select Continue and go to Brand of the TV
- Then Select Find It For Me
Again, if you cannot change the volume, follow the steps in the previous section and try again. When you can change the volume, answer the final question. If you have a speaker system, there are more instructions you have to follow to program your Sky. If you don’t have a Soundbox or speaker, you are good to go!
When you finish pairing your Sky Q Touch remote, you can set up the touch control
- Press the Home button
- Select Settings> Setup> then Remote Control
- Select Sky Q Touch Remote and turn Touch Control On or Off
Then that’s it! You can now swipe, scroll, and tap to control the settings of your TV like you would with your smartphone. It is a nifty feature that can make it difficult to go back to the old Sky remote. If the touch feature is not for you, then simply turn it off and use the buttons as usual.
Important Things To Note
Your Sky box can only accommodate one TV remote at a time. If you are replacing a damaged Sky remote or upgrading to a newer model, you need to unpair the previous remote control first. You can reset the factory settings of your old remote by holding 7 or 9 until the light flashes 4 times. If you damaged or misplaced your Sky remote you have to manually unpair it from your Sky box. If these steps don’t work, you can always contact Sky with your questions and concerns.
If you have a Sky Q Voice Control remote, you can only use the voice control feature when your Sky box is connected to your broadband. If you lose your broadband connection, you can no longer use Voice Control and may have to make do with the buttons instead.
And last, but definitely not the least, you can set your Sky remote to control your TV and Sky Q at the same time. You can turn both devices on and off with HDMI control. However, you need to have a compatible TV with a feature Sky calls Consumer Electronics Control (CEC), but it can go by many names. If you have a more current TV model, this should not be a problem. To program your sky remote control follow these steps:
- Press the Home button on your Sky remote control
- Select Settings> Setup
- Select Audio Visual> HDMI Control then turn it On
This feature was first introduced with Sky + as HDMI One-Touch-Play. The instructions are similar. Visit settings and set up and turn the CEC setting on, once you have it in place, press the Standby button. Keep it on Standby for 30 seconds then press the Sky button, and you can get HDMI control!
With every upgrade, your Sky remote just gets better and better. Whether you notice it or not, your Sky remote control can affect your TV experience.
If you are interested in switching to Sky, AerialForce can help you set up your satellite dish. Our professional technicians can help you get the best TV reception possible. Contact us today at 0330 173 0805 or book us online!
