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Try the buttons on the TV first. They may be under the logo, along an edge, or on the back. If that does not work, use the TV maker’s app if the set is already connected to Wi-Fi, or try a connected Roku or Fire TV remote if HDMI-CEC is enabled. If you use a soundbar or receiver, its volume—not the TV’s—may be what you need to change.
1. Look for volume controls on the TV
Many TVs have physical controls, but their location and functions vary by model. Check beneath the center logo or lower bezel, along the lower-left or lower-right edge, and on the back panel. Older sets may hide controls behind a small flap.
- Separate + and − buttons: Press + to raise the volume.
- Rocker: Press the end marked +. The orientation depends on where the rocker is mounted.
- Joystick: A single button may move in several directions or open an on-screen menu. Try a brief press or movement, then check the screen; the controls are model-specific.
- Menu button: If the TV opens a menu, look for Sound or Audio and use the controls to navigate if possible.
Avoid holding the power button while experimenting: depending on the model, it may switch the TV off, open a menu, or perform another function. Some TVs provide volume, power, and input controls but not full navigation. Sony, for example, notes that HOME and arrow controls may be available only on the supplied remote for some models. Sony’s guide to operating a TV with its buttons explains that available controls differ by model.
2. Use your phone if the TV is already on the network
An official TV or streaming-device app can work as a remote, but it usually needs a compatible TV and a working local connection. In most cases, the phone and TV or streaming device must be on the same Wi-Fi network. If the TV is offline, on a different network, or waiting for first-time setup, the app may not find it.
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Samsung: SmartThings
- Open SmartThings and sign in to a Samsung account.
- Tap Add device, choose TV, then Samsung.
- Select the TV when it appears. Enter a PIN or confirm pairing on the TV if prompted.
- Open the TV in the app, choose its remote controls, and tap volume up.
SmartThings can offer volume, mute, channel, input, Home, Back, and Guide controls, although the available options vary by device. Samsung’s setup information says a Samsung account is required for network-based smart services. See Samsung’s SmartThings TV setup and its overview of TV remote controls.
LG: ThinQ
- Open LG ThinQ and sign in.
- Tap Add a Device, choose TV, then select your TV from the list.
- Complete any pairing prompt, open the TV in the app, and use the volume control.
ThinQ can also provide controls such as inputs, navigation, and pointer movement on supported TVs. LG says webOS 3.5 and later models can be turned on or off through ThinQ, subject to model and connection conditions. On webOS 6.0, mobile wake-up must be enabled at All Settings → Devices → External Devices → TV On With Mobile. Setup details—including Wi-Fi band requirements—can depend on model and phone. Check LG’s ThinQ setup instructions.
Sony: Google TV or BRAVIA Connect
For supported Sony TVs, the Google TV app or Sony | BRAVIA Connect may offer a phone remote with volume and other controls. Install the applicable app, connect the phone and TV to the same Wi-Fi network, select the TV, and enter the pairing code shown on the screen if asked. App availability and setup vary by model, operating system, country, and whether the TV is already connected. See Sony’s phone-control guidance; do not assume every model can be paired from scratch without its remote.
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Roku TV or Roku player
The Roku mobile app can act as a remote for a compatible Roku TV or player. Install it, connect your phone to the same local network as the Roku, select the device, and open the remote. If the Roku has not joined Wi-Fi—or it needs the lost remote to reconnect after a router change—the app generally cannot discover it. See Roku’s phone remote instructions.
If an app cannot find the TV: Confirm the TV is on, the phone and TV are on the same non-guest local network, and the TV is compatible. A TV that is off with network wake-up disabled, offline, or not yet paired may not respond. Casting a video from a phone is not the same thing as pairing a remote app.
3. Try a Roku or Fire TV remote over HDMI-CEC
HDMI-CEC lets compatible devices send basic commands—often including volume and power—through an HDMI connection. The TV, connected device, and remote must support the needed function; CEC must be enabled, and some remotes also need TV-control setup. Manufacturers use different names for CEC:
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| TV brand | CEC name |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Anynet+ |
| LG | SIMPLINK |
| Sony | BRAVIA Sync |
| Roku TV | Control other devices (CEC) |
| Philips | EasyLink |
| Panasonic | VIERA Link / HDAVI Control |
| Sharp | AQUOS Link |
| Toshiba | CE-Link / Regza Link |
| Vizio | CEC |
Menu labels vary by model, region, and software. Examples include Samsung Settings → System → Expert Settings → Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) or Settings → General → External Device Manager; LG Settings → All Settings → General → SIMPLINK (HDMI-CEC); Sony Home → Settings → Watching TV → External Inputs → BRAVIA Sync settings; and Roku TV Home → Settings → System → Control other devices (CEC). Roku’s HDMI settings guide explains CEC and lists brand names, while noting that it does not control every function on every device.
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If your Roku remote supports TV controls, use the Roku interface to configure it: press Home, go to Settings → Remotes & devices → Remotes, select the voice remote, and choose Set up remote for TV control. Follow the on-screen tests. Some TVs work with volume control but not power control; CEC may need to be enabled. Not every Roku remote has voice or hands-free features. See Roku’s TV-control setup instructions.
Fire TV remote
On supported setups, a Fire TV remote can control basic TV functions such as volume and power. Enable CEC on the TV, then on Fire TV go to Settings → Equipment Control → Add Equipment and follow the detection and remote-test prompts. Samsung documents Fire Stick remote control with Anynet+ on supported Samsung TVs; that does not guarantee compatibility with every TV or remote. See Samsung’s guidance on third-party device remotes.
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- 【Intelligent Voice Control】Simply pair the remote with your TV to activate seamless Bluetooth voice control. The advanced chip ensures fast, accurate voice recognition from up to 40 feet away, allowing you to search, launch apps, and control playback with ease from almost any angle.
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Apple TV remotes may control compatible TVs or receivers through CEC, but support depends on the devices and setup. A PlayStation or Xbox controller navigating a streaming interface does not necessarily control TV volume. In particular, Samsung says a Nintendo Switch cannot control the TV’s functions. Distinguish remote control of an app or streaming menu from control of the audio you hear.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.4. Check whether the sound comes from a soundbar or receiver
If the TV sends audio to a soundbar, AV receiver, Bluetooth speaker, optical device, or headphones, its own volume buttons may not change the audible level. Try the external device’s physical volume buttons, front panel, or official app. A streaming remote may also control it if the remote, TV, and audio device are configured for that purpose.
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5. Use voice control only if it is already set up
If the TV or connected device has a configured assistant, try “Turn up the volume” or “Set the TV volume to 20.” Supported Samsung setups may use Bixby or Alexa; other systems may use Google Assistant or a Roku voice remote. This is not a dependable first-time setup shortcut: the assistant may be offline, disabled, or controlling the streaming device rather than the TV, and an unintegrated soundbar may remain unaffected. Samsung describes supported assistant options in its voice-assistant guidance.
6. If the TV is not connected to Wi-Fi
- Try the TV’s physical controls.
- If the TV supports it, connect Ethernet temporarily and see whether the official app can discover it.
- Try a connected streaming device’s remote through CEC.
- Borrow a compatible remote or get a replacement so you can configure the network and pair the app.
A phone app is not a universal substitute for an unconfigured remote: it needs a supported way to communicate with the TV. Some Android phones have an infrared emitter, but many do not; iPhones are not general-purpose IR remotes without additional hardware. Official manufacturer apps are the safer first choice. Avoid assuming a third-party app will work: IR hardware, compatibility, ads, subscriptions, and privacy practices vary.
7. When buttons and apps are not enough
If the TV is stuck on an initial setup screen, its physical controls may offer only power, input, volume, or channel changes—not the arrows, Home, or OK needed to finish setup. Find the exact model number on the rear label or in any visible settings screen, then download its manual from the manufacturer. Borrow or buy a compatible replacement remote; for a newer TV that uses Bluetooth pairing, voice, or pointer features, an OEM remote is often the best fit. For a basic or older TV, a universal infrared remote can be practical, but check brand and model support, required codes, line-of-sight, and whether it can control the audio device too. Do not assume one remote works with every TV or that an arbitrary code will unlock smart features.
Quick Recap
Quick choice guide
| Your situation | Try this first |
|---|---|
| TV is on and has physical controls | Use the TV’s volume buttons or joystick. |
| Samsung TV is already on Wi-Fi | Pair or open SmartThings. |
| LG TV is networked | Use LG ThinQ. |
| Sony Google TV is networked | Try Google TV or supported BRAVIA Connect controls. |
| Roku TV/player is on the local network | Use the Roku app. |
| Roku or Fire TV is connected over HDMI | Try its remote with CEC enabled and TV control configured. |
| You hear sound through a soundbar or receiver | Use that device’s controls, app, or compatible CEC setup. |
| TV is offline, in setup, or non-smart | Use physical controls, borrow a remote, or get an appropriate replacement. |
Quick troubleshooting
- The app cannot find the TV: Check that both are on the same local network, not an isolated guest network, and that the TV is on and compatible.
- The app finds it but volume has no effect: Check whether audio is routed to a soundbar or receiver.
- Roku navigates menus but will not change volume: Complete TV-control setup and check CEC and compatibility.
- Fire TV controls power but not volume: Repeat Equipment Control setup and review the TV’s CEC and audio-device configuration.
- TV buttons only power the set: The model may not expose volume controls there, or volume may require menu navigation.
- CEC is intermittent: Check that it is enabled on both devices, restart the TV and connected device, then try another HDMI port or cable.
- Volume number changes but loudness does not: Confirm which device the command is controlling and where the TV sends audio.
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