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djvan_d12
Contributor I
March 17, 2020
Answered

Apple TV 5th Gen and Playbar Not Connecting or Detecting

I can’t seem to get the Sonos Playbar to detect the Apple TV 5th Generation remote in order to control the sound… What can I do to get this to work…??

 

(Note:  The exact same Playbar and Apple TV previoously worked fine together and the remote could control the sound.  I now get a new TV and can’t get it it work.  I have tried factory resets on both the Sonos Playbar and Apple TV… And everytime when trying to pair the remote with the Playbar via the Sonos App on my iPhone i get the error that nothing is dected…. One in every 5 times, it’ll tell it me notices the remote, the screen on the app will switch and say “now press the ‘+’ 3 times...”  which Ill then try long, presses, short presses, everything… and no luck…  What gives?

 

(And yes, the Remote is fully charged.)

 

If it helps, prior TV was Samsung Qled (perhaps a 2017 model), and new TV is TCL Series 6 (September 2019 model).

 

Please help!!

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Sebastien D.
Sebastien D.Answer
Sonos Staff
March 19, 2020

@djvan_d12, 

You’ll want to teach it a different remote control other than your TV for volume control. From there, you can teach that remote code to your Playbar. This way, the TV won't see the volume control commands but the Playbar will. To program your Apple TV remote, follow the steps here on your Apple TV Settings > Remotes and Devices > Volume Control. Select Learn New Device. Follow the onscreen steps to program your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote to control volume for your television.

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12 replies

Sebastien D.
Sebastien D.
Sonos Staff
March 18, 2020

Hi there,

I have suggested things that can reduce IR interference so please attempt to reduce the IR interference in your room so the remote can talk to the Playbar. Check for and eliminate potential sources of IR interference:

  • Direct sunlight
  • Fluorescent lights
  • Plasma TV's
  • For testing purposes, try paring it with other TV remote control.
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djvan_d12Author
Contributor I
March 18, 2020

No such luck or impact.  What else can I try?  

 

FYI:  Yes.. I have paired the Sonos Sounbar w/ another spare remote…  Works fine… Therefore why isn’t the soundbar picking up the signal from the Apple TV remote??  I’ve done the test to verify that the Apple TV remote is sending an IR signal (and it is… evidenced by both: this worked previously and secondly, turned on my iphone camera, and shot beamed the remote directly into the camera, to which you can then see the purpleish light)..  So it’s note a remote / apple tv thing.. Its something wtih Sonos ignoring the signal or not detecting it...

AjTrek1
AjTrek1
March 18, 2020

Hi @djvan_d12 

Go to settings in the AppleTV menu and look under “Remotes and Devices”. make sure the options are active. Let us know the outcome.

Cheers!

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
djvan_d12Author
Contributor I
March 18, 2020

Did so… Those are all setup correctly (active).  Therefore, no change, unfortunately.

AjTrek1
AjTrek1
March 18, 2020

Hi @djvan_d12 

I the AppleTV menu make sure the it’s set to “Control by IR” and not “Auto”.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.
    djvan_d12Author
    Contributor I
    March 18, 2020

    Thanks AjTrek for the attempts.. - - Unfortunately again, yes, I have already tinkered with that setting...

    Sebastien D.
    Sebastien D.Answer
    Sonos Staff
    March 19, 2020

    @djvan_d12, 

    You’ll want to teach it a different remote control other than your TV for volume control. From there, you can teach that remote code to your Playbar. This way, the TV won't see the volume control commands but the Playbar will. To program your Apple TV remote, follow the steps here on your Apple TV Settings > Remotes and Devices > Volume Control. Select Learn New Device. Follow the onscreen steps to program your Siri Remote or Apple TV Remote to control volume for your television.

    Help others find useful content by clicking the like button and selecting best answer to your question.
    djvan_d12Author
    Contributor I
    March 19, 2020

    Sebastien - - Can you clarify that a little bit further please?

    Sebastien D.
    Sebastien D.
    Sonos Staff
    March 19, 2020

    No problem, I understand it worked previously, the Apple TV remote uses HDMI-CEC technology, which allows the Apple TV to detect the television settings automatically. Apple TV cannot properly detect a Sonos home theater speaker using an optical connection. If you would like to control your Sonos Playbar with your Apple TV remote, you will need to program the Apple TV remote to control the speaker manually.

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    djvan_d12Author
    Contributor I
    March 19, 2020

    Yes -  Thank you, Sebastien.. Very clear!! I follow… But could you further clarify how I go about doing that ?  I.e., “You will need to program the Apple TV remote to control the speaker manually.”  <---- How is that accomplished?  Hoping you can clarify that part for me, please!

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