FIXED: Sonos Playbar Remote Pairing with TCL TV remote – What Actually Worked

TCL says no way to get IR learning systems to learn from a TCL IR signal:


We would like to clarify that the only way to control external devices via TCL TVs is through HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control). Our TCL remote does not support learning or pairing IR commands to external devices, except for select cable box providers that are officially supported.

As a result, the TCL remote cannot be used to directly control other devices via IR learning systems, and volume or other IR commands may not be compatible with third-party IR learning systems.

We hope this clarifies the limitations of TCL remote functionality. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

But it’s Sonos that is ‘learning’ the IR codes, not the TCL remote. There is no ‘standard’ IR code that Sonos uses. 

I’m not sure those responding to you understand the issue properly. All you should be asking is how to turn on IR on the remote, not how to set codes. Once the IR has been turned on, you would follow the procedures by Sonos to ‘learn’ the codes sent by the TCL remote. 

Usually, you can configure a TV or cable box remote to send IR commands to an arbitrary model XYZ home theater system, then train the SONOS unit to use those Volume IR commands.

Ahh, I’ve tried that. I set the TV to IR only. Set the Sonos to learn the IR code (and my Harmony Smart Control hub too) - the only way it registers if you button mash the vol up/down command, which (a) doesnt actually work and (b) leads me to believe the command is in a non-std format.

As long as your TV remote and the Logitech remote are using the same format IR ‘code’, then Sonos can’t tell what device is generating the code. It’s just looking for whatever code it is told matches what is sent. 

I’ve never heard of a ‘non-standard’ IR code, but I suppose such a thing is a possibility, but I’d likely want to call Sonos Support to discuss it.

Having the same issue with a 2025 TCL Google TV (65Q77K). After talking with Sonos customer support, buying a new universal IR remote, and talking with Sonos again, all I got was that this is a known issue with new TCL Google TVs and there is no fix yet. 

Still in the window to return my tv and wondering if it’s worth replacing with a LG UA7700. This is strike 20 in a long list of things going wrong buying all new tech for an old house. 

Are they saying no TCL TV can pair IR commands to external devices or control other devices via IR learning systems? Or the TCL remote can not do that? Because I tried everything with a separate new universal remote and it still didn’t work (not even button smashing like its super smash bros worked). What does the TV have to do with our problem anyway? Point IR remote at tv connected to speaker via optical and it does what you want. How every tv/soundbar with optical has worked since I knew what a soundbar was. 

I suspect the IR codes being sent from remote are non-standard (maybe 2 codes sent serially).

I got it to work by setting my Harmony Smart Control to specifically control the Playbase when volume buttons are pressed, bypassing any TCL control.

Thanks for saving me the hassle of contacting Sonos support. TCL just responded to me today and said no guarantee that a Universal Remote works.

Try different dwell times as you press the remote button. A very brief press might send a different code.

This thread above says the TCL remote sends an IR Toggle Bit code which alternates the code sent on presses (and long press).

I wish TCL support knew that.

So what buttons did you keep hitting 

Not the OP but I did this, press the button you’re trying to have the Sonos ‘learn’ = VOL UP, VOL DOWN - repeatedly.

I got it to register but could not get it to actually control.

There’s a simple fix for this and it’s not the original one posted here it doesn’t work for a new C7K.

I simply replaced the out of the box remote with one of these https://www.oneforall.com/en-au/universal-remotes/urc-4922-tcl-tv-replacement-remote and then used the learning function to over-ride the volume up and down from an old sony remote and then used these new codes with the playbar.  Literally was up and working within 5 minutes.

Thanks for this solution, Nick. I also use the One For All URC4922. Learning the functions is indeed super easy. Here are the steps:1. Activate learning modePress and hold the Red + Blue buttons simultaneously until the red light behind the power button flashes twice.Enter the code 9 7 5. The red light will flash twice again.2. Transferring functionsPress the button you want to program on the URC 4922 (for example, the 'Volume Up' button). The red light will now flash quickly.Immediately afterward, press the corresponding button on the original remote control (in this example, also 'Volume Up').If the light on the URC 4922 flashes twice, the code has been successfully learned.If the light flashes once, it has failed. Try step 3 again.Repeat this for all the buttons you want to add.3. Save and exitWhen you're done with all the buttons, press and hold the OK button until the light flashes twice. The functions are now saved.

Another option for the geeky minded amongst you:

1. Use the TCL TV API to get the current TV volume level - this value is still updated with remote keypresses even when you switch off the built-in speakers
2. Use the Sonos Playbar API to set the volume level to the value you got from the TV. 

I do this using a HomeAssistant automation via the integrations for both Sonos and Android TV. It runs every time a value change on the TV volume is reported. It works incredibly well and is surprisingly responsive with little to no lag. As a bonus you can leave the remote in Bluetooth mode which I prefer to IR mode  

The downside is that you’re relying on a 3rd system as a middleman. But so far it’s the best way I’ve found to do it without using another remote. 

Man i’d love to read how you did it!

First thing you need is HomeAssistant running on your network:

https://www.home-assistant.io/getting-started/
 

Once you are running HomeAssistant, the TV should be automatically discovered and offered to you to add in the settings->devices & services. If not, it can be added manually by selecting Add Integration -> Android TV Remote and supplying the TV’s IP. See more here:

https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/androidtv_remote/
 

Your Sonos system should be auto discovered too in the same way. If not, once again add it manually with Add Integration -> Sonos. See more here:

https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/sonos/
 

With both now configured you can set up an Automation in Settings -> Automations & scenes. Here is general info on automations:

https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/automation/
Specifically, my automation is configured as follows:

alias: TV - Sonos Volume
description: ""
triggers:
  - trigger: state
    entity_id:
      - media_player.living_room_tv_3
    attribute: volume_level
conditions: []
actions:
  - action: media_player.volume_set
    metadata: {}
    data:
      volume_level: "{{ trigger.to_state.attributes.volume_level }}"
    target:
      device_id:
        - 08643b437ed928bd060a240f0a21f15d
mode: single

This is what it looks like in the GUI:

As you can see from my screenshots, it’s late and I’m doing this from my phone, so apologies if the instructions are not super clear. 😅

Hope this helps!

Wow, that’s a great work around.

I’m just asking myself why TCL would feel the need to use a rolling ir code for a TV. What benefit would this bring?

yeah, this is going on my to-try list!