It happens to most of us at some point – reaching for the television remote only to realize it‘s nowhere to be found! With nearly all smart TV functionality dependant on that tiny plastic controller, not having it can render even the most high-tech new Samsung set much less enjoyable to use.
But before searching couch cushions in a panic, know this – your Samsung TV has built-in manual control buttons allowing you to turn it on, navigate menus, and access apps should your remote disappear. While limited compared to the remote, they do enable basic function. Or for fuller hands-free control, a free app can turn your smartphone into a remote in seconds!
This guide will show you how to locater and use your Samsung TV‘s manual buttons for essential control when needed:
You‘ll Learn:
- Where to find the hidden tactile control buttons
- How to power on your TV using just the buttons
- What each manual button on your Samsung TV does
- Tips for navigating menus and channels without the remote
- How to install a mobile app remote for extra functionality
So the next time your fancy voice-controlled remote runs off hiding somewhere (why do they always sneak under couch cushions?), use these backup methods to keep enjoying your Samsung TV uninterrupted!
The Complexity of Modern TV Remotes
Today‘s smart televisions have evolved far beyond earlier sets, integrating cutting-edge display technology, computer processors enabling built-in apps and streaming platforms, video calling capabilities, voice assistants with AI recognition, and much more.
With great innovation comes great complexity – the number of buttons on remotes has exponentially grown accordingly over the years to control these advanced features. The average remote has over 50 buttons now!
And that leads to a problem when the remote inevitably goes missing somewhere in your home. You‘re left unable to access most of your TV‘s formidable functions without that little plastic rectangle.
Industry reports indicate over 125 million TV households have sought a replacement for lost remotes in the past 5 years. That‘s reflected in stats showing "TV remote" is a hugely popular search term as well.
Manufacturers like Samsung have taken notice and equipped modern television sets with backup manual control systems for basic operation during remote-less situations.
Let‘s look at what exactly these backup control options on Samsung TVs entail…
Locating the Hidden Tactile Control Buttons
While prominently featured on their remotes, the Samsung logo is also subtly integrated on the front lower bezel of their television displays themselves. What even devoted Samsung TV owners may not realize is that handy manual control buttons are actually tucked away just under the logo!
These buttons remain invisible during normal viewing, avoiding any aesthetic cluttering to the minimalist contemporary TV design. But they conveniently reside centered right below the screen‘s lower edge, easy to access when needed.
Here‘s where to find the manual buttons on Samsung Smart TV models:
Newer Sets
The latest 2022 Samsung Neo QLEDs, QLEDs, standard UHDs, and display-only models feature a recessed compartment under the logo along the backside‘s bottom frame edge. Sliding your fingers down the center of the TV‘s rear base, you‘ll feel small tactile bumps. These are the built-in manual control buttons!
Older Sets
On older Samsung TVs like 2017-2021 QLEDs or 2018-2021 NU/RU series, the buttons relocated to along the set‘s bottom edge. Feel along the trim below left/right corners or on the back‘s edge to locate them.
<Insert comparison photo/chart showing evolution of Samsung TV manual button placements over the years>
Once found, taking note of the button‘s layout order in the compartment from left to right allows easily remembering their functions when pressed.
Now let‘s look at using the most vital button – the power switch to turn on your Samsung TV!
Using the Power Button to Turn On Without a Remote
With the Samsung logo serving as your guiding marker, locate the tactile control buttons on your specific television model as shown above.
The button second from left will be the power switch on most models. Pressing this briefly while on puts the TV in standby sleep mode.
But when fully powered off, pressing and continually holding the button down for 8-10 seconds turns the TV out of standby and fully back on!
You‘ll first see a boot splash screen before the smart hub home area loads – so don‘t stop holding the power switch too quickly or it will just enter the standby/sleep mode.
Think of this as working similar to holding a phone or tablet‘s power button to boot up from being switched off.
With the Samsung logo‘s placement in the center lower screen on all models, the manual buttons really do reside in an easy to access spot when you know where to feel for them!
Decoding What Each Samsung TV Manual Control Button Does
Besides the vital power function, what else can you control on your Samsung TV using the built-in tactile buttons?
Many models feature 3-5 total buttons enabling core television operation. Functions include:
Volume Increase/Decrease – Control sound levels up or down
Channel Up/Down – Change the broadcast channel up or down
Input Source – Switch between input sources like HDMI devices or antenna
Menu Access – Open the Smart Hub settings menu
Directional Controls – Navigating menu selections (on some models)
So while limited compared to advanced remote capabilities, Samsung‘s manual buttons truly provide backup ways to run essential TV capabilities if ever needed in a pinch.
Think of them working similar to monitor controls without the full computer peripherals. But accessing inputs, sound levels, channel changing, settings menus, and navigating UI selections still proves useful despite no remote!
Now let‘s look at some proven techniques for getting the most from these manual controls when operating your Samsung TV in remote-less situations:
Navigating Menus and Apps Without That Remote
Since smart televisions have become complex, multifunctional platforms like computers, you access features and settings by navigating onscreen menus and apps.
Without a remote, scrolling through long lists or selecting precise menu options is tedious using only basic tactile buttons. But thankfully Samsung still enables accessing common critical functions this way when needed:
Changing Channels – Use the Channel Up/Down buttons to slowly step through channels one by one
Adjusting Volume – The Volume Up/Down buttons allow easily increasing or lowering sound levels
Accessing Inputs – Switch HDMI ports or antenna sources using the Input button
Opening Settings Menus – Find the Menu/Smart Hub button to open settings and features
Once into the Smart Hub, use directional buttons to slowly move the highlight cursor to the desired submenu, app, or setting you wish to adjust. Then press the central Select button to open that item.
It‘s a slower process than the speedy navigation afforded by a modern remote. But this backup method does work surprisingly well with some practice locating the desired menu selections.
Think of it like learning to touch type on an old phone keypad – slow at first but muscle memory builds enabling entering texts without looking. Mastering the manual buttons works similarly!
Now let‘s examine how installing a free app provides expanded remote control abilities exceeding the limited built-in buttons…
Use Your Smartphone as Impromptu Samsung TV Remote
While Samsung‘s tactile buttons enable turning on displays and accessing primary settings when needed, even users comfortable utilizing them miss the speed and versatility of full-featured remotes.
The small onscreen cursors and keyboard slowdown navigating the deeper capabilities of Smart Hub platforms. And comfort features like voice control remain unavailable without a microphone-equipped remote.
Fortunately by installing free applications on your smartphone or tablet, you can gain an impromptu touchscreen remote packed with the advanced features lacking from manual TV buttons!
For Samsung sets, the company offers their own official SmartThings app providing robust control options. Or popular third party choices like Anymote duplicate remote capabilities as well.
Both options only take moments to install from Google Play or Apple App Stores. You‘ll be prompted to select your TV model and then sync your mobile device which takes just seconds via WiFi.
Once connected, you now have a full-fledged virtual Samsung remote right on your phone or tablet!
Conveniences like touch typing, voice commands, gesture controls, keyboard input, content shortcuts, and more are just a tap away. Much easier than teaching everyone in your household to use the manual buttons efficiently!
So while the tactile controls offer a backup way to access common functions, mobile apps prove an indispensable accessory for extensive hands-free control without a physical remote. Keep this trick handy for the inevitable next time the kids misplace remotes somewhere in your home!
Now that we‘ve covered the basics of operating your Samsung TV using built-in buttons or mobile apps, you may be wondering – are there any remote functions I‘ll lose access to without the proprietary controller? Let‘s contrast what capabilities get restricted:
Functions Missing When Sans That Samsung Remote
Clearly mobile applications and physical control buttons found on Samsung TVs provide alternate ways to access volume, channels, inputs changing, settings menus, apps like Netflix or Prime Video, and more should your remote wander off somewhere.
But it is important to set accurate expectations that several key features requiring specifically designed remote hardware/integration do remain unavailable:
Voice Control – Handy assistants like Bixby respond to spoken cues for searches, switching apps, or opening shows. But there‘s no microphone in the manual tactile buttons so all voice features are inaccessible.
Specialized App Shortcuts – Dedicated quick launch buttons take you directly to apps versus drilling down menus. And pre-programmed services may be entirely unable to add.
Advanced Calibration & Settings – While essential picture and audio options are available, more advanced modes require deeper menu traversal less practical without a remote.
Additional Remote Control Devices – Syncing third-party devices like soundbars/speakers or configuring universal remotes requires native proprietary remote pairing.
Convenience Features – Eco sensor adjustment, football picture zooming modes, Bluetooth sync, finder alerts, and more specialized remote uses go unsupported.
So in most cases, while not quite as convenient as a fully-equipped remote, the manual controls and mobile apps meet many core TV operation needs. Just be aware of the above supplementary features not accessible when sans Samsung remote.
Let‘s recap the key takeaways…
In Conclusion: Options Beyond a Physical Samsung TV Remote
As today‘s smart televisions evolve increasingly complex capabilities far beyond earlier basic sets, their accompanying remotes balloon with added buttons and tricks to manage these features. No wonder the remote inevitably gets misplaced somewhere around many homes!
Fortunately Samsung enables backup methods for accessing core TV operation like:
- Built-in tactile control buttons for turning power on/off, controlling volume levels and channels, accessing port switcher input menus plus settings
- Downloadable mobile apps offering robust virtual touchscreen remote abilities
So nunca tema the next time your flashy Samsung voice remote plays hide and seek, use the manual buttons for basic control in a pinch. Or better yet, install a free mobile app providing extensive impromptu remote functions exceeding the limited physical controls.
With both options quick to initially setup and easily accessible when that remote refuses to reveal itself inside couch cushions, sofa gaps, kitchen drawers, or other slippery hiding spots!
What other backup methods have you tried when losing your television remote? Did the built-in manual buttons or mobile app controls we covered here provide the essential access needed? Let us know in the comments your tricks for locating lost remotes!
