Lost Your Hisense Remote? Here’s How to Adjust the Volume
You’ve settled in for movie night, the opening scene begins, and you realize you can barely hear the dialogue. You reach for the remote, only to find it’s vanished into the couch cushions, or worse, the battery is completely dead. This frustrating scenario is more common than you think, and it can turn a relaxing evening into a stressful hunt.
Fortunately, a missing remote doesn’t mean you’re stuck with silent television. Hisense TVs, like most modern smart TVs, are designed with multiple backup methods for basic control. Whether you need to turn up the volume for an action movie or lower it during a loud commercial, you have several practical options that don’t require buying a replacement immediately.
This guide walks you through every legitimate method to control your Hisense TV’s volume without the original remote. We’ll cover physical buttons on the TV itself, smartphone apps, universal remotes, and even voice assistants. By the end, you’ll have a clear, step-by-step plan to regain control of your audio.
Locate the Physical Control Buttons on Your Hisense TV
Before downloading any apps or buying new gear, your first step should always be to check the TV itself. Almost every Hisense model has a set of physical buttons, though their location and design can vary.
These buttons are typically found on the back or side of the TV, often on the lower right-hand side when facing the screen. On some slimmer models, they may be located on the very bottom edge or directly on the rear panel. You might need to feel around the bezel or gently tilt the TV forward to see them.
Identifying the Button Layout
The physical controls are usually a small cluster of buttons or a single multi-directional joystick. A common five-button layout includes:
– Power
– Volume Up
– Volume Down
– Channel Up
– Channel Down
If your TV has a joystick, you typically press it in to power the TV on/off, and then rock it up/down for volume and left/right for channel control. The functions are often printed on the bezel nearby.
To adjust the volume, simply press and hold the Volume Up button. You’ll usually see an on-screen volume indicator appear. If the buttons are unresponsive, ensure the TV is plugged in and receiving power. Press the Power button first to wake the TV from standby mode.
Use the Hisense RemoteNOW App on Your Smartphone
If the physical buttons are hard to reach or your model lacks dedicated volume keys, your smartphone is the next best solution. Hisense offers an official, free app called RemoteNOW, available for both iOS and Android.
This app turns your phone into a virtual remote, complete with a touchpad, volume rocker, channel buttons, and quick access to streaming apps. It’s the most comprehensive free option and is designed specifically for Hisense’s Android TV and VIDAA operating systems.
Setting Up the Hisense RemoteNOW App
Follow these steps to get started. Both your phone and TV need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
– Download the “Hisense RemoteNOW” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
– Open the app and grant the necessary permissions for local network access.
– The app will automatically search for Hisense TVs on your network. It should display your TV’s model name.
– Tap on your TV’s name to pair. You may see a pairing code appear on your TV screen; enter this into the app if prompted.
Once connected, the main screen of the app will show a virtual remote. Look for the volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons. Tapping these will send the command directly to your TV, just like a physical remote.
Try a Universal Remote Control as a Permanent Fix
While apps are convenient, a physical universal remote can be a more reliable and permanent solution, especially for households that frequently misplace the original. Universal remotes are inexpensive and available at most electronics retailers.
Popular brands like GE, RCA, and Philips make models that are compatible with thousands of TV brands, including Hisense. Look for a “code-free” or “auto-search” remote, as these simplify the setup process significantly.
Programming a Universal Remote to Your Hisense TV
If your universal remote requires a setup code, you’ll need to find the Hisense code list, usually included in the remote’s manual or available online. The general programming steps are:
– Turn on your Hisense TV using its physical power button.
– Press and hold the “SETUP” or “CODE SEARCH” button on the universal remote until the indicator light stays on.
– Press the “TV” button on the remote.
– Enter the 4 or 5-digit Hisense code. The indicator light should blink and then turn off.
– Point the remote at the TV and press the Power button. If the TV turns off, the code is correct.
Once programmed, the volume buttons on the universal remote will control your Hisense TV. Test the volume up button to confirm.
Leverage Connected Devices and HDMI-CEC
Your TV might not be the only device in your entertainment setup. Many external devices can send volume commands to your TV through a feature called HDMI-CEC, though this requires specific setup.
HDMI-CEC allows devices connected via HDMI to control each other. For example, if you have a Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, or PlayStation connected to your Hisense TV, you might be able to use that device’s remote to control the TV volume.
Enabling HDMI-CEC on Your Hisense TV
First, you need to ensure the feature is active on your TV. Since you don’t have a remote, you’ll need to use the physical TV buttons or a smartphone app to navigate the menu.
– Use the physical buttons to open the TV’s settings menu. Often, pressing the “Volume Down” and “Menu” buttons together, or holding the “Input” button, will open the main menu.
– Navigate using the volume/channel buttons as up/down and the power button as “select.”
– Look for settings like “System,” “HDMI,” or “External Devices.”
– Find the option for HDMI-CEC. On Hisense TVs, it may be called “CEC,” “AnyNet+,” or “EasyLink.”
– Enable this feature.
Once enabled, the remote for your connected streaming device may automatically control the TV’s power and volume. Consult your streaming device’s settings to ensure its remote control function is also enabled.
Explore Voice Control Through Google Assistant or Alexa
If your Hisense TV is a smart model with built-in Google Assistant or is connected to an external Alexa device, you can use voice commands as a hands-free solution.
This method requires some initial setup with a remote or app, but once configured, it’s incredibly convenient. You can simply say, “Hey Google, turn up the volume on the TV” or “Alexa, increase the living room TV volume by 10.”
Linking Your Hisense TV to a Voice Assistant
For Google Assistant built into the TV, you typically need to complete setup using the remote. If the remote is lost, you may need to use the RemoteNOW app to navigate the settings and log into your Google account.
For external Alexa devices like an Echo Dot:
– Open the Alexa app on your smartphone.
– Go to Devices > + > Add Device.
– Select “TV” and then “Hisense.”
– Follow the in-app linking steps, which will involve enabling a skill and discovering the device on your network.
After linking, voice commands for volume control should work, provided the TV and the voice assistant device are on the same network.
Troubleshooting Common Volume Control Issues
What if you’ve tried these methods and the volume still won’t adjust? The problem might not be the remote. Let’s troubleshoot some common audio issues.
First, check if the issue is with the audio source. Change the channel or switch to a different input like a gaming console or Blu-ray player. If the volume works on other sources, the problem is likely with the original app or broadcast.
When External Speakers or Soundbars Are Involved
If your TV is connected to a soundbar or home theater system via optical cable, HDMI-ARC, or Bluetooth, the TV’s internal volume control may be disabled. In this case, you need to control the volume directly on the external speaker.
Locate the volume buttons on the soundbar itself or use its dedicated remote. To revert control back to the TV, you may need to enter the TV’s sound settings and change the “Audio Output” from “External Speaker” back to “TV Speaker.” This will require navigating the menu with an app or physical buttons.
Resetting Your Hisense TV to Factory Settings
As a last resort, if you suspect a software glitch is blocking volume control, you can perform a factory reset. Be warned: this will erase all your settings, logged-in apps, and preferences, returning the TV to its out-of-the-box state.
You can usually initiate a factory reset through the TV’s settings menu under “System” or “Device Preferences.” Look for “Reset” or “Factory Data Reset.” If you cannot access the menu, most Hisense TVs have a hard reset method using the physical buttons.
– Unplug the TV from the wall.
– Press and hold the physical Power button on the TV for 15-20 seconds.
– While still holding the TV’s power button, plug the TV back in.
– Continue holding the button for another 10 seconds after it’s plugged in, then release.
This can clear temporary software issues. After the reset, you’ll need to go through the initial setup again, which will be challenging without a remote. Use the physical buttons to navigate the initial prompts slowly.
Your Action Plan for Regaining Control
Start with the simplest solution: locate and use the physical buttons on your TV. For most users, this will solve the immediate problem. For a more convenient, long-term fix, download the official Hisense RemoteNOW app to your smartphone—it’s free and highly effective.
If you prefer a physical remote, purchase a universal remote from a local store; they are inexpensive and easy to program. For a high-tech, hands-free household, take the time to set up voice control through your existing Google Assistant or Alexa ecosystem.
Remember, losing your remote is an inconvenience, not a disaster. With these methods, you can quickly turn up the volume on your Hisense TV and get back to your show. Once you have temporary control, consider ordering a replacement original remote from Hisense or a reputable retailer for a seamless experience.
