Alex Ruben
How To Pair Multiple Remote Controllers With Your Google TV Streamer 4K
Getting multiple remotes to work with your Google TV Streamer 4K isn’t exactly something you do every day, but when it works, it’s a game-changer. Maybe you want to hand off control to a family member or just have a backup remote in case one dies. The problem is, sometimes the initial pairing process can be a bit flaky—especially with generic or third-party remotes. Plus, Google TV’s menu system isn’t always super intuitive for adding extras. If you’ve tried and struggled, this guide’s for you—step-by-step, with some insider tips to make sure both remotes actually connect and stay connected.
How to Fix Multiple Remote Pairing Issues on Google TV
Make sure your remote is in pairing mode and your Google TV can see it
This is kind of obvious, but… if you skip this step, nothing else matters. On some remotes, you’ll need to hold down a specific button combo to activate pairing mode. For Chromecast remotes, it’s usually pressing and holding both the Back button and the Home button at the same time. Keep holding until you see a notification pop up on the screen saying it found a new device. If not, try replacing the batteries or resetting the remote, because of course, Google TV has to make it harder than necessary.
Access the settings correctly—don’t just wander aimlessly
- Go to Settings from the home screen. You can find it by clicking the gear icon in the top right corner.
- Or, if you prefer, navigate via the side menu: Settings > Remote & Accessories.
Sometimes users forget to scroll down or miss the Remotes and Accessories section entirely, which is kind of crucial here. This page shows all your paired remotes and gives you options to add new ones.
Start the pairing process—think of it like adding a Bluetooth device
- In the Remotes and Accessories menu, scroll down and select Pair Remote or Accessory.
- The TV will begin scanning for nearby remotes, so make sure your new remote is in pairing mode.
On one setup it worked right away, on another, I had to retry a couple of times. Sometimes Bluetooth on Google TV acts weird, so don’t be afraid to repeat this step if nothing pops up immediately.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the pairing
- When your remote shows up on screen (e.g., “Chromecast Remote”), select it.
- The system will then finalize pairing, which might take a few seconds. Expect a confirmation message, or sometimes, a blinking light on the remote itself.
If it doesn’t detect your remote, double-check that it’s in pairing mode again. Some remotes get confused if they’re not close enough or if other Bluetooth devices are bouncing around nearby.
Verify both remotes are connected and working
- Back in the Remotes and Accessories menu, you should see both remotes listed—your original Google TV remote and the new one.
- If not, repeat the pairing process or restart your Google TV device. Sometimes a quick reboot helps clear up lingering hiccups.
Not sure if it’s working? Test each remote by using it to navigate or control playback. If one doesn’t respond, try re-pairing and check batteries.
Troubleshooting common hiccups
- If a remote refuses to pair, swap batteries first. It’s a quick fix that’s often overlooked.
- When removing a remote, go back to Remotes and Accessories, select that remote, and tap Forget this device. Then try pairing again.
- Keep your Google TV up to date—sometimes an outdated system can make pairing glitchy. Check for updates via Settings > System > Software Update.
Watch out for firmware updates on your remotes, too. Some third-party remotes need special apps or firmware updates to work smoothly with Google TV.
Wrap-up
Getting multiple remotes to play nicely with Google TV can be a pain, but once it’s set up, controlling your streaming device becomes way more flexible. Sometimes, it’s just about fiddling with the remote pairing mode, ensuring Bluetooth is working smoothly, or rebooting the device a couple of times. Those little hacks can save a lot of frustration.
Summary
- Make sure remotes are in pairing mode (hold those buttons).
- Navigate to Settings > Remotes & Accessories.
- Start pairing from that menu and watch for onscreen prompts.
- Verify both remotes are listed and responsive.
- Replace batteries if pairing fails or remotes won’t respond.
- Update Google TV firmware regularly.
Fingers crossed this helps
Once the setup is done, controlling your Google TV with multiple remotes should be smooth sailing. If things still crawl, sometimes a factory reset or a quick re-pairing session can work wonders. Just keep in mind that, yeah, tech can be a bit irksome, but once it’s working right, it’s totally worth it. Good luck and hope this made at least one step easier for someone.