On electronics today, you will learn how to fix a faulty gotv remote. But it doesn’t just stop with a gotv remote. These skills can be used to fix any other similar remote, a TV remote for example.

If your gotv remote is not responding, it does not necessarily mean it is dead or can’t be repaired. There are a few things you need to be sure of before putting it in a trash can.
Check for minor issues first
Make sure there is no object blocking the imaginary straight line from your gotv remote to your gotv decoder.
Related: Fastest Way Of Clearing Gotv Error Code
If the ‘path’ is clear yet your gotv remote is not responding, the obvious reason would be dead batteries. But there are cases where replacing the batteries does not solve the problem.
If you change the batteries in your go tv remote but it still won’t work, here is how to make it come back to life.
How to repair your gotv remote
Check to see if it is rust stopping the battery from making contact with the remote. Scrape it off and put back the new battery.
If this does not solve the problem, proceed to the next step.
Take a picture of the gotv remote. You need this so you can put it back after opening it.
You will need flat metal like a knife to open it. If the remote control has screws, grab a screw driver.

Once it is open, clean the board with a slightly damp kerchief as you have on the picture below.
If you have stubborn dirt, dip a toothbrush in methylated spirit and clean the board with it. Clean the rubber membrane, where you have the remote buttons and leave them to dry.
Once the parts are dry, put back the go tv remote and test it. Your gotv remote or any other remote you were working on should be responding.
If you need help, please drop a comment or proceed to buy a new gotv remote.
Related: How to Block Channels on Gotv using Parental Control
How to Operate Gotv without Remote
Before we call it a day on this topic, let’s see how to operate a gotv decoder without a remote. If you want to use gotv without remote, all you need is an understanding of the icons on the decoder.
Here is what the icons on the decoder represent:
- Reset or Power on/off
- P-; used to Change channel (-1)
- P+; used to Change channel (+1)
- V-; used to reduce the volume
- V+; used to increase the volume
How to Exit on Gotv without Remote
Well, sincerely there is no comfortable way of doing this. If you have tried to fix your remote using the steps presented above, this is how to exit using your decoder.
Maybe there is a status message you want to get rid of (because it just won’t go away) but your Gotv remote is not working or responding.
In order to exit using the decoder, press the power button. Once it goes off, press it again to turn the system back on. If nothing changes, then you need to borrow or buy a remote.
Next time you find your gotv remote is not working, try to fix it first before hitting it on the floor out of frustration.
Okay, that’s it. Drop your comments below: let us know how you are doing.
Related: How to use Gotv Remote Controls
About The Author
Hi Everyone, My name is Angie, i love to watch my TV As it keeps me happy no matter what i go though daily. Most of all, the few things i learnt while working as a DStv Installer has helped me build Electronics Diary. Just Read and Apply for its certainly going to work
The light on my Gotv remote is always on. If I press any button it doesn't work,rather the remote automatically changes channels. Secondly, help me clear the mail icon on the screen without a remote. Thank you.
Okay Edward, for some reason the point on the remote panel that gives signal for channel change is always in contact…. This is why the light is always on.
Possible reason: The rubber membrane is likely broken where you have p+ or p-.
Try to release those two buttons by lifting it up or by opening it. That's the only issue with the remote. Solve it and everything will be fine.
Then you can go to messages in the mail, open the message and the mail icon will be removed.
We are still looking for of way of removing the mail icon without the gotv remote. Happy Sunday!
I just bought a new GOtv decoder but the remote control stopped working after 24 hours, the lights started blinking for some seconds and stopped working totally.
Hello Michael,
according to GOtv terms and conditions for my country, GOtv will only give a refund in form of a subscription period equal to the amount of damage caused by their "gross negligence or willful default."
On this note you could try to return the remote but I doubt you will get anything out of it.
But before you do anything, make sure the battery is working, it doesn't matter if you just bought it, just be sure it's working. Then try to talk to the dealers.
If it does not work, try to fix it with the steps outlined in the article above or go for the last solution – buy a new gotv remote.
When press,the green light will show but the decoder will not respond,I don't know why
We have carefully listed possible reasons for this in the article (above). Please read the article, make sure everything is in place and let us know if the problem persists. Thank you.
Okay. Have you tried to fix it using the procedure in the article above? It's quite easy to understand, and follow. Take a look and drop a comment if the problem persists.
Please do well to use "Name/URL" or Google account option so your name/image can be displayed with your comment. Thank you.
The green light by the right side of the Gotv remote(info) blinks continually without any response.Please advice
The green light on the right (tv2) is activated when you press SHIFT + EXIT. To get back the light on the left, press SHIFT + INFO.
What I mean is: press the SHIFT button, when it starts blinking, press INFO.
If this doesn't work, remove the battery and put them back. If problem persists, please fix the remote by following the steps in the article.
The new gotv remote don’t have the shift button and I think I’m having that issue with the remote again but don’t know what to press to get it back to work cos when you press it shows you are pressing it but doesn’t show on the screen rather has no effect on the decoder. The remote is new and all is intact. Pls help direct me on what can serve as shift in the new remote so I can do shift+info.thanks
Hi, Kayla. First of all put on your phone camera and try to check if the remote is sending our infrared signals. See this 30 seconds video on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSwZW_WrTRA
If I get you right, you are saying the remote has shifted to TV2 and not responding. Try this: Press and hold ‘i’, that is, the button next to TV1.
Do that and let me know if anything changes.
Thanks for this, my gotv remote worked after cleaning the panel with mist and tissue..
My TV screan have refused to bright up. It is totally dark and I have tried everything I could but it won't just work. The remote blinks all possible colours when pressed on. Pls what do I do, the shift button blinks but when I press the alt key, the issue still remain.
While the screen is dark, do you get audio (sound)? In any case, try the suggestions below:
Make sure the signal(video) cable linking your GOtv decoder to your TV is properly connected.
Make sure the "input" on your TV is properly set. This more like a TV problem.
Then set (try to increase) Contrast and brightness on your TV.
My gotv remote is not responding when I press any button on it, but when I press any button on it, the green light would work but the remote won't control the gotv decoder..
In a nutshell, the gotv remote isn't working with the decoder
Please can you help me
Make sure there is no object blocking the imaginary straight line from your gotv remote to your gotv decoder – even if it is the most transparent of glasses.
Also, try using your remote on a friends decoder to see if it will work.
My gotv remote is not responding to the decoder. And their is a mail on the screen that doesn't allow the buttons on the decoder to function
My gotv remote is showing orange light blinking fast with a mail on my screen that doesn't allow the buttons on the decoder to work my remote is not responding please I need your help on this
Okay Peter, sorry about that but you need your remote to be able to remove the mail on the screen. Okay, see the my reply on the next comment.
Okay if the orange light (on the "SHIFT" button) is blinking, pressing any other button should stop it.
If it doesn't, try to remove and replace the batteries. If that does not work too, please follow the steps in the article to fix your remote.
It has worked for a lot of people already. If you still have issues drop a comment here. We are here to help you out.
Okay! There are two green lights on the remote – TV1 and TV2. From your comment, it seems the one blinking on your remote is the TV2 light.
To fix this,
press SHIFT, when the light starts blinking, press INFO.
By doing this, TV1 will be reactivated and your remote will start functioning properly.
Hi, what kind of remote are you using? If it is the usual GOtv remote, just press the Shift key then press INFO button.
My gotv remote doesn't work with the decoder.whenever any button is pressed, the light would show on the remote and the green light on the decoder will also be blinking but the Chanel won't change except the volume key alone
Sorry the reply is late. I've been away. Which light on the remote blinks – TV1 or TV2? Have you replaced the batteries? Have you checked to see if the problem is with the Gotv decoder by using another gotv remote? Try these options and get back to us.
Hello! Like I already stated in the article, there is no confortable way to remove the mail icon without the remote. Lets just home GOtv will include a fix for that in their next upgrade.
The OK button is not functioning.Tried the same OK button on a different go tv remote it still not responding
Alright. But "same OK button on a different remote?" I'm not quite sure what you mean here. But it seems you need to open the remote and clean it. It should solve the problem.
If you are not sure how to go about opening a Gotv remote, follow the steps in the article above.
Please make comment with a name next time. Thank you.
My gotv remote recently start showing red light nd den green briefly and will not work
Hello Moses! I have never heard of this on a Gotv remote. Is this an original remote (did it come with the decoder) or a replacement? If it's an original when did you buy it?
Have you tried to replace the batteries?
Also, if it has fallen, open it and fix it again – simply open it and re-couple it, firmly this time.
Its a follow come remote. It has been working well but then now it will show red and then green for few seconds but won't work. I have open and recoupled it still the same. Also how do I use OK on my decoder without the remote?
Okay Moses, sorry it has taken so long to get back to you.
If you have opened and cleaned the remote as directed and have also changed the batteries, then it may be that the board is damaged.
In that case, you will need to purchase a new Gotv remote.
But this is the first time I am hearing of this on a Gotv remote. If you are dealing with a DStv remote and not a GOtv remote, please follow this dstv remote link if your remote is flashing red and then green.
Hello Joyce! Sorry the reply has taken hours to come.
Have you tried to check with a phone camera to see if the remote is sending out signal? This will help you know if the remote is sending out signal.
Turn on your phone camera, point your remote at it and press. If you can pick up a white light with the phone camera, then it is still sending out signal. If not, replace the battery because the signal may be weak.
If after replacing the battery you still aren't getting the signal, use another gotv remote to check if the fault is really from the remote.
You can read the article on how to fix you dstv remote to learn how to check your gotv remote using a smartphone camera.
I have tried all u said …even opened the remote and cleaned it its still not working. .and thr a message on my screen that won't go away
Don't get so upset. What's the problem? Are you having a hard time fixing your remote?
I'm sure you did your best. You may be dealing with a damaged board and in that case you will need a new remote. But before then, did you test your remote using a phone?
My gotv remote is showing orange light blinking fast with a mail on my screen that doesn't allow the buttons on the decoder to work my remote is not responding please I need your help on this
Please follow the steps in the article above to fix your remote. Let me know when you have done so. Thank you.
The remote is spoilt, not working, a mail is showing on the screen for days even after several switched off and on, the mail remains on the screen. Kindly advise.
Sorry about that Ade. You need to get a new Gotv remote.
But have you tried to fix it by following the steps in the article above? You can still get your gotv remote back.
Hi. My T.V is on T.V 2 but the remote is only blinking on T.V 1, which makes it not to be working, what do I do??
If your remote is on TV2 and you want to return it to TV1, press the SHIFT button then press INFO.
My Gotv remote is blinking green but is not working I don't know what to do
Many have been able to fix their remote by Pressing INFO and back button at the same time for 3 seconds.
If this doesn't work for you, change battery. If this doesn't work too, follow the steps in this article to fix your remote.
Hi…my remote is not working with my decoder… Tried using my neighbors remote but it's still tge same thing.. Blinking green light.. What is the issur please
Hi, I'm sorry the reply is coming late. What kind of remote are you using? Is it the flat one that comes with the new Gocoda?