Advanced IR Blaster or Onscreen Remote Control Troubleshooting

The Slingbox controls your A/V device(s) with the IR Blaster cable that is included with the Slingbox.

So if:

• the IR Blaster cable is inserted firmly into the back panel of the Slingbox;

• the emitter (the bulb at the end of the IR Blaster cable) is positioned properly in front of the IR receiver of your A/V device;

• and you have chosen an appropriate IR code when you used the Setup Wizard to configure the SlingPlayer software,

...then you should be able to control the A/V device from your SlingPlayer Remote Control.

But what if you can't?

If the onscreen remote control doesn't work at all (for example, none of the SlingPlayer remote control buttons work) here are some advanced things to try.

Verify the location of the IR sensor on your A/V device:

• If you don’t see or can’t find the IR sensor: Sensors are often behind a dark, reddish plastic window on the front of your device. Others may be hidden behind the plastic on the front of the device. If you don't see the sensor, shine a flashlight on the front of the device and look for a small bulb similar to the one on the end of the IR Blaster. Make sure that the IR Blaster is properly located so that its light bulb can trigger the IR sensor on your A/V device.

Verify that the remote control system on your A/V device is still working:

• Make sure that your handheld remote control and your A/V device are set to use IR signals to communicate. Some remotes and devices can use either IR (infra-red) or RF (radio frequency) signals. IR Blasters only work with IR signals.

• Put fresh batteries in the handheld remote control that came with your A/V device, and try to control it. If it doesn't work, then something's wrong with your A/V device's ability to accept remote control signals.

Verify that the IR Blaster is working properly:

• You can also try the digital camera test. Rather than configuring a different device, you can visually inspect the emitters to see if they're transmitting a signal when you press a button on the SlingPlayer onscreen remote control.  To do this, you'll need any digital camera. You'll also need to position yourself so that you can press a button on the remote control while viewing the IR emitter up close through the camera's LCD display. (Getting help from a friend might be the easiest solution.)

  
  If you're viewing the IR emitters through the camera LCD viewfinder, you'll actually see a small flash of white light (as shown below) when any SlingPlayer remote control button is pressed. The flash is quick but easily detected through the camera LCD display. 

If you see emitters flashing when you send commands, chances are good the problem is not in the IR Blaster.

Remote control still not working?

The last resort to take on your own would be to uninstall SlingPlayer, then reinstall again. If that doesn't work, then contact Technical Support for assistance.