Hisense Aircon Remote Not Working, Simple Fixes That Help

That small handset on the bedside table does more work than most people realise. Every time you change the temperature, swap modes or adjust the fan, it sends a burst of invisible infrared light to the indoor unit. When the Hisense aircon remote not working becomes your problem, that link has broken somewhere along the way.

Good news, though. In most homes the cause is something minor, such as tired batteries, a locked keypad or a dirty sensor window. So before you assume the air conditioner itself has failed, it makes sense to test the remote properly. This page shows you how to do that, step by step.

Why is my Hisense aircon remote not working?

Remote faults usually fall into one of two camps. Either the handset is not sending a signal, or the indoor unit is not receiving it. Working out which side has the problem saves a lot of guesswork.

On the handset side, typical culprits include flat or leaking batteries and a blank or faded screen. Worn button contacts, a cracked board from a fall, or an active lock function are also common. On the receiving side, the cause may be direct sunlight on the indoor unit, an obstruction, or a fault with the receiver board itself.

This page focuses mainly on the remote. Perhaps your handset seems fine but the air conditioner still ignores it. In that case, our separate guide on a unit not responding to the remote covers the indoor side in more depth.

Quick checks you can do in five minutes

These checks are listed from the easiest to the slightly more involved. Try them in order, because the first two solve the majority of remote complaints.

1. Replace both batteries with a fresh pair of the same size. Check that the plus and minus marks match the diagram in the battery bay.
2. Look inside the battery compartment for white or green crust, which suggests leakage, and gently wipe the contacts with a dry cloth if needed.
3. Check the screen on the remote. If it is blank, dim or showing random symbols, the batteries or the handset may be the issue.
4. Point the remote straight at the indoor unit from a couple of metres away, with nothing in between, and press the power button once.
5. Listen for a short beep from the indoor unit, which on many models confirms that a command was received.
6. Test the infrared signal with a phone camera, as described below.

If the indoor unit beeps and responds after new batteries, the job is done. However, if the screen works and the unit still does nothing, keep reading.

How to test the remote signal with your phone

Infrared light is invisible to the human eye. Many phone cameras, though, can pick it up. That makes a phone a handy tool for checking whether the remote is sending anything at all.

1. Open the camera app on your phone. On some phones the front camera works better than the rear one.
2. Point the small window at the top of the remote towards the camera lens.
3. Press and hold a button such as the temperature up button while you watch the phone screen.
4. Look for a faint flickering light from the tip of the remote on the phone display.

If you see the flicker, the remote is transmitting, so the problem is more likely at the indoor unit. If there is no flicker with fresh batteries, the handset is probably faulty. Keep in mind that some phone cameras filter infrared light, so a missing flicker is not proof on its own.

Settings and locks that make a remote seem broken

Sometimes the remote works perfectly but looks like it does not. A few features can cause that confusion, and they vary between Hisense remote models.

Child lock or keypad lock

Many air conditioner remotes include a lock function to stop little hands changing settings. When it is active, the buttons may stop responding and a padlock symbol often appears on the screen. The button combination to unlock it differs between models, so check the user manual for your handset.

Wrong mode or hidden settings

Next, check the mode shown on the screen. For example, if the remote is set to fan only, pressing the temperature buttons may seem to do nothing. Similarly, some remotes have a degrees Celsius and Fahrenheit option, and an accidental switch can make the display look strange.

Timer settings

A timer can also cause surprises. If an off timer is set, the unit may shut down on its own and appear to ignore you. Clear any timers on the remote and try again.

Physical damage and worn buttons

Remotes live a hard life. They get dropped, sat on, chewed by puppies and splashed with drinks. Over time, the rubber button pads also wear down, so the contacts underneath stop connecting.

Signs of a worn handset include buttons that only work if you press hard. Buttons that work on some days but not others, or a screen that flickers when you tap the case, are also clues. In addition, a remote that has been near water may work briefly and then fail as corrosion sets in. In these cases, replacing the remote is often more sensible than trying to repair it.

Using the indoor unit without the remote

If the handset has failed and the room is uncomfortable, there may be a short term workaround. Many Hisense indoor units have a manual or emergency button, often found under the front panel. Pressing it usually starts the unit in an automatic mode.

The exact location and behaviour of that button vary by model, so check the manual first. Also, switch off at the isolator before lifting the panel if you need to look closely. This button is only a stopgap, because it gives you little control over temperature or fan speed.

Can I control my Hisense aircon with my phone instead?

Some Hisense models support wifi control through the ConnectLife app. On those units, the app can act as a backup while you sort out a replacement remote. Whether your system has built in wifi, needs an add on module or has no wifi option at all depends on the model range.

To find out, check the model number on the rating sticker and look it up on the official Hisense Australia website. If your unit supports it, setting up the app is a useful safety net. That said, the app relies on your home network, so it will not help during an internet outage.

Getting a replacement remote

When the handset is clearly faulty, a replacement is the practical fix. Before buying one, note the model number of the indoor unit and, if visible, the model printed on the back of the old remote.

• A genuine replacement matched to your model is the safest choice, because it will support all the features of your unit.
• Hisense or an authorised parts supplier can usually advise which remote suits your system.
• Universal air conditioner remotes exist, but they may not support every mode or function, and setup can be fiddly.
• Keep the receipt and the model details in case the replacement does not pair or respond.

Most standard infrared remotes do not need pairing in the way a Bluetooth device does. Instead, they simply send codes that the indoor unit recognises. So if a correctly matched remote still gets no response, the fault probably lies with the indoor unit.

When the problem is not the remote

Sometimes all the remote checks pass and the unit still will not respond. Then the issue is likely on the air conditioner side. Possible causes include a power problem or a failed receiver board. A fault on the indoor control board, or a protection state, can also stop the unit responding.

A few signs point that way. For example, the indoor display may be completely dark, the running light may be flashing a pattern, or a code may be showing. Hisense units also have a protection delay of about three minutes before restarting after a stop or a mode change. So wait a few minutes before deciding nothing is happening. In addition, after power is first connected there is a delay of about 20 seconds before the unit will accept commands.

Never open the remote receiver area or the control box of the indoor unit to look for a loose plug. These parts sit close to live wiring, and in Australia electrical repairs must be carried out by a licensed professional. Switch the system off at the isolator and leave internal checks to a qualified technician.

Tips to keep your remote working longer

A bit of care goes a long way with any handset. These habits reduce the chance of being caught out on a hot night.

• Use good quality batteries and replace both at the same time.
• Take the batteries out if the remote will not be used for months, for example over a mild autumn.
• Store the remote in a wall holder away from direct sun, heaters and water.
• Wipe the infrared window at the tip now and then with a soft dry cloth.
• Keep the user manual, or note where to find it online, so lock and timer settings are easy to check.

When to call a technician

If a new or known good remote still does not work, it is time for a professional check. Book a service if the indoor display stays dark or a code appears. The same applies if the unit beeps and then shuts down, or the breaker trips when the system starts. A technician can test the receiver, the indoor board and the power supply safely.

Also, if your system is still within the warranty period, contact Hisense first. Hisense states a 5 year parts and labour warranty on split systems in Australia, and your warranty card explains the details. Using an unauthorised repairer during that time could affect your cover.

Summing up remote problems

In short, most remote faults come down to batteries, locks, settings or a worn handset. Start with fresh batteries, test the signal with a phone camera, then check for locks and timers. If the remote is transmitting and the unit still ignores it, the fault is more likely inside the air conditioner.

When your Hisense aircon remote not working problem is not solved by these checks, book a qualified technician on 03 7048 4120. Have the model number from the rating sticker ready and describe what the remote and the indoor unit are doing.