How can multiple remote controls fail at the same time?

Question

I arrived home from work to find my TV, receiver, and D-link media player remote had all stopped working and the cable box remote no longer controls volume (through the receiver) but still works for all box functions. Batteries are all changed and ok.

What could cause multiple remotes to fail simultaneously? All devices still work fine, and the dvd and vcr remotes are ok.

Answer 1

check the connection.

Answer 2

You may need to enter the codes back in. Your multiple remote memory could be going bad, someone entered incorrect codes while you were gone to freak you out.

Answer 3

To check to see if the remotes are really failing point a video camera at the front of the remote where the signal comes from and push a button on the remote as if you were trying to control the camera. You should see a light comming from the tip of the remote through the camera if it is working.  If it is working you may have to much ambient light or some other light source interfering with the signal. It may be something infra-red so you can't see it. Get a box or a blanket and cover the area around the component you wish to control to block it and try controlling from up close. If that works then find and get rid of the problem. Infra-Red will be invisible to the naked eye but a video camera will capture it so look around the room with a video camera in the dark to see if you see a light source invisible to the naked eye (it is a long shot. ) Good Luck.

Answer 4

RF, IR, or UHF remote?  If RF or UHF, a strong magnetic field could have damaged the transmitter. (very rare, but possible)  If it is IR, the only way I could imagine a failure like this could occur is a warping of the lenses.  This could happen if the remotes were placed near a heat source, like baking them, or in direct sunlight for an extended period of time.  Again, very rare, and really only a theory.