IMPORTANT: This article applies only to specific products and/or operating systems. Check Applicable Products and Categories for details.
You can control your Android TV™ and cable or satellite box (set-top box) with the TV remote control by connecting the infrared (IR) Blaster cable included with the TV. Additionally, some TVs allow control without an IR Blaster, utilizing IR control from the remote.
Before you start
Setup IR control
Select the steps below based on your IR Blaster system.
TV doesn't require an IR Blaster cable
- Turn on your TV and make sure that the set-top box is connected and it is on.
- On your TV remote control, press the HOME button.
- Select
Settings. - Under the Watching TV category, select External inputs.
- Select Cable/Satellite box setup.
- Select Cable/Satellite box control setup.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- When operating the TV’s remote control, point it at the set-top box.
- Depending on the external devices, some buttons may not respond.
- If you press and hold a button on the remote control and the operation doesn't work, then try pressing the button repeatedly.
- The REC(STB) on screen key doesn't work for set-top boxes which don't a have recording function.
Setup from the Initial Setup screen if your TV has an IR Blaster cable
The display may differ depending on the model or the Android TV operating system.
- Turn on your TV and set-top box.
- If the Initial Setup does not automatically start, then the next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
- Select HOME →
Settings → Initial Setup. - Select HOME →
Settings → Device Preferences → Initial Setup.
- Follow the on-screen instructions, selecting set-top box when applicable. Select SKIP to resume or BACK to exit at any point.
- Review the IR Blaster cable port connections that better applies to your situation. Check the manual for model-specific information.
Manuals are posted on your model support page.
USB type IR Blaster

- [A] Set-top box or A/V Receiver
- [B] USB type IR Blaster cable
- [C] IR Blaster USB port
Note: Connect the cable to any USB port. When a USB type IR Blaster is used, a message appears on the screen to indicate that the device is connected to the USB port.
Plug type IR Blaster

- [A] Set-top box or A/V Receiver
- [B] Plug type IR Blaster cable
- [C] IR Blaster jack
Note: Make sure to connect the cable to the IR BLASTER jack. Do not connect it to the REMOTE IR IN jack.
- After setup completes, you can turn on the set-top box by following these steps depending on your TV type:
- XBR A9F / Z9F series models:
- Select the set-top box (STB) with the INPUT button
- Press the TV button.
- Select Power.
- Other models:
- Select the set-top box (STB) with the INPUT button.
- Press the ACTION MENU button.
- Select Menu.
- Select Power (STB).
Setup from the Settings menu if your TV has an IR Blaster cable
If you previously skipped the Initial Setup process or need to reset the IR Blaster cable connection, follow these steps. The display may differ depending on the model or the Android TV operating system.
- Turn on your TV and make sure that the STB is connected and on.
- On your TV remote control, press the HOME button.
- Select
Settings. - The next steps will depend on your TV menu options:
- Select Watching TV → External inputs → Cable/Satellite box setup → Set-top box control setup.
- Select External inputs → IR Blaster setup → Set-top box control setup.
- Select External inputs → IR Blaster setup.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. Select SKIP to resume or BACK to exit at any point.
- Review the IR Blaster cable port connections as needed. Check the manual for model-specific information.
Manuals are posted on your model support page.
USB type IR Blaster

- [A] Set-top box or A/V Receiver
- [B] USB type IR Blaster cable
- [C] IR Blaster USB port
Note: Connect the cable to any USB port. When a USB type IR Blaster is used, a message appears on the screen to indicate that the device is connected to the USB port.
Plug type IR Blaster

- [A] Set-top box or A/V Receiver
- [B] IR Blaster cable
- [C] IR Blaster jack
Note: Make sure to connect the cable to the IR BLASTER jack. Do not connect it to the REMOTE IR IN jack.