Unusual problem with remote control of my Panasonic TV

Molehusband

I have had my Panasonic TV Model: TX-L32G20B for many years and, despite its age, it still works perfectly (at least the TV itself). It's a Freeview TV. However I've recently (last couple of months or so) started to get an intermittent problem with the associated remote control (purchased as part of the TV). What happens is that the remote switches the TV on (and off) perfectly as normal. However sometimes about half the buttons (mainly the channel numbers) don't work but the other buttons still do. But then some hours or a day or so later it all works fine again. I'm beginning to think it maybe something to do with the heatwave we've been experiencing this year. I sense it's working better on cooler days. Sometimes I seem to be able to help fix the problem by spraying a little WD40 around it and leaving it for an hour or two. For the last 24 hours (being cooler inside) it's been working perfectly.

Has anyone experienced problems with remote controls being subjected to high home heat levels? So, for example, should I consider placing it in the fridge for a while during uncomfortably hot days?

Since I'm very happy with the TV itself which works perfectly (better than a much smaller newer TV I have in my bedroom) and suits me, I'm very reluctant to have to change it for a new TV.

k_man

Have had similar problems, due to sun shining onto the IR remote sensor on the TV.

Olinda99

Have you considered buying a replacement remote?

chrisw

You can check if the remote is working by looking at it through a phone camera. You should see flashes of light at the end when you press the buttons.

Otherwise the remote should have a part number on it, search for that part on eBay. They're common for Panasonics and are usually less than £10. They probably won't be genuine but work just as well.

in_my_wellies

I've had a similar problem with my old(ish) Panasonic. I found switching it off at the wall then back on again cured the problem

Molehusband

Olinda99 said:

Have you considered buying a replacement remote?

As it's quite an old TV, I suspect Panasonic may no longer stock replacement remotes. In any case, since the problem seems to caused by extreme heat/ humidity, is there any guarantee that the same problem won't occur with a Panasonic replacement? Right now with dropped temperature my remote is working perfectly, but I have no idea when the next drop out may occur.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

before you do anything drastic, get into the guts of the remote, clean out all the gunge, hairs, dust, biscuit, have a look HERE.

Molehusband

chrisw said:

You can check if the remote is working by looking at it through a phone camera. You should see flashes of light at the end when you press the buttons.

Otherwise the remote should have a part number on it, search for that part on eBay. They're common for Panasonics and are usually less than £10. They probably won't be genuine but work just as well.

I can check just by pressing a remote button and viewing the LED at the bottom of the TV itself. If the LED flashes, the button works, if LED doesn't flash that particular button doesn't work although others will still work. During the periods of problem it's always precisely the same buttons that fail to work (about half of the total) while the other half continue to work.

I'm reluctant to go for a replacement (particularly on EBAY who often have very old stuff) since, as I've already said, the remote only seems to fail in extreme heat / humidity. At this very moment it's working perfectly and has done for over 24 hours, but I have no idea for how long. Earlier k_man confirmed similar problems with his remote and I don't want to risk having a roomful of remotes that all fail during heatwave.

Incidentally both the TV and the remote have never been physically damaged. Both look brand new with not a mark on them.

Molehusband

in_my_wellies said:

I've had a similar problem with my old(ish) Panasonic. I found switching it off at the wall then back on again cured the problem

You mean switching off the TV itself?  Unfortunately, that's not a solution for me since every time I turn off the TV I have a device fitted to the power point which totally switches off the power to the TV.

getmore4less

Molehusband said:

in_my_wellies said:

I've had a similar problem with my old(ish) Panasonic. I found switching it off at the wall then back on again cured the problem

You mean switching off the TV itself?  Unfortunately, that's not a solution for me since every time I turn off the TV I have a device fitted to the power point which totally switches off the power to the TV.

Some of those use more power than the TV on standby.

getmore4less

Those are the symptoms you get with low battery.

When were they last changed?