Program your Genie remote for RF with this easy step

One of the nicest things about DIRECTV’s Genie Remote is that for the same price as DIRECTV’s older infrared remote, you get an RF one that can shoot through walls. There’s practically no reason not to program your remote for RF, but most people don’t know how to do it and since the remotes don’t come set for RF, this feature goes unused.

Real, quick, here’s why they don’t come set for RF

The process for setting up a remote for RF involves “pairing” it just the same way you would pair a Bluetooth headset. The remote comes set for IR so it does have the basic functionality you need when you get it, otherwise it would just be a doorstop until you program it. Since the hardware for IR is needed in order to control your TV, it’s nice that DIRECTV does let you use it for your receiver as well.

Also, these remotes are sent out as replacements for the older style as well. There are still millions of non-Genie receivers out there and they’ll need that IR capability in the remote. They can’t use RF, at least not with that remote.

Setting up a Genie Remote for RF is super easy

Just press and hold MUTE and ENTER at the same time until you get a message that remote is set for RF. This takes about three seconds and is much better than the older method of pressing MUTE and SELECT then pressing 961, page up, ENTER, swinging a dead chicken over your head and chanting a hymn of praise to Chthulu (ok those last two parts are optional.) If you feel like you want to do it the old fashioned way, that does still work.

Just make sure it’s actually MUTE and ENTER, in other words the button to the right of the zero, not the big round one in the middle. That’s where a lot of people get confused.

Programming your TV audio.

This step doesn’t program the remote to control your TV. You’ll have to do that separately if you want it done. You’ll still have to press MENU then go to Settings, Remote Control, Program TV to get there.

If your TV connects to your receiver via HDMI and if it’s fairly modern, it will be easy. The receiver will automatically sense the TV’s manufacturer and model information. That means it will be a simple matter of standing there while the remote programs itself. This is a big change from the past. Back then you had to look through long lists of five-digit codes. Then, you hoped you could find a code to “possibly” work with your equipment.

There’s a trick you’ll want to know about, as you can see in this video:

This applies to those who use home theater equipment and it’s super critical. It’s also super easy.

Continuous improvement

I hear it all the time that such-and-such provider has this feature or carries that channel. Just you look at the experience. There’s no provider that does a better job of providing those little touches than DIRECTV. They make it easy to settle in for an evening of TV enjoyment. And that, my friends, is what it’s all about.

About the Author

Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet is the editor-in-chief of The Solid Signal Blog and a "master plumber" at Signal Group, LLC. He is the author of over 10,000 articles and longform tutorials including many posted here. Reach him by clicking on "Contact the Editor" at the bottom of this page.