Did you just get a new device like a TV or Blu-Ray player? What about a new Dish Network remote control or receiver? If you did, then you’ll need to program your Dish Network remote so that it can control that device before you start channel surfing. The process is a bit more involved than you might expect, so let’s go over how to program a few Dish Network remote models! If you’re trying to decide which cable service you want take a look at our guide to Comcast vs Time Warner. You’ll also want to read our Comcast vs DirectTv comparison to be absolutely sure you’re choosing the right provider.
One reason people have trouble trying to program Dish Network remotes is because there are a lot of different models out there, for a collection of different devices. We’re going to try to cover the most popular remotes, but if we don’t get to yours, we have a suggestion: find the remote that looks the most similar to yours, and see if the instructions are close enough to apply. If you just can’t figure it out, call up customer service and ask them to walk you through it. Sometimes a step-by-step lesson is just what you need to figure out how the remote works.
Table of Contents
- Connecting to TVs or Other Devices (Not Receivers)
- Connecting to Receivers
Connecting to TVs or Other Devices (Not Receivers)
50.0 and 52.0 Models
These models are some of the more advanced versions of Disk Network remotes, and tend to work with modern, more modular menus. Because the two processes are so similar, we’re grouping them under the same set of instructions. However, since the remotes are a little different, stay patient and make sure that you are picking the right buttons and on-screen options.
Step 1: Turn your TV/Device on, and press the Home button on the remote twice – it’s the house icon in the upper left corner. This should pop open the Dish menu, with rows of colorful icons to choose from. If your TV stays blank, make sure that your Dish receiver is properly connected to the TV using the right ports (this is a common early problem, and should always be the first thing that you check if something goes wrong).
Step 2: In the Dish menu, look for a turning gears icon (see below) to find Settings. Select Settings, which will bring up another menu that deals with all your accessories and controls. Toward the top you should find an icon for your Remote Control. Head over there and select it next.
Step 3: This brings to a screen that lists TV and additional device sections, and if any models are already known to the unit (none probably are, or you wouldn’t be doing this). Select the type of device that you are trying to create a permanent connection to.
Step 4: This will bring up a screen with a few different options for interaction with the device. Keep this screen in mind because it’s handy for programming additional features on smart TVs, but for now you want to choose the TV Pairing Wizard at the top to make this easy.
Step 5: The next screen will bring up a list of brands. Choose your device brand, then choose Next. This will lead you to a testing screen that will ask you to push the Volume and Mute buttons on your remote. The system has automatically chosen a pairing code that it thinks will work, but it needs you to make sure. The Volume and Mute buttons are easy ways to see if the remote is interacting with the TV: push them, and you should immediately seen volume change/mute effects on the screen.
Step 6: If you see the Volume effects on the screen, congratulations! Your remote is paired. You can select Finished and get out of here. If you don’t see any Volume effects and nothing seems to work, then choose Try Next Code instead. This will move to a different code that the system thinks will work with the remote and brand. Try again, and keep cycling through codes until you find one that works.
40.0 Model
The 40.0 remote is a little weird, because it’s used with two different Dish Network remote programming menus. Here’s the deal: if your typical Dish channel lineup menu (where you browse what’s on TV) has the preview and summary to the right side of the screen, then go up to our instructions for the 50.0 and 52.0, because they are exactly the same. However, if your menu screen has the preview and info at the top of the screen, the process is similar but a new walkthrough is helpful. Start here.
Step 1: Press the Menu button on your control – it’s toward the top, and says “Menu” right above it, so it’s kind of hard to miss.
Step 2: This should bring up a series of icons that you can access for more information and apps. Again, if this menu doesn’t come up then you need to check your cable connections and make sure that everything is working correctly. Look for the icon that says Settings and select it.
Step 3: Another series of icons will pop up. Select the one that says Remote Manager. This will bring you to a screen that says “TV Code,” “DVD Code” and “AUX Code.” Pick the one that matches the device you are setting up, and proceed.
Step 4: You can check your manual for a setup code if you want at this point, but the system can help you find one if you choose “Lookup Code.” This choice will take you to another screen where you can choose the brand of your device and select Next.
Step 5: You will now be asked to test your Volume controls. The Volume buttons are the plus and minus signs above the “wheel” on your remote. Try them out and make sure that the volume signals on the TV/device are responding.
Step 6: If the volume controls do nothing and there’s no sign on any readout, then try another code. While you can go through every code available on your model, we suggest instead that you choose “Enter Model” and enter the exact model of your device to pinpoint just what you need. When you find the right code, select Yes and Save. You’re done!
20.0, 20.1, 21.0, and 21.1 Models
These are all earlier remote controls for Dish Network: they have a lot of buttons, but the programming process is thankfully a bit easier. Note, however, that these older products may not be as compatible with newer TVs and other devices. Like other tech, Dish Network devices can age out of the market, so if you haven’t updated your Dish receiver in a while, it may be time to look into an upgrade – especially if you run into problems trying to figure out how to program Dish Network remotes to TV models that are far newer.
Step 1: Look up your three-digit remote control code. These remotes don’t support an automatic search for remote control codes for whatever device you happen to be using. So your first step should be to break out the manual and check for the right Dish Network remote programming codes for your TV, DVD player, or whatever other device that you’re using. Check in the early pages of the manual, or if you can’t find it, then Google your model number and “remote control code” because others may have had the same question. If you have to, you can always call customer service or look up support on the Dish website.
Step 2: Activate the right device setup. Look at the four buttons at the very top of your remote. You’ll see options for TV, DVD, and AUX. Choose the option that describes the device you are connecting the most accurately, and then hold down that button until all four of the buttons flash.
Step 3: You should now be able to enter the three-digit code using the number pad at the bottom of the remote. But wait! If you are using the AUX mode, there’s a special extra step: You have to identify which type of device is connected to the AUX port. This effectively turns the three number code into a four number code. If you are connecting a TV, start with a 0. If you’re connecting a DVD or similar device, start with 1. If it’s another device, start with 2. Note that this only applies to the AUX button. If you are setting up the other two buttons, stick with the three-digit code.
Step 4: Once you are done inputting numbers, press the pound/hashtag sign. This should cause the button you are programming to flash three times.
Step 5: Test out the connection by pressing the power button. The device you are trying to connect to should turn on or off! If the Dish remote is not working, make sure the connections are set up correctly.
Connecting to Receivers
Are you trying to connect a remote to an existing DISH Network receiver and having some trouble? There’s a separate setup procedure for connecting to receivers that you’ll need to follow. The good news is that it’s generally simpler than connecting to other devices. So, let’s again break it down by remote and what steps you need to take!
Note: These remotes are designed to be paired with the intended DISH Network receiver. They aren’t designed to be paired with DISH receivers that are too much older or too much newer. In other words, don’t try to pair a remote from one model with a receiver from different model.
52.0 Model
Step 1: Take a look at your receiver. You should see a smaller, round button on the right side called Sys Info, right by the red reset button. Give it a press. This should cause the System Info screen to pop up on your TV, but you can ignore it for now.
Step 2: Look on the side of your remote – the first side button should be SAT. Give it a press, too.
Step 3. Now look at the front, top portion of your remote. Right under the home button, you should find a button that says Back. Press it too.
Step 4: Now look at your TV. The System Info screen should vanish. If it doesn’t, manually reset the remote and try again.
50.0 Model
Good news! This is just like the 52.0 model. The only difference is that, when you press the SAT button on the side of the remote, it should respond with three chimes to let you know that you’re doing the right thing (the 52.0 model doesn’t make any sound). Otherwise, repeat the steps just as they are for the 52.0.
40.0 Model
Step 1: Head over to your receiver and look for a button that says Sys Info. It’s usually on the right-hand side, although this can vary between receiver models. Once you find it, press it and wait for the System Info screen to pop up on your TV so you know that you’re in the right mode.
Step 2: Now go to your remote. Along the top you should see four buttons. The first one should say SAT: press it down. You should hire three growing chimes to let you know that this step worked.
Step 3: Look down on the lower right part of your remote, next to the selection wheel. You should see a button labeled as “Cancel.” Press it. This should automatically make the System Info window vanish from your screen. If it stays, then the connection didn’t work. Try to reset your remote and try again.
Other (Older) Models
This applies to any other, older receivers you may have – in other words, the silver remotes. This is unlikely to apply to your situation unless you broke your old remote and received a brand new version. Since it’s probably been a few years since you paired the remote, it’s time for a refresher on how to do it.
Step 1: Press the System Info button. For older receivers, this button is located behind the door on the receiver front – the panel that pops open. This should also bring up the System Info screen on your TV screen.
Step 2: On your remote, you should see four buttons at the very top. Press the SAT button on the very left.
Step 3: Now look down for the red Record button, which should be in the lower center of your remote. Press it next (don’t worry, it won’t start recording anything).
Step 4: On the System Info screen, the middle button should say “Done.” Select this, and you should be finished!
