TVs are a great way to stay in touch with the world through the news, watch the up-and-coming talent on reality shows, or relax and unwind with a comedy. Almost every household in the US has a TV in their home. One common brand of TV is Insignia.  Insignia TVs are great until they stop working. Commonly, Insignia TV can’t change the channel.

The reason for an Insignia TV being unable to change the channel is a broken remote. When the remote stops functioning properly, it can cause the buttons on the remote to stop functioning as well. When this occurs, you will not be able to change the channel on their Insignia TV.

Although a broken remote is the most common cause of an Insignia TV being unable to change the channel, it is not the only possible reason. Read on to learn more about the different reasons why the channel cannot change on an Insignia TV and how to troubleshoot these problems best.

Remote Problems

The most common cause of an Insignia TV that cannot change channels is the remote control. A broken remote control will prevent a user from clicking the channel up and channel down buttons to change the channel. It can also cause the other buttons to become useless. This can be due to normal wear and tear, or it can be due to damage. Here are tips to fix it:

  • Replace the remote controlChange the batteriesTry using the original Insignia TV remoteCheck the input on your TV through the remote or the buttons on the TV

Replace the Remote Control 

It is relatively inexpensive to replace a remote control, and the newer models come with a number of new features. In case you have been using the same remote control for the past five years, it’s time to ditch it and get a new one.

Be sure to check out the universal remote codes for your Insignia TV and your new universal remote.

Change the Batteries. 

Some remotes do not work properly simply because they need new batteries. In this case, you will need to pop off the back of the remote and then take out the old batteries and replace them with new ones. The remote should now be working correctly.

Go Back to the Basics. 

You may have difficulty updating the firmware on the Insignia TV if they switch to a newer universal remote after updating the original Insignia remote. Consequently, the remote may become unresponsive. Take the old remote out and try it. There is a compatibility issue with the remote if it works.

Wrong Input

Another common cause of an Insignia TV not changing the channel is an input problem. If the TV is hooked up to a receiver, it can get confusing. The TV itself will be on, playing a show, acting normally. All of the other buttons on the remote could work; the only problem would be the channel buttons. Try adjusting the input by following the steps outlined below.

Manually Input Change

If you no longer have any patience for the remote control because it has stopped functioning properly and all hope seems lost, do not fret. There is a way to change the input on the TV without using the remote controller. Here is how to do it:

  • Go to the bottom part of the physical TV screen.Press the button on the underside of the screen. It is essentially the menu or options button for the TV.Cycle through the menu until you come across the input option. Select a different input  (ideally, the one you want your TV to read as).The TV should change the channel again if it is set to the same input as the receiver.

Although this seems painful, it is the best way to change the input of an Insignia TV if there are no other remote controls in the household. Some people get lucky, though, and can still use the remote control for its basic functions.

Remote Input Change

If you are a lucky individual who still has some functionality with the remote, then that remote controller can change the TV’s input. It is easier than doing so manually; just follow these quick steps:

  • Tap the Input button.If you do not have an input button, then tap the Source button.Use the arrows on the remote control to scroll over to the HDMI input that your receiver uses, and select it. The TV should be on the same input and the channel buttons should work again.

It should be relatively quick to tell whether this worked. If it did not, try a different input until you have cycled through them all. It may be the last one you would think.

Repair or Replace

The TV is not typically broken in these odd circumstances. It is almost always an issue with the remote control or the input that a TV is set to. If the remote is an issue, consider replacing it. Many universal options are on the market at affordable prices. This makes the question repair or replacing the remote is a no-brainer. Opt for a new one; it is worth it.