Home > Remote Codes

RCA universal remote codes – how to program with and without codes

Simplifying device control
Last Updated on March 21, 2024
A RCA universal remote control with 4-digit codes list centered against a blue-green gradient background.
You can trust PC Guide: Our team of experts use a combination of independent consumer research, in-depth testing where appropriate - which will be flagged as such, and market analysis when recommending products, software and services. Find out how we test here.

If you have an RCA Universal Remote and you’re trying to figure out how to program it for your devices, then we have you covered right here. In this guide, we have shown a step-by-step walkthrough of how you can set it up with and without codes. For convenience, we have also listed some common codes along with links to the code finder and user manual.

Now, RCA universal remotes are quite popular and they work well with TVs, DVDs, CableBoxes, and other devices of most brands – so you shouldn’t really have any compatibility issues. Further, you can program the same remote for multiple devices, which should come in handy if you lose the original remote.

With our expert advice, you’ll have your entertainment devices synced in no time. For this guide, we have used the RCA 3-Device Palm-Sized Universal Remote. But the process of programming any RCA remote is more or less the same.


Top 5 Cyber Monday deals

This year's Cyber Monday has officially kickstarted, offering up huge discounts on some of the market's leading tech products. Below, we'll list the best Cyber Monday deals we can find.

Prices and savings subject to change. Click through to get the current deal prices.


Quick Answer

You can program the RCA universal remote with and without codes.

If you have the code, power on selected device > press and hold the device key (TV, DVD, or your selected device) > enter the code while holding down the button > if the power button lights up the remote is programmed. If not, try a different code and repeat the process.

To find the code for your device and guidance on how to program RCA remote without codes.

RCA universal remote codes list 4-digit

Here are some remote codes for popular TV brands –

BrandCodes
GE1004, 1005, 1006, 1019, 1022, 1051, 1064, 1079, 1080, 1081
LG1006, 1012, 1026, 1047, 1054, 1055, 1064, 1078, 1081, 1097
Sony1002, 1205, 1216, 1218, 1243, 1435, 1459
Samsung10812, 10060, 10702, 10178, 10030, 10766, 10814, 11060, 11903, 11030
Hisense10748, 11314, 11660, 12183, 13519, 13523, 13949, 13950, 13953
Vizio11758, 11756, 11759, 11760, 10864
Panasonic10051, 10250, 10702, 10761, 10765
Philips10054, 10037, 10051, 10080, 10154, 10765, 10236, 10768, 10818, 10850
Sharp10093, 10165, 10386, 10463, 10748, 11635, 11641, 11602, 12006, 11917
Toshiba10156, 11156, 11256, 11356, 11524, 10851, 10706, 10855, 11480, 10761

For a comprehensive list, you can refer to RCA’s remote code finder tool, or you can view the official RCA user manual online.

How to program your RCA universal remote

Here’s how to program your RCA Universal Remote for different devices using the code. As mentioned, you can find this code in the user manual, using the code search tool, or refer to some common codes listed above.

Step

1

Put batteries in the remote

Before you start programming the remote, you will have to insert the batteries that come with it.

Step

2

Turn on the device

Now, you have to power on the device that you want to use the RCA remote with. For this guide, we will take TV as an example.

Step

3

Select the device on remote

Next, you have to press and hold the corresponding device key on the RCA remote. For instance, if you want to program the remote for a TV, then press and hold the TV key until the power button lights up.

A RCA universal remote control with device buttons highlighted

Step

4

Enter the code

As you are holding the TV button (or the button for your selected device) enter the code that you have found. The power button’s light will turn off after you press the first digit.

A RCA universal remote control with number pad highlighted

Step

5

Hold down the device button

Now, when you’re done entering the code, keep holding the key. If the power button lights up again, you have programmed your RCA remote successfully. You can go ahead and test if the remote works correctly with your selected device.

After entering the code, if the power button blinks and turns off, it means that you have entered the wrong code. Further, if the remote buttons don’t respond correctly, this also means that you have entered the wrong code. In this case, you will have to repeat the process with a different code.

How to set up RCA universal remote without codes

If you don’t have the codes or simply don’t want to go through the trouble of finding them, you can try the auto-code search method. Here’s how to do it –

Step

1

Power on the device

The very first step is to turn on the device that you want to control with the RCA remote. For instance, if you want to use the remote with a TV, then turn your TV on.

Step

2

Press and hold the device button on the remote

Next, you will have to press the key corresponding to the selected device on the RCA remote. For instance, if you want to use the remote with the TV, then press and hold the TV button. The remote’s power button should light up – keep holding the button.

Step

3

Press and hold the power button

As you’re holding down the device button, you have to press and hold the power button (which should be lit as mentioned in the previous step). Basically, you have to press and hold both buttons until the power button turns off and then turns on again. Now, the power should stay on. Release both the buttons.

RCA Universal remote with power button and device buttons highlighted

Step

4

Press ‘Play’ button

Now, you have to point the RCA remote to your selected device, press the ‘Play’ button, and wait for five seconds. Here, batches of 10 codes are being tested.

RCA universal remote control with arrow showing play button

Step

5

Keep pressing ‘Play’ until you find the code

If your selected device turns off, the right has been found. However, if the device does not turn off, press ‘Play’ again to test the next set of codes. Keep pressing ‘Play’ every five seconds until the selected device turns off.

Step

6

Press ‘Reverse’ and then ‘Stop’

Now, when your selected device turns off, you have to press the ‘Reverse’ button and then wait for two seconds. If your device turns on, press the ‘Stop’ button to lock the code. The RCA universal remote is programmed for the selected device.

If your device doesn’t turn on, keep pressing the ‘Reverse’ button every two seconds until it does. When your device turns on, press the ‘Stop’ button to select the code.

RCA universal remote with arrows pointing at reverse and stop buttons

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I program an RCA universal remote to my TV?

To set up the RCA universal remote for your TV with a code, you have to –
Turn on the TV > press down the TV button on the RCA remote > hold down the TV button and enter the code > if the remote power button lights up, the programming was successful> test the remote. For more details and a guide on how to do it without codes, check out our guide.

How do I find my RCA remote code?

To find the code for your RCA remote, start by consulting the instruction manual that came with your remote. If that’s not available, you can visit the RCA Remote Code Finder on their official website, where you can enter the make and model of your device to get the corresponding remote codes. Alternatively, you can use the auto-search feature on your remote, which scans and tries different codes until the right one is found.

Conclusion

To sum up, RCA Universal remotes work with most brands of TVs, DVDs, and other devices – so you shouldn’t have any compatibility issues. As outlined in our guide, you can program your RCA remote for your selected devices with or without codes.

Maria is a contributer to PC Guide, highly-interested in productivity and AI tools, and ensuring the inclusion of detailed product info and coverage across versus pieces.