Articles in this section

See more

Programming the RCA RCR311W Universal Remote Control

Avatar
CS
Updated
Follow

 

Programming the RCA RCR311W Universal Remote Control  

Your universal remote can operate a variety of brands of components. In order for your universal remote to control your components, you need to program the remote with the codes that match the components (See Code Lists at the bottom of this page). These codes enable the remote to communicate with your components. Each brand and each component has its own “language,” and, by programming the correct codes into your remote, you tell the remote to “speak the same language” as your components.

There are four methods you can use to program your remote control to operate your components:

  • Brand Code Search and Entry
  • Direct Code Entry
  • Manual Code Search and Entry
  • Auto Code Search and Entry

Most components can be programmed in one of these four ways. Try them in the order listed. In order to control combo units, like TV/VCRs or TV/DVDs, you must program the individual corresponding component keys to control each part of the combo unit. Once programmed successfully, the TV key controls the TV functions on your unit, and the VCR•DVD key controls the VCR or DVD functions, respectively. There is a specific section in the Code Lists for combo units. The codes in this section should be tried first, using Direct Code Entry on the TV and VCR•DVD keys. If this is unsuccessful, follow the normal programming methods for both the TV and the VCR•DVD keys.


Programming Methods:

Brand Code Search and Entry

If your brand is listed in the Brand Code List (See Code Lists at the bottom of this page), you may be able to program your universal remote by searching through only the Code Lists for that specific manufacturer. Brand Code Search and Entry can be the quickest method to program your remote, if your component (TV, VCR and/or DVD, satellite receiver and/or cable box) is one of those brands listed. If your brand is not listed in the Brand Code List, use one of the other programming methods: Direct Code Entry, Manual Code Search and Entry or Auto Code Search and Entry.

Follow these instructions to program your remote using the Brand Code Search and Entry method.

Tip: To exit without saving at any point in the Brand Code Search, press and release the GO BACK key.

  1. Manually turn on the component you want the remote to control (TV, VCR, DVD, satellite receiver or cable box).
  2. Locate the Brand Codes in the Code Lists and keep it handy.
    Note: If you press an invalid key during the Brand Code Search, the remote does not respond and the search times out after two minutes. When the search times out, the illuminated ON•OFF key blinks four times and turns off. The last programmed code under that component key is retained.
  3. If you are programming the remote to control your TV, satellite receiver or cable box, go directly to step 5.
  4. To program the remote to control a VCR or DVD: The VCR•DVD key can control only one component, either your VCR or your DVD. To program your remote to control either your DVD or your VCR, you must first put the remote in the proper programming mode. Follow these directions before proceeding to step 5.
    a. Press and hold the VCR•DVD key. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns on.
    b. While holding down the VCR•DVD key, press and release the number 2 key on the keypad to control a VCR or the number 3 key to control a DVD. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns off.
    c. Release the VCR•DVD key. The illuminated ON•OFF key blinks four times and then turns off. Your remote is now either in VCR or DVD Programming Mode, depending on which you chose. Proceed to step 5.
  5. Press and hold the component key (TV, VCR•DVD, SAT•CBL) you wish to program. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns on and remains on.
  6. While holding the component key down, press and hold the ON•OFF key. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns off.
  7. After holding both keys down for three seconds, the illuminated ON•OFF key turns back on.
  8. Release both keys. The illuminated ON•OFF key remains on.
  9. Refer to the Brand Codes in the enclosed Code Lists. Press and release the appropriate brand code key, using the number keys on the keypad. The illuminated ON•OFF key blinks once.
    Tip: Throughout the programming of each key, be sure to keep the remote pointed at the IR sensor of the component you are currently programming the remote to control.
  10. Press and release the ON•OFF key repeatedly until your component turns off. Wait 4 seconds between each key press. Each time you press the ON•OFF key, the illuminated ON•OFF key blinks, and the next code is sent. The Brand Code Search begins with the first code in the chosen brand list for that component and cycles through all the codes for that brand. If your component turns off, you have found the correct code. (If it cycles through and the illuminated ON•OFF key blinks four times and turns off, all codes in the chosen brand lists have been searched. The Brand Code Search mode is exited.)
  11. Once you have found the correct code, you must save that code by pressing and releasing the STOP key. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns off. You must press the STOP key to save the code or the correct code will not be stored!
  12. To confirm that the component key is programmed with the correct code for maximum functionality, test the component. Attempt to control a variety of the component’s functions with the remote. If some of the features of your component do not work, try programming the remote using the direct code entry method.


Direct Code Entry

To program your universal remote to control your components using the Direct Code Entry Method, follow the steps below.

  1. Manually turn on the component you want the remote to control (TV, VCR, DVD, satellite receiver or cable box).
  2. Locate the enclosed Code Lists. Find the list for the component you wish to program. Find your component’s brand. You will see a listing of four digit codes for each brand. If your brand isn't listed, use the Manual Code Search method to program the remote control. (Refer to the Manual Code and Auto Code Search method.)
  3. Press and hold the component key (TV, VCR, DVD, SAT·CBL) you wish to program. The illuminated On/Off key turns on and remains on. If you release the component key at any time during the Direct Code Entry procedure, the illuminated On/Off key blinks four times, and the process is exited.
  4. While holding down the component key, consult the Code Lists for the four-digit code that corresponds to your component’s brand and use the number keys (0-9) on the keypad to enter it. While you are pressing the numbers, the illuminated On/Off key turns off.
  5. After the fourth number is entered, the illuminated On/Off key turns on. At this time, release the component key. If the illuminated On/Off key turns off, you have entered a valid code and have followed the correct procedure for Direct Code Entry. If you enter a code number that is not in the Code List or you do not follow all of the steps for Direct Code Entry, the illuminated On/Off key blinks four times when the component key is released. This is an indication that a programming error has occurred. In that case, repeat the Direct Code Entry process from step 3 and try the next code listed.
    Tip: Throughout the programming of each key, be sure to keep the remote pointed at the IR sensor of the component you are currently programming the remote to control.
  6. To confirm that the component key is programmed with the correct code for maximum functionality, test the component. Attempt to control a variety of the component’s functions with the remote. If some of the features of your components do not work, try programming the remote with a different code in the list until you find the code that allows the remote to control the majority of your component’s functions. Different codes can provide different levels of functionality.


Manual Code Search and Entry

If your component’s brand isn't listed in the Code Lists, or if you have tried all of the codes for your brand and the remote does not operate your component, try the Manual Code Search. This Code Search method cycles through all of the codes in the Code Lists in the event that your component’s code is listed under another brand. The Manual Code Search method may take a long time because the remote searches through all of the codes in its memory for the code that operates your component. Therefore, if your brand is listed in the Code Lists, first try the Direct Code Entry method.

Tip: To exit without saving at any point in the Manual Code Search, press and release the GO BACK key.

  1. Manually turn on the component you want the remote to control (TV, VCR, DVD, satellite receiver or cable box).
    Note: If you press an invalid key during the Manual Code Search, the remote does not respond and the search times out after two minutes. When the search times out, the illuminates On/Off key blinks four times and turns off. The last programmed code under that component key is retained.
  2. If you are programming the remote to control your TV, satellite receiver or cable box, go directly to step 4.
  3. To program the remote to control a VCR or DVD. The VCR•DVD key can control only one component, either your VCR or your DVD. To program your remote to control either your DVD or your VCR, you must first put the remote in the proper programming mode. Follow these directions before proceeding to step 4.
    a. Press and hold the VCR•DVD key. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns on.
    b. While holding down the VCR•DVD key, press and release the number 2 key on the keypad to control a VCR or the number 3 key to control a DVD. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns off.
    c. Release the VCR•DVD key. The illuminated ON•OFF key blinks four times and then turns off. Your remote is now either in VCR or DVD Programming Mode, depending on which you chose. Proceed to step 4.
  4. Press and hold the component key (TV, VCR•DVD, SAT•CBL) you wish to program. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns on and remains on.
  5. While holding the component key down, press and hold the ON•OFF key. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns off.
  6. After holding down both keys for three seconds, the illuminated ON•OFF key turns back on.
  7. Release both keys. The illuminated ON•OFF key remains on.
    Tip: Throughout the programming of each key, be sure to keep the remote pointed at the IR sensor of the component you are currently programming the remote to control.
  8. Press and release the ON•OFF key repeatedly, waiting 4 seconds between each key press, until your component turns off. Each time you press the ON•OFF key, the illuminated ON•OFF key blinks, and the next code is sent. This process continues until all of the codes in the Code Lists have been searched. If your component turns off, you have found the correct code. (If it cycles through and the illuminated ON•OFF key blinks four times and turns off, all codes have been searched. The Manual Code Search method is exited.)
  9. Once your component turns off, you have found the correct code. You must save the new code by pressing and releasing the STOP key. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns off. You must press the STOP key to save the code or the correct code will not be stored!


Testing the Code for Maximum Functionality

To confirm that the component key is programmed with the correct code for maximum functionality, it is necessary to test the component. If some of the features of your component do not work, different codes in the list can be tried until you find the code that allows the remote to control the majority of your component’s functions. Different codes can provide different levels of functionality. Follow these steps to test for maximum functionality.

  1. Once the code has been stored (see Manual Code Search and Entry Method above), use the remote to attempt to control a variety of the component’s functions. If the code that has been stored controls the majority of the component’s functions, programming is complete. If the code stored does not give maximum functionality, you will want to try another code.
  2. In that case, repeat the Manual Code Search and Entry Method from step 1. When the component turns off for the first time, do not press the STOP key, which would store the code. Instead, with the unit now off, continue to press the ON·OFF key repeatedly until the unit turns back on. Once the unit turns back on, you have found another code that operates the component. Press the STOP key.
  3. Test the functionality again by attempting to control a variety of the component’s functions. If the code that has been stored controls the majority of the component’s functions, programming is complete. If the code stored does not give maximum functionality, you will want to try another code.
  4. Repeat the Manual Code Search and Entry Method from step 1. Each time a code turns the component on or off, you have found a code that operates the remote and needs to be tested for maximum functionality. Continue through the code lists, cycling through the codes you have already tried, until you find one that offers maximum functionality.


Auto Code Search and Entry

The Auto Code Search and Entry Method enables the remote to automatically search through all the codes in the Code Lists for the one that operates your component.

Note: The Manual and Auto Code Search methods may take a long time because the remote searches through all of the codes in its memory for the code that operates your component. Therefore, if your brand is listed in the Brand Codes or the Code Lists, first try the Brand Code Search or the Direct Code Entry methods described above.

Tip: To exit without saving at any point in the Auto Code Search, press and release the GO BACK key.

  1. Manually turn on the component you want the remote to control (TV, VCR, DVD, satellite receiver or cable box).
    Note: If you press an invalid key during the Auto Code Search, the remote does not respond. If you do not press a valid Auto Code Search key (TV, VCR•DVD, SAT•CBL, ON•OFF, GO BACK, PLAY, REVERSE, for ward , STOP), the search times out after two minutes. When the search times out, the illuminated ON•OFF key blinks four times and turns off. The last programmed code under that component key is retained.
  2. If you are programming the remote to control your TV, satellite receiver or cable box go directly to step 4.
  3. To program the remote to control a VCR or DVD. The VCR•DVD key can control only one component, either your VCR or your DVD. To program your remote to control either your DVD or your VCR, you must first put the remote in the proper programming mode. Follow these directions before proceeding to step 4.
    a. Press and hold the VCR•DVD key. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns on.
    b. While holding down the VCR•DVD key, press and release the number 2 key on the keypad to control a VCR or the number 3 key to control a DVD. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns off.
    c. Release the VCR•DVD key. The illuminated ON•OFF key blinks four times and then turns off. Your remote is now either in VCR or DVD Programming Mode, depending on which you chose. Proceed to step 4.
  4. Press and hold the component key (TV, VCR•DVD, SAT•CBL) you wish to program. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns on and remains on.
  5. While holding the component key down, press and hold the ON•OFF key. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns off.
  6. After holding down both keys for three seconds, the illuminated ON•OFF key turns back on.
  7. Release both keys. The illuminated ON•OFF key remains on.
    Tip: Throughout the programming of each key, be sure to keep the remote pointed at the IR sensor of the component you are currently programming the remote to control.
  8. Press and release the PLAY key, then wait five seconds to see if your component turns off. If your component does not respond, continue to press the PLAY key every five seconds until your component turns off. Each time you press the PLAY key, the illuminated ON•OFF key blinks and a block of 10 codes are sent to your component. This process continues until all of the codes in the Code Lists have been searched. (If your component has not turned off after all codes have been searched, the illuminated ON•OFF key blinks four times and turns off. The Auto Code Search Entry method is exited.)
  9. When your component turns off, you know the correct code is in the last block of 10 codes sent. Press and release the REVERSE key. Wait two seconds to see if your component turns on again. If your component does not respond, continue to press the REVERSE key every two seconds until your component turns on again. This will isolate the correct code in the last block of codes sent. Each time the REVERSE key is pressed, the illuminated ON•OFF key blinks.
    Note: If you accidentally press the REVERSE key after your component responds, press and release the FORWARD key. Then, wait two seconds to see if your component turns off again.
  10. Once your component turns off, you have found the correct code. You must save the new code by pressing and releasing the STOP key. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns off. You must press the STOP key to save the code or the correct code will not be stored!
  11. To confirm that the component key is programmed with the correct code for maximum functionality, test the component. Attempt to control a variety of the component’s functions with the remote. If some of the features of your components do not work, different codes in the list can be tried until you find the code that allows the remote to control the majority of your component’s functions. See the section above entitled “Testing the Code for Maximum Functionality” for more information.


Code Retrieval:

Once you've programmed the remote to control your components, you may want to record the codes for future reference. If you used the Direct Code Entry method, this is easy. Just find the codes you programmed in and make a note of them in the boxes on the next page. If you used one of the Code Search methods to program your remote, you will need to retrieve each component’s four-digit code. Retrieving the actual code and writing it down will save you time if you ever need to program the remote again (e.g., if programming is lost when you change the batteries). If the codes are recorded, you can use the Direct Entry method to reprogram your remote to control your components, which is quick and easy.

  1. Press and hold the component key (TV, VCR•DVD, SAT•CBL) whose code you wish to retrieve. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns on.
  2. While holding the component key down, press and hold the INFO key. The illuminated ON•OFF key turns off.
  3. After holding down both keys for three seconds, the illuminated ON•OFF key turns back on.
  4. Release both keys. The illuminated ON•OFF key remains on.
  5. Starting with the number 1 key, press and release each number key on the keypad in the following order (1-9, then 0). The number that causes the illuminated ON•OFF key to blink is the first number of the code. As you find each number of the code, write them down for future reference.
    Note: All TV codes begin with the number 1; all VCR codes begin
    with the number 2; all DVDs, the number 3; and all satellite receivers and cable boxes, the number 5.
  6. Repeat step 5 until you have retrieved all four numbers in the code.
  7. After the fourth number is retrieved, the illuminated ON•OFF key blinks briefly, then turns off.
  8. To exit the Code Retrieval Mode, press and release the GO BACK key at any time.
  9. If you press an invalid key during the Code Retrieval process, the remote will not respond. If you do not press a valid Code Retrieval key (TV, VCR•DVD, SAT•CBL, INFO, GO BACK), Code Retrieval times out after 15 seconds. The illuminated ON•OFF key blinks four times, and then turns off.

 

Notes:

  • If you cannot locate your owners manual you can view the codes online and download a manual below however if the code is not listed for your specific component we will NOT be able to provide additional codes
  • If your remote is over four years old, it might not be able to operate some newer components, or it may be able to operate some functions but not others.

ADDITIONAL RCA REMOTE CONTROL REFERENCES

The rcaaudiovideo.com site provides step by step videos, an online code finder as well as additional PDFs of Owner-User manuals and code lists. Please see the information below for the latest information.

RCA Online Code Finder

To access the RCA Online Remote Control Code Finder to search for a component code that is compatible with your RCA remote, Click Here.

If you don't see your RCA remote listed by MODEL NUMBER, please send us Feedback saying Code Not Found (just click on How well did this answer your question? below to add feedback) and we will get the codes posted as soon as possible.

User Manual Search

If you don't see your remote control model listed on this support site please send us Feedback saying Manual Not Found (just click on How well did this answer your question? below to add feedback) and we will get the manual posted as soon as possible.

To access the RCA Site for user manuals not found in the support FAQ's Click Here and enter your remote control by MODEL NUMBER and check Manual in the search box at the top left of the page.

Step By Step Videos

 

 

STILL NEED HELP?- We use an automated support system so we can serve our customers in a first in - first out manner and prevent long hold times on the telephone systems

FIRST

  • Feel free to search the knowledge base by entering your model number or keyword in the search box on the Support Home Page or on the Answer Page , then push the red search button to find additional answers available as this answer may be only one of the many available answers in our system for your product.

NOTE: Search for a MODEL NUMBER, searching for words like purchase or, warranty will get you far to many results and make finding the answer you are looking much more difficult

REACHING CUSTOMER CARE

If searching the answers in our Knowledgebase did not answer your question and you need additional information, support, warranty service or want to inquire about out of warranty repair please follow one of the steps below to use the automated support system

1. New to the Support Site :
Click here to go to the Support Account Creation Page so you can submit a support request and we can respond.

2 . Returning Customer:
Click Here to Go to the Ask A Question Page so you can submit a support request and we can respond. Note: You may have to login if you haven't already.

Related articles

Comments

0 comments

Article is closed for comments.