Program a Dish Network Remote Control for Your TV, VCR or DVD Player

If your Dish Network receiver came with a universal remote, you can program it to control other devices such as your television, VCR or DVD player. All you need is the remote code for the type and brand of device you wish to program. Dish Network provides many common remote codes in its user manuals. However, if the remote code for your TV, VCR or DVD player isn't available, you can scan through the remote codes to determine which one works.

Programming a Dish Network Remote with a Remote Code

Turn on your TV and the device you'd like to program into your Dish Network remote control. Consult your Dish Network receiver's user's manual for the remote code for your device. If you no longer have your user manual, search the DishNetwork.com website with your receiver model number for a copy to download.

To program a television into the Dish Network remote control, press and hold the "TV" mode button until all the buttons light up. Use the "VCR" mode button to program your VCR. You can also use the "VCR" button or the "AUX" button to program your DVD player. If you select "AUX," select "1" to program an auxiliary VCR or DVD player and press "0" to program an auxiliary television.

When the mode button you've selected starts to flash, key in the 3-digit remote code for your TV, VCR or DVD player. Then press the pound ("#") button to save the code in the remote control. Press the blank power button on the Dish Network remote to see if it will turn off your device. If it doesn't, repeat the programming steps using a different remote code for the same type and brand of device.

Programming a Dish Network Remote without a Remote Code

Press and hold the correct mode button for your device. After the buttons light up and the mode button begins to flash, press the star ("*") key on your Dish Network remote control. Press the blank power button. Then press the up or down arrow button on the remote control. This method tests every remote code in the Dish Network remote control's memory. When your device turns off, press the pound ("#") key to save the remote code.

If your experience difficulty programming your Dish Network remote control to use your TV, VCR or DVD player, check the Dish Network support site for troubleshooting advice.