You lost the original remote. Or your cable box remote won’t control the volume. Or you just want one remote for everything. Whatever the reason, programming a universal remote to a TCL TV takes under 2 minutes — if you have the right code.
This guide covers every current TCL TV platform: Roku TV, Google TV, Fire TV, and Android TV. Codes are organized by cable/satellite provider and by universal remote brand. Programming steps are included for all three methods.
Start Here — Best Codes to Try First
Before scrolling through tables, try these two codes. They work on most modern universal remotes and cable/satellite setups.
5-digit codes (recommended for cable and satellite remotes):
- 11756 — works on Xfinity, DirecTV, Spectrum, Cox, RCA, and One For All
- 12434 — TCL’s own recommended code; confirmed universal across Roku TV, Google TV, and Fire TV platforms
4-digit codes (for GE, Philips, and standalone universal remotes):
- 6171 — recommended by Jasco (GE’s manufacturer) for TCL Roku TVs
- 2891 — listed on TCL’s official support page for GE Model 24922
- 1756 — works on Cox, Bright House, and several RCA models
3-digit codes (older or budget remotes):
- 387 — Time Warner / Spectrum legacy remotes
- 535 — Dish Network
- 180 — Verizon Fios
Start with 11756. If the TV doesn’t respond, try 12434. Those two codes resolve the setup on the majority of cable remotes used with TCL TVs today.
Not sure which remote you have or whether it’s compatible? Use the universal remote compatibility checker to verify before running through codes manually.
TCL Remote Codes by Cable & Satellite Provider
Xfinity / Comcast
| Code | Notes |
|---|---|
| 11756 | Primary code — try first |
| 12434 | Secondary; works on XR15 and XR16 remotes |
| 12290 | Alternative |
| 14398 | For newer Xfinity remote models |
Important for Xfinity users: By default, Xfinity remotes lock channel control to the cable box. This means pressing Channel Up/Down on your remote changes the cable box channel, not the TCL TV’s built-in tuner. To unlock this, contact Xfinity to deactivate Channel Control Lock — their support page walks through the steps for each remote model.
If you use Xfinity and are thinking about cutting the cord, the cord-cutting savings calculator can show you exactly how much you’d save by switching to streaming. For more Xfinity remote setup details, see the full Comcast Xfinity universal remote codes guide.
DirecTV / AT&T
| Code | Notes |
|---|---|
| 11756 | Works on Genie and older DirecTV remotes |
| 12434 | Recommended starting code |
| 10178 | TCL Fire TV models specifically |
| 10706 | AT&T DirecTV legacy code |
Spectrum / Charter / Time Warner
| Code | Notes |
|---|---|
| 11756 | Primary code |
| 12434 | Works across most Spectrum remote models |
| 387 | Time Warner legacy remotes only |
| 1566 | Older Charter/Time Warner units |
For a full breakdown of Spectrum remote programming, the Spectrum universal remote codes guide covers all TV brands and remote models.
Dish Network
| Code | Notes |
|---|---|
| 535 | Primary code |
| 645 | Alternative |
| 1756 | Backup |
Cox Communications
| Code | Notes |
|---|---|
| 1756 | Primary code |
| 11756 | Secondary |
| 12434 | Backup |
Verizon Fios
| Code | Notes |
|---|---|
| 180 | Only confirmed Fios code for TCL |
AT&T U-verse
| Code | Notes |
|---|---|
| 1346 | Primary code |
| 12434 | Works on newer U-verse remotes |
| 2434 | Backup |
Other Providers
| Provider | Code(s) |
|---|---|
| Altice / Optimum / Suddenlink | 1111, 0821, 3411, 3311, 4141 |
| TiVo | 0091, 0366 |
| Google Fiber | 2856 |
| Frontier Communications | 688 |
| Windstream / CenturyLink | 2414, 2434, 3183 |
| Buckeye Broadband / Sparklight | 2434, 12434 |
| Hawaiian Telcom | 2434 |
| Microsoft Xbox One | T1756 |
TCL Remote Codes by Universal Remote Brand
GE Universal Remote
GE remotes (made by Jasco) come loaded with different code lists. Before entering any code, check the sticker inside your battery compartment. It will show CL3, CL4, or CL5 — this tells you which code list is loaded on your remote. Using the wrong list’s codes wastes time.
| Code List | TCL TV Codes |
|---|---|
| CL3 | 6171, 2891 |
| CL4 | 6171, 2891 |
| CL5 | 6171, 2891 |
Recommended first code: 6171 (Jasco’s official recommendation for TCL TVs across all code lists).
For a full list of GE codes across all TV brands, the GE universal remote codes guide has every code list covered.
Philips Universal Remote
Philips universal remotes (also made by Jasco, sold under both names) use the same code list system. Check the back of your remote or inside the battery compartment for the code list number.
| Code | Notes |
|---|---|
| 12183 | Primary for most Philips models |
| 10885 | Alternative |
| 11756 | Works on newer Philips remotes |
| 12434 | Universal backup |
See the full Philips universal remote codes guide for complete setup instructions and codes for other brands. If you have a ByJasco-branded remote, the ByJasco universal remote codes page has the same code list breakdown.
RCA Universal Remote
| Code | Notes |
|---|---|
| 11756 | Works on most RCA models |
| 12434 | Backup |
| 14398 | Newer RCA remotes |
| 12049 | Older models |
The RCA universal remote codes guide covers programming steps specific to RCA remotes.
One For All Remote
| Code | Notes |
|---|---|
| 12183 | Primary |
| 11756 | Secondary |
| 12434 | Backup |
Full setup instructions are available in the One For All universal remote codes guide.
ONN Universal Remote
| Code | Notes |
|---|---|
| 3851 | Official TCL code for ONN remotes |
For more details, check the ONN universal remote codes guide.
Logitech Harmony (Legacy Models)
Logitech discontinued the Harmony line in 2021. If you still own a Harmony remote, it can still be configured for TCL TVs through the Logitech Harmony software. When prompted for the manufacturer, enter TCL. For model number, enter Roku TV — this applies to standard TCL Roku TVs. Google TV and Fire TV models follow the same steps with the same entry.
Codes by TCL TV Platform
TCL makes TVs running four different operating systems. The same IR codes generally work across all of them for basic functions, but some providers use platform-specific codes. Here’s what TCL officially publishes for each.
TCL Roku TV Codes (Cable/Satellite Remotes)
| Provider | Codes |
|---|---|
| Xfinity / Comcast | 11756, 12434, 12290 |
| DirecTV | 11756, 10706 |
| Spectrum / Charter | 11756 |
| Dish Network | 535, 645, 1756 |
| Cox | 1756, 11756, 12434 |
| Verizon Fios | 180 |
| AT&T U-verse | 1346, 12434 |
| GE Universal (Model 24922) | 2891 |
TCL Google TV Codes
| Provider | Codes |
|---|---|
| Xfinity / Comcast | 11756, 12434, 12290, 14398 |
| Spectrum | 11756, 12434, 12290 |
| Cox | 11756, 12434, 12290 |
| DirecTV | 11756, 12434, 10178 |
| AT&T U-verse | 12434 |
TCL’s note on Google TV: Code 12434 is described as “almost universal” — start there.
TCL Fire TV Codes
| Provider | Codes |
|---|---|
| Xfinity / Comcast | 10178, 11756, 12434, 12290, 14398 |
| Spectrum | 10178, 11756, 12434, 12290 |
| Cox | 10178, 11756, 12434, 12290 |
| DirecTV | 10178, 11756, 12434, 10093 |
TCL Android TV Codes
TCL’s Android TV models use a separate code set. TCL publishes these as a downloadable PDF from their official support page. For most universal remotes, start with 11756 or 12434 — these cover Android TV models as well. If those fail, download TCL’s Android TV code sheet directly from their support site.
How to Program a Universal Remote to Your TCL TV
Not sure which button does what on your universal remote? The remote control button explainer tool identifies any button’s function by remote brand and model.
Method 1 — Direct Code Entry (Manual)
This is the most reliable method. Use it if you know your code.
- Turn on your TCL TV using its physical power button.
- Press and hold the TV (or Setup) button on your universal remote until the LED indicator turns on and stays lit.
- Enter the 4- or 5-digit code using the number pad.
- If the code is accepted, the LED turns off.
- Press the Power button on the remote. Your TCL TV should turn off.
- If it turns off, the code is locked in. If not, repeat from step 2 with the next code on the list.
Method 2 — Auto Code Search
Use this if you don’t have a code, or if all manual codes failed.
- Turn on your TCL TV.
- Press and hold the TV button until the LED turns on.
- Hold the Power button until the LED turns off, then turns back on. Release both buttons. The remote is now in scan mode.
- Point the remote at your TCL TV and press Power repeatedly — one press every 2 seconds.
- When the TV turns off, press Enter or OK to lock in the code.
- Test the remote for volume and channel control.
Method 3 — Brand Code Search
Some remotes let you search by brand rather than entering a code directly.
- Press and hold Setup until the LED stays on.
- Press 9, 9, 1 in sequence and wait for the LED to blink twice.
- Press Channel Up slowly and repeatedly. The remote cycles through codes for TCL.
- When your TV turns off, press Channel Down once to back up to the working code.
- Press Enter or OK to save it.
If you want to find the right code without running through all three methods manually, the remote code finder tool lets you search by TV brand and remote brand in one place.
Basic vs. Expanded Button Support — What This Means
TCL uses two terms to describe what a programmed universal remote can actually do. This matters — some remotes only get partial control even after successful programming.
Basic support gives you:
- Power on/off
- Volume up/down
- Input select (source button)
- Mute
Expanded support adds:
- Back, Home
- Up, Down, Left, Right (navigation)
- Play/Pause
- Reverse scan, Forward scan
- Replay, Options (star button)
Most cable and satellite remotes deliver Basic support only. Dedicated universal remotes from GE, Philips, RCA, and One For All are more likely to deliver Expanded support when paired with TCL TVs, especially on Roku TV models.
If your remote only controls power and volume after programming, that’s expected. It isn’t a setup error — it’s a hardware limitation of the remote itself.
Troubleshooting — Code Not Working
Check these first
- TV must be on before you start programming. The remote sends an IR signal to the TV’s sensor — it needs to be powered and receptive.
- Replace batteries before attempting programming. Low batteries cause LED indicators to behave erratically.
- Clear line of sight — no objects between the remote and the TV’s IR sensor (usually bottom-center of the TV frame).
- Try every code for your provider. Most providers have 3–5 codes listed. Work through them all before switching methods.
- GE remote users: Confirm your code list (CL3/CL4/CL5) from the battery compartment sticker. Using CL4 codes on a CL3 remote produces no result.
Xfinity Channel Control Lock
Xfinity remotes lock channel control to the cable box by default. After programming your remote to the TCL TV, Volume will work — but Channel Up/Down controls the box, not the TV’s built-in tuner. This is intentional behavior, not a code error.
To deactivate Channel Control Lock, visit the Xfinity remote support page and follow the instructions for your specific remote model (XR11, XR15, XR16). The steps differ by model.
When No Code Works
If you’ve tried all codes and all three methods:
- Use the TCL remote app. If your phone is on the same Wi-Fi as the TV, the TCL app (available for iOS and Android) controls all functions without any code setup.
- Use a phone with an IR blaster. Some Android phones have a built-in IR blaster. A remote app using IR doesn’t need Wi-Fi — but signal strength varies by phone model.
- Get a replacement remote. A replacement TCL remote is the cleanest fix. It restores full button functionality that no universal remote can fully replicate.
If you’re troubleshooting a TCL TV error at the same time, the TV error code lookup tool identifies error codes by brand and displays exactly what each one means.
FAQ
What is the universal remote code for TCL TV? The most reliable codes are 11756 and 12434 for 5-digit remotes. For 4-digit remotes, start with 6171 (GE) or 1756. These cover the majority of cable, satellite, and standalone universal remote setups.
What code works for TCL Roku TV? For cable and satellite remotes, 11756 works across Xfinity, DirecTV, Spectrum, Cox, and RCA. For GE universal remotes, use 6171. For Dish Network, use 535.
Do TCL Google TV and Roku TV use the same codes? For most cable remotes — yes. Codes like 11756 and 12434 work on both platforms. TCL recommends starting with 12434 for Google TV models specifically.
Why does my remote control volume but not channels? This is Basic button support — standard for most cable and satellite remotes. Channel control may be locked to the cable box (especially Xfinity). Check the Channel Control Lock setting with your provider.
Will a GE universal remote work with a TCL TV? Yes. Use code 6171 for most GE models. Open the battery compartment, confirm your code list (CL3, CL4, or CL5), and enter 6171 as your first code.
My code worked but the remote stopped responding — why? Removing batteries for more than 10 minutes resets most GE and Philips remotes. You’ll need to reprogram them. Always keep batteries in the remote or save your code somewhere before swapping batteries.
