I Need Help Programming My U-Verse Service

[dmeier81]

TV: Dynex
Receiver: Yamaha

I've been a U-Verse customer for almost 2 years.  Had no problem programming my devices when I got U-Verse.  However, about two weeks ago, my U-Verse remote would not lower the volume on my Yahama receiver when pressing the volume down button on the U-Verse remote.

Yesterday, I reset my remote's factory defaults and attempted to put in the codes again.  Nothing worked, every code still powered off the receiver and the volume up continued to work, volume down wouldn't.  Called into tech support and spoke to 3 different reps at 3 different times and they couldn't figure it out.  I spoke to a fourth late last night and in an attempt to help troubleshoot, I let her know that when we first set up U-Verse, we set up 4 TVs.  Since, we have taken down one TV and I had an extra U-Verse receiver and remote in a closet.  I set up this remote with the codes.   

Here's where it gets strange so I will recap.  The remote we had used for almost 2 years wasn't responding to the volume down.  Set up another remote that we hadn't used for almost a year and inputted the Yamaha receiver first.  When I pressed the volume up/down it would control the U-Verse DVR's volume.  Which in turn was sending the signal to my Yamaha receiver.  A speaker in the top right side of the screen came up.  I could live with it functioning this way, as I could turn the Yahama receiver at the highest volume I wanted, and the DVR's volume would then go down and back up from there (hope that makes sense).  However, when I inputted the TV code, and pressed the volume up/down on the U-Verse remote, that then signalled the TV's volume.  Long story short, a tech was scheduled to come out.

Tech just left and he gave me a new remote.  I input the Yamaha receiver code in first.  It worked, the unit powered off.  When I powered it back on and pressed volume up/down, again the DVR's volume control would be signalled.  But once again, when I input the code for the TV, powered it off and back on, pressing the volume button on the U-Verse controller would signal the TV's volume, not the Yamaha receiver. 

Also for the sake of providing as much info possible, the remote I originally had programmed and then the one from the unused unit were both the grey standard remote.  The remote the tech gave me today was the black standard remote.

Please, anyone with an idea, I'd love to hear it!

[aviewer ACE - Wizard]

I think the original problem was the down volume button was worn out because I have seen such reports & experienced it myself.

I think the current problem is because the remote programing is just to complicated. It's great to take out the litlle folded up piece of paper that came with the gray remote & get it to work. (& I originally that that was too complicated). Somehow I have myU-Verse point anywhere remote programed to work with three different TVs on the same STB.

I see some folks have some success with figuring out the black remote from web help or TV help, but I have no experience. I do not understand why or how it is different than the gray remote. I think you have to be careful the order you do things the last thing you do can cancel something you did earlier.

My suggestion is to get a Logitech Harmony - No codes - set it by mfg/model number - customize any button. The 300 is very similar to a U-verse remote ($40 list $30 often on sale at Radio Shack) but is way better in actual use. Then there is the 700 with more flexibility under $80 at Costco.

I know you do not want to spend the money. But, you will be so glad you did. I could not see spending the money. but I got a 700 when it was $125. It is fantastic!

[dmeier81]

I cannot believe this!  I am very close to cancelling my U-Verse service with this being the tipping point to almost two years of service disappointment from these guys.  Did I mention the proposed $55 "trip fee" the tech told they charged me to come out and look at my issue (which I called and complained about and had removed soon after he left)?

I used the TV guide to setting it up and still doesn't work.  I can get the remote to turn on and off the receiver.  I can press AUX and then basically any button on the remote and the AUX button is the one that flashes red, except the volume button!  When I press either volume button, it flashes the TV button and the TV volume is increased and decreased.  This makes absolutely no sense!  And it worked just fine until a couple weeks ago.

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

Have you tried replacing the batteries in your remote?

[dmeier81]

I have not as it was a new remote.  I will try and and report back.

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

I have seen that problem when the batteries in my remote are low.  I hope that resolves that issue for you.

[dmeier81]

Thanks for the suggestion, just put in fresh batteries and same thing.  It's just weird, that it's resorting back to my TV for volume.

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

Here is a link how to program the remote to control the stb volume.  Have you called and requested a new remote.  The remotes are freee and they will send you a new one for every stb you have.  If a csr wants to charge you for it hang up and call back.

http://forums.att.com/t5/AT-T-U-verse-Community/ct-p/attuverse#M46315

[dmeier81]

Yeah I had the grey remotes for all my units, and received a black remote today.

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

I don't know if this will help you but look at this link.

http://forums.att.com/t5/Remote-Controls/PROGRAMMING-THE-NEW-BLACK-AT-amp-T-REMOTE/m-p/2152281#M65

[dmeier81]

That actually worked and I was able to set the AUX to control my volume.  But you'll never believe this.  Inititially with my old remote, it was the volume down that stopped working.  Now, when I press volume up, nothing happens...but when I press volume down, the volume goes up!  This is UNBELIEABLE!

[RCSMG ACE - Master]

[SMBeckTX]

I sure hope you come back to check on this thread.

I had the EXACT same issues you did. The volume down button not working on the silver remote is a known problem. They sent me a new black face remote, so I too had to reprogram everything.

We have an old Yamaha receiver (RX-V2500). I also had the problem with the Volume down button turning the volume up and the volume up button doing nothing.  Every code I tried did either nothing, or this topsy-turvy volume control. Also, it could turn the receiver off but not back on again.

Hit pay dirt with code 5167 (manually programmed - auto search never did anything).  Everything works, even the mute button.

Peace reigns in my household once again. Hope you have similar luck.

[spd2demun ACE - Master]

Thanks for posting your solution to help others.