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How To Mute A TV Without A Remote

As an owner of a TV that doesn’t come with a remote, I know the frustration of not being able to quickly and easily adjust the volume or mute the sound whenever I need to. After doing some research and testing, I’m here to share how I solved this problem and some other solutions I discovered. In this blog post, I’m going to explain How To Mute A TV Without A Remote.

You can mute your TV without a remote:

  1. Use an app to transform your smartphone into a remote. 
  2. Ask Alexa to mute your TV.
  3. Use the volume buttons on your TV below the front panel or on the sides and back. 
  4. Miracast your TV to another device and mute it from the device.

How To Mute A TV Without A Remote

When you misplace your TV remote or the batteries fail, the ability to mute your TV without needing your remote can really come in handy. Fortunately, there are several viable methods for muting your TV regardless of your TV make or model. 

  1. You Can Change Your Mobile Phone Into A Remote With An App

Some TV manufacturers allow you to download an app on your smartphone and convert it into a remote control for your TV. 

If your TV manufacturer does not have the option, however, there are free universal apps that accomplish the same goal. While it’s certainly not the most straightforward solution to muting your TV, it does propose a viable alternative for the present time and if you need the service in the future. 

For instance, if you’re a Roku TV owner, you can use the free Roku Mobile App to convert your smartphone into a digital remote control. With it, you can switch channels, increase or decrease the volume, mute, or speak through your smartphone’s mic to search for your favorite TV shows. 

The app is available for Android and iPhone. Here’s how you can get the app:

  • Visit the Apple Store or Play Store, depending on your device.
  • Search for the Roku TV remote app, and download and install it. (iPhone / Android)
  • Launch the Roku TV remote app.
  • Look for the remote icon near the bottom of the screen and tap it. (At this point, the audio will stream through your smartphone, giving you the power to mute your TV).
  • Tap the picture of the headset in the bottom-right of the screen.
  • Mute the volume on your smartphone. (Of course, since the audio outputs from your smartphone now, you can plug earphones into your smartphone and set the volume to your liking).

Remember, if your TV manufacturer does not have a smartphone remote control app, there are universal remote apps like Logitech Harmony Hub. (iPhone / Android). 

  1. Ask Alexa To Mute Your TV

While she may not hold a physical presence in your home, Alex is arguably still a member of your household! 

Don’t forget that you can ask her to mute your TV if you can’t do it yourself. The process of asking Alexa might differ slightly for each manufacturer, but here are a couple of common TV manufacturers and their commands:

VizioAlexa, mute/unmute [TV name].

SonyAlexa, mute/unmute [TV name].

HisenseAlexa, mute/unmute [TV name].

SharpAlexa, mute/unmute [TV name].

LG –  Alexa, mute/unmute [TV name]

  1. Check Your TV Panels For A Menu Button

These days no one is in the habit of using the buttons on their TV, but they can be helpful if you have no other alternative for muting your TV. In an effort to give the illusion of a more prominent display, manufacturers rarely place the buttons on the front of your TV.

For instance, Samsung TVs might have around five buttons below the front panel; they’re usually difficult to spot from afar, so you will need to get close with a flashlight. 

  • Look for the TV Menu button – One of the middle buttons is generally the Menu button. (Check your owner’s manual if you can’t find it).
  • Press the Menu button once – Pressing the Menu button once will bring up a digital menu on the TV screen. (Avoid holding it in because it might switch off the TV). 

Some TVs may have a single button that you operate like a joystick. By pressing it once, you bring up the menu, and pushing it in the direction you want to go will help you navigate the menu.

  • Locate the arrow buttons for navigation – Look for arrow buttons nearby the Menu button and use them to navigate through the menu. 
  • Mute your TV – Look for a Mute option. If there’s no initial Mute option, instead look for the Volume, Audio, or Sound options.
  • Turn the volume down to zero – When you turn the volume on a TV down to zero, it will automatically mute. 

Of course, you can also mute your TV by locating the volume-down button on your TV and holding it in until the volume reaches zero. Remember, lowering the volume to zero will automatically mute your TV.

If you’re having trouble finding the buttons on your TV, look in your TV manual to know where to find them. If you misplaced it, visit your manufacturer’s website, enter your TV model, and download an electric copy of your TV manual. Check out the Samsung website as an example of what to expect. 

  1. You Can Mute Your TV through Miracast 

Miracast support is already built into most contemporary Windows and Android devices, covering tablets, smartphones, PCs, and laptops. 

It comes with Windows 10 devices and many Android smartphones running version 4.2 or later. However, for commercial reasons, Miracast is not an option for Apple users. 

Miracast works by establishing its own wireless connection with your device and your TV, essentially replacing the HDMI cable that you would have used to connect your device and TV. 

For instance, if you choose to Mircast your laptop to your TV, the TV becomes a secondary monitor, and your laptop gains complete control of your TV. Furthermore, your TV audio will now output through your laptop, meaning if you mute the sound on your laptop, it will mute your TV, too. 

Of course, if you don’t have a laptop or computer, you can do the same thing on your Android smartphone by downloading the Miracast app

Read more: How to watch Netflix on multiple TVs

Conclusion 

You can mute your TV without a remote by using smartphone apps from your TV manufacturer or connecting your TV to one of your other devices with Miracast. If internet access is an issue, buttons below your TV’s front panel, sides, or back give you access to the mute or volume menu, too. 

Sources 

https://www.techjunkie.com/mute-roku-tv-without-remote/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Chromecast/comments/3z9psi/i_lost_my_tv_remote_and_there_are_no_physical/

https://www.samsung.com/us/support/downloads/

https://www.apple.com/app-store/

https://www.techhive.com/article/583383/how-to-control-your-tv-with-alexa.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9DAlexa%2C%20mute%20%5BTV%20name%5D%E2%80%9D%20or%20%E2%80%9CAlexa%2C%20unmute%20%5BTV%20name%5D.%E2%80%9D

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracast