Programming Your GE Universal Remote: A Comprehensive Guide

Have you ever misplaced your remote or wished you could control all your devices with a single solution? A GE Universal Remote is a programmable device designed to control multiple electronics, such as TVs, DVD players, gaming systems, and more. With the right steps, your GE remote can control TVs, cable boxes, DVD players, streaming devices, and even sound systems. Setting up your GE Universal Remote is easy, and this article provides a comprehensive guide to programming it using both manual code entry and automatic code search methods.

Why Use a Universal Remote?

A universal remote can benefit you if you have multiple devices powering your entertainment setup. You won’t need to fumble with multiple controllers. Whether you've misplaced the remote that came with your TV, or the dog's had a chance to chew it to bits, getting your hands on a manufacturer replacement can sometimes be a bit tricky. Fortunately, several companies produce third-party universal remotes that can easily be programmed to control go-to AV components like TVs, soundbars, and streaming devices.

Understanding GE Universal Remotes

While GE remotes are technically produced by a company called Jasco (as part of a licensing agreement with GE), the remotes are budget-friendly and simple to program. Conveniently, certain GE remotes are pre-programmed to work with popular TV brands like Samsung and LG, so you may just need to pop in the batteries to start using your new controller. However, this controller can only connect to a set number of devices simultaneously. If you are having trouble connecting to a new device, this may be what's causing your issue.

Programming with Device Codes

As with most universal remotes, there are two ways you can program them. The first is with a code, where you plug in the specific code for your device into your remote during the pairing process. If you want to program your GE universal remote with a code, we’d advise removing the batteries from the remote and looking inside the compartment first, as that is where both the version (CL3, CL4, CL5, or CL6) and remote codes usually are listed.

Finding the Device Code

Regardless of the GE remote you've purchased, the controller should have been supplied along with a print manual and a code book. The first step in locating the code is to note the vendor code that is found under the battery compartment of your remote. It is a three-character code that starts with CL followed by a number. You'll find this info on the white sticker inside the battery compartment. You can, however, use our extensive lists below to find the appropriate codes for your device, trying them out one by one until you achieve the pairing. With that in hand, you can find the code for your device in your controller's included Code List or by searching an online database such as Universalremotereviews' page. The code will be listed under your device's manufacturer and controller vendor code. Some devices have multiple codes. There may be multiple codes, so note all the ones you find for your device. If you see multiple device codes for your device, enter the one at the top of the list.

Entering Setup Mode

Next, you have to turn on the programming mode on the remote. Find the “Setup” button and hold it down until the red light on the remote lights up and stays on. Once the light stays on, let go of the button. ENTER SETUP MODE: Press and hold down the SETUP button on the remote until the red light on the remote control turns on. Release the SETUP button. The red light will remain on. NOTE: The red light will either be a small light at the top of the remote or the power ON/OFF button.

Selecting the Device

After you see the red light, you have to select the button of the device you want to use the remote with. Locate the device button on the controller corresponding to the device you want to connect. The options will be TV, CBL, DVD, and AUX. Press and release the device button on the remote for the type of device you wish to control, (for example TV, STR, BLU-RAY, AUD, DVD, CBL, SAT, AUX). The red light will blink once and remain on. For example, if programming the remote for use with your DVD player, press and release the DVD button. If there's no button for the device specifically for the device want to program, choose any other device button. For instance, if you want to use the GE remote with a TV, then press the ‘TV’ button.

Inputting the Code and Testing

After the remote blinks, input the device code that we found in step 1. Next, press the TV button, then use the number pad to enter the first four-digit code you'd like to try. Once the remote registers a code, the red light will turn off. To see if the programming was done correctly, point the remote at the device and try turning it on and using other buttons. At this point, you'll want to aim the remote at your Sony TV to test out some device commands (power, volume, input-switching, etc.). Press the Power button to test the code. Point the remote at the device. Test the buttons on the remote to see if the device responds as you would expect. If the buttons do not operate the device, return to Step 1 above and use the next code in the list. If everything works correctly, that's all there is to it. If it works, you’re done!

Auto Code Search Method

If you don’t have the remote codes, you can still pair the GE Universal Remote with the device using the Auto Code Search function. If you're not in the mood to go searching for a TV code, another programming method you can try with your GE remote is an auto code search. Some universal remotes offer an Auto Code Search feature that you can use to pair them. The Auto Code Search is a process where you can search through all of the codes stored in the remote to find a code for your device. It is recommended that you manually turn on the device that you wish to control.

Entering Programming Mode for Auto Search

Next, you have to put the GE Universal Remote in the programming mode. To get started, press and hold the Setup button on your remote, and make sure the red indicator stays lit. When you see the light, select the device you want to set up by pressing the corresponding button.

Selecting the Device Type

Press either TV, DVD, AUX, or CBL on the controller, depending on what type of device you are trying to control. For instance, if you want to set up this remote with your TV, then press the ‘TV’ button on the remote.

Initiating the Code Search

With the remote pointed at the device, press and release the POWER button on the remote. Now, point the remote at your selected device and press the power button. Aim the controller at the device and press the power button once. The remote will send 10 different codes to the device. The red light will blink once for each code and remain on after sending the 10 codes. At this point, your GE remote will cycle through 10 different device codes, and the remote will blink once for each set.

Identifying the Correct Code

Did the device turn off?

If YES, go to step 4.
If NO, repeat Step 3 to test the next 10 codes after manually turning device back on.

If the device gets turned off at some point during the 10 blinks, go to the next step. If it doesn't turn off, repeat the previous step until it finds the right code and turns off.

Reviewing Individual Codes

With the remote pointed at the device, press and release the VOL ^ button. Turn your TV back on, press and release the VOL+ button, and press the TV button. The remote will re-send the first code of the 10 codes from Step 2. The red light will blink once and remain on.

Did the device turn off?

If YES, you have found a code for the device. Press and release the same device button you pressed in Step 2. This will store the code in the remote. Go to Step 5.

If NO, continue to press and release the VOL ^ button until the device turns off to test the other 9 codes from Step 3. Be sure to wait approximately 3 seconds after each VOL ^ button press to allow the device time to respond to the code. When the device turns off, you have found a code for your device. Press and release the same device button pressed in Step 3. This will store the code in the remote. Go to Step 5.

NOTE:

The VOL down button can be used to go backward through each batch of 10 codes.
The red indicator light will flash 2 times after testing the first or last code in each batch of 10.

Locking in the Code

Now, you have to lock in the code quickly, so be prepared - find and place your finger on the #1 button. After the red light blinks once, if the device is turned off, press the device button you selected in step three. If your TV turns off, the code was correct, and the only other thing you have to do is press the TV key again to save the code.

Final Testing

Once the process has been completed, you should check to see if the controller works with the device. Now, point the remote at the device, turn it on, and see if it works properly.

Using the Remote with Multiple Devices

To use a universal remote with different devices, follow the same steps we’ve listed above. The only thing you’ll need to be careful about is pressing the correct input button for the correct device when using the auto search method. This way, you can program a single remote to work with different devices, and to switch between them, you’ll press the dedicated input button for the device, such as TV, DVD, CBL, Aux, and more.

Resetting the Remote

You can easily reset a GE universal remote by following these steps: locate and hold down the “Setup” button till the red light on the remote lights up and stays on > once the light stays on, let go of the button > press the “Mute” button and then the “0” button. The red light will then flash twice to signify the controller has reset. The red light should blink twice to indicate that the remote has been reset.

Troubleshooting

Check to see if the device is set up correctly. My GE universal remote turns the TV on and off but will not change the channel. It is probably a suboptimal code issue. You should see a 'mute' button on your remote that can be used to mute and unmute the volume. If you don't see the mute/unmute button, you can try checking the manual that came with your TV. If nothing else works, contact the manufacturer. For example, you may be able to use the remote to power your device off and on, but you may not be able to adjust or control the volume of your device.

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