The number of digits in a universal remote code depends on the remote, not on your TV. Each remote maker numbers its codes its own way, so the same Samsung TV is 258 on Spectrum’s CLIKR-5, 2051 on a One For All, 5791 on a GE remote with code list CL4 to CL6, and 12051 on an Xfinity XR15. Sony makes the same point in its support pages: the code for a Sony TV on one remote may be different on another.
So the code you need comes from your own remote’s list, in the length that remote takes. Below you’ll find which remotes use 3, 4 and 5-digit codes, the first codes to try for popular TV brands, and what to do when a code doesn’t fit.
Which remotes use 3, 4 or 5-digit codes
Code length goes with the remote’s model, and one brand can sell remotes of different lengths. RCA has had three-, four- and five-digit models, and Spectrum’s CLIKR-5 takes three digits while its Guide Remote takes five. So go by your remote’s model, not just its brand:
| Digits | Remotes | Code lists |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Spectrum’s Universal CLIKR-5 (UR5U-8820L, UR5U-8780L and UR5U-8790L) and older RCA remotes such as the RCU410 | Spectrum |
| 4 | GE, Philips and UltraPro remotes from Jasco, Onn remotes, One For All models such as the Essential 8 (URC 3680) and Smart Control 8 (URC 7880), and RCA models such as the RCR612 | GE, Philips, Onn, One For All |
| 5 | RCA remotes such as the RCRN04GR, Xfinity remotes with number keys such as the XR15 and XR11, DirecTV’s Universal remote, the Spectrum Guide Remote and One For All’s Streamer (URC 7935) | RCA, Xfinity, DirecTV |
One For All’s Streamer works a little differently: when you type its five-digit codes, other buttons stand in for the digits 1 to 6. One For All’s setup steps for the Streamer show which button is which.
How to tell how many digits your remote takes
The quickest check is the code list that came with your remote, or the maker’s code finder for your model: count the digits. The model number is usually inside the battery compartment, and our guide to finding the TV code for your universal remote shows where each maker prints it.
When you enter a code, the remote’s light also shows when it has a complete one:
- GE and other Jasco remotes: the red light turns off once you’ve entered the 4-digit code.
- Onn: the red light shuts off when you’ve entered a valid 4-digit code.
- RCA RCU410: the light turns off after a valid three-digit code, and flashes rapidly for two seconds after an invalid one.
- Five-digit RCA remotes such as the RCRN04GR: you hold the device key while you type all five digits. If the POWER key is lit at the end, the code was accepted; if it blinks four times and goes out, it wasn’t.
- Xfinity XR15: after the fifth digit, the light blinks green twice if the code worked, or red then green if it didn’t.
4-digit universal remote codes for popular TVs
These are the first two codes on each maker’s own list for seven common TV brands. Try them in order, then move on to the full list on the TV brand’s page.
| TV brand | GE or Philips (CL4 to CL6) | GE or Philips (CL3) | Onn | One For All |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 5791, 5801 | 3301, 5471 | 3528, 2481 | 2051, 1632 |
| LG | 6021, 0001 | 0001, 5511 | 3534, 0004 | 1840, 2731 |
| Vizio | 5631, 5611 | 5631, 5561 | 3533, 2472 | 3758, 1758 |
| TCL | 6171, 5961 | 2851, 0091 | 3532, 2493 | 4398, 3183 |
| Hisense | 6161, 1651 | 2081, 5331 | 3537, 1173 | 3519, 4740 |
| Sony | 1071, 5811 | 5321, 4981 | 3536, 2483 | 0810, 4448 |
| Insignia | 2891, 0371 | 2891, 0371 | 3531, 0135 | 2049, 1780 |
GE and Philips codes depend on the code list version printed in the battery compartment, and the CL3 list is different from the others. The One For All codes are on the lists for both the Essential 8 and the Smart Control 8, which put some brands’ codes in a different order. Onn’s code finder files TCL and Insignia under TCL/Roku and Insignia/Roku.
5-digit codes for popular TVs
On five-digit remotes, these are the first codes on each list:
| TV brand | RCA (five-digit) | Xfinity XR15 and XR11 | Spectrum Guide Remote | DirecTV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung | 12051 | 12051, 10766 | 12051, 13993 | 10812, 10054 |
| LG | 12731, 11423 | 12731, 10178 | 11423, 10178 | 11423, 10017 |
| Vizio | 11758, 13758 | 11758, 11756 | 11758, 12707 | 11758, 10864 |
| TCL | 12434, 13183 | 12434, 11756 | 12434, 14398 | 12434 (printed guide) |
| Hisense | 13519, 12183 | 12183, 11314 | 12183, 14740 | 10748, 11314 |
| Sony | 10810, 11300 | 10810, 11685 | 10810, 11685 | 10000, 10810 |
| Insignia | 12049, 11564 | 12049, 11756 | 12049, 11641 | 11423, 11564 |
The Xfinity XR2 uses a different list from the XR15 and XR11: its first Samsung code, 10812, is the same as DirecTV’s. TCL isn’t in DirecTV’s online code lookup, so its code here comes from DirecTV’s printed guide for the Universal remote.
Where 3-digit codes are used
Three-digit codes belong to a smaller group of remotes. For the CLIKR-5 (UR5U-8820L), Spectrum’s code lookup starts Samsung at 258, LG at 363, Vizio at 386, Sony at 001, Hisense at 419 and Insignia at 350. TCL isn’t on its list.
The CLIKR-5 also has a one-digit Quick Setup for ten brands, including Samsung (2), LG (3), Sony (1) and Vizio (9). Hold TV until the light stays on, press your brand’s number while still holding it, then let go of both. The light blinks twice when the code is stored.
For an older RCA with three-digit codes, such as the RCU410, use the TV code list packed with the remote. Some TV makers also list three-digit codes for provider remotes: Hisense’s FAQ gives 505, 627, 538, 720 and 659 for Dish remotes.
3-digit numbers that aren’t TV codes
Setup guides are full of three-digit numbers that are commands, not TV codes, so don’t mistake them for one:
- Xfinity: 9-9-1 starts a code search on the XR11, 9-8-1 resets the XR11 and XR15, and 9-8-6 resets the XR2, XR5 and XR11. The XR15 can also pair using a three-digit code shown on your TV screen.
- DirecTV: 960 sets the Universal remote to switch your TV’s input, and 961 starts setting up a Genie remote for RF.
- One For All: on the Smart Control 8, 975 starts learning, 976 deletes learned keys, 993 sets the volume lock and 995 programs a macro.
When a code has the wrong number of digits
Adding or dropping a digit won’t turn one maker’s code into another’s. Samsung is 5791 on a GE remote (CL4 to CL6) and 3528 on an Onn, and neither number has anything to do with the 12051 an Xfinity XR15 uses.
There’s one pattern worth knowing. Many of One For All’s four-digit codes appear with a 1 in front on five-digit lists: Samsung’s 2051 is 12051 on RCA, Xfinity XR15 and Spectrum Guide remotes, Vizio’s 1758 is 11758, and Sony’s 0810 is 10810. Hisense’s FAQ even lists one code both ways, 0178 and 10178, for DirecTV, Comcast and Cox remotes. So:
- On a five-digit RCA, Xfinity, DirecTV or Spectrum Guide remote, a One For All code with 1 in front is worth a try.
- On a four-digit One For All remote, a five-digit code from those lists that starts with 1 is worth trying without the 1.
Use this only after your remote’s own list: not every code matches, and GE, Onn and CLIKR-5 codes are numbered differently. If nothing works, let the remote search for the code instead. Our guide to programming a universal remote without a code has the steps.
In short: the digits come from your remote, not your TV. Check your remote’s maker and model, use its own list in the length it takes, and work through the codes for your TV brand in order. For other remote brands, start from our universal remote codes directory.
Frequently asked questions
It depends on the remote. Samsung’s first code is 5791 on GE and Philips remotes with a CL4, CL5 or CL6 label (3301 on CL3), 3528 on Onn remotes and 2051 on One For All.
12051 on five-digit RCA remotes, the Xfinity XR15 and XR11, and the Spectrum Guide Remote. DirecTV remotes and the Xfinity XR2 start at 10812.
No. Each remote maker numbers TV codes its own way, so a code from one brand’s list isn’t meant for another brand’s remote, even when it has the same number of digits.
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