Formuler Remote Not Working? Pairing, TV Control and Reset Guide (GTV-BT1, GTV-BT3, GTV-IR1)

Formuler Remote Not Working? Pairing, TV Control and Reset Guide (GTV-BT1, GTV-BT3, GTV-IR1)

Short answer: if your Formuler remote stopped responding, replace the batteries first, then re-pair it. To put a GTV-BT1 or GTV-BT3 Bluetooth remote into pairing mode, hold OK + MENU (the three-line button) together until the white LED starts blinking, then on the box open Settings → Bluetooth Remotes & Accessories → Pair Accessory and select the remote from the list. To make the remote control your TV's power, volume and input, open the Formuler Remote app on the box and run Setup TV IR Control. The steps below come from Formuler's support documentation.

Which remote do you have?

Step 1: basic checks for any Formuler remote

Formuler's support team recommends these checks, in order, before anything else:

  1. Replace the batteries with new ones.
  2. Point the remote directly at the front of the box and try from closer range.
  3. If your model has an IR extension port (Z11 Pro, Z11 Pro Max), unplug the IR extender and test without it. If you need the extender, make sure it is pushed in all the way.
  4. Clear the area around the box. Other electronics can interfere with the infrared signal.
  5. Remove any USB accessories plugged into the box, then test again.

How to tell the remote itself is working: the light at the head of the remote (or the STB button) blinks when you press a key, and the LED on the front of the box blinks when it receives a command.

Step 2: put the GTV-BT1 or GTV-BT3 into pairing mode

  1. Press and hold OK and MENU (the three horizontal lines) at the same time.
  2. Keep holding until the white LED on the remote starts blinking. The remote is now in pairing mode.
  3. On the box, go to Settings → Bluetooth Remotes & Accessories, highlight Pair Accessory and press OK to start a search.
  4. Select FORMULER GTV BT1 (or the BT3 entry) from the list of available devices.

If the box does not react to the remote at all because the remote is not paired yet, use the on-screen first-boot pairing prompt, a USB mouse, or the IR keys: the BT1 and BT3 send basic navigation over infrared before they are paired, so pointing the remote directly at the box usually lets you reach the Settings menu.

Step 3: make the remote control your TV (power, volume, input)

The BT1 and BT3 include universal TV control, but it has to be programmed once for your TV brand:

  1. On the box, open the Formuler Remote app (install it from the Play Store if it is not on the home screen).
  2. Choose Setup TV IR Control and confirm.
  3. Answer whether you have a Samsung TV, otherwise search for and select your TV brand.
  4. Follow the prompts to test power, volume and source. Once confirmed, the TV keys on the remote work without pointing at the Formuler box.

The same app lets you change what the programmable hotkeys do and update the remote's firmware.

Step 4: reset a Formuler box that is frozen or misbehaving

For a box that boots but behaves badly, try a restart first: Settings → Device Preferences → About → Restart. If the box will not boot or you need to wipe it, Formuler documents a manual factory reset for the Z11 Pro Max, Z11 Pro, Z10 Pro Max and Z10 Pro:

  1. Connect the box to the TV with HDMI and unplug the power.
  2. Use a paperclip to press the recovery button inside the IR extension port.
  3. Keep the button pressed while you insert the power cord.
  4. Hold it until the Formuler logo disappears, then release.
  5. Select Wipe data/factory reset in the system menu, confirm with Yes, then choose Reboot system now.

A factory reset erases apps, portals and settings, so back up your MYTVOnline data first (MYTVOnline 3 can back up to external storage). For other models, use the reset option under Settings; if the box will not boot, contact us before attempting anything else.

Common Formuler remote problems and fixes

Voice search does nothing. The BT1 and BT3 need to be paired over Bluetooth for the microphone to work. Infrared alone does not carry voice. Re-pair using Step 2.

The remote works, but TV volume does not. TV control has not been programmed, or the TV brand was chosen incorrectly. Re-run Setup TV IR Control in the Formuler Remote app (Step 3).

The remote only works when pointed at the box. The Bluetooth link has dropped, so the remote is falling back to infrared. Replace the batteries and re-pair.

The box's LED blinks but nothing happens on screen. The box is receiving commands but is frozen. Unplug the power for 10 seconds and restart. If it happens repeatedly, check for a system update under Settings → Device Preferences → About.

The GTV-IR1 works intermittently. Move any strong light source or other IR devices away from the box, and check the batteries. If the box is hidden in a cabinet, use the IR extension cable on models that have an IR extension port.

Lost or broken remote. Genuine replacements ship from our Ottawa warehouse: Formuler remote controls.

Frequently asked questions

How do I pair a Formuler BT1 remote?
Hold OK and MENU together until the white LED blinks, then on the box go to Settings, Bluetooth Remotes & Accessories, Pair Accessory, and select FORMULER GTV BT1.

What is the Formuler Remote app?
An app on Formuler boxes that programs the BT1 and BT3 remotes: TV infrared control for your TV brand, hotkey behaviour, and remote firmware updates.

How do I program a Formuler remote to control my TV?
Open the Formuler Remote app on the box, choose Setup TV IR Control, pick your TV brand and follow the prompts.

How do I factory reset a Formuler Z11 Pro Max?
Hold the recovery button inside the IR extension port with a paperclip while plugging in the power, release when the logo disappears, then choose Wipe data/factory reset and Reboot system now.

Does the BT1 remote work with the Z10?
Formuler lists the GTV-BT1 as compatible with the Z10 series, Z11 series and GTV. The Z10 ships with the GTV-IR1.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.