Why Are New TV Remotes So Complicated? 7 Reasons People Are Switching to Replacement Remotes

TVs keep getting smarter, sharper and more advanced. So why do the remotes sometimes feel like they’re going backwards?

A lot of newer TVs now come with tiny, minimalist remotes that look sleek on the coffee table but can be surprisingly frustrating to actually use. Buttons are disappearing, simple jobs take multiple clicks, and some of the controls you use every day have been replaced with shortcuts for streaming apps you might not even use.

If you’ve ever looked at your brand-new TV remote and thought:

“The picture is great, but the controls, and particularly the remote, are just terrible.”

…you’re definitely not alone.

We’ve seen the same complaints come up again and again from TV owners online. Here are seven of the biggest frustrations people have with modern TV remotes — and why a replacement remote can sometimes be the easier option.

1. Where Did the Source Button Go?

This has to be one of the biggest frustrations with newer remotes.

Want to switch from your TV to a PlayStation, Xbox, soundbar, Apple TV or another HDMI device?

On an older remote, you’d press Source or Input, choose what you want, and you’re done.

With some newer minimalist remotes, changing the source can mean opening the home screen, navigating through menus and finding the correct input before you can even use the device you wanted.

Sound familiar?

“It’s like 6 button-presses to change source, and one button press for Disney+?”

That pretty much sums it up.

Some people are even asking for one very simple thing:

“A SOURCE button (gasp!)”

For households that regularly switch between devices, having a dedicated Source or Input button can make a surprisingly big difference.

2. Number Buttons Have Disappeared

Remember when remotes had numbers?

Apparently they became optional.

Minimalist remotes often remove the traditional number pad completely. That might look cleaner, but it isn’t always more practical.

Number buttons can still be useful for changing free-to-air channels, entering PINs, typing numbers and navigating certain TV features.

Without them, you may have to bring up an on-screen number pad and navigate around it using arrow buttons.

Or maybe you’ve had this exact thought:

“NUMBERS to change channels/type things like streaming passwords and not take 10 minutes.”

Fair point.

It works without number buttons.

It’s just nowhere near as quick.

Sometimes having ten extra buttons really isn’t the end of the world.

3. Volume and Mute Controls Can Be Needlessly Confusing

Some modern remotes combine several functions into the same button or rocker.

Press one way for volume up.

Press another way for volume down.

Press it differently again to mute.

And then this happens:

“I love accidentally muting my TV every time I adjust the volume, because they’re the same button.”

Once you’re used to these controls, they might be fine.

But for a lot of people, separate buttons are simply easier.

Volume Up. Volume Down. Mute.

Nothing revolutionary — just buttons that do what they say.

4. Streaming Buttons Get Prime Real Estate

Netflix. Disney+. Prime Video. YouTube.

Dedicated streaming buttons aren't necessarily bad, especially if you use those services regularly.

The strange part is that some manufacturers have managed to find room for several streaming shortcuts while removing controls like Source, channel numbers and other everyday buttons.

One complaint we’ve seen says it perfectly:

“There are 4 streaming app buttons… but there isn’t a Source button?”

And those buttons can be sensitive too.

Another common frustration is accidentally launching an app when you simply put the remote down.

“Just tossing the remote on the couch, and Hulu opens up.”

It can be a little frustrating when changing your TV input requires several button presses, but launching a streaming service takes one.

5. Some Remotes Are Just Too Small

Small and sleek looks great in advertising.

Small and sleek also disappears between couch cushions extremely well.

Some people genuinely prefer compact remotes, but others find newer designs too light, too narrow or simply uncomfortable to use.

One TV owner described theirs as:

“Too small and light anyway. Like I’m holding a toy.”

That’s a surprisingly common complaint.

A slightly larger remote can be easier to grip, easier to find and easier to operate without having to look at every button.

And then there’s another downside of tiny, ultra-light remotes: sensitive buttons.

If you’re thinking:

“I could sneeze from across the room and this damn remote would change channels.”

You may be ready for something a little more traditional.

6. No Backlit Buttons

Watching TV at night?

Good luck remembering exactly where every button is.

Backlighting isn't available on many remotes, including plenty of expensive original remotes.

That means using your remote in a dark room often involves feeling around for the right button, pressing the wrong one and suddenly opening something completely unrelated.

For some people, the wishlist really is this simple:

“BACKLIGHTING (double gasp!!!)”

Not everyone needs a backlit remote, but it's easy to understand why people miss the feature.

Especially when TVs themselves have become more advanced while the thing controlling them hasn't necessarily become easier to use.

7. Sometimes a Replacement Remote Is Actually Easier

There’s a common assumption that if your original TV remote breaks, disappears or drives you crazy, you need to buy exactly the same remote again.

You don't always have to.

Depending on your TV model, compatible replacement remotes can offer a more traditional button layout with straightforward controls.

In many cases, replacement remotes are designed to work with compatible TVs without complicated programming or setup. Insert the batteries and you're ready to go.

And that’s exactly why some people end up preferring the replacement.

One comment we found summed it up pretty well:

“It works just as well as the OEM one for half the price. I’ve been happy with it!”

Another was even more direct:

“There is an aftermarket remote… that does not have to be programmed.”

That can mean getting back useful controls like:

• Source or Input

• Number buttons

• Separate volume controls

• Dedicated mute buttons

• Clearer navigation buttons

• A larger, easier-to-use layout

And sometimes it isn’t even the remote design that causes the problem.

Sometimes the dog gets there first.

We’ve seen people say things like:

“I’ve replaced probably 10 remotes over the past year because remotes are like crack to my dog.”

If your remote has been dropped, chewed, lost inside the couch or mysteriously disappeared altogether, you don’t necessarily need to pay a premium for another genuine remote.

A TV Remote Shouldn't Be the Hardest Part of Watching TV

There's nothing wrong with minimalist remotes if you enjoy using them.

But if you're constantly digging through menus, accidentally muting your TV or wondering why there's a button for a streaming service you don't use but no Source button, you don't necessarily have to put up with it.

Maybe you’ve found yourself thinking:

“I came here to add my frustration with the incredibly useless new minimalist design.”

Or:

“It just needs to be a bit bigger and substantial with a SOURCE BUTTON.”

If so, a more traditional replacement remote might simply suit you better.

Sometimes the simpler option really is better.

Need a Replacement Remote in Australia?

At Remote Shop Australia, we make replacing your lost, broken, chewed or downright frustrating remote simple.

We stock replacement remotes for a huge range of TVs, air conditioners and other devices, with options for popular brands including Samsung, LG, Hisense, Panasonic and more.

We’re an Australian business, so you don’t need to wait weeks for a remote to arrive from overseas when all you want to do is use your TV again.

Find the right remote for your model, order online and we’ll get your replacement on its way fast.

Lost it? Broke it? Dog ate it? Or just completely fed up with the remote that came with your TV?

RemoteShop.com.au is one of Australia’s best choices for fast, easy replacement remotes — without the unnecessary fuss.