In my experience, most cheap universals talk to Samsung over IR, but they still need a 30-second setup. I’d start by putting fresh batteries in, pointing directly at the IR window, and running the remote’s brand-code method first; if that fails, use the auto-scan until the TV reacts, then press OK to lock it in. Midway through this process, How to Turn On Samsung TV Without Remote gives a clear overview of options beyond codes—like using phone control or HDMI-CEC—as backups. Once paired, you should get power, input, and menu reliably, even if the fancier smart features stay on the original remote.
In my experience, most cheap universals talk to Samsung over IR, but they still need a 30-second setup. I’d start by putting fresh batteries in, pointing directly at the IR window, and running the remote’s brand-code method first; if that fails, use the auto-scan until the TV reacts, then press OK to lock it in. Midway through this process, How to Turn On Samsung TV Without Remote gives a clear overview of options beyond codes—like using phone control or HDMI-CEC—as backups. Once paired, you should get power, input, and menu reliably, even if the fancier smart features stay on the original remote.