TV / remote control oddity

[Simpo Two]

I have a Sony KDL40NX713 TV, exactly 4 years old. For the last couple of days most of the buttons on the remote have stopped having any effect. A few work, eg volume and mute, but most including Guide (EPG) and input select don't. I've cleaned the front, tried new batteries and tried turning the TV off at its switch hoping it might reset itself, but no luck. The only way I can change channel or see th EPG is to switch on the Sony HDD recorder, use the input select on its remote so the TV is talking to the recorder, and then use HDD remote.

I wondered if this a problem with the TV or the remote, and whether there are any known fixes. Thanks!

[FlossyThePig]

Silly question first, have you tried different batteries?

Second question, what happens if you point the remote at the camera of a smart phone? I can see the LED flashing on mine.

This may sound daft but one of my older remote controls needs a bit more pressure applying to the buttons for it to work now.

[Simpo Two]

Yep, tried new batteries. Of all the many buttons on the TV remote, only mute, channel +/1 and screen format work. The on/off button switches the recorder but not the TV.

No smartphone BUT the screen of a compact camera shows the LED illuminating perfectly - what a great wheeze! This show that all buttons light the LED - but the TV ain't listening it seems...

[Simpo Two]

By way of follow-up, I found the 'troubleshooting' section of the manual and the problem was that somehow it had been set to 'synch mode'. Luckily the 'synch menu' button was working and from there it was possible to return control to the TV.

Whilst it might have been nice to go hunting for a sexy new TV I'm glad I don't have to after only four years!