Q&A for How to Check if a Remote Control is Transmitting an Infrared Signal

The only time the infrared light in a remote is lit is during a key press. The TV has no infrared light; it has an infrared receiver instead. Many digital cameras and cellphones can detect infrared lights, however, so you can check to see if the bulb in the remote is working by viewing it thru the camera on your camcorder or phone.

Place your remote's LED in front of your mobile phone camera. It will show a glow in the camera when you press any button of the remote.

Most sensors also have a light next to them. If the light does not flash or pulsate, it may not be sensing a signal, which only happens when a button on the remote is pressed.

This is a mere, "go/no go" test. The flashing you see is a modulated code, usually on a 38Khz carrier frequency. The only other way to tell anything from it would be to use an infrared photo diode to detect the pulse and store the sequence somehow.

They are supposed to flash. Usually remotes send information using the flashes.