# How Can You Immobize TV Remote Keys? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 10, 2014, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-immobize-tv-remote-keys/690512 "2014-06-10T23:13:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-immobize-tv-remote-keys/690512/1 "2014-06-10T23:13:37Z")
I have an elderly neighbor who is vision impaired and she has problems with TV remotes with pushing the wrong buttons and not being able to recover–until someone else re-programs the remote for her. [I would guess the biggest problem would be the button which switches from TV to VCR to Cable Box…] I have spare remotes I am interested in experimenting on–by gluing??? Any thoughts? [I have also looked around for limited function remotes but haven’t yet found exactly what I want] [Title Should be Immobilize]. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-immobize-tv-remote-keys/690512/2 "2014-06-10T23:23:59Z")
Get her [this](http://www.bigbuttonremotes.com/remotes-tek-pal.htm). ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2014, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-immobize-tv-remote-keys/690512/3 "2014-06-10T23:24:48Z")
there are simpler large button preprogrammed universal remotes. the setup, to specify models, requires a bunch of button pushes so not likely accidentally messed up. big box entertainment electronics stores will likely have. find what they offer. the remote maker will likely have data online of the brands and models it can operate. RCA is a brand with a number of universal remotes. RCA - 4-Device Universal Remote Model: RCR504BR RCA - 3-Device Universal Remote Model: RCR503BR are examples ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-immobize-tv-remote-keys/690512/4 "2014-06-11T01:46:52Z")
See if you can get the actual remote that the shipped with that tv. Those aren’t programmable in my experience, and therefore they’re resistant to getting reprogrammed. ---
**Author:** ![dstarfire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dstarfire/32/5762_2.png) [@dstarfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dstarfire)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-immobize-tv-remote-keys/690512/5 "2014-06-11T19:52:23Z")
I’d look at some sort of clear silicone caulking (or the like). It’s not likely to flow over the remote and make a mess, but will flow down a bit into the gap around the buttons, to provide a stronger adhesion. Most importantly, it’s non-conductive, so even if it somehow gets on the circuit board below, it won’t cause damage, or interfere with it’s function. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-immobize-tv-remote-keys/690512/6 "2014-06-11T20:06:08Z")
I got my dad one with six whole buttons. And they’re HUGE buttons. It’s a thing of beauty. The only thing is that you have to not have the TV set to the Blu-ray player first. Everybody else at the senior living community wants one now. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-immobize-tv-remote-keys/690512/7 "2014-06-11T20:13:46Z")
I once solved a similar problem by opening the remote and physically removing buttons. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-immobize-tv-remote-keys/690512/8 "2014-06-11T20:20:51Z")
> [@beowulff](#): > > Get her [this](http://www.bigbuttonremotes.com/remotes-tek-pal.htm). Concur. Put the original remote in a drawer and let her use one that can’t cause trouble. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2014, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-you-immobize-tv-remote-keys/690512/9 "2014-06-11T20:34:29Z")
In the past, I’ve goof-proofed remotes by simply slicing the offending “button” off with a razor knife so it’s flush or slightly below the remote’s top surface. Most remote buttons now are just rubber, and the bonus to this trick is that the button is still usable but not easily pressed by accident.