Lost Your LG TV Remote? Here’s How to Adjust Brightness Without Losing Your Mind

By Team Snikio | Special Report | August 2025

You know the feeling. You’ve just settled down, cup of chai in one hand, remote in the other… wait, where’s the remote? You flip the sofa cushions, peek behind the curtain, maybe even ask your sibling who definitely denies touching it. But it’s gone. And your LG TV screen? Dim. Barely watchable. The brightness is so low, it’s like watching a thriller through scratched sunglasses just after sunset — everything feels flat, drained of life, and honestly, kind of depressing.

If that sounds like the chaos you’re caught in, exhale. This guide’s built for every household where the remote has vanished into another dimension or simply stopped responding. Whether you’re nursing an old LG LED or flaunting a fresh OLED, here’s how to get your screen glowing again — no remote required.

🔦 Step 1: Old School, New Tricks — Use the Physical Buttons

Let’s start with the obvious — and often overlooked.

Most LG TVs (especially non-smart and older models) have manual buttons hiding under the panel, often tucked under the logo or along the side/back. You won’t see them unless you bend down like you’re proposing to the TV.

Here’s what to do:

Power on the TV.

Look for the Menu button — sometimes marked as “Settings” or just a gear icon.

Use the channel/volume buttons to scroll to:
Settings > Picture > Picture Mode Settings

Once inside, tweak Brightness, Contrast, and other visual parameters.

⚠️ Note: Some older LG models won’t let you access brightness directly from buttons. In that case, you’ll need to get creative — keep reading.

📱 Step 2: Turn Your Smartphone Into a Remote (Yes, Seriously)

Modern problems require modern hacks. And LG’s ThinQ app? Surprisingly slick at stepping in when your remote bails on you.

How to use it:
Fire up your phone, head over to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, type in LG ThinQ, and tap download like your TV depends on it — because, well, it does.
Now connect both your phone and LG TV to the same Wi-Fi — they need to be speaking the same language (digitally, of course).
The app will usually find your TV in a heartbeat, but if not, there’s always a manual search option.
Once you’re in, navigate to the Virtual Remote, and just like that, you’re back in the driver’s seat — adjusting brightness, switching HDMI inputs, even putting your TV to sleep like a digital lullaby.

Honestly, the app does more than most LG remotes. You can switch HDMI inputs, open apps, adjust sound, even turn off your TV from bed if you forgot after a late-night binge.

🎮 Step 3: Bring in the Backup — A Universal Remote

Still using a basic LG LED TV? No Wi-Fi? No smart features? Don’t worry, there’s still hope — and it costs less than a pizza.

Grab a Universal Remote from your local electronics store or online. Most cost under ₹300 and come with a small manual that includes setup codes.

Here’s the basic setup:

Insert batteries and follow the code programming guide for “LG”.

Once paired, use the Menu > Picture > Brightness path — just like on the original remote.

Works like a charm, and you might actually prefer it over LG’s sometimes-finicky default remote.

📺 Where Exactly is Brightness Setting on LG TVs?

Whether you’re navigating with buttons, phone, or universal remote, here’s where you’ll find it:

Menu > Settings > Picture > Brightness

If you want to get more refined:

Try Picture Mode Settings.

Modes like Standard, Vivid, or Cinema come with pre-tuned brightness and contrast levels.

👉 Pro Tip: Vivid might look punchy and dramatic at first — like a Bollywood blockbuster filter slapped on everything — but at night? It’s a total strain on your eyes. Switch to Cinema or Eco Mode once the lights are off.

☀️ Best Brightness Settings for Day vs. Night

This one’s underrated. You don’t wear sunglasses at night, right? Same logic applies.

During the day:
Set brightness on the higher side. Sunlight or ambient light from windows tends to wash out the screen. You need that extra boost.

At night:
Lower the brightness. Trust me, your eyes will thank you. Also switch to Cinema or Game mode — they tend to be more eye-friendly.

Oh, and for those of you with LG OLEDs? Be careful. Running at max brightness 24/7 can cause burn-in. Adjust brightness on LG OLED TVs with care — not just for comfort, but to keep that gorgeous panel alive and kicking for years.

🔚 Conclusion: Who Needs a Remote Anyway?

remotes are handy — until they pull a disappearing act right when you need them most. But let’s be honest, your LG TV isn’t some lifeless box just because the remote’s gone rogue. It still listens, if you know how to speak its language.

Those tiny buttons tucked along the edges? That old universal remote you never thought you’d use? Or even the smartphone that’s already in your hand — they’re all allies. You’ve got more control than you think.

So whether you’re reviving a dusty old LED or fine-tuning a slick new Smart TV, don’t panic. You don’t need tech wizardry — just a little curiosity, a bit of trial and error, and maybe a flashlight to help you feel your way through the darkness (literally and figuratively).