Teach Your DISH Remote Custom Functions

You can teach your DISH remote commands from a different remote control if it doesn't automatically work. For example, if you programmed your remote to control your TV but it only turns the TV on and off, you can teach it how to control the volume too.

Some DISH remotes also have specific buttons you can customize with personalized functions to make your TV watching experience even easier.

Please select your remote to view remote-specific support steps.

20.0, 20.1, 21.0, 21.1 Remotes

Ensure the DISH remote is programmed to operate the DISH receiver
Place both the DISH remote and the original equipment’s remote control on a flat, stable surface
Press and hold the mode button for your equipment until all mode lights light up
Select the type of learning you wish to perform

Hybrid Mode: Use this option to add functionality to any missing keys when the remote code for the equipment has already been found

Normal Mode: Use this option to assign functionality to keys when the remote code for the equipment has not already been found. This will erase all previous commands.

For Learning Hybrid Mode: Continue to Step 5
For Learning Normal Mode: Skip to Step 6
Press RECALL, then go to Step 7
Press and hold RECORD
Point the front of the original remote to face the small square (IR window) on the front left-hand side of the DISH remote. Remotes must be within 4 inches of each other.
Press the button you want to teach on the DISH remote
On the original remote control, press and hold the button you want learned. You may need to press the button on the original remote several times for the DISH remote to learn the command.

If the DISH remote learns the command, the mode light will blink off and then back on. If the mode light blinks three times or remains lit, the DISH remote did not learn the command.
Repeat steps 8 and 9 for all buttons you want to teach
Press any mode button on the DISH remote to save and exit learning mode. To cancel without saving, do not press any buttons on either remote for at least 20 seconds.

40.0 Remote

Customize What the Recall Button Does
Configure the Recall button to swap main and Picture-in-Picture (P.i.P.) windows, show the Swap banner, or swap Channels and Shows bars.
1. Press the MENU button
2. Select Settings
3. Select Remote Control
4. Select Recall Button
5. Select your desired Recall Button preference.
Teach Commands from Another Device's Remote
1. Ensure the DISH remote control is programmed to operate the DISH receiver
2. Press the MENU button
3. Select Settings
4. Select Remote Control
5. Choose your desired device
6. Select TEACH COMMANDS
7. Choose your desired learning mode
8. Place both the DISH remote and the other remote on a flat stable surface
9. Point the front of the original remote to face the small square (IR window) on the front left-hand side of the DISH remote (remotes must be within 4 inches of each other)
10. Press the button you want to teach on the DISH remote
11. On the original remote control, press and hold the button you want learned
  
  (You may need to press the button on the original remote several times for the DISH remote to learn the command)
  
  (If the mode light remains lit, it did not learn the command)
12. Repeat the previous two steps for all commands you want to learn

50.0 Remote

Customize Shortcut Button
You can personalize your 50.0 remote by dedicating the diamond button on the side of the remote to a custom function.
1. Press and hold the diamond button
2. Use the arrow buttons to highlight your preferred function for the diamond button, then press the touchpad
3. Confirm the option was selected by looking for the checkmark next to the option name
4. Press the Back button to close the pop-up
Customize What the Recall Button Does
Configure the Recall button to swap main and Picture-in-Picture (P.i.P.) windows, show Swap banner, or swap Channels and Shows bars.
1. Press the HOME button two times
2. Select Settings
3. Select Remote Control
4. Select Recall Button
5. Select your desired Recall Button preference
Teach Commands from Another Device's Remote
1. Ensure the DISH remote control is programmed to operate the DISH receiver
2. Press the HOME button twice
3. Select Settings
4. Select Remote Control
5. Choose your desired device
6. Select TEACH COMMANDS
7. Choose your desired learning mode
8. Place both the DISH remote and the other remote on a flat stable surface
9. Point the front of the original remote to face the IR window on the top edge of the DISH remote (remotes must be within 4 inches of each other)
10. Press the button you want to teach on the DISH remote
11. On the original remote control, press and hold the button you want learned
  
  (You may need to press the button on the original remote several times for the DISH remote to learn the command)
  
  (If the mode light remains lit, it did not learn the command)
12. Repeat the previous two steps for all commands you want to learn

52.0 Remote

Customize Shortcut Buttons
You can personalize your 52.0 remote by dedicating the Enter and Backspace buttons at the bottom of the remote to custom functions.
1. Press the HOME button twice
2. Select Settings
3. Select Remote Control
4. Select your desired Enter or Backspace Button preference
Customize What the Recall Button Does
Configure the Recall button to swap main and Picture-in-Picture (P.i.P.) windows, show Swap banner, or swap Channels and Shows bars.
1. Press the HOME button two times
2. Select Settings
3. Select Remote Control
4. Select Recall Button
5. Select your desired Recall Button preference
Teach Commands from Another Device's Remote
1. Ensure the DISH remote control is programmed to operate the DISH receiver
2. Press the HOME button twice
3. Select Settings
4. Select Remote Control
5. Choose your desired device
6. Select TEACH COMMANDS
7. Choose your desired learning mode
8. Place both the DISH remote and the other remote on a flat stable surface
9. Point the front of the original remote to face the IR window on the top edge of the DISH remote (remotes must be within 4 inches of each other)
10. Press the button you want to teach on the DISH remote
11. On the original remote control, press and hold the button you want learned
  
  (You may need to press the button on the original remote several times for the DISH remote to learn the command)
  
  (If the mode light remains lit, it did not learn the command)
12. Repeat the previous two steps for all commands you want to learn

54.0 Remote

Customize Shortcut Buttons
You can personalize your 54.0 remote by dedicating the two diamond buttons at the bottom of the remote to customized functions.
1. Press and hold the diamond or double-diamond button
2. Use the arrow buttons to highlight your preferred function for the diamond button, then press Select
3. Confirm the option was selected by looking for the checkmark next to the option name
4. Press the Back button to close the pop-up
Customize What the Recall Button Does
Configure the Recall button to swap main and Picture-in-Picture (P.i.P.) windows, show Swap banner, or swap Channels and Shows bars.
1. Press the HOME button two times
2. Select Settings
3. Select Remote Control
4. Select Recall Button
5. Select your desired Recall Button preference
Teach Commands from Another Device's Remote
1. Ensure the DISH remote control is programmed to operate the DISH receiver
2. Press the HOME button twice
3. Select Settings
4. Select Remote Control
5. Choose your desired device
6. Select TEACH COMMANDS
7. Choose your desired learning mode
8. Place both the DISH remote and the other remote on a flat stable surface
9. Point the front of the original remote to face the IR window on the top edge of the DISH remote (remotes must be within 4 inches of each other)
10. Press the button you want to teach on the DISH remote
11. On the original remote control, press and hold the button you want learned
  
  (You may need to press the button on the original remote several times for the DISH remote to learn the command)
  
  (If the mode light remains lit, it did not learn the command)
12. Repeat the previous two steps for all commands you want to learn