How Do I Program an Xfinity Remote for an Older Tube TV?

Quick Answer

You can program a modern Comcast Xfinity remote to control a vintage CRT television. The exact button sequence depends on the model. XR2 and XR11 remotes have a physical Setup button; the XR15 voice remote replaces it with a Xfinity plus Mute hold.

Hold Setup (or Xfinity plus Mute on XR15) until the indicator LED turns solid green. Type the 5 digit manufacturer code for your TV brand: Sony Trinitron 10000, Panasonic 10051, JVC 10463, RCA 11547, Zenith 10178. The LED flashes green twice when accepted. Test with Power or Volume.

If the code is rejected (LED flashes red), try the next code in the brand list. CRT chassis used multiple code sets across model years.

Identify your remote first

Comcast has shipped four major remote families. The programming sequence is different for each.

• XR2 (silver/black, 2010 to 2012). Dedicated Setup button at the top.
• XR11 (curved, voice button, 2014 to 2016). Setup button on the right side.
• XR15 (angular, microphone front, 2016 to 2020). No Setup button. Uses Xfinity plus Mute.
• XR16 (Flex, USB-C, 2020 onward). Same pairing combo as XR15.

Look at the model number printed inside the battery compartment to confirm.

XR2 and XR11 programming sequence

1. Turn the CRT TV on with its front panel power switch.
2. Point the Xfinity remote at the TV.
3. Press and hold the Setup button. The LED at the top changes from red blinking to solid green. Release.
4. Enter the 5 digit code from the table below using the number keys.
5. If the LED flashes green twice the code was accepted. If it flashes red, the code is wrong; start over with the next code.
6. Test Power and Volume. If Power works but Volume does not, repeat the steps with another code from the same brand list.

XR15 and XR16 programming sequence

1. Hold the Xfinity button and the Mute button at the same time for 5 seconds.
2. The LED turns from red to solid green. Release both buttons.
3. Enter the 5 digit manufacturer code.
4. LED flashes green twice for accepted, red for rejected.
5. Test Power and Volume.

Verified vintage CRT code list

Codes are published by Comcast for the modern lineup and have been cross referenced with Xfinity support documentation. Some early 1990s Sony Trinitron sets respond best to 11100 rather than 10000; try both.

If no code works: Auto Code Search

If you cannot find a working code in the list:

1. Begin the programming sequence as above.
2. Instead of entering a code, press the Channel Up button.
3. The remote cycles through every stored TV code, sending Power off after each one.
4. When the TV finally turns off, immediately press OK to lock in that code.

This may take a few minutes because the remote walks through hundreds of codes one per second.

If the TV responds to Power but not Volume

This is the most common partial match. The CRT predates the standardisation of brand wide command sets, so different functions live in different code blocks. Try the next code in the same brand list rather than giving up. Volume up and Volume down usually live together, so testing one is enough.

Frequently asked questions

Will this control the Xfinity cable box too?

Yes. The remote is already paired to the cable box. Programming a TV code adds TV control on top.

Do I need a working sensor on the CRT?

Yes. Almost every CRT from 1985 onward has an IR sensor on the front bezel. Wipe it clean if it has been sitting in dust.

Why does the LED flash red right after I enter the code?

Either the code is wrong for that chassis, or you entered the digits too slowly. The remote times out after about 30 seconds. Restart from Setup.

The takeaway

A modern Xfinity remote can drive a 1990s CRT in about a minute. Hold Setup (XR2 or XR11) or Xfinity plus Mute (XR15 or XR16) until the LED turns solid green, type the 5 digit code for your brand, and watch for two green flashes. If the first code only triggers Power, try the next code from the same brand list until Volume works too.