[Spliff]

What causes the buttons on remote controls and cordless phones to stop functioning?

My parents have gone through three TV remote controls in 6 months. They've kill the volume controls on each one. Numbers 7 and 3 are dying on my cordless phone. On my previous cordless phone, number 8 and 5 died. The power button on my TV remote is malfunction. This is a 3rd party remote, btw, because first remote has three dead buttons.

In contrast, my parents have an old TV in the basement from the 70s with a remote control that works perfectly.

Are remotes and cordless phones just crappier these days or is something else damaging the buttons?

[ManOfSteal]

User error.

[Link]

My cellphone is like 18 months old and still works perfectly fine Get a clamshell next time?

[Spliff]

Originally posted by manofsteal:
User error.

I thought it might have been the "New Hotness!"

[Spliff]

Originally posted by Link:
My cellphone is like 18 months old and still works perfectly fine Get a clamshell next time?

My cellphone works fine. It only happens, in my experience, with cordless home phones and remote control devices.

[Skip Breakfast]

You have to stop bleeding on the phone and remote.

Seriously, cordless phones suck, even if you put them back on the charger religiously they still die randomly.

Remotes usually fail from being dropped or thrown by spouses.

[SamuraiDL]

I hit the buttons on all remote controls, remote car door openers, and cell phones. To the point where the numbers sometimes get worn of. That seems to be a problem for longevity.

[storer]

I don't know what you do to your cordless phone. I have had over 3 in my lifetime and all have lasted 3 years or more and buttons never ever stopped working. Maybe you arent spending enough money?

[Atomic Rooster]

I think the problem is that as the batteries lose power people tend to press harder on the buttons. This may cause damage to the electrical contacts.

I know I do this.

That and stuffs made in China are getting crappier and crappier.

[macaddict0001]

Originally posted by Atomic Rooster:

That and stuffs made in China are getting crappier and crappier.

and the pay keeps getting lower and lower.

[Gankdawg]

I've only had one go bad (at least I hope it's the remote) - for my Harman Kardon receiver. There are a couple of settings that you can only change via the remote, thankfully they were set before the remote stopped working.

[ManOfSteal]

What happens if your TiVo remote breaks? Aren't all controls done via the remote and nothing on the actual unit?

Just wondering.

[MilkmanDan]

Giant fingers?

[Gankdawg]

Originally posted by manofsteal:
What happens if your TiVo remote breaks? Aren't all controls done via the remote and nothing on the actual unit?

Just wondering.

I think that's correct. Limited functionality on the actual unit.

I'll let you know - I'm getting a satellite system installed today (with a DVR of course!!)

[fhoubi]

Originally posted by Atomic Rooster:
I think the problem is that as the batteries lose power people tend to press harder on the buttons. This may cause damage to the electrical contacts.

Yes, never use rechargeable batteries for remotes. Because of lower capacity and lower voltage, people press harder on the buttons sooner. A salesgirl told me

[Wiskedjak]

Originally posted by Skip Breakfast:
Remotes usually fail from being dropped or thrown by spouses.

By spouses at spouses [rubbing back of head]

[turtle777]

, maybe because whoever uses the remotes is a 24/7 couch potato ?

-t