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Your smart television is capable of performing various tasks, but you may find it challenging to make it do anything if the batteries in the remote control are dead. Regrettably, acquiring a new set means you’ll have to get up. So, instead of going for fresh batteries, you opt to give your TV remote a solid hit on the back — right on the area where the batteries are housed — and voilà! It’s operational once more (at least temporarily).
For many years, people have been striking battery-operated devices in hopes of reviving a remote or similar gadget. Often, this act of hitting indeed appears to provide these devices with an added jolt of energy. One prominent explanation for this phenomenon is that a sharp hit may help dislodge any oxidation that could be present on the battery terminals.
This substance is a powdery, white-green residue that develops on batteries left in a compartment for extended periods. Oxidation is very resistive, meaning it significantly hinders the flow of electricity. When you tap the back of an oxidation-covered remote, you’re essentially “adjusting” the battery terminals, which can assist in realigning the battery cells with the connectors inside the remote.