Home Assistant IR Blaster Troubleshooting Guide for AC, TV and Fans
IR control is one of the fastest ways to bring older AC units, TVs, fans, projectors and heaters into Home Assistant. But when an IR command fails, the reason is not always obvious. It can be the code, the angle, the device state, the MQTT entity, the automation timing, or the room logic around it.
This guide gives you a practical troubleshooting path for eRemote HA, eHome HA, eMotion Pro, eMotion Ultra, HomeClaw, and Home Assistant scenes.
Start with the IR Failure Type
Before changing your automation, identify what kind of failure you are seeing. Most IR problems fall into one of five buckets: no signal, wrong signal, weak signal, repeated signal, or state mismatch.
| Symptom | Likely layer | First check | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing happens | IR code, entity, or placement | Run the command manually from Home Assistant. | Retest the IR code and move the emitter closer to the receiver window. |
| Wrong action happens | Code library or learned command | Confirm whether the appliance uses toggle power or discrete power. | Learn a new command or use separate on/off commands when available. |
| Works sometimes | Angle, reflection, or distance | Test with the room lights on and off. | Change placement and avoid hidden receiver angles. |
| Runs too many times | Automation logic | Check triggers, cooldowns, and repeated state changes. | Add mode conditions and a cooldown helper. |
| State is wrong after command | IR is one-way control | Check whether the device reports state back. | Use helpers, timers, smart plugs, or dashboard confirmation. |
Choose the Right LinknLink IR Control Path
Not every room needs the same IR device. A living room with multiple appliances may need a dedicated IR hub. A small bedroom may work better with a presence sensor that also has built-in IR.
eRemote HA
Use it as a dedicated local IR hub for AC, TV, fans, projectors and other appliances controlled by infrared.
eMotion Pro
Use it when a room needs both mmWave presence sensing and built-in IR commands in one device.
eMotion Ultra
Use it when the room needs 60GHz presence, built-in IR, and temperature/humidity data cable context.
Step-by-Step IR Troubleshooting Workflow
Test the command outside the automation
Run the IR command directly from Home Assistant first. If it fails manually, the automation is not the problem.
Check the appliance receiver window
Many TVs and AC units hide the IR receiver behind dark plastic. Move the IR emitter until the device responds reliably.
Confirm the command type
Power toggle commands can create state confusion. If possible, use discrete on, off, mode, temperature and fan commands.
Add a cooldown helper
IR commands should not fire every time a presence state flaps. Add a short timer or input boolean to prevent repeat actions.
Rebuild the scene in layers
Start with one appliance, then add presence, then add temperature, then add dashboard overrides.
AC Troubleshooting: Temperature, Mode and Fan Speed
AC control is harder than simple TV power control because one IR command often includes mode, temperature, fan speed and swing. If one value is wrong, the whole command can feel wrong.
| AC issue | What to verify | Recommended LinknLink route | Automation note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temperature does not change | Confirm the learned code includes the target temperature. | eRemote HA or eMotion built-in IR. | Send a complete HVAC command, not only a generic power command. |
| AC powers on in the wrong mode | Cool, heat, dry and fan modes may need different codes. | eRemote HA for full room IR coverage. | Create separate scripts for each mode. |
| AC turns on when room is empty | Presence or room mode condition is missing. | eMotion Pro or eMotion Ultra plus Home Assistant. | Require presence before sending comfort commands. |
| AC runs all night | No final empty-room shutdown condition. | HomeClaw local automation plus IR control. | Add a no-presence timer and an overnight maximum runtime. |
TV, Fan and Projector Troubleshooting
TVs, fans and projectors usually fail for different reasons than AC units. TV receivers can be hidden. Fans may use RF instead of IR. Projectors often need longer warm-up and shutdown timing.
| Device | Common problem | Fix | Product fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| TV | Power toggle creates wrong state. | Add a dashboard confirmation or use smart plug power sensing where appropriate. | eRemote HA or eMotion Pro. |
| Fan | Remote may be RF, not IR. | Check whether the remote needs RF support. | eHome HA for compatible RF control. |
| Projector | Needs delayed shutdown or double command. | Create a dedicated projector script with waits. | eRemote HA plus HomeClaw scene logic. |
| Air purifier | Mode cycles through one button. | Use predictable scene presets and avoid blind repeated mode cycling. | eRemote HA or eMotion Ultra with comfort context. |
MQTT and Home Assistant Entity Checks
If the IR command works in the LinknLink app but not in Home Assistant, inspect the Home Assistant side. The issue may be the MQTT topic, entity naming, retained state, or a disabled integration entity.
Checklist: - Confirm the LinknLink device is online - Confirm MQTT broker connection is healthy - Confirm the IR command entity is visible in Home Assistant - Run the command manually from Developer Tools - Check the automation trace for skipped conditions - Add a cooldown helper if the command fires repeatedly
For broader remote-control structure, use the Home Assistant Remote Control Guide.
Use Presence and Room Mode to Prevent Bad IR Commands
IR works best when it is not used blindly. Presence sensors and room modes help Home Assistant decide whether the command should run at all.
- Only turn on AC if the room is occupied or about to be occupied.
- Only power off a TV if media mode is not active or a bedtime timer has expired.
- Only close shades when the room is in sleep, away, or privacy mode.
- Only run repeated IR commands after a cooldown timer has ended.
For presence-based examples, read the Bedroom Sleep Mode Guide and the Button Automation Guide.
When to Use eMotion Ultra Instead of a Separate IR Hub
Use a separate IR hub when one room has many appliances spread across a wide area. Use eMotion Ultra when the room also needs 60GHz mmWave presence, built-in IR, and temperature/humidity data cable context in the same automation path.
Local Gateway Logic with HomeClaw
HomeClaw can coordinate local Home Assistant routines so IR commands do not depend on cloud timing. This is especially useful for rooms where users expect immediate feedback, such as bedrooms, media rooms and offices.
| HomeClaw logic | Why it helps IR | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Room mode helper | Prevents commands from running in the wrong context. | Do not turn off TV while movie mode is active. |
| Presence state | Stops comfort commands in an empty room. | Turn off AC after no presence for 20 minutes. |
| Dashboard override | Lets family members cancel or repeat a command. | Add a "retry AC command" button. |
| Automation trace review | Makes skipped conditions visible. | Find whether the IR script or condition failed. |
Related Guides and Hot Products
Use these product and article links to build a reliable local IR control stack.
Hot products
Related guides
Best IR blasters guide, Remote control guide, AC automation guide, Heatwave automation guide.
Presence and scenes
Bedroom sleep mode guide, Button automation guide, Air vs Pro vs Ultra guide.
Make IR control predictable before making it complex
Start with one appliance and one manual command. Once that works reliably, add presence, temperature, room mode and dashboard overrides.
FAQ
Why is my Home Assistant IR blaster not controlling my AC or TV?
Check that the IR code is correct, the emitter has line of sight, the device state is known, and Home Assistant is sending the command through the right eRemote HA, eHome HA, eMotion Pro, or eMotion Ultra entity.
Can eRemote HA send IR commands locally through Home Assistant?
Yes. eRemote HA is designed for local Home Assistant and MQTT workflows, so IR commands can be used in scenes and automations without relying on cloud routines.
What is the best IR placement for AC and TV control?
Place the IR emitter where the appliance receiver can see it directly. Avoid hiding it behind furniture, behind a TV bezel, or at an angle that misses the receiver window.
Should I use an IR blaster or a built-in IR presence sensor?
Use eRemote HA for a dedicated room IR hub, eMotion Pro when presence sensing and IR control should live in one device, and eMotion Ultra when you also need 60GHz presence plus temperature and humidity context.
How do I avoid repeated IR commands in Home Assistant scenes?
Add conditions, cooldown timers, room mode checks, and presence state checks before sending IR commands. This keeps AC, TV, fan, and projector commands from firing repeatedly.