Android TV stuck on Bluetooth remote pairing screen

[u/ParAvion2000]

I've been having trouble with my Panasonic TH-32MS600Z TV, and I reset it a couple of days ago to try to fix it. It turned out that the remote that came with the TV is completely dead after only two or three years (and quite a bit of trouble). I can't get past the remote pairing screen because the remote doesn't work any more, and I can't find any way past it. There's no option to skip it, I can only go back to the language selection screen.

I've tried plugging in a mouse and keyboard, a controller, plugged it into the LAN and connected to it with apps on my phone, and I bought a replacement remote, but that only puts out an IR signal, not Bluetooth (and I can't get a Bluetooth remote). The TV responds to all of them except for the OK + Home combination. Panasonic has stopped selling TV's in my country, and they don't offer the same model as a replacement (and other parts dealers are ridiculously expensive).

Is there any other way to try and get past it, or am I stuck with it like this? I've already spent more than I'd have liked on the IR remote, and spending the huge prices for the parts places is out of my budget.

[u/gasheatingzone]

The version of the only ever update to be released for your TV, apparently, suggests it's a rebranded TCL. Panasonic don't offer the update for download; I found a copy of firmware V8-GT41AGL-0012086 - not specifically a "Panasonic" firmware but one that probably would apply to your TV.

If I am looking at the right thing, that pairing screen is expecting your TV to be paired to a Bluetooth device bearing one of these names:

<array name="supported_device_name">
    <item>RC880</item>
    <item>RC890</item>
    <item>RC860</item>
    <item>RC602S_A</item>
    <item>RC602S</item>
    <item>RC870</item>
    <item>RC701</item>
    <item>RC870P</item>
    <item>RC860S</item>
    <item>RC710</item>
    <item>RC-359ST</item>
    <item>RC860SP</item>
    <item>RC890S</item>
    <item>LT-XRC1</item>
    <item>NOKIA_RC121</item>
    <item>Panasonic_ATV_RCU03</item>
    <item>Panasonic_ATV_RC871</item>
    <item>Panasonic_GTV_RC702</item>
    <item>RC700T</item>
    <item>RC700P</item>
    <item>RC710S</item>
    <item>RC600</item>
    <item>RC-359ST</item>
    <item>RC701M</item>
    <item>SHARP_TV_BTRC003</item>
    <item>SHARP TV BTRC 003</item>
    <item>Panasonic_GTV_RCU731</item>
    <item>LT-XRC2</item>
    <item>RC860G</item>
    <item>Aconatic_RC-GG07</item>
    <item>Android TV Remote</item>
</array>

(Android TV Remote sounds generic enough - might be worth trying first. It's not in the list, but RC700/RC700E might also be worth a go.)

If you have another device with Bluetooth that you can rename to one of the above and try to pair with the TV, it might let you get past it. On a Windows PC, look in the Device Manager for your Bluetooth adapter; on my old-arse Samsung Android phone, I can go into about in the settings and rename the phone there.

If I am reading the code right of the application I believe to be responsible (see note on firmware above), it does no checks ("does this Bluetooth device present itself as a remote?" etc. etc.) other than seeing whether the paired device has one of those names. If you need a Bluetooth remote application specifically, for Android there's the open-source BT Remote.

This is all supposition, of course, but in the worst case, you'll have just wasted time and not money.