Quick Answer: If your electric fireplace remote is lost, broken, or just not responding, start by checking the fireplace’s own control panel — nearly every unit has physical buttons that work independently of the remote, so you’re not locked out. For a permanent fix, an OEM replacement remote ($15–$40 depending on brand) is the safest bet because most mid-range and premium fireplaces, including Dimplex and Touchstone, pair the remote to the receiver over RF with a matched code rather than a generic universal signal. A universal IR remote (~$17–$30) can work, but only reliably on basic infrared units — check your remote’s back panel or manual before assuming it’ll sync with an RF-paired fireplace.
A dead or missing remote is one of the most common “my fireplace is broken” reports we cover in our electric fireplace not heating guide, and most of the time it isn’t broken at all — it’s a $20 part. The trick is knowing which $20 part to buy, because fireplace remotes are far less interchangeable than TV remotes.
OEM vs. universal: how to decide
- Check the signal type first. Flip the remote over (or check the manual) for RF or IR labeling. Per Touchstone’s own remote-selector tool, its Sideline line pairs over RF with a code specific to each model family — an RF remote from a different Touchstone model, or a generic universal clicker, often won’t sync.
- Buy OEM if your fireplace is RF-paired. Dimplex and Touchstone both sell model-matched replacement remotes directly through their own stores. You’ll need your fireplace’s model number, usually on a sticker on the frame or inside the old remote’s battery compartment.
- Universal remotes work best on basic IR units. Budget wall-mount and freestanding stoves (the kind we cover in our best budget picks) more often use simple infrared control, which a universal remote can usually learn or already supports out of the box.
- Consider a smart bridge if you want app/voice control. Devices like the Bond Bridge pair with your existing RF-controlled fireplace and add Alexa/Google Assistant and app scheduling on top of the remote’s existing functions — it doesn’t replace a broken remote, it upgrades a working one.
Replacement options compared
| Option | Best for | Signal | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimplex OEM Remote | Dimplex owners | RF (model-matched) | ~$15–$25 | ★★★★★ |
| Touchstone OEM Remote | Touchstone owners | RF (model-matched) | ~$25–$40 | ★★★★★ |
| Universal IR Fireplace Remote | Basic/budget IR units | Infrared | ~$17–$30 | ★★★★☆ |
| Bond Bridge (WiFi upgrade) | App/voice control add-on | RF learning hub | ~$99 | ★★★★½ |
1. Dimplex OEM Replacement Remote — Best for Dimplex Owners
Dimplex OEM Replacement Remote
- Pre-paired to the correct RF code for your specific Dimplex model family — no manual syncing.
- Covers the same IgniteXL and Revillusion lines we rank in our [most realistic electric fireplace](/best/most-realistic-electric-fireplace/) guide.
- Cheaper than a service call, and installs instantly with fresh batteries.
If you own a Dimplex, buy the Dimplex-branded remote — don’t gamble on a universal one. Dimplex’s own remote page matches remotes to model families, and a mismatched RF code simply won’t pair, no matter how new the batteries are. Need it fast because the fireplace is unusable in the meantime? A free 30-day Amazon Prime trial gets a replacement delivered in two days instead of waiting on a manufacturer backorder.
2. Touchstone OEM Replacement Remote — Best for Touchstone Owners
Touchstone OEM Replacement Remote
- Touchstone runs a model-selector tool on its own site to match the exact remote to your Sideline unit.
- Restores flame color, brightness, and timer controls we cover in our [best wall mount electric fireplace](/best/best-wall-mount-electric-fireplace/) picks.
- RF-paired, so range and reliability through cabinetry or media consoles is better than IR.
Touchstone’s Sideline line spans several generations (Elite, Infinity, the original Sideline 50), and the RF pairing code differs across them — the manufacturer’s own selector tool exists specifically because customers kept ordering the wrong one. Confirm your exact model before buying.
3. Universal IR Fireplace Remote — Best for Basic Units
Universal Infrared Fireplace Remote
- Works out of the box on basic infrared fireplaces and stoves — no dip switches or pairing code needed.
- A practical low-cost fix for budget models like the ones in our [best freestanding electric fireplace](/best/best-freestanding-electric-fireplace/) roundup.
- Won't reliably sync with RF-paired premium units — check your old remote's signal type first.
This is the cheapest path back to full remote control, but it’s a gamble on RF units. Per We Love Fire’s own compatibility guidance, fireplace remotes are frequently model-specific because of paired signals rather than a shared universal protocol — so save the packaging until you’ve confirmed it actually pairs.
4. Bond Bridge — Best Smart Upgrade
Bond Bridge WiFi Hub
- Learns your existing RF-paired fireplace remote's signal and lets you control it from a phone app or voice assistant.
- Doesn't replace a broken remote — it upgrades a working one with scheduling and away-from-home control.
- Also works with RF-controlled ceiling fans, useful if you're pairing a fireplace with a [TV stand setup](/best/best-electric-fireplace-tv-stand/) in a media room.
Skip this if your remote is simply dead — it’s not a repair part. But if you’ve got a working RF remote and want to turn the fireplace on from bed or schedule it to warm up before you get home, it’s the upgrade path rather than the replacement path.
The bottom line
Check the fireplace’s own control panel first — you’re probably not locked out. Then match the fix to your fireplace: buy the Dimplex or Touchstone OEM remote if you own one of those brands, reach for a cheaper universal IR remote on basic budget units, and only consider a Bond Bridge if your existing remote still works and you want app or voice control on top of it.