Comments on: Harmony 880 Remote - battery problems

By: thebuds93

thebuds93 — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:48:29 +0000

I used vinegar on Q Tips to clean the contacts on both the remote and cradle. It worked like a charm!!!

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:08:29 +0000

The tip about opening the dock and filing off the little ledge was AWESOME. My wife used a utility knife and had it off in no time. I put the dock back together and the rmote docks and charges perfectly. I use my 880 as a remote for my secondary TV and receiver and I’m thrilled to be able to use it regularly again.

Thanks for the tip!!

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 22:22:06 +0000

awesome tip, was just about to order a new battery and separate charger, then I found this tip. thanks worked like a charm!

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 28 May 2011 19:10:18 +0000

Chris: I am glad that something which took so little time to write has helped so many people.

By: Chris

Chris — Sat, 28 May 2011 02:58:42 +0000

Now that’s impressive - 3yr+ old 880 remote just recently started repeatedly beeping when we placed it on the charging cradle, Googled ‘beeping harmony remote’ - found this, didn’t think the paper wedge in the battery compartment would work, tried it anyways, remote back in the cradle & voila !!! Remote stopped beeping & is charging merrily !!! Thanks for the post even if it’s 6yrs old !!

By: Just Me

Just Me — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 00:14:46 +0000

Thanks to everyone for their different ways of solving their charging problems. Like many other’s my 880 had stopped charging and was 3 yrs old. I didn’t want to have to order a Harmon One so I figured I’d take the chance and search online for ideas. After using a rotary tool to clean the contracts on my remote I was still having some issues with it charging. I took the base apart and fond it to be dirty inside. I used rubbing alcohol to clean all the contacts and straigthen them back out and with fingers crossed all seems to be working again.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 19:24:04 +0000

I have had my Harmony 880 for about 3 years. It charged properly and functioned great up until about a year ago. About a year ago I noticed that it wasn’t charging when in the cradle, so I lifted it up some. So if I placed a quarter under the remote, it would charge. Lately it’s gotten to two quarters and a wooden wedge to charge. So I contacted Logitech to see if they could repair it. There is no repair service for Harmony remotes and my remote was out of warranty so they offered to sell me a new remote fro 50% off MSRP. This is the second remote that I have had that failed due to this issue.

I figured what the heck, since it was out of warranty, why not try to repair it. I noticed that the terminals on the back of the remote were starting to push inward. So I took out 4 screws (2 in the cover and 2 in the circuit board), unplugged the charging wires, then used a small diameter metal punch and rubber mallet to tap the terminals flat and back in place. It took about 10 minutes and a little CorrosionX on the terminals and wow it is working like new! It blows me away that Logitech doesn’t offer a repair service on a remote that costs so much. I emailed them back and told them that if that’s how they treat repeat customers, then they have lost a customer even though I really like the remote.

The only thing is be careful when opening the remote. There are small plastic tabs that can bust when opening the remote. Don’t worry if they do, because the screws hold it together.

Sincerely,
Robert

By: Earl

Earl — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:00:57 +0000

Same problem with cradle as each of the other posters. I also have tried several methods for fix but intend to attack the cradle next. Big ups for all the tips.

Moreover, I have had the WORST possible customer service experience with Logitech. Run-arounds and denial! Phooey!

Never again. Logitech has lost my business and I will steer anyone I meet away from their products. It’s a shame, really. The unit is valuable when it works, but I cannot abide a company that doesn’t stand behind it’s products.

By: Christina

Christina — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:00:21 +0000

I am also having charging issues. This remote used to work and all of a sudden started beeping. Now longer works???

Also I can not figure out how to open battery door for the life of me…Please help!!!

By: sjkski

sjkski — Mon, 10 May 2010 01:38:21 +0000

Thanks to all the posters. I’ve had my 880 since 2005 and as long as I made sure it was sitting properly in the cradle, I never had any problems until recently after we moved. The remote dropped on the floor a couple of times since we haven’t unrolled the rug yet, and suddenly, one day the screen just went dead, and no matter how many times I tried, I couldn’t get the charging screensaver to show. The Activity screen just kept flashing and flashing. I did manage to restart it in Safe Mode and update the firmware (which I hadn’t done in years), which at least got the frozen screen off. I thought I had fixed it but no, then I could not get the battery to charge. Tried the paper trick discussed in this thread and that did the trick. Pushed the battery forward into the contacts and it was good to go. I’m very happy now!!