Just Fixed It at Home Series, Episode 10: Apple TV Remote Disassembly and Dust Cleaning After extended use, the Apple TV remote can start to feel gritty or make a “clicky-crunchy” sound when pressing buttons. This is usually caused by dust buildup, and disassembling the remote for cleaning will solve the issue. Disassembling the Apple TV remote is fairly simple, but finding the right tool can be tricky. The buttons need to be pried open with force, so the tool should be thin and slightly flexible. It’s best to avoid metal tools, as they can easily damage the buttons. Some people suggest spraying WD-40 as an alternative—I haven’t tried that myself.