system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why does whacking the remote when it's low battery actually work.
gpt
Microscopic(or larger) corrosion can occur between the battery ends and the controllers contact terminals.

This corrosion increases circuit resistance - making it harder for charge to flow from battery to device. Basically more resistance lower voltage, and every electronic device has a minimum operating voltage.

By wacking the controller, you are repositioning the contacts ever so slightly and may get a better contact between power source(battery) and the controller. This better contact lowers resistance, allowing a slightly higher voltage to flow in to the controller, letting it work a little longer.