system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: When TV remote batteries die, why does swapping their positions around bring them back to life?
gpt
There is no electrical reason for this to be caused by swapping the positions.

What may happen is:


- a thin layer of oxidized metal may create a higher resistance between the batteries and the remote contacts; removing/reinstalling them "scratches" the contact surfaces providing a lower-resistance path.


- removing the batteries for a while while swapping them may allow the batteries to briefly attain a higher voltage (due to not being subjected to supplying any current), which may be enough to kick the remote back to life for a short time (see below). Battery temperature may also have a role here.


- many electronic devices may freeze or crash if the supplied voltage goes below a limit level. They might still be drawing a minute amount of current, enough to keep the voltage below this limit. Removing the batteries for a while may allow the batteries to "recover" to a slightly higher voltage, and reset the device.

As an experiment, when it happens again, try to just remove the batteries for minute, then place them back in the same positions, making sure to roll them to scratch the contact surfaces.