Do you, by any chance have a "remote repeater" as part of your home entertainment setup? (those pyramid devices, or a wired LED that plugs into some type of repeating system for room to room use of your remote)
Strangely enough, I do....and at certain times of the day, "random" IR information seems to block or scramble the ability for the remote to work, even at close range. Unplugging my remote repeater (the end near the receiver) fixed the problem which does NOT happen every day. Also, (very, very, very big longshot here)...any of those "plasma" lumistorm globes or devices which may emit odd wavelengths will stop remotes with certain IR frequencies from working.
The MicroHD remote experience is not as good on the original as when you program that original into
some universal models, as well..with NO knock to SatelliteAV or the receiver itself, it just doesn't have the "oomph" that others seem to. I believe you'll find a thread on this somewhere on this site....and references to some recommendations.
The link provided (in my browser it doesn't show as a link but my words, "some universal models" in this post) is to the model I use, and it works very nicely with reasonable function "assignability" for how you wish to set it up, it's a LEARNING remote in addition to a "codes-to-enter" remote. And, inexpensive at Rite-Aid, and most larger chain stores.