Roku TV Remote Not Working: Reasons & DIY Fixes
Are you having issues using the Roku TV remote? You don’t need to worry about it because there are many ways to fix it. If you are using a Roku voice remote, it may not be working due to weak batteries, connectivity issues, and signal obstructions. To fix all your Roku remote problems, you can try these workarounds provided by our experts. If your remote has become faulty due to physical damage, you can skip troubleshooting and buy a new Roku Voice Remote.
Reasons for Roku TV Remote Not Working
If the Roku TV remote has stopped working, it should have the following reasons.
| SCENARIO | REASONS |
|---|---|
| 1 | The remote will stop working if batteries are running out of charge |
| 2 | Because of signal obstructions between the remote and the TV |
| 3 | If the voice remote gets unpaired from the TV due to technical errors |
| 4 | If Roku OS is not updated to the latest version, remote problems may occur |
| 5 | Roku IR remote may not be working due to defects in the IR emitter |
| 6 | Due to liquid spillage or an accidental drop, the remote may be faulty |
DIY Fixes for Roku TV Remote Not Working
As we have seen before, various reasons can stop the device from functioning normally. So here is the basic checklist that every Roku TV user must be aware of. It would help you identify the issues so that you can save a lot of time and effort.
Check Batteries on Roku TV Remote
Sometimes Roku TV remote may not function because of the dead batteries. A weak or dead battery can affect the performance of the remote or even stop working. A few Roku TV remote runs on an AA battery and some on an AAA battery. The first thing to do in this situation is to check whether the battery is inserted properly. If the remote is still unresponsive, try replacing the battery. At times, there can be a chemical leak in the battery. In that case, clean the slot with a microfiber cloth dipping it with 99% isopropyl alcohol before replacing the battery.
Check for HDMI Interference
HDMI interference is a commonly reported issue that can occur due to the nearby HDMI cables. This issue is prevalent in the Roku Streaming Stick as it would be connected directly to the TV’s HDMI port. Roku has provided all Roku TV consumers with a free HDMI extender to address this issue. To claim yours, all you have to do is fill out a form on the Roku Website.
Clear the Obstructions
If Roku Standard IR remote is not working with new batteries, ensure to operate it in a direct line of sight. Also, relocate the objects like showpieces, speakers, and soundbars if they were kept in front of the TV receiver. Otherwise, it will obstruct remote signals so that the TV will not be able to receive any inputs from the remote. You can control your Roku device from a maximum range of 12 feet.
Check your Network Connection
Even a WiFi network can affect the Roku TV remote’s performance. Remember that, the Roku remote does not require a WiFi connection to pair up with the Roku device. But, the device would require a stable network to receive the signal from the remote and make the necessary operation. So, check whether the internet connection is stable on some other device by running a speed test. If the issue is with the network, reset the router or contact your ISP and fix the issue.
Power Cycling Roku TV and Remote
The power cycle might help the remote to work properly, giving the system a soft reset.
[1]. Turn OFF the Roku TV and unplug it from the power supply. Let the device rest for 5-10 minutes.
[2]. Once the device is completely discharged, plug it back into the TV and turn on the device.
Power Draining the remote can also help fix the issue.
[1] Remove the battery from your Roku remote.
[2] Press and hold the Down button for 10-30 sec.
[3] Put the batteries back into the slot.
Now, try using the remote with your Roku TV and check whether it is working.
Unpair and Pair the Roku Remote
Before we show you how to pair, we will have to explain to you about 2 different types of Roku remotes.
- Standard IR remote.
- Enhanced Remote( Point Anywhere remote)
Roku Standard IR Remote works with the help of infrared signals so you don’t need to pair a remote. Another one is the Enhanced Roku Remote or Point Anywhere Remote which works using a WiFi network. Therefore, the Roku voice remote has to be paired with your Roku TV or streaming stick before you use it.
Sometimes the remote may get unpaired due to unknown reasons. So, you need to pair your Roku remote to make it work.
[1] Remove the Roku TV from the power supply and also the batteries from the remote.
[2] Wait for 10 seconds before plugging it back.
[3] Turn on your Roku TV and wait for the home screen to appear. Meanwhile, put the batteries back into the remote.
[4] Now, locate the pairing button usually found near the battery compartment.
[5] Press the button for a few seconds or until the remote starts blinking.
[6]. By doing so, the remote pairing process is initiated and will be done in a few minutes. However, we will also receive a note on the screen stating that the pairing was completed.
Reset Roku Remote
If the remote fails to pair with your Roku device, you can reset the remote to fix the problem.
[1] Take out the batteries from your Roku TV remote and also remove the Roku TV device from the power supply.
[2] Alternatively, you can do a System Restart by going to Settings > System > System Restart > Restart on the remote.
[3] Wait for 15 seconds, and reconnect the Roku TV to the power supply.
[4] Let the Home Screen load on the TV
[5] Put the batteries back into the Roku remote and check if the remote is working fine.
Update Roku OS
In most cases, connection failures will occur if Roku OS is running with outdated firmware. So, you have to update your Roku firmware and then try to pair the remote.
[1] Press the Home button on the Roku remote.
[2] Scroll through the options and click on Settings.
[3] Select System and click on System update.
[4] Tap Check Now to search for the latest updates.
[5] Click Update now if it displays update is available.
Upon clicking the option, it will start updating and restart your TV within a few minutes. After installing the update, pair your Roku remote and test whether it is working without any problems.
Use The Roku App as a Remote
If the Roku TV remote not working even after trying all these troubleshooting methods, you have two options. One is to buy a replacement remote; another is to use Roku TV remote App.
Roku Remote App is a software application that is an alternative to the regular TV remote, and it helps us control the device with ease. The application can do all the tasks that a Roku Remote can and makes things easier, like typing in text search.
How to Setup Roku Remote App
The Roku TV Remote App is available on both Android and iOS. For this process, both the Roku TV and your Phone should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
[1] Launch The Roku App and Sign In to your Roku account.
[2] Tap on Devices in the bottom panel.
[3] Select your Roku TV from the Available Devices list.
[4] Grant the permissions that the Application might be required to pair.
[5] Now tap on Remote below the name of your device.
The application will now show an interface of a Roku remote with all the features like the Private LIstening feature of the Roku remote.
Troubleshooting Methods for Roku Remote App
Here are some fixes in case your Roku remote app is not working properly.
[1]. Network Access. Ensure that the Roku TV device is connected to the network during the process. To fix the issue, go to Settings > System > Advanced System Settings > Control By Mobile Apps > Network Access. Select either Default or Permissive.
[2] VPN: If you are connected to a VPN service, disconnect it immediately. It has to be done because the application won’t work if VPN is enabled on your smartphone.
Buy a Replacement Remote
If the Roku remote is not working after trying all these methods, it is better to buy a replacement remote. Before checking out the product on Amazon, read the description carefully to make sure it is compatible with your TV. Keep in mind, most replacement remotes don’t offer batteries with the box so you have to buy branded batteries for Roku remote at extra cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Standard IR remote has about 3 feet of range, and the Enhanced Roku remote has a theoretical range of 50 m radii.
The Roku remote would be able to pair with most Roku TV devices, except for the Streaming Stick.
Replacement remote controls are available from $15 to $30 on the Roku website. Check that before purchasing one, as the website indicates which remotes are compatible with certain models. However, the replacement remotes are not free of cost, even if it is within the warranty period.
Look for the little reset button on the back of your TV, close to the HDMI, audio, and antenna ports. Press and hold the reset button for at least 20 seconds using a straightened paperclip (or an equivalent object). Your Roku TV will resume shortly and show the Recovery Mode interface.
