A Roku device turns any TV into a Smart TV, giving you access to millions of movies and shows. But you won’t be able to stream anything if your remote isn’t working properly. If you’re having trouble with your Roku remote, here’s how to pair or reset it, no matter what type of remote you have.
Two Types of Roku Remotes
There are two types of Roku remotes: the “simple” remote, which uses infrared light and must be pointed directly at a receiver for it to work, and “voice” remote control, which uses WiFi and does not require direct line of sight. You can tell them apart because only one has a voice button.
If you don’t see a button with a microphone or a magnifying glass icon on your remote, it means you have the old “simple” remote.
How to Pair or Reset a “Simple” Roku Remote
A “Simple” Roku remote uses infrared light to control your Roku player, so it automatically pairs with any device Roku. All you need to do is point it directly at the Roku receiver. Anything blocking its path, including a glass cabinet door, could cause the remote to stop working.
There’s no way to reset a “plain” Roku remote, but you can remove the batteries and reinsert or replace them. them with new ones. Or you can also reset your own Roku device by pressing the Reset button, which you’ll usually find on the back or bottom of your device.
Read more: How to Factory Reset Your Roku Device
Note: To find out if the infrared light on your remote is working properly, you can point the camera on your smartphone and press any button on your remote. If your camera doesn’t detect invisible infrared light, you may need to replace your remote or upgrade to a newer Roku device.
Note: Before you buy a new remote, make sure it’s compatible with your Roku device first.
How to Pair a Roku Voice Remote
If your Roku Voice Remote isn’t responding, press and hold the pairing button, which you can find at the battery compartment or on the back of your remote control. Press the pairing button until you see the status light flash green and hold the remote close to your Roku device to pair it.
Once you press the pairing button on your remote, you can take a while connect and pair with your Roku device. For best results, you should move the remote closer to your Roku device. You’ll know your remote is connecting if you see a screen that says “Remote Pairing…”
If you have a rechargeable voice remote, make sure it’s fully charged. If your Roku remote uses replaceable batteries, you should also try inserting new batteries and then try pairing again. Doing this could resolve any issues you are having with your remote.
If you’re using a Roku Streaming Stick and you’re still having trouble, you can get a free HDMI extender cable at My.Roku.com/HDMI.
How to reset a Roku voice remote Unresponsive Roku
To reset an unresponsive Roku remote, unplug the Roku device from power and remove the batteries from your remote. Then plug your Roku device back in and wait until you see the Roku logo on your screen before reinserting the batteries. Finally, press the pairing button on your remote to pair it.
- Unplug your Roku player from power.
- Then remove the batteries from your remote.
- Plug your Roku player back in after 5 seconds.
- Once see the Roku logo on your screen, reinsert the batteries into your remote.
- Then press and hold the pairing button on your remote. Do this for about 5 seconds or until the pairing light on the remote starts blinking.
- Wait for the Roku to complete the pairing process. This will take 30 seconds, sometimes less. You will see a message on your TV when the remote has been successfully paired.
How to Pair a New Roku Voice Remote
If your Roku remote works, but you want to pair a new remote, you can press the Home button on your current remote and go to Settings > Remotes and devices > Remotes > Set up a new device. Then press the pairing button on your remote and follow the instructions on the screen.
- Go to the Roku home screen. You can do this by pressing the home button on your remote.
- Then go to Settings. You can find this in the left sidebar menu by pressing the left directional button on your remote. Then press the up directional button once and the OK button or the right directional button to continue. pair-new-roku-remote_1-scaled.jpg” alt=”AAA” />
- Then select Remotes & Devices.
- Then select Set up a new device.
- Next, select Remote and then Continue .<img src=" https://www.hellotech.com/guide/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/how-to-pair-new-roku-remote_3-scaled.jpg" alt="AAA" /
- Finally, press the pairing button on your remote until you see the status light flash green If your Roku voice remote uses removable batteries, you can find the pairing button inside the battery compartment.If your remote is rechargeable, you will see it on the back of your remote.
Depending on the type of remote you have, there may be additional steps to set up your remote with your TV, so you can change the volume and turn your TV on/off with your remote.
If you still can’t get your remote to work, check out our guide on how to use Roku without a remote.
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