How to Fix a Roku Remote Not Working
Follow these simple troubleshooting steps to try and fix a Roku remote that is not working properly.
Roku is one of the most popular media players on the market, supporting the top streaming applications like Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and more. Like a television, Roku menu navigation is done by remote. So, if your Roku remote isn’t working, it can be a pain to figure it out. This guide will show you how to fix a Roku Remote that’s not working.
How to Fix a Roku Remote Not Working
Follow these troubleshooting steps to fix a Roku remote that is not working:
- Restart your Roku device.
- Check or replace the batteries.
- Re-pair the remote with the Roku.
- Use the Roku app on your phone.
- Replace the remote entirely.
Restart the Roku device
The first thing to do if your Roku remote is not working is to restart the device. Depending on which type of Roku you have, you can either remove the stick from your TV’s HDMI port or unplug the device to turn it off. Turn it back on after a minute and wait for it to boot up. Try your remote again. If it still doesn’t work, move on to the next step.
Check the batteries
The most common reason for a Roku remote to stop working is low batteries. It is especially true if you use audio through your Roku remote via headphones, as this can drain the batteries quicker. Open up the battery cover on the back of the Roku.
Ensure the batteries are in there snug and nothing is loose. Take the batteries out and place them back in again. After that’s done, see if your remote works. If not, you can try replacing the batteries with a new pair and retrying this process. After that, if the remote still doesn’t work, it’s likely not the batteries.
Some Roku remotes do not take batteries and must be charged instead. To charge a Roku remote, connect the micro-USB charging cable to the Roku remote. Connect the other end of the cable to a USB port to start charging. The status light will flash while charging and remain solid when it’s full charge.
Pair the remote with the Roku
The next step is re-pairing the remote with your Roku. To do this, you need to:
- Power off your Roku and remove the power cable.
- Reconnect the power cable and boot up the Roku.
- Restart your remote by re-inserting the batteries.
- Press and hold the pairing button for five seconds until the status light blinks.*
- Wait 30 seconds for the remote to re-establish a connection with the device.
When the pairing is complete, a pairing dialog will appear on the TV screen where the Roku is connected. Try using your remote now. If it works, that means the Roku remote temporarily lost connection. It’s something that can happen, but now you know how to fix it for next time.
*Note: if your Roku remote does not take batteries, you can press and hold the pairing button for 20 seconds to restart it. The status light will slowly flash green, stop, and then flash quickly. That means the remote has been reset, and you may now release the pairing button.
Roku app
If your Roku remote dies and you need to turn off the sound or pause whatever you’re watching as soon as possible, you can quickly download the app and use it as your temporary remote. The Roku app is available to download on Google Play and the App Store.
After downloading the Roku app, log in to your Roku account. Tap on the remote button on the bottom of the menu, and connect it to your Roku. If you have multiple Rokus in your house or vicinity, you can select which device to connect to from the dropdown at the top of the app.
When you connect the Roku App to your device, you will be able to use the remote on the app to control everything. It’s a handy app to have on your phone if you tend to use Roku to stream a lot of content. After all, we’ve all lost our remotes in the couch cushions from time to time!
Replace the remote
If none of these steps work, it’s possible there’s a technical reason why your remote is not working. There could be corrosion inside the remote, or connections could be faulty. In any case, you can visit the Roku website to purchase a replacement remote. Retail stores like Walmart and Target also sell Roku remotes if you have one nearby and don’t feel like waiting for shipping from a digital retailer.
