Roku Remote Not Working? Try These 5 Tips


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Roku Stick 2017 2

They’re comfortable, familiar, and easy to use, but sometimes Roku remotes aren’t working the way they should. If you’ve been running into trouble with your remote control of late, we’ve put together a few handy tips that might help.

Have Your Tried Restarting?

The first suggestion is pretty straightforward: Restart both the remote and your Roku streaming device. For the remote, it’s as simple as taking out the batteries. For the Roku itself, you can remove the power cord, count to 5 or so, and reconnect the cord. Roku’s support site points out that all its streaming devices, save for the Streaming Sticks, can be controlled via an IR remote, which you can use to restart instead of pulling the power. Just head to Settings and then System. Choose System Restart and then Restart. For Roku TVs, it’s slightly different: Settings, System, Power, System restart, Restart.

Reinstall the batteries in your remote when you see the home screen, and see if the restart has cleared up any issues. If not, try some fresh batteries instead.

Repair with a Re-Pair

No luck? Try this: Take out the batteries from your remote and restart like before. This time, press and hold the pairing button located in the battery compartment — 5 seconds should be enough. You’ll see a flashing light. If so, wait for a few seconds to see if the remote re-establishes a connection with your streaming device. You should see a remote pairing screen on your TV.

Adjust WiFi Settings

If you’re cool with adjusting WiFi network settings, try changing wireless channels to find a better connection. Roku recommends channels 1, 6, and 11 for 2.4GHz networks in North America. If your router and Roku device both support it, try switching to a 5GHz network to see if that removes connection interference.

Maybe it’s Time for a New Remote

If you’re still having trouble, it might be time for a new remote. The company offers a few options with different capabilities and a price range from $15 to $30 depending on the model. Keep in mind that not all remotes work with all streaming devices, so check out the company’s product page to find out which one works best for your needs.

An HDMI Extension Cable Might Help Streaming Stick Users

This one’s a bit more specific, but the Roku’s support page suggests trying an HDMI extension if you’re using one of its Streaming Stick models. The idea here is there might be interference messing with the wireless connection between your remote and your device. And so an extension cable could be a good way to put some distance between the Streaming Stick and your TV.

Bonus: Give the Mobile App a Shot

This might not be a long-term solution, but you can also give the mobile app a shot while you, say, wait for your replacement remote to arrive. The app emulates many of the standard remote functions, including the handy Private Listening mode. It’s also a lot easier to enter text via your phone’s keyboard, so you might actually prefer the app for searches.

Hopefully, some of these tips work so you can get back to streaming your favorite content. If we missed some tips and tricks, though, feel free to include them in the comments below and we might just feature them in the future.

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