How to Reset a Roku Remote

In times of video on-demand, streaming services have become the go-to for the latest in entertainment. Digital media players enable users to access this service, and Roku is one of the most popular brands on the market today. Although the technology was designed to be easy to operate, newbies and veterans to technology can still be confused from time to time.

If you’ve ever had trouble figuring out how to reset a Roku remote, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll show you how to figure out if your remote is working, and how to troubleshoot it if it doesn’t.

Sometimes, the Roku remote can experience errors that could cause it to malfunction. When this happens, it may be necessary to reset the remote so that it can pair with the Roku device properly. To reset the remote, all you have to do is follow these steps:

1. Remove the batteries from your Roku remote
2. Unplug your Roku device from the electric outlet, and wait at least 10 seconds before plugging it back in.
3. Wait for the Home screen to appear on your Roku TV.
4. Once the screen appears, re-insert the batteries, but keep the battery cover off.
5. Press the pairing button on the back of your remote for three seconds. The indicator light should flash showing that the remote is currently pairing. If the light isn’t flashing, try to use different batteries.
6. Once the remote starts pairing, wait for about 30 seconds for the process to finish. A message should appear on your TV screen indicating that the paring was successful.

If resetting your Roku remote doesn’t do the trick, there are other ways to troubleshoot your device.

A Remote Reset Isn’t Working, What Now?

If a quick reset doesn’t fix your problem, then your remote may be experiencing other errors, or it may not be a problem with your remote at all. At the time of writing, Roku has four different types of remotes available for their different products. These remote types are the Roku Voice Remote, the Roku Enhanced Voice Remote, the Roku Gaming Remote, and the standard Roku IR Remote.

No matter the model, the basic design is still the same. If resetting the device doesn’t solve your problem, then you can follow the steps as listed in the tips below to see if it does the trick.

Common Roku Remote Troubleshooting Tips

If your Roku device won’t turn on when you use the remote, it could be a problem with the remote itself, the Roku device, or even your Wi-Fi network. You can try these troubleshooting tips to try and pinpoint the exact problem.

1. Check IR Signal
   All Roku remotes send an IR signal to the device in order for it to turn on. If the signal is blocked by any obstruction, then it won’t work. Try to move closer to your Roku device, or remove anything that may be blocking the IR receiver. It helps to place the Roku device in a location where you have a clear line of sight to it.
   
   Try lifting the remote a bit higher, pointing it directly at the receiver, then try to turn it on. If this doesn’t work, try the other troubleshooting tips on the list.
2. Check the Batteries
   Another common reason why remotes stop working is a drained battery or improperly positioned battery. Open up the battery case, remove the batteries, and then put them back in again. If this doesn’t work, try to replace the batteries with new ones to see if that fixes the problem.

3. Temporary Software Error
   Sometimes, the Roku device may experience temporary software errors that may cause it to malfunction. These errors can often be fixed by simply restarting the Roku device. To do so, follow these steps:
   1. Take off the batteries from your remote.
   2. Turn off your Roku device, and unplug it.
   3. Wait for about 10 seconds, then plug the Roku device back in.
   4. Wait for the Home screen to display on your TV.
   5. Put the batteries back in your remote.
   6. Try to see if the device now responds to your remote.
   7. If this doesn’t work, move to the next tip.
4. Unpaired Remote
   Unlike standard IR remotes, enhanced Roku remotes need to be paired with your Roku device to function properly. Non-IR remotes can be distinguished from standard models by the presence of a pairing button on the back of the remote case. If there is no pairing button on your remote, then it’s a standard IR model.
   
   On occasion, your remote may lose this pairing erroneously. To solve the problem, you can re-pair the remote by doing the following:
   1. For a new previously unpaired remote
   2. Make sure that new batteries are on your remote.
   3. Turn your Roku device on.
   4. Place the remote near your Roku device. It should be detected by Roku, and the pairing process should start automatically.
   5. Reset a previously paired remote.

5. HDMI Interference Errors
   As per the Roku manual, HDMI cables can sometimes interfere with Roku remote signals and cause them to malfunction. This is a problem as the HDMI port is where you install your Roku device to begin with. This is especially noticeable in the Roku Stick as you have to connect it directly to your TV’s HDMI port.
   
   To remedy this, you must use an HDMI extender to place the device further away from the port to prevent the signals from interfering. Fortunately, if you don’t already own an HDMI Extender, Roku provides it for free to owners of the Roku device. All you need to do is fill out a form on the Roku Free HDMI Extender Page on their website.
   
   You’ll need the serial number of your Roku device to proceed. It should be located on a sticker on the device itself, in the packaging, or in your user’s manual.
6. Network Connection Errors
   Although your Roku remote doesn’t require a Wi-Fi network to actually connect to your Roku device, it still needs a functioning network to actually work. If your internet is down for any reason, your remote can’t be used until your connection is restored.
   
   Check your Wi-Fi network to see if there is a problem either with your Roku device, your router, or your ISP. If other mobile devices connected to the network can still access the internet, then it may be a problem with your Roku device’s Wi-Fi connection.
   
   Check your router’s settings to see if you have a dual band connection. Some Roku devices only support 2.4GHz connections, while some support both 2.4 GHz and 5GHz. If your router is currently set to 5GHz, try to change it to 2.4 GHz and see if your Roku device can connect properly to the network.
7. Using the Roku App
   Alternatively, you can try to reset the Roku device using the Roku app as a remote control. Once the Roku device has been reset, you can try to use your remote and see if it properly reconnects. The Roku App is available on both the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store for the Android and iOS respectively.
   
   Once installed on your mobile, you can reset the Roku device via settings. Do note that doing this will erase any preferences you may have set, and will unlink your device from your Roku account. To do a factory reset, follow these steps:
   1. On your Roku Home screen, choose Settings.
   2. Choose System from the menu.
   3. Choose Advanced System Settings.
   4. Choose Factory Reset.
   5. You will be provided with a code to confirm factory reset. Enter the code then choose OK.
   6. Once the reset is over, proceed to relink your device to your Roku account, then try to reconnect your remote.

8. Replacing Your Remote
   If you’ve gone through all these tips and have still to find a solution, you may need to get a new remote as a last resort. The Roku accessories page provides a list of compatible products that you can use on your Roku device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some commonly asked questions regarding the Roku remote and Roku devices in general.

1. Can I use Roku without a remote?
   Technically, yes. If you want to, you can use your mobile device instead of a remote to operate Roku. All it takes is to download the Roku app and then use that as a replacement remote This may not be the best way to use Roku, but if you don’t have a choice, it will do the job in a pinch. This is especially handy if you’ve ordered a new remote and it hasn’t arrived yet.
2. Can I add a new remote?
   Yes. You can use more than one remote at a time if you wish. To add a new remote, follow the steps below:
   • On the Roku Home screen, choose Settings.
   • From the menu, choose Remote.
   • Choose Pair Remote.
   • You’ll be shown a screen with all the remote controllers currently paired with the device. Choose the right arrow on the screen to open the next menu.
   • You will be given instructions on how to pair an additional remote.
3. Can I use my TV remote to control Roku?
   Some Universal Remotes can be programmed to control the Roku device. To see if your Universal Remote is compatible, check the official Roku list of supported remotes. If your model is marked as having Basic compatibility, it can only be used to control power, volume, and select input. Expanded compatibility gives you more options. Refer to your controller’s manual on how to specifically sync the remote with any device.

Working as Intended
The Roku remote was designed specifically to make watching streaming services more convenient. Knowing how to reset a Roku remote helps to keep your device working as intended. As simple as a gadget like a remote control can be, there are plenty of ways that it can experience errors. We hope that these troubleshooting tips have provided the solutions that you’re looking for.

Do you have other tips that weren’t mentioned here? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.