You have reached the right destination if you have any queries regarding Why is Roku Remote Not Working. This detailed guide will equip you with all the information you need.
Wondering why isn’t my Roku remote working. Do not worry since you are already at the right place. Read through the end of this article in order to re pair Roku remote on your own today!
Begin with cleaning your remote and replacing its batteries. Then check the remote’s settings and re-pair your remote. Check for infrared disturbances or instances in the remote’s line of sight. Try resetting your device too. In the meantime, you can download the Roku mobile app to access your Roku account.
Now, how to re-pair Roku remote? How to reset it? How can I use the Roku app to my advantage? All these questions and more have been answered in detail in our comprehensive how to fix Roku remote guide!
Recommended Reading – Why is Vizio Remote Is Not Working: Fix in Seconds
Roku Remote not Working: Analyzing the Problem
If you’re looking up how to fix a Roku remote, you should begin with what is exactly wrong with your remote. This problem can show itself in different ways which is why you should be keen while observing and analyzing what is exactly wrong with your device.
Your remote can stop responding at all, meaning none of the buttons work for no channels. Alternatively, only a few buttons may not be working or the remote is unresponsive only in the cases of a few apps.
In the last case, the issue may not be with the remote at all but with the app. Here, you should try removing and then reinstalling the app on the device.
For the other two cases, the question that arises is: how to fix Roku remote now? In the later sections, I have described a detailed guide of why won’t my Roku remote work solutions are tried and tested to work. Though not all solutions may work for you, if you go through all of them one by one, you are bound to find one that works for you.
Recommended Reading – Why is YouTube Not Working on Roku: Fix in Seconds
How to Fix Roku Remote
Now that we have all the background knowledge that we need for the ‘why is my Roku remote not working debacle’, we can get into the solutions. Follow these steps in order or not and by the end, I am positive you would have fixed your problem.
Check for Infrared Inference
Wondering: why won’t my Roku remote work? In some cases, there might be obstacles between your Roku remote and the device in the form of other infrared devices. Their mere presence in your Roku set’s proximity is enough for it to be considered a hindrance. Keep in mind this also includes sunlight! Now, why is that?
They can intervene with the passing signals between your remote and the device, thus causing connectivity issues and making the remote unresponsive.
Roku Re-Pair Remote
This is a reminder that your Roku remote needs to be paired with your device at all times in order to work well. In many cases, the remote loses this crucial pairing and thus does not respond to any command given to it. In these cases, you need to pair them up again.
How to re-pair Roku remote? Here it is, follow these steps to do the same in less than a couple of minutes:
- Press and hold down the pairing button on your remote. You’ll find it at different places with respect to your model. Hold down the button until the LED light on it starts flashing. This is an indication that it is in pairing mode.
- Now, wait for your Roku device to discover and recognise the remote. Only then, do you release the button.
- Once the pairing is done, you’ll know if the light stops flashing.
And that’s it! After this, the remote should start working well. Also, note that all remotes do not need to be paired like this. The rule only holds true to enhanced remotes. These include voice remotes that make use of RF radio waves.
On the other hand, infrared Remotes do pair on their own. If you still insist on trying to ‘Roku re-pair remote’ them, simply open their battery compartment, take out the batteries and put them back.
Wondering why won’t my Roku remote works despite this. There are many more reasons and solutions to go, we are just getting started!
Check for Other Established Connections
You might have to use the above how to re pair Roku remote guide in another case, i.e. if the remote has been paired to another device by mistake. In this case you’ll have to end that connection and make it to your Roku device of choice.
How do you find out if there is another such connection already established? You do that through the remote settings on your Roku device’s menu and settings. Browse through the remote details and double-check if the configuration of settings is the way you want it and not connected to something else, set on some mode or completely disabled.
Why isn’t my Roku remote working now? Maybe it’s completely broken? Continue reading to find out.
Check for Physical Damage
One of the most common answers to the Why isn’t my Roku remote working question is physical damage to the remote. In simpler terms, your remote might be broken.
Think, did your Roku remote take a fall recently? Did your dog chew on it? There are so many possibilities! If the remote is fully unresponsive, there is a high chance of this case. Here, the only option you have is replacement here.
Clean Your Remote
Why isn’t my Roku remote working? The answer could be as simple as poor maintenance. How to fix a Roku remote? Try cleaning it!
If your remote is working partially and even if it is not, this is your sign to clean it. Take a damp but not wet cloth and run it over the crevices of the remote to get out any dirt that might have accumulated there over time. Take this time to also ensure that no buttons are pushed and stuck in. Make sure to do this frequently to avoid any problems like this in the future.
How to repair Roku remote when none of the above circumstances has applied to you? Do not worry, we are beginning with the possibilities of higher probability now.
Check the Remote’s Batteries
The most common answer to ‘Why is my Roku remote not working’ is something or the other with batteries. It could be faulty or drained batteries that might be causing you trouble.
Open the battery compartment and check if they are placed in the correct order. Then, replace them with the right kind of batteries and ensure the alignment with the new ones again. Alignment in the sense of the polarity markings as they do make a difference.
In the case of a Roku voice remote pro or models where the remote does not have removable batteries, take some time off and plug it in to charge. For this, you will require a micro-USB cable that the remote came in with and then, just plug it into a power source for the charging process to begin.
Once recharged and revamped, check if the Roku remote not working problem still exists.
Ensure a Clear Line of Sight
The most basic model of the Roku remote used the IR blaster for transmitting the commands on the pressed buttons. In other cases, Wi-Fi connections are used. In the former case, a clear line of sight between the remote and the device is required, meaning that there should be no obstacles in between or the connection may be lost.
Something as simple as this could be the answer to your Why won’t my Roku remote work dilemma.
Try Resetting the Roku Device and Remote
Wondering why won’t my Roku remote works despite these steps again. Don’t lose heart just yet, we have a few more promising fixes left.
If re-pairing and battery checks didn’t work, try resetting your device and remote to check if it helps. There are two types of reset: power cycling or soft reset or a factory reset. This point focuses on the former.
When you reset your Roku device, it’s like giving a brief cleanse to your Roku’s inside, the cache is cleared and any temporary software bugs are removed. In this process, no data is permanently lost. This is wildly different from a factory reset which has been discussed in a later point.
This is how you can reset your device easily:
1. The first step is to power off your device.
2. Next is to cut its main power supply. You can do so by unplugging the power cable.
3. Now, the remote’s batteries should be removed.
4. Wait for at least ten seconds before assembling all of it back together.
5. Reconnect the power supply.
6. Wait for the Roku logo on your screen and then insert the batteries back in the remote.
7. Let the remote reconnect with your Roku device.
That’s it! This will reset your Roku pair. Now check if the ‘why is my Roku remote not working’ issue still persists.
Use an HDMI Extender
This step will only apply to you if you use a Roku stick that is plugged into your TV’s HDMI port. There is a possibility that HDMI interference is causing issues with your remote’s connection to your device.
You can try using an HDMI extender for your stick. It will help you place your Roku stick away from the HDMI port and may fix your ‘Roku remote not working’ problem.
Factory Reset your device
If you’re thinking about how to fix Roku remote or any other technical issue for that matter, this step is bound to show up.
A factory reset should be considered a last resort. It fully clears your device and gets it back to the way you got it. You do lose data permanently. So, before we can go to the guide that teaches you how to factory reset your Roku device, let us quickly talk about the changes your device will undergo. Here they are:
- It’ll get rid of your personal preferences.
- Unlink your accounts and devices.
- Also, reset all your settings.
Once the factory reset is done, be prepared to set your Roku device all over again. Now that you know, this is how you can factory reset your device completely as the answer to your how to fix a Roku remote question:
1. Using your Roku remote, press the Home button.
2. Scroll and then choose Settings.
3. Now, select System.
4. Further, select Advanced System Settings.
5. Now, select Factory Reset.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the simple process.
Alternatively, you can also use the reset button on your device as well. It will either be a tactile or a pinhole button. Using a paperclip, press and hold down this button for about fifteen seconds.
Why is my Roku remote not working even now? Now, that is a fix my friend. Until you can contact Roku support and get it fixed, we have listed an alternate so you can still access your Roku account and media, let’s get into it.
Roku Mobile app
This isn’t a direct answer to the how to fix a Roku remote discussion but it does help a lot. Roku does have a mobile app that has a remote feature in it. This converts your smartphone into a remote for you! First of all, make sure that your smartphone or iPad is compatible with the app before moving forward with this point.
Follow these steps:
- Go to the App Store or Play Store and search for the Roku app.
- Download the official one.
- Once the download is done, launch the app. Make sure that you are connected to a strong Wi-Fi connection which is the same one that’s connected to your Roku device as well, this is important.
- You will be required to sign in to your Roku account. If you don’t have one, create one.
- Once logged in, the app will automatically discover the Roku devices around it that are connected to the same network. Once your device is detected, pair with it.
- A code will appear on screen and you’ll need to follow the on-screen prompts to finish pairing up your phone to your device.
That should be it. You can now use your phone as the remote to your Roku device! Keep in mind that this should be a temporary ‘Roku remote not working’ scenario until you are able to fix or replace your malfunctioning remote.
Try Keeping a Universal Remote
Do you own multiple Roku devices? You might want to invest in a universal Roku remote. Such a remote works on several devices at once and is a great backup to have on hand. You can find affordable ones on Amazon. Just make sure to verify its compatibility with your devices before making the purchase.
Contact Roku Support
Nothing has worked? Why isn’t my Roku remote working yet? Ask the creators! It’s time to contact Roku. Go to their official website and then further navigate to Support. You’ll have to select the topic of your inconvenience and then meet with a bunch of troubleshooting articles to help you out.
If even that does not help you, there is an option to get in touch with a customer service provider. You can do so through call, text or mail. Make sure to detail your problem and even throw in things you’ve already tried out to save time and effort. Your problem should be solved in no time!
Recommended Reading – Why Does Apple TV App Keep Freezing: Fix in Seconds
Wrapping Up
This brings me to the end of my comprehensive ‘Why won’t my Roku remote work and how to fix it’ guide. Your remote is the way to navigate your Roku device and if it stops functioning, you can find yourself in a tough spot. This is why we have discussed a temporary solution in addition to many possible fixes.
Read the article well and follow the instructions to get rid of your ‘Roku remote not working’ problem today itself. Don’t let something as small as your remote come in the middle of you and your favourite shows and movies.