9 Troubleshooting Tricks for Roku Not Responding to the Remote

Troubleshoot your Roku remote control with this comprehensive guide

Co-authored by Jocotra Cathey and Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: October 13, 2024 Fact Checked

Is your Roku not responding to button presses on your Roku remote? If your Roku doesn't seem to detect your button presses or only responds sometimes, there's usually a quick fix. This beginner-friendly troubleshooting guide, with tips from TV mounting service expert Jocotra Cathey, will help you find out why your Roku isn't responding to your remote, and show you simple ways to fix the problem.

What to Do If Your Roku Doesn’t Respond to the Remote

To reset the remote, remove the batteries for a few seconds and reinsert them. For rechargeable remotes, press and hold the pairing button or the Back and Home buttons for 20 seconds. After resetting, re-pair the remote and restart your Roku.

1

Replace the Batteries

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Low batteries can cause your Roku not to respond to your remote. Whether your Roku isn't responding at all or there seems to be a delay, dead or dying batteries could be the culprit. Open the battery compartment, remove the current batteries, and replace them with a brand new pair.^{[1]
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- TV mounting service expert Jocotra Cathey agrees—the first troubleshooting step for any remote control problem should be to check the batteries. Make sure they're inserted properly and securely in place.^{[2]
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- When removing the batteries, Cathey recommends looking for evidence of corrosion near the connectors.^{[3]
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- If you have a rechargeable voice remote, connect it to the USB-C or micro-USB charging cable, and connect the other end to a power source. For a Roku Voice Remote Pro, allow 3 hours to charge. For a 2nd edition Voice Pro Remote, allow it to charge it for 5.5 hours.

2

Reboot the Remote

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Rebooting your Roku remote is a quick way to fix responsiveness issues. The steps to reboot your remote will differ depending on your model.
- Roku remotes with removable batteries
  - Take both batteries out of the remote, wait a few seconds, then reinsert them.
- Roku remotes with rechargeable batteries
  - If your Roku remote has a pairing button, press and hold it for 20 seconds. The pairing button is on the back of the remote.
  - If there is no pairing button, press and hold the Back and Home buttons at the same time for 20 seconds.^{[4]
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  - When the status light on your remote stops blinking, the reboot is complete.

3

Re-pair the Remote

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If your Roku is still unresponsive, try pairing the remote again. The steps to pair your Roku remote will be a little different depending on your remote type.
- Roku Voice Remotes
  - Disconnect your Roku streaming device or TV from power, wait a few moments, then plug it back in.
  - Look for a pairing button on the back of your remote—it may be under the battery cover if your remote has rechargeable batteries. If you see one, press and hold the pairing button for 5 seconds, or until the light starts flashing.
  - If no pairing button is present, press and hold the Back and Home buttons for 5 seconds, or until the status light begins to flash.
- Roku Simple Remotes (no voice control)
  - Disconnect your Roku streaming device or TV from power, wait a few moments, then plug it back in.
- Turn on your Roku device and wait for the home screen to appear.
- Take the batteries out of your Roku remote for a few seconds, then reinsert them.
- Wait a few moments for the remote to pair.
- It may take up to 30 seconds to re-pair your Roku remote.

4

Restart the Roku TV or Device

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Unplug the power cable from your Roku remote or Roku TV, and wait about 5 seconds. Plug the power cable back in, and turn your TV back on. Once you are back on the home screen, test your Roku remote to see if it responds.

5

Move the Roku Streaming Stick

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The Roku remote needs an unobstructed path to the device, so the status light must always be visible when you're using the remote.^{[5]
X
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6

Try the Roku Mobile App Remote

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Rule out problems with the Roku by using the Roku mobile app. The Roku app for Android, iPhone, and iPad has a built-in remote control. As long your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku, you can use it to control your Roku. If your Roku is also not responding to the Roku mobile app, you'll know the problem is not your remote, but likely the Roku itself.
- Install the Roku app from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Play Store (Android).
- Open the Roku app and log in with your Roku account.
- Tap Remote and select your Roku device.
- Use the remote control interface to control your Roku.
- If the app works and you've completed the other troubleshooting steps, you likely need a replacement Roku remote.

7

Switch the TV to CEC

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If your TV doesn't respond to the Power or Volume buttons, it may be using IR. To see if your TV uses IR, try using the Power or Volume buttons when pointing the remote directly at the TV at a shorter distance. If that works, cover the front of your remote with your hand and try again. If the TV doesn't respond to the remote when it's covered by your hand, you may be able to fix the responsiveness issue by enabling CEC on your TV and making a quick change to your Roku settings.
- First, enable CEC on your TV if supported. The steps to enable this feature vary by model, so the best way to find out how is to search the web for your specific TV model and "enable CEC." Some brands use different names for CEC:
  - LG: SIMPLINK
  - Phillips: EasyLink
  - Samsung: Anynet+
  - Sharp: AQUOS Link
  - Sony: BRAVIA Sync
  - Toshiba: CE-Link or Regza Link
  - Panasonic: HDAVI Control, EZ Sync, or VIERA Link^{[6]
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- Then, use your Roku remote to navigate to the Home screen and select Settings.
- Select Remotes & devices.
- Select Remote.
- Select your remote and choose Set up remote for TV control.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.^{[7]
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8

Check for Roku Updates

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A system update may fix responsiveness issues with your remote. If your remote isn't working at all, use the Roku mobile app on your phone or tablet as a remote.
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Navigate to Settings > System > System updates > Check now.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.

9

Order a Replacement Remote

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As great as the Roku interface is, their remotes don't have the greatest reputation. Many Roku users on Reddit and other forums have noticed responsiveness issues with various Roku remote models. Fortunately, official replacement remotes are very easy to find, and not very expensive. You can order a replacement Roku remote on Amazon. Just be sure to buy an official Roku model and not one made by a third party.
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When you receive your replacement, you can easily pair it to your Roku. Here's how:
- If the remote is rechargeable, give it a good charge before pairing. If not, insert the batteries that came with your replacement remote.
- Depending on the model, the remote may start working as soon as you insert the batteries. If not, you can pair it using our instructions for re-pairing the remote. Another way to pair your replacement remote is to use the remote in the Roku app to perform the following steps:
  - Press the Home button and go to Settings.
  - Navigate to Remotes & devices > Add devices > Remote.
  - Select Continue and follow the on-screen instructions.^{[8]
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