How to Connect a Roku Replacement Remote: Step-by-Step Guide

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Pair your replacement Roku, even if you don't have your old remote

Co-authored by Jocotra Cathey and Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: August 5, 2025 Fact Checked

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Connecting the Remote

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Troubleshooting

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Video

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Tips

This wikiHow guide teaches you how to connect a replacement remote to your Roku player or TV. Since pairing a new remote requires getting to a certain place in the Roku's settings menu, you'll need an existing remote to pair a new one—but what if your existing remote is broken or missing? The trick is to use the Roku mobile app as a temporary remote to get through the setup process.

Quick Steps

Charge or insert batteries into the remote.
Turn on your Roku (and TV, if separate).
Open the Roku mobile app and tap Remote.
Go to Home > Settings > Remotes and Devices > Add Devices.
Select Remote > Continue.
Press and hold the pairing button OR Home and Back for 5 seconds.

Section 1 of 2:

Connecting a Roku Replacement Remote

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1
Charge or insert batteries into your replacement remote. If your replacement remote is rechargeable, allow it to fully charge before attempting to pair it to your Roku TV or streaming device. If batteries are required, remove the cover from the bottom of the remote and insert batteries in the direction indicated on the remote itself.
- Most newer Roku remotes do not have pairing buttons. If yours does, you will see it underneath the battery cover.
2
Install the Roku mobile app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad. If your old Roku remote is lost or broken, you will need to use the built-in remote control feature of the Roku mobile app to navigate your Roku's menus. You can download the app for free from your Android's Play Store or your iPhone/iPad's App Store. ^{[1]
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- If you still have your old Roku remote and it still works, you can skip installing the app and just use that to set up the new one.
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3
Turn on your TV and Roku. If you have a Roku device connected to a non-Roku TV, be sure both devices are powered on so you can browse the menus using the Roku app.
- Make sure your phone or tablet is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku so the Roku mobile app can detect your player.
- If it is not possible for you to use the app, or there is no possible way to connect your phone or tablet to the same device as your Roku, see our troubleshooting steps.
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Open the Roku app and select your Roku device. When you launch the app, it will automatically detect any Roku models on your wireless network. As long as the Roku is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network, you'll see it as an option. Once you select it, you can start using your mobile phone or tablet as your Roku remote.
- If you don't see a list of devices, tap Devices at the bottom of the app to select one.
- If your Roku device doesn't appear, it's usually because you're not connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku.
If the remote control screen didn't open automatically, this will bring up your makeshift Roku remote.
It's a button shaped like a house. This will take you to your Roku's home screen.
To do this, use the arrow keys to scroll and tap OK to select it.
A list of your paired devices will appear.
A list of Roku device types will appear.^{[2]
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This puts your Roku into pairing mode.^{[3]
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Pair the remote. When you see a message on the screen prompting you to pair your remote, follow the on-screen instructions to connect your replacement Roku remote.^{[4]
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- If your remote has a pairing button: Press and hold the pairing button under the battery cover for 5 seconds to pair it.
- If your remote doesn't have a pairing button:
  - If your remote is a standard IR remote, simply point it at your Roku to complete the pairing.
  - If that doesn't work, press and hold the Back and Home buttons on the replacement remote for 5 seconds, or until the lights begin to flash. Your remote will then be paired.

Section 2 of 2:

Troubleshooting

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1
I can't use the Roku app to navigate the menus. In this case, here's what you'll need to do to pair your Roku remote:
- Unplug the power cable from your Roku for 5-10 seconds, then plug it back in.
- Once you're back on the home screen:
  - If your Roku remote has a pairing button, press and hold it for 5 seconds to pair it to your Roku.
  - If not, press and hold the Back and Home buttons at the same time.
If your Roku doesn't appear in the Roku app, it's either connected to a different Wi-Fi than your phone or tablet, or it's not connected to Wi-Fi. Check out our guide to connecting to Wi-Fi without a remote to learn what to do.
Don't worry, this is common! Most newer Roku remote controls do not have separate pairing buttons–once you get to the right location in the Settings menu, just follow the on-screen instructions to pair your remote.
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My Roku remote still isn't working. Make sure the battery is charged enough to pair. If your Roku remote uses batteries, open the back cover and make sure they're inserted correctly. Then, try rebooting your remote:^{[5]
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- If your remote has replaceable batteries:
  - Remove the batteries completely.
  - While the batteries are removed, press any two buttons on the remote once they're out.
  - Reinsert the batteries to complete the reboot.
- If your remote is rechargeable:
  - If your remote has a pairing button, press and hold it for 20 seconds.
  - If there is no pairing button, press and hold the Back and Home buttons at the same time for 20 seconds.