Are you having trouble connecting your Roku remote to your device? Don’t worry if a pairing button on your remote is missing or damaged; alternative methods exist to sync your Roku remote.
You can use a simple button combination if your remote doesn’t have a pairing button. Just press and hold the Home and Back buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds. This will activate the pairing mode for your remote.
Alternatively, if your remote has a pairing button but is not functioning properly, you can use the Roku mobile app on your phone to pair it with your Roku device. Simply download the app, ensure your phone and Roku device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and follow the instructions to pair the remote.
Pairing button on different Roku remotes
Roku Simple Remote: This type of remote uses invisible infrared (IR) light to transmit button presses to the Roku device. It must be pointed directly at the Roku streaming device for reliable operation with an unobstructed line of sight. Roku Simple Remotes do not have a pairing button as they rely on the infrared communication method.
The Roku Voice Remote: The standard voice remote accompanies many Roku streaming devices. It boasts a built-in microphone for voice search and control. This remote also has a pairing button, which is typically located beneath the battery cover.
The Roku Voice Remote (without pairing button): While most Roku Voice Remotes come with a pairing button, there are some models that lack this button. Instead, these remotes use a Home + Back button combination to initiate pairing. You can put the remote into pairing mode by pressing and holding these buttons simultaneously for 5 seconds. The Roku streaming device will then search for the remote, and once the pairing is successful, you can control the device using the remote.
The rechargeable Roku Voice Remote is an upgraded version of the standard remote that comes with many Roku streaming devices. To pair the remote with your Roku device, you can press and hold a button at the bottom of the back panel.
How to connect Roku remote without a pairing button
Don’t worry if your Roku remote has a pairing button. Some remotes may not include this button, but you can still connect them to your Roku device by following these steps:
- You should remove the battery pull tab if you have a new remote control. Locate the battery compartment on the back of your voice remote. There should be a pull tab to prevent the batteries from making contact. Remove this pull tab to activate the batteries.
- If the battery pull tab has already been removed, press and hold both the Home button (typically represented by a house icon) and the Back button (usually an arrow pointing left) on the front of your voice remote. Hold these buttons for approximately 5 seconds.
- The status light is located to the left of the power button beneath the plastic. It may only be visible once it lights up. The flashing status light indicates your Roku voice remote is in pairing mode.
- Your Roku device should detect the voice remote in pairing mode. Follow the on-screen instructions on your TV to complete the pairing process. Once the pairing is successful, the voice remote will be synced with your Roku device.
- If the pairing is unsuccessful, try the following steps: unplug the Roku device, plug it back in, bring your remote control closer to the Roku device, and attempt to pair again. With these adjustments, the pairing should be successful.
Please note that these steps are specifically for Roku voice remotes with standard batteries and without a dedicated pairing button. By following these instructions, you can pair your Roku voice remote to your Roku device and start using voice control and other features offered by the remote.
How to sync the Roku remote using the Roku mobile app
One of the easiest ways to connect your Roku remote without the pairing button is by using the Roku mobile app. The Roku app is available for both Android and iOS devices and can be downloaded for free from the App Store or Google Play. Read the next paragraph for details on installing and connecting the Roku mobile app to your device.
Here is how to connect the remote control to the Roku device using the mobile app:
- Press the Home button and go to Settings.
- Go to the Remotes & Devices section.
- Press Pair new device.
- Now click on the Remote section.
- The search for your remote control starts now. If the TV prompts you to press the pairing button, but your remote’s button is non-functional or doesn’t exist, here’s what you can do. Remove the batteries from the remote control and reinsert them. Once you do this, the remote control will automatically enter pairing mode, allowing your TV to detect and connect to it.
Now your remote control must be connected to your Roku device.
How to connect the Roku mobile app to the Roku device?
You must use your phone as a remote control to perform the abovementioned method. Here’s a guide on how to connect your phone to a Roku device to control it:
- Download the Roku app: Go to the Apple App Store (iOS devices) or Google Play Store (Android devices) on your smartphone. Search for the “Roku” app and download it for free.
- Connect your smartphone and Roku device to the same Wi-Fi network: Make sure your smartphone and Roku device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. This is crucial for the pairing process to work.
- At this point, you have the option to either login or proceed as a guest user. It is recommended to log in to your Roku account.
- In the bottom right corner, go to the Devices tab. Click on Connect Now.
- Your Roku device should appear. Select it.
- After you connect to your rock device, press the Remote button.
- After completing these steps, your smartphone should now function as a remote control for your Roku device.
You can use the virtual buttons on the Roku app to navigate and control your Roku streaming player or TV. This method is handy if you need help locating your physical Roku remote.
How to sync IR Roku remote
To pair a Roku Simple Remote, which utilizes invisible infrared (IR) light to transmit button presses, follow these steps:
- Ensure that your Roku streaming device is powered on and connected to your TV.
- Insert fresh batteries into your Roku Simple Remote.
- Point the remote directly at the Roku streaming device, ensuring there are no obstructions blocking the line of sight.
- Press any button on the remote. This will send a signal to the Roku device and initiate the pairing process.
- Wait for a moment as the Roku device detects the remote and establishes a connection.
Remember to point the remote directly at the Roku device for reliable operation, ensuring an unobstructed line of sight.
Disconnect the old remote control from the Roku
If you’re experiencing issues with your new Roku remote not being recognized by your device, it’s important to ensure that any previously paired remotes are unpaired. There are two methods to accomplish this.
The first method involves using either the Roku App or the manual buttons on your TV. Navigate to the Settings menu and locate the “Remotes/Devices” tab. From there, select any old remotes (excluding your phone) and choose the “unpair” option to remove them from the list.
The second method requires using your old remote, specifically one with a “pairing” button. Press and hold the “Pair,” “Home,” and “Back” buttons simultaneously. Keep these buttons depressed until you observe your old device disappearing from the “Remote/Devices” list or notice the LED indicator on your device flashing green.
By following either of these methods, you can successfully unpair any previously connected devices, allowing your new Roku remote to function seamlessly with your Roku device.
What to do if your remote still cannot connect?
If your Roku remote is still unable to connect or pair with your Roku device, there are a few steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue:
- Check the batteries: Ensure that the batteries in your remote are correctly inserted and have sufficient power. Consider replacing them with fresh batteries to rule out any battery-related issues.
- Restart the Roku device: Try restarting your Roku streaming device by unplugging it from the power source, waiting for a few seconds, and then plugging it back in. This can often resolve connectivity issues.
- Reset the remote: If restarting the device doesn’t work, you can try resetting the remote itself. Remove the batteries from the remote, then press and hold any button for about five seconds to discharge any residual power. Reinsert the batteries and try pairing the remote again.
- Contact Roku support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is advisable to reach out to Roku support for further assistance. They can provide specific troubleshooting steps or guide you through additional solutions to get your remote connected.
- Purchase a new remote: If all else fails and you’re still unable to connect or pair your Roku remote, you have the option to buy a new remote. You can visit the official Roku website or authorized retailers to purchase a compatible replacement remote for your Roku streaming device. Make sure to choose the remote model that is compatible with your specific Roku device to ensure proper functionality.
Is the pairing problem related to overheating?
Although some sources mention the possibility of Roku remotes overheating and experiencing internal malfunctions, it’s important to note that this may not be a common occurrence for most users. In the event that your remote does become excessively hot while in use, you can follow these general steps:
- As soon as you notice the remote getting hot, stop using it.
- Remove the batteries from the remote.
- Place the remote on a non-flammable surface to allow it to cool down.
- Wait for approximately 10 to 20 minutes to ensure the remote has cooled down adequately.
- Reinsert the batteries into the remote.
These steps can help mitigate any potential issues related to overheating. However, if you frequently encounter overheating problems with your Roku remote, it may be advisable to reach out to Roku support or consider replacing the remote if necessary.
