Roku's remote article splits remotes into simple remotes, which use infrared and must point at the player, and voice or enhanced remotes, which use wireless and work through walls. If a simple remote is unresponsive, point it at the front of the player with a clear line of sight and replace the batteries. For a voice or enhanced remote, replace the batteries, restart the Roku by unplugging it for twenty seconds, and re-pair:
The checks in more detail
with the remote's battery compartment open and the batteries in, hold the pairing button for five seconds until the light flashes, or on some models hold Back and Home for five seconds. Pair it under Settings, Remotes and Devices, Set up a new device, Remote. A Roku TV uses the remote paired to the TV itself, and Pro Series TVs also have a Roku button on the TV.
If the remote works but cannot control TV power or volume, Roku says the TV must have CEC enabled, and its brand-by-brand CEC guide lists the trade name, since remotes send commands through the HDMI link. Remove obstructions and reflective glass in front of an infrared remote, and check that the player's IR receiver is not covered. If the remote keeps disconnecting, keep it away from wifi routers and other wireless items. Use the Roku mobile app as a temporary remote, since it connects over your network.
Update the software and factory reset only as a last resort. Keep spare batteries near the TV and install the Roku mobile app as a backup remote before you need it. A remote that fails at the same distance every time usually has weak batteries, not a faulty remote. Replace batteries with a fresh matched set rather than mixing old and new. Mixed cells can look charged but drop below the voltage the remote needs.
Differential
Likely causes of “Roku TV line and players remote will not control the TV”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Weak batteries
What separates it The remote is slow or does not respond because its batteries are weak
How to confirm Replace the batteries with fresh ones, and try the remote again
- 2
An unpaired remote
What separates it The light on the remote flashes but there is no control because it is unpaired
How to confirm Pair the remote again, by holding the pairing button
- 3
A blocked infrared path
What separates it The simple remote does not respond because the infrared path is blocked
How to confirm Clear the path between the remote and the Roku, and point it straight at it
- 4
CEC is off on the TV
What separates it There is no power or volume control because CEC is off on the TV
How to confirm Enable CEC on the TV, so that the Roku remote can control it
- 5
Wireless interference
What separates it The remote drops out at times because of wireless interference nearby
How to confirm Move the Roku away from routers and other wireless devices
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether you use a simple remote or a voice remote
- The model of the remote that you are using
- Whether the light on the remote flashes when you press a button
- Whether the batteries in the remote are new
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedReplace the batteries
ReversibleReplace the batteries with fresh ones, since weak batteries cause most remote problems, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Restart the Roku
ReversibleRestart the Roku by unplugging it for twenty seconds, and then plug it in again.
Re-pair the remote
ReversibleRe-pair the remote, by holding the pairing button for five seconds, until the light flashes.
Clear the line of sight
ReversibleClear the line of sight for a simple remote, which uses infrared and needs a clear path.
Enable CEC
ReversibleEnable CEC on the TV, so that the remote can control the power and volume of the TV.
Use the mobile app
ReversibleUse the mobile app as a test, to check whether the Roku itself is responding.
Replace the remote
ReversibleReplace the remote if nothing helps, since the remote itself may be at fault, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Remotes
- Roku Express uses a simple remote; Ultra and Plus Series use voice remotes.
- Roku TV
- Pro Series TVs have a button on the TV that pairs the remote.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models Roku Ultra 4800/4802, Streaming Stick 4K, Express 4K, Roku Express, Roku Streambar, Roku Streambar Pro, Roku Pro Series TV.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a new paired remote will not work, replace it under warranty
- !If only TV power and volume fail, enable CEC
- !If the mobile app works but no remote does, replace the remote
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Simple and voice remote fixes.
CEC, ARC and eARC on many TV brands.
Power and volume control.
System update, Check now.
The company and its products.
Exact questions
Common questions
What is a simple remote?+
An infrared remote that must point at the player.
What is a voice remote?+
A wireless remote that works through walls.
How do I pair a remote?+
Hold the pairing button five seconds.
Why can't I control TV volume?+
CEC may be off on the TV, so turn it on to control the volume.
Should I replace the batteries?+
Yes, replace the batteries, since weak ones are the most common cause of trouble.
Can a TV have its own remote?+
A Roku TV pairs its own.
Should I restart the Roku?+
Yes, restart the Roku, since that clears many stuck states.