A hand holding a Roku-style streaming remote pointed at a TV in a living room, a small light glowing on the remote

Streaming and TV

Roku remote not working? Start here

4 sources

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Quick answer

First check which Roku remote you have, because the fix is different. Roku says a simple remote has no voice or mic button and uses infrared (IR), so it has to point straight at the Roku device. A voice remote has a microphone or magnifying glass button, and some voice remotes connect over a wireless signal, so you don't have to point them.

Need a replacement? Roku's own remotes:

Roku Voice Remote Roku Voice Remote Pro (2nd edition), rechargeable Roku Players Remote (simple IR remote)

Roku says its voice remotes work with any Roku TV, Roku audio device and most Roku players, and that some older models may not be supported. The Players Remote is for Roku players and audio devices; Roku sells a separate Roku TV Remote.

Simple remote or voice remote?

From Roku's remote fix article. Some voice remotes don't need to be pointed at the device.

Fixing a simple (IR) remote

Check line of sight. Roku says nothing should block the front of the device. Don't hide the Roku behind the TV or in a cabinet, and try pointing from different angles.
Change the batteries the Roku way. Take the old batteries out, press any two buttons to reset the remote, then put in a fresh matching pair and replace the cover.

Fixing a voice remote

Restart the remote. Battery remote: remove both batteries, press any two buttons, and put the batteries back negative end first. Rechargeable remote: hold the pairing button for 20 seconds (or Back + Home for 20 seconds if there's no pairing button), wait for the light to stop flashing, and charge it for at least 5 hours with the cable it came with.
Restart the Roku. Unplug the player from power, wait 5 seconds, plug it back in and wait for the Home screen.
Pair it again. Hold the pairing button for 5 seconds (or Back + Home) until the light flashes, then wait for the pairing message on screen. Full steps: how to pair a Roku remote.

On a rechargeable remote, Roku says you can check the battery level at Settings > Remotes & Devices > Remotes > your remote > About.

Guides in this section

GuidePair a Roku remoteFrom Settings, or with a restart and the pairing button.Read guide

Fix guideLight flashing, no responseFinish pairing, then restart and reset.Read guide

Fix guideVolume not workingPoint at the TV, then CEC and TV control setup.Read guide

If nothing works

Roku suggests using the Roku mobile app as a remote while you contact Roku support. It also says you need a Roku remote to connect a Roku device to Wi-Fi.

Remote hot to the touch? Roku says stop using it right away, don't touch or remove the batteries, and let it cool on a hard, non-flammable surface such as tile. Contact Roku support if it doesn't cool down.

How we work: steps come from Roku's support articles and product pages. We don't test Roku remotes ourselves. Sources are listed below.

Questions people ask

How do I know which Roku remote I have?

Roku says a simple remote has no voice or mic button and uses infrared. A voice remote has a microphone or magnifying glass button.

Why won't my Roku simple remote work?

Simple remotes use infrared and need a clear path to the Roku device. Roku says to check line of sight, then change the batteries: remove them, press any two buttons, and insert a fresh matching pair.

Can I use my phone as a Roku remote?

Yes. Roku suggests using the Roku mobile app as a remote while you sort out the physical remote or contact Roku support.

Sources

Last checked Oct 23, 2026. Steps come from Roku's support articles and Roku's remote product pages.