The Roku remote is key to accessing the large content library of your Roku device. However, sometimes when you try controlling the TV using the remote, it might be unresponsive. It’s most likely that the TV hasn’t connected to the remote yet. Then, you’ve come to the right place.
Next, we’ll introduce a step-by-step guide on how to pair a Roku remote to a TV with or without a pairing button.
Things to Know Before Pairing a Roku Remote
First, determine whether your Roku remote is a simple remote or a voice remote. Voice remotes typically feature a microphone button (small microphone or magnifying glass icon) and usually have a pairing button on the back. An infrared remote doesn’t have these buttons.
A Roku simple remote controls devices directly via infrared when pointed at them. This type works with all Roku players or Roku TVs that have an infrared receiver. Note, however, that the Roku Streaming Stick (the small device plugged into your TV’s HDMI port) usually lacks an infrared receiver, so it cannot be controlled with an infrared remote.
The Roku Voice Remote is compatible with most Roku streaming devices, except for some older models.
How to Pair Roku Remote to a New TV
If this is your first time pairing a Roku remote to your TV, follow the steps below.
Pair Roku Remote to a New TV with a Pairing Button
Here’s how to pair your Roku voice remote to a new TV with a pairing button.
- Turn on your TV or other Roku devices.
- Insert or check the batteries in your Roku remote to ensure it has power.
- Press and hold the pairing button for 3–5 seconds until the status light on the remote starts flashing. The pairing button is usually located inside the battery compartment or on the back of the remote.
- Wait for the TV to display a pairing message, which can take up to 30 seconds.
- Test your Roku remote to make sure it can control your TV.
Pair Roku Remote to a New TV without a Pairing Button
If your Roku remote does not have a pairing button, it is most likely an Infrared remote. These kinds of remotes don’t need pairing; they work as soon as they have power and are pointed at your Roku device or TV.
However, make sure there are no obstructions between your Roku remote and TV to ensure a stable infrared connection.
How to Pair Another Roku Remote to a TV
Even though you have already paired a Roku remote to your TV, you can still add another remote to this TV. You can do the pairing from the TV settings. Therefore, the steps for pairing another Roku simple remote to a TV are the same as pairing another Roku voice remote.
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- On your TV, choose Settings.
- Select Remotes & devices > Add devices > Remote.
- Choose Continue and follow the on-screen instructions to connect the Roku remote to your TV.
- After pairing is complete, you can try using voice commands to control your TV.
You can also use the Roku remote app to do the pairing. The steps are similar to those above. But note that the Roku remote app should be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Roku device.
Related: How to Connect Roku to Wi-Fi Without Remote [4 Ways]
What If You Can’t Pair Your Roku Remote?
If your Roku remote still won’t pair to a TV, it might be because of multiple factors. Here are some feasible methods you can try.
Check the batteries: Ensure your Roku remote has battery power and the batteries inside are installed correctly (positive and negative ends aligned properly). If the batteries are low, replace them with new ones.
Restart Your Roku Device: Sometimes, restarting the Roku device can resolve many issues. To restart your Roku, unplug the device from power for 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Wait for the Roku device to boot up, then try pairing the remote again.
Try a different remote: If your Roku device is still unresponsive, it may be because your Roku remote is not working. If you have another Roku remote, try pairing it to see if the issue persists.
Use the Roku Mobile App: If the remote still won’t pair, you can use the Roku mobile app as a temporary solution.
Factory reset your Roku device (as a Last Resort): If nothing works, you can perform a factory reset on your Roku device. You can use the reset button (usually located at the back or bottom of the device) to reset to factory settings. However, note that a factory reset will erase all your settings and preferences, so it should be a last resort.
Access Global Streaming Content Using LightningX VPN
After you pair your Roku remote to the TV, try using a VPN to change your IP address to unblock geo-restricted movies, dramas, and series in your region.
LightningX VPN is one of the best VPNs for Roku. It provides robust encryption for your online data, including your IP address and browsing history.
And with its vast server fleet (2,000+ servers in 70+ countries), you can access unlimited online resources from around the world.
It allows 3 devices to connect to it simultaneously. A traditional free trial is provided for beginners.
How to Pair Roku Remote – FAQs
Q: Can I pair any Roku remote with any Roku?
No, not all Roku remotes are compatible with all Roku devices. There are two main types of Roku remotes:
- Infrared (IR) Remotes: These remotes work with Roku devices that have an IR receiver. They do not require pairing and need a direct line of sight to the device.
- Voice Remotes (with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth): These remotes require pairing and use either Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth to connect with Roku devices. They are compatible with most modern Roku devices (like Roku Streaming Sticks, Roku Ultra, and Roku TVs).
So, a simple IR remote won’t work with Roku devices that don’t have an IR receiver (e.g., Roku Streaming Stick), while a Voice remote is more universal but still requires compatibility with newer Roku models.
Q: How to program a universal Roku remote?
As for a simple remote, directly point it at the Roku device to pair it. As for a voice remote, long-press the pairing button to pair it with the device.
Q: How to sync a rechargeable Roku remote?
Rechargeable Roku remotes are typically the Voice Remote Pro. Therefore, you can press and hold the pairing button on the remote to sync it with your Roku device.
