Your Roku remote connects wirelessly, and sometimes the connection drops
A Roku remote uses a wireless signal to talk to your Roku device — it does not need to point at the screen like an infrared remote. When the connection breaks, the remote stops working even though the device is still on. Reconnecting takes less than a minute and usually just means holding a button for a few seconds.
The remote pairs itself to your specific Roku device when you first set it up. If you move to a new Roku, buy a replacement remote, or the connection drops after a power outage, you will need to pair it again. The process is the same whether you have a Roku stick, a Roku box, or a Roku TV.
Key Takeaways
- Hold the pairing button on the back of the remote for three to five seconds until the light blinks, then the remote will reconnect within seconds.
- The pairing button is usually on the back of the remote near the battery cover, and it is small and recessed so you need a fingernail or stylus to press it.
- If the light does not blink, check that the batteries are fresh and the Roku device is powered on and connected to your network.
- A remote that will not pair after multiple tries may need new batteries, or the Roku device itself may need a restart.
Finding and pressing the pairing button
The pairing button is on the back of the remote, usually near the battery cover. It is small, recessed, and often labeled "pairing" or marked with a dot. You cannot press it with your finger — you need a fingernail, a toothpick, or the tip of a ballpoint pen.
Hold the button down for three to five seconds. You will see a light on the front of the remote start to blink. This tells you the remote is in pairing mode and looking for a Roku device. Release the button and wait. The remote should connect within ten seconds, and the light will stop blinking once it pairs.
If nothing happens when you press the button, the batteries may be dead. Replace them with fresh ones and try again. Some remotes have a small LED light on the front that blinks when pairing; others have no visible light at all. Either way, if you held the button for five seconds, the remote entered pairing mode whether you saw anything or not.
What to do if the remote does not reconnect
If the light blinks but the remote still does not work, make sure your Roku device is powered on and connected to your network. A Roku that has lost internet connection cannot pair a remote. Unplug the Roku for thirty seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully restart before trying the pairing button again.
If you are pairing a remote to a Roku TV, the TV itself must be on. Some Roku TVs have a separate pairing button on the TV itself — check the manual or the back panel. If your TV has one, press that button first, then press the pairing button on the remote within thirty seconds.
Try the pairing process two or three times. Sometimes the first attempt does not register. If the remote still will not work after three tries with fresh batteries and a restarted Roku device, the remote may be faulty or too far from the device — move closer and try once more.
Pairing a new or replacement remote
If you bought a new remote to replace an old one, the process is identical. The new remote will pair to your Roku device the first time you press the pairing button, even if the old remote is still in the house. You do not need to unpair the old remote first.
If you have multiple Roku devices in your home, each remote pairs to only one device at a time. A remote that was paired to your living room Roku will not work on your bedroom Roku until you pair it to the bedroom device. Press the pairing button while the bedroom Roku is on, and the remote will forget the living room device and connect to the bedroom one instead.
When the pairing button does not work
Some older Roku remotes do not have a pairing button. Instead, they pair automatically when you first turn on the Roku device. If your remote is not working and you cannot find a pairing button, try unplugging the Roku for thirty seconds and plugging it back in. The remote may reconnect on its own as the device restarts.
If your remote has buttons but nothing happens when you press them, and you cannot find a pairing button, the remote may be too old or incompatible with your current Roku device. Roku remotes from very old devices sometimes do not work with newer models. Check the model number on the back of your remote and search the Roku support site to see if it is compatible with your device.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far away can the remote be from the Roku?
Roku remotes use a wireless signal that works through walls and from across a room, typically up to thirty feet away. If the remote stops working only when you are far from the device, move closer and try again. If it works when you are close, the distance may be the problem.
Do I need to pair the remote every time I turn on the Roku?
No. Once paired, the remote stays connected until the batteries die, you move it to a different Roku device, or the connection drops. You should not need to pair it again unless the remote stops responding.
Can I use one remote with two different Roku devices?
Yes, but only one at a time. Press the pairing button while the other Roku is on, and the remote will pair to that device instead. You will need a second remote if you want to control both devices at the same time.
What if the Roku remote has no batteries?
The remote will not work at all without batteries. Most Roku remotes use two AA batteries. Install fresh ones, wait a few seconds, then try the pairing button. Old or weak batteries are the most common reason a remote stops responding.
Is there a way to control Roku without the remote?
Yes. You can read the Roku app on your phone and use it as a remote. The app connects over your home network and works even if the physical remote is lost or broken. Search your phone's app store for "Roku" and read the official app.