How to Pair Roku Remote [Complete Guide]
If your Roku remote is not working, has stopped responding, or you have purchased a replacement remote, you may need to pair it with your Roku device. The exact process depends on whether you have a Roku Voice Remote or a Roku Simple Remote.
Voice remotes connect wirelessly and need to be paired, while most simple remotes use infrared and do not require pairing. Roku also provides several ways to pair a replacement remote, including using another remote or the Roku mobile app.
In this guide, you will learn how to pair a Roku remote with Roku TV, Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Express, Roku Ultra, and other compatible Roku devices, along with what to do when the remote refuses to pair.
How to Pair Roku Remote [Complete Guide With All Devices]
Before you begin, identify which type of Roku remote you have. A Voice Remote has a voice button with a microphone or magnifying-glass symbol near the directional pad. A Simple Remote does not have a voice button.
The steps below focus primarily on Voice Remotes because these are the remotes that require wireless pairing.
1: Check Which Roku Remote You Have
Start by looking at the front of your Roku remote. If you see a microphone or magnifying-glass button, you have a Roku Voice Remote. This type of remote communicates wirelessly with your Roku device and needs to be paired.
If there is no voice button, you probably have a Roku Simple Remote. These remotes generally use infrared signals. Simply insert fresh batteries, point the remote toward the front of the Roku device, and start using it. There is normally no pairing procedure for a Simple Remote.
Knowing which remote you have is important because trying to pair an infrared Simple Remote like a Voice Remote can make the process unnecessarily confusing.
2: Install or Recharge the Batteries
Before trying to pair the remote, make sure it has enough power. If your remote uses replaceable batteries, remove the battery cover and install fresh batteries, making sure the positive and negative ends match the markings inside the compartment.
If you have a rechargeable Roku Voice Remote, connect it to power and allow it to charge before attempting the pairing process.
A remote with weak batteries may appear completely dead or may repeatedly lose its connection. Starting with a properly charged remote eliminates one of the most common causes of pairing problems.
3: Turn On Your Roku Device
Turn on your Roku TV or Roku streaming player and make sure the Roku interface appears on your television.
If you are setting up a new Roku device, connect it to the TV using HDMI, connect its power supply, and select the correct HDMI input on your television.
During a new Roku setup, a compatible Voice Remote can normally be paired by following the instructions displayed on the screen. Roku’s setup process will guide you through the connection.
4: Put the Roku Remote Into Pairing Mode
Now put your Voice Remote into pairing mode.
If your remote has a pairing button, look on the back of the remote or inside the battery compartment. Press and hold the pairing button for about 5 seconds.
The status light should begin flashing. A flashing light indicates that the remote is searching for a compatible Roku device.
If your Voice Remote does not have a pairing button, press and hold the Back and Home buttons together for about 5 seconds. Wait for the status light to flash.
This method works with compatible Roku Voice Remotes that do not have a dedicated pairing button.
5: Wait for the Pairing Message
Once the remote enters pairing mode, keep it reasonably close to the Roku device and wait.
Your Roku TV or player should display a pairing message on the screen. The Roku device and remote will communicate with each other and establish the wireless connection.
Do not repeatedly press buttons while this is happening. Give the pairing process a little time to complete.
When pairing succeeds, try pressing the Home button and use the directional pad to move around the Roku home screen.
6: Pair a Roku Remote With Roku TV
If you have a Roku TV, the pairing process is essentially the same as it is with a Roku streaming player.
Turn on the TV and wait for the Roku home screen or setup screen. Put your Voice Remote into pairing mode by holding the pairing button for about 5 seconds, or by holding Back + Home for about 5 seconds if your remote has no pairing button.
Follow the instructions displayed on your TV.
After pairing, some Roku Voice Remotes can also be configured to control your television’s power and volume. This is a separate setup from pairing the remote itself. Roku provides the option under Settings > Remotes & devices > Remotes.
7: Pair a Remote With Roku Streaming Stick
If you have a Roku Streaming Stick, turn on the TV and make sure the Streaming Stick is receiving power.
When the Roku screen appears, put your Voice Remote into pairing mode. Hold the pairing button for about 5 seconds, or press and hold Back + Home for approximately 5 seconds on models without a pairing button.
Wait for the pairing notification.
Roku states that Voice Remote support is available on many Streaming Stick models, although compatibility can vary depending on the specific device and remote.
8: Pair a Remote With Roku Express
For a Roku Express, first turn on the Roku player and television. Make sure the TV is displaying the correct HDMI input.
If you are using a Voice Remote, put it into pairing mode and wait for the Roku device to recognize it.
If you are using the Simple Remote that came with the Roku Express, pairing is not normally required. Install fresh batteries and point the remote directly toward the Roku player. There must be a clear path between the remote and the device because the Simple Remote uses infrared communication.
9: Pair a Remote With Roku Ultra
The Roku Ultra uses the same basic Voice Remote pairing procedure.
Turn on the Roku Ultra and wait for the Roku interface. Then hold the remote’s pairing button for about 5 seconds until the status light flashes.
If there is no pairing button, hold Back + Home for about 5 seconds.
Roku’s current Ultra setup instructions also confirm that a Voice Remote Pro should pair automatically during initial setup, but the manual pairing procedure can be used if automatic pairing does not occur.
Pair a Replacement Roku Remote
If you purchased a replacement Roku Voice Remote, you can pair it with your existing Roku device.
If you still have a working Roku remote, go to Home > Settings > Remotes & devices > Add devices > Remote > Continue. Then follow the instructions shown on the television.
This is particularly useful when the original remote is lost or damaged but you still have another way to control the Roku.
If you do not have another working remote, the Roku mobile app can also be used as a temporary controller when your Roku device and phone are connected appropriately.
Fix a Roku Remote That Still Won’t Pair
If your Roku remote still refuses to pair, first check the batteries or charge level. Then make sure the remote and Roku device are both ready for pairing at the same time.
Move the remote closer to the Roku device and remove anything that could interfere with the wireless connection. Roku also recommends restarting the streaming device and trying the pairing process again.
For a remote that was previously paired but has become unresponsive, Roku’s troubleshooting instructions also provide a longer reset procedure. On supported remotes with a pairing button, hold it for about 20 seconds. On compatible remotes without one, hold Back + Home for about 20 seconds, then wait for the remote’s light to stop flashing before attempting to pair again.
FAQs
Do all Roku remotes need to be paired?
No. Roku Voice Remotes need wireless pairing, while most Roku Simple Remotes use infrared and do not need to be paired.
How do I know if my Roku remote is a Voice Remote?
Look for a microphone or magnifying-glass button near the directional pad. If your remote has one, it is a Voice Remote.
How do I pair a Roku remote without a pairing button?
Press and hold the Back + Home buttons together for about 5 seconds until the status light starts flashing. Then wait for the pairing message on your Roku screen.
Can I pair a replacement Roku remote?
Yes. A compatible replacement Voice Remote can be paired with a supported Roku TV or streaming player. You can start the process through Settings > Remotes & devices > Add devices > Remote if you have another way to control the Roku.
Can I use my phone if my Roku remote is lost?
Yes. The Roku mobile app can be used as a remote for compatible Roku devices. This can be especially helpful when you need to access the Roku settings to pair another remote.
Why is my Roku remote flashing but not pairing?
A flashing light generally means the remote is attempting to pair. Make sure the Roku device is also ready for pairing, restart the Roku, check the remote’s battery level, and try the pairing process again.
Summary
Pairing a Roku remote is usually a simple process once you identify the type of remote you have. A Roku Voice Remote can generally be paired by holding its pairing button for about 5 seconds or holding Back + Home when there is no pairing button. Your Roku device should then display a pairing message.
If you have a Roku Simple Remote, there is normally nothing to pair. Insert fresh batteries, point the remote toward the Roku device, and start using it.
For replacement remotes or pairing problems, restarting the Roku, checking the batteries, using the Roku mobile app, and repeating the pairing process are the best places to start.
These methods cover Roku TV, Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Express, Roku Ultra, and other compatible Roku devices.