No one ever really wants to look up how to pair a remote. Chances are, you’re already dealing with a malfunctioning remote, and that’s super annoying. Lets face it, remote systems are usually not too complicated. I, too once thought a broken remote was a broken remote, when in fact, it was simply the wrong type of Roku remote. The good news is that most pairing problems are easy and quick to fix.
Most of the time, it is much easier than expected. Roku’s official support has put their remotes into two categories:
- Simple IR remotes don’t need to be paired.
- The voice / enhanced remotes do need to be paired.
Quick Answer:
To begin, see if your remote has a pairing button, if it does, restart the Roku, then push and hold the pairing button until the lights begin to flash (this should take about 5 seconds). If your remote doesn’t have a pairing button, restart the Roku, then push and hold the Back and Home buttons until the lights begin to flash (again about 5 seconds). After that, wait until the pairing message pops up.
That is, most of the time, the fastest way to get it done. But, the real secret is being able to identify which remote you’re working with.
Identify Your Roku Remote Type First
This is where people are often confused. An infrared Roku remote has no buttons for voice or mic, is not designed to be paired, and communicates with the Roku device via infrared. Because of this, infrared Roku remotes need to be aimed at the Roku device.
If the Roku device is out of view, the infrared remote may seem broken. A remote that is a voice remote has a voice or magnifying glass button, and communicates via radio frequency. This is why voice remotes need to be paired.
The type of remote you have makes a difference in the solution to your problem. If you are asking, how do you connect a Roku remote, and it is an infrared remote, the answer is no connection is needed. This type of remote is a plug-and-play device: just add batteries. A voice remote, however, will need to be paired after batteries are added.
How To Pair Roku Remote With TV or Roku Player
If you are looking for how to pair a Roku remote with tv specifically, check the steps below.
To start, you would need to power cycle the Roku TV or Roku Player. Unplug the device, wait about 5 seconds, then plug it back in and wait for it to go back to the Home screen. According to Roku’s support, restarting the device helps in clean reconnections of the remote and the device.
Next, move the remote closer to the Roku device.
If your remote has a pairing button, open the battery compartment and press/pair for about 5 seconds until the status light starts to flash. If your remote does not have a pairing button, press Back + Home together for about 5 seconds. The status light will also flash. Wait for the on-screen pairing prompt. Typically, the remote pairs in 10 to 30 seconds.
That’s basically it. It almost sounds too simple, but that is usually the case when it starts to make sense.
Setting up other wireless devices is just as easy. If you’re also using Sony headphones, check out our guide on how to pair Wireless Sony Headphones.
Pair Roku Remote Without Pairing Button
The newer voice remote models do not have a pairing button and require that the Back and Home buttons be pressed together for 5 seconds after the Roku device restarts. The current instructions from Roku support indicate that this alternative method be utilized.
An effective strategy to keep in mind: refrain from hitting the buttons like a maniac. Instead, press the buttons with a steady hand. Think “press and hold,” instead of “hit the buttons as fast as possible.” Keep the remote close to the Roku device while it pairs. If you notice no flashing lights, the batteries could be dead, the remote may need to reset, or the remote is probably incompatible with your Roku device.
Re-pair A Roku Remote That Suddenly Stopped Working
Sometimes, remotes that used to work fine, just stop for no reason. It’s super annoying, but unfortunately it happens. Common causes for malfunctioning remotes include weak batteries, device restarts, power outages, resets, and connection hiccups, especially after updates.
Roku suggests a specific technique for remotes that are powered by batteries and use voice control. First, take out the batteries, and then press any two buttons to discharge the remote. Next, insert new batteries (negative end first) and replace the cover. For remotes that are rechargeable, use the charging cable and let it charge for at least 5 hours. For some of the rechargeable remotes, holding the pairing button for about 20 seconds can also help the remote restart.
I actually like this step a lot because I feel like I’m getting a nice reset. A lot of times that really is all the remote needs.
Roku Remote Won’t Pair? Try These Fixes
If your remote refuses to pair with the Roku, it’s important to keep in mind it’s not necessarily broken.
Having trouble with other wireless connections too? Here’s how to fix the Hotspot Not Working with simple troubleshooting steps.
Start at the beginning. The simplest thing to try first is replacing the batteries. Weak batteries are one of the most common reasons pairing fails. Also, power cycle your Roku device once again and try the pairing steps.
You can also check the battery levels in the Settings > Remotes & devices > Remotes > Your Remote > About if you can reach the menu.
If you’re using a simple IR remote, you might need to check the line of sight. Clear all objects blocking the IR remote’s line of sight and don’t bury the Roku device behind a TV.
If you have a lot of remote around your house, remove the batteries from the other remotes. According to Roku’s support, other remotes lying around can interfere. Also it can help to remove the other remotes from sight.
FAQs
Q. Why won’t my Roku remote pair?
The most common causes include weak batteries, the Roku device needing to be restarted, interference, incorrect pairing method, and incompatibility. Voice remotes can use the pairing button method or Back + Home method, depending on the remote design.
Q. Where is the pairing button?
The pairing button is either inside the battery compartment or on the back of the remote on many voice remotes. Some of the newer Roku remotes do not have an obvious pairing button and use Back + Home instead.
Q. Do all Roku remotes need pairing?
Roku simple remotes do not require pairing since they do not have a pairing button. They only need new batteries or the battery pull tab to be removed.
Q. How do you connect a roku remote after a reset?
Restart the Roku device, then use the appropriate pairing method for your remote type. If there is a pairing button, hold it for about 5 seconds. If not, hold Back + Home for about 5 seconds.
Final Takeaway
The fastest way to solve how to pair a Roku remote is to identify which type of remote it is, use the appropriate method for pairing that type of remote, then troubleshoot the batteries.
Also, if the remote has line-of-sight or a TV control issue, those would need to be worked on, as well. The problem is not usually complex in most situations, which means that pairing a remote is a straightforward task. Once you have figured that out, the whole process is a lot less complex.
