If you’re here you’ve been probably enjoying your Roku device for a few months, but now the remote is no longer pairing and you have trouble connecting it back to your Roku device.
The pairing button is used to sync your Roku remote to the actual streaming device, but this is not the only way of pairing available for you.
Remote pairing can be done with the pairing button on the enhanced remote, with the official Roku app available for download in Google Play Store and Apple App Store, and with the control buttons on your TV.
If you are a new Roku user and are searching for the pairing button you must first figure out what type of Roku remote you have.
Do all Roku remotes have a pairing button?
There are two types of Roku remotes out there:
- infrared remote without pairing buttons
- enhanced remote with pairing button
IR remotes are standard, classic remotes that use infrared and need to be pointed at the TV to work.
The enhanced remotes don’t need to be pointed at the TV to work because these are connected to the device using Wi-Fi so it doesn’t matter if the path between the remote and the TV is obstructed by other objects.
How to sync Roku remote without pairing button
If you have an IR Roku then there is no point in looking for a pairing button, because these don’t have one. These are already calibrated to the device and all you have to do is point it to the device and press the buttons. These are the classic remotes everyone was using when growing up.
How to sync Roku remote with pairing button
If your remote is enhanced you can look for the pairing button on the surface of the remote (for a Roku Voice Remote Pro the pairing button is on the back) or in the battery compartment. Remove the cover for the batteries and there you will see a small pairing button.
The pair button in the batteries compartment can be really small, so make sure you don’t miss it if you check this quickly.
To sync the remote using this button just press it until you see a light blinking on the remote, then just wait for the process to finish.
Sync the remote using the mobile app
The Roku app can be used just as a regular remote and can be used to control your Roku smart TV and pair the actual remote to it. This is a great way of pairing your devices when the pairing button is not working properly.
To do the pairing with the app just do the following:
- Download the Roku official app from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Connect your smartphone to the same Wi-Fi network used by your Roku device
- Open the Roku app and go to the Remote option
- Using the app open the Settings menu
- Open the Remotes and Devices settings page
- Choose Pair New Device
Your Roku TV will scan for available remotes. As long as the remote is functioning properly it will be detected and you will be able to pair it by selecting it.
If your Roku remote is not discovered you can repeat the pairing process and see if it works the second time.
Pair Roku remote using the TV control buttons
If your TV has physical buttons you can use then there is a way to reach the pairing settings menu without using the actual remote.
All you have to do is:
- Go to the Home screen of your Roku device
- Go to the Settings screen
- In the Settings screen open the Remotes option
- Select the Pair Remote option
This should pair your remote automatically. If your remote is not paired it might mean that the remote is damaged or malfunctioning.
In the situation where you’re not able to pair the Roku remote then it might be an issue with the actual device which is not allowing the pairing to happen. If that’s the case you should do a device restart to see if it fixes the issue.
Unplug the Roku device from the wall power outlet
The easiest way of doing a reset to your Roku TV or device is to remove it from power. All you have to do is unplug the Roku device from the power outlet, wait for at least 1 minute and then plug it back in.
When doing this kind of reset the important part is to wait at least 60 seconds without plugging the Roku back in so any residual power inside the device is drained before you plug it back in.
After you plug the Roku back in check if any of the pairing methods discussed above work.
Change the Roku TV remote
If none of the pairing solutions work then this might be an issue with the remote which is beyond repair.
Sometimes the problem is not fixable if the remote has sustained damage or a component inside it has had a short circuit. If the remote was dropped or humidity entered it then it is beyond repair.
The only solution, in this case, is to get a new one. You will have to make sure you get a compatible one, so check your Roku TV model and the compatibility before ordering a new one.
These are usually not very expensive and can save you the headache of trying to navigate your Roku TV with a faulty remote. The price for a new one is around 10$ and you can find them on Amazon.
Roku remotes are often updated and new functionality is added so even if you have no other choice but to replace one don’t be upset because you might be able to get one that will make your life even easier.
Unpair your old Roku remote
If you went ahead and got a new Roku remote then unpairing the old Roku remote is necessary before you can use the new one.
The new Roku remote will not work correctly while this step is not done. To unpair the old remote you need the pairing button. The steps to do this correctly are:
- Press the Home, pairing, and back buttons at the same time
- Keep pressing until the LED light blinks 3 times
- Wait for a few seconds for the remote to unpair
If the pairing button does not work you can unpair the old Roku remote by removing the batteries from it. Don’t put the batteries back for at least 2 minutes for the unpairing to happen.
Pair a new Roku remote
To pair a new Roku remote you will need to use the pairing button. Follow these steps with your new remote to pair it with your Roku devices:
- Turn on the Roku device
- After the Roku logo appears insert the batteries into the remote
- Press the pair button in the batteries compartment
- Keep pressing the pair button until the light starts flashing
- Wait a few minutes for the pairing process to finish
After all, is done your Roku remote should be paired with your Roku devices. Make sure you use new batteries in your new remote control so you don’t encounter further issues caused by low power.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Roku remote pairing button?
The pairing button is located on the front or back of the remote, or in the battery compartment, under the battery cover.
Where is the Roku reset button?
For most of the Roku models or Roku receivers, the reset button is located on the back of the device.
How to pair a Roku with the mobile app?
To pair your Roku with the official Roku mobile app all you have to do is download the app, and connect both the Roku device and the phone with the app to the same Wi-Fi network.
What if my Roku remote doesn’t have a pairing button?
If your Roku remote doesn’t have a pairing button then it means it’s not an enhanced remote using Wi-Fi to communicate with your Roku device, and it’s a standard IR remote.
Do all Roku remotes have a pairing button?
No, only the enhanced voice remotes have a pairing button. The standard IR remote is a remote without a pairing button. Roku remote without a pairing button is reset by removing the batteries for a couple of minutes and then putting them back in.