How do you program a roku remote to a tv

• Every Roku player comes with a remote that should already be paired to work properly right out of the box.
• There may be times when you need to pair a remote, such as if you get a replacement remote control.
• To pair an enhanced remote, press the reset button in the battery compartment for at least 3 seconds. 

Roku is a gateway to thousands of streaming channels, giving you access to Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and countless other services from any television. 

And while your Roku player comes with a small remote control that's supposed to work automatically right out of the box, there are times when it's not quite so simple. If you need to replace a Roku remote, for example, your Roku might not recognize the new remote when you take it out of the box — it'll need to be paired. 

Not all remote controls need to be paired, though. There are two kinds of Roku remotes: The simple remote, which communicates to your Roku via infrared beam and doesn't need to be paired, and the enhanced remotes, which pairs with the Roku and uses RF radio waves to control the player. You can tell you have an enhanced remote because it'll have a pairing button, usually in the battery compartment. 

How to pair a simple infrared Roku remote

As mentioned earlier, a simple remote is one that uses infrared light to control the Roku player. There's no pairing process for a simple remote — just insert batteries, point it at the player, and press a button. It should work automatically.

Because it uses infrared light, though, you need to have direct line of sight with the Roku for the remote to work. If it's hidden behind a cabinet door or the TV itself, your IR remote won't work. And simple remotes aren't compatible with any Streaming Stick model, such as the Roku Streaming Stick+, Roku Streaming Stick 4K, or Roku Streaming Stick 4K+.

How to pair an enhanced Roku remote

1. Put batteries in your Roku remote. 

2. Unplug your Roku player, wait one minute, and then plug it back in. Wait for the Roku to boot, so you see the Roku screen on your TV.

3. If you were in the process of setting up your Roku player, it should automatically pair with the remote. If not, remove the battery compartment cover and locate the pairing button. Press the button for about three to five seconds. This will trigger the pairing process, and the Roku player will pair automatically. You'll see a message on the screen when it's done. 

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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• You can sync a Roku Voice remote without using the pairing button through the Roku mobile app. 
• The Roku Voice Remote has a pairing button, but if it's not working, you can use your smartphone to control the Roku.
• Roku's Simple Remote doesn't have a pairing button and doesn't need to be paired, because it uses infrared.

Roku streaming media devices are usually easy to pair thanks to the pairing button on the underside of the remote — just press it for a few seconds and your Roku player or TV should connect automatically. 

But if your remote doesn't have a pairing button, or the button isn't working, you need to take a different approach. Here's what you need to know to get your Roku remote paired with your media player or Roku TV.

How to sync a Roku remote without a pairing button

If your Roku remote doesn't have a pairing button at all — either on the underside of the remote or inside the battery compartment — then you have a Roku simple remote, which relies on infrared light to communicate with your Roku device. 

Infrared remotes do not need to be paired. Instead, you need to point the remote directly at the Roku device. You need to maintain direct, uninterrupted line of sight between the remote and Roku player. There's no pairing required; just insert the batteries and make sure the two devices are able to see each other. 

How to sync a Roku remote that has a broken pairing button

If your Roku remote has a pairing button but it's not working properly, then you might still be able to pair the remote with the media player or television, but you need to use the Roku mobile app for your smartphone as an intermediary. To get started, be sure you install the Roku app for iPhone or Android. 

1. Start the Roku app and tap Remote at the bottom of the screen. 

2. Use the remote controls to select Settings, then Remotes & devices. 

3. Choose Set up a new device. 

4. Select the checkbox beside Remote and then choose Continue. 

If necessary, insert batteries in the remote and allow the Roku to locate it. If the remote is not already paired with another device, they should connect. If the remote is already successfully paired with another device, though, then the Roku will not be able to see it.

If the above process does not work, you may need to purchase a new remote. 

Dave Johnson

Freelance Writer

Dave Johnson is a technology journalist who writes about consumer tech and how the industry is transforming the speculative world of science fiction into modern-day real life. Dave grew up in New Jersey before entering the Air Force to operate satellites, teach space operations, and do space launch planning. He then spent eight years as a content lead on the Windows team at Microsoft. As a photographer, Dave has photographed wolves in their natural environment; he's also a scuba instructor and co-host of several podcasts. Dave is the author of more than two dozen books and has contributed to many sites and publications including CNET, Forbes, PC World, How To Geek, and Insider.

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