Fix the Reliability of a Wireless Roku Remote

The Point Anywhere Wireless Roku Remote Is Awesome When It's Working

A Roku wireless remote and wireless remotes in general are really great when they work because you can point them anywhere to control your television or streaming TV devices.

They also have a much longer range than IR remote controls. But when a Roku wireless remote stops working it's not only annoying, it can also be frustrating to try get it working again.

And unlike their IR (infrared) cousins, they don't need to be pointed towards a tiny window on the device that receives the invisible light transmitted from IR remotes. Wireless remotes do seem more prone to problems which can sometimes make them stop working.

Stand alone Roku streamers like the Premiere and Ultra can use any universal IR remote. The Roku Streaming Sticks are limited to radio control remotes only which can sometimes lose pairing.

What Is Wireless Remote Pairing?

Remote Pairing is when you pair a particular remote with a single media streamer. The reason for this is that you would not want your wireless remote changing the channel on every Roku device in the home all at the same time.

Pairing mates one particular remote to just one Roku player so only the remote and the device once paired with can communicate together.

IR remotes because they are line of site can only control the device they are pointed at. And they will control every compatible device that is able to see their signal.

Basic Enhanced Wireless Roku Remote Troubleshooting Tips

1. Always make sure to use fresh batteries in your Roku remote. And those old batteries laying loose in your junk drawer don't count.

An enhanced Wireless Roku remote uses more power than an infrared remote and will drain batteries faster especially if using headphones. Inserting new batteries also restarts the remote so if you are sure your batteries are new, first thing to try is pull them out and reinsert them.

2. Force your Roku remote to pair with your Roku again. Inside the battery cover is the small pairing button. First remove the power adapter from your Roku and reinsert. Wait for your Roku to fully start up and then press the pairing button for several seconds while the remote is near your Roku. Most of the time this will fix your issues with your Roku Remote losing pairing.

Advanced Roku Wireless Remote Troubleshooting Tips

1. If you own a Roku 4K TV, Roku Ultra, Streaming Stick 4K or Roku 4, Older Premiere and Premiere+ that are the the same size as an Ultra. Try changing the Wi-Fi channel to 5.0Ghz. These models all support dual-band Wi-Fi and using 5.0Ghz if your Router supports it has less neighborhood congestion and can cure a lot of Wi-Fi issues.

2. Additionally, you can optimize your Router by turning off Power Save Mode. Otherwise, when there is no activity on the router here is a checklist on the Roku support that included things like turn off Power Save Mode on your router. If there is no activity for a while the router will put your Wi-Fi connection to 'sleep'. This can cause you to lose access to your Roku.

Roku also has a good Enhanced Remote support page here.

If all else fails, you can replace your Wireless Roku Remote with a new one for around $20 from Roku. Or buy a Universal Wireless Remote like the awesome Logitech Harmony 650 or Logitech Harmony Elite.

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