How to Reset Roku Remote If the Remote Doesn’t Work?

How to reset Roku remote (without pairing button)? Lots of people ask this question when their Roku remotes fail to work. Resetting is an effective solution to a problematic device, and Roku remotes are no exception. This post shows you how to reset a Roku remote and how to control a Roku device without a remote.

Identify the Type of Your Roku Remote Before Reset

Before trying to reset your Roku remote, you need to make sure your Roku remote is a simple remote or a voice remote.

A simple remote adopts infrared technology so that it requires a direct line of sight to operate, while a voice remote adopts Wi-Fi technology so that it controls the Roku device no matter which way the remote is pointed. In other ways, the two kinds of Roku remotes communicate with Roku devices differently, and the difference determines the different resetting processes.

Well, how to identify the type of your Roku remote? It is quite easy. The two remotes come with different functions and the most distinctive one is that the voice remote supports voice control but the simple remote doesn’t, which means that only the voice remote has a voice button.

The voice button is located near the purple directional pad and is symbolized as a microphone icon or a magnifying glass icon. So, look at your Roku remote and check if it has such a button.

How to Reset Roku Remote with Pairing Button?

What’s the type of your Roku remote? If it is a simple remote, it can’t or does not need to be reset. The resetting process, in fact, is a re-pairing process. If it fails to control your Roku TV, try replacing the batteries.

If your Roku remote has a voice button, it is a voice remote and it can be reset in a few steps. Here is a step-by-step breakdown.

Step 1. Remove the batteries from your Roku remote.

Step 2. Unplug the power cable from your Roku device and wait for 5 to 10 seconds before plugging it back in again.

Step 3. When your TV displays the Roku home screen, insert the batteries back in the remote. Don’t hurry to install the battery compartment cover.

Step 4. Press and hold the pairing button near the battery compartment for about 5 seconds.

Step 5. The status light on the remote should start flashing. The resetting process or re-pairing process may take about 30 seconds to complete. Wait patiently until a notification appears on the TV screen.

How to Reset Roku Remote Without Pairing Button?

Not all Roku remotes have the pairing button. If your Roku remote is one of them, you can complete the resetting process by using the home and back buttons on the remote.

Step 1. Unplug your Roku device from power and remove the batteries from the Roku remote.

Step 2. Wait for 30 seconds and plug your Roku device back in.

Step 3. Reinsert the batteries into the remote and press and hold the home and back buttons on it for 5 seconds.

Step 4. Release these buttons when the remote starts blinking.

Now check if your Roku remote can control your Roku device after resetting it.

How to Control a Roku Device Without a Remote?

If your Roku remote still does not work after a reset, do not worry. The remote is not essential, as you can also use a smartphone as a remote for Roku.

The Roku TV Remote app by BoostVision can turn your Android and iOS device into an all-in-one remote control for your Roku streaming stick and Roku TV.

It takes a few minutes to turn your smartphone into a Roku remote. For the details, please refer to Best Roku Remote Replacement | How to Replace a Roku Remote.

Final Thoughts

How to reset a Roku remote? The resetting process, in nature, is a re-pairing process. Therefore, a Roku simple remote does not need to be reset. As for a Roku voice remote, you can reset it through the pairing button or a button combination, the home and back buttons.

If a reset or other solutions can’t make your Roku remote function again, please try a Roku remote app, like the Roku TV Remote app by BoostVision, that helps you control your Roku device easily even without a remote.

How to Reset Roku Remote FAQ

Q: What is the Roku reset button?

The reset button on Roku devices allows you to perform a factory reset and return these devices back to the factory state. Therefore, before pressing the button, make sure you have noted down all your important information on your Roku device.

The reset button is on the back or bottom of each Roku device. On some devices, the reset button is a tactile button, while on other devices, the reset button is a pinhole button. Refer to to know more about How do I factory reset my Roku® streaming device the Roku reset button.

Q: Can I buy a new Roku remote?

You can purchase a new remote from the Roku accessories store or Amazon to replace or upgrade your Roku remote. Before placing an order, make sure that your Roku device is listed as a supported device for the desired remote.