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LysR23's avatar
LysR23
Newbie
5 years ago
Solved

How to fix Roku remote that constantly stops working (even with fresh batteries)

My remote for the Roku Streaming Stick is only 3 months old and ALWAYS stops working. Sometimes removing the batteries for a few seconds will reset it. This time it seems as though the remote has completely stopped working, but the pairing light on the back continues to blink. I have tried unplugging everything to reset it, but no luck. I'm assuming it's time for a new remote, unless I'm missing something? 

remotes

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  • GPC42's avatar
    GPC42
    Reel Rookie
    5 years ago

    My roku remote intermittently stops working.  It is not a pairing issue as a reboot (unplugging/plugging power) of the roku resolves the problem without needing to press the pairing button on the remote.

    I have done a factory reset and the issue remains.

    Roku Ultra, connected via ethernet.

    • BobInNashville's avatar
      BobInNashville
      Reel Rookie
      5 years ago

      I'm having the same problem! My remote is an older model, with green & blue buttons arranged vertically at the bottom.

    • chilehead's avatar
      chilehead
      Reel Rookie
      5 years ago

      I've been having the same problem the last few days.  Rebooting the roku seems to fix the problem.

      • GPC42's avatar
        GPC42
        Reel Rookie
        5 years ago

        Rebooting temporarily fixes the problem but I am forced to reboot every time that I leave it for more than an hour or 2 so it isn't a long term fix.

  • Jddrinker's avatar
    Jddrinker
    Channel Surfer
    5 years ago

    Review my "Unresponsive enhanced remote fix?" post I made today. Review the results, see if yours behaves the same way. I'd be interested in knowing whether that setting works for you, too.

    • dark-cloud's avatar
      dark-cloud
      Newbie
      5 years ago

      Roku #voice remote is unreliable.  I purchased two -- one works as expected, one plays dead more often than not.  I replace batteries, remove and clean batteries, reset the sync over and over and over but the problem returns. 

      That's bad enough, but my disappointment flares because the lousy product is compounded by a lack of warranty protection.  Roku is making a faulty product -- abundant consumer complaints are the evidence -- yet, they do not protect their brand or back their customers by offering replacements. 

      Very bad business model.  There are many other streaming options available.  Dissatisfied. 

      • RokuDanny-R's avatar
        RokuDanny-R
        Retired Moderator
        5 years ago

        dark-cloud 

        Thanks for the post.

        Please send me a PM with your Roku account email address along with a summary of the issue you are experiencing. I'll be able to assist you further from there.

         

        Thanks,
        Danny

  • RokuDanny-R's avatar
    RokuDanny-R
    Retired Moderator
    5 years ago

    LysR23 

    Thanks for the post.

    We would recommend taking a look at the troubleshooting steps provided by our Support pages here:

    If you are still unable to resolve the issue you are experiencing, please send me a PM with your Roku account email address, and include the serial number on the Roku device along with a summary of the issue you are experiencing. I'll be able to assist you further from there.

     

    Thanks,
    Danny

    • khpoole1's avatar
      khpoole1
      Reel Rookie
      5 years ago

      I am having the same issue. My remote constantly stops working. I have followed all the steps on your trouble shooting page. I have had to reset this thing five times today and it still continues to not work. This is so frustrating!!!!!

      • onurnet's avatar
        onurnet
        Newbie
        5 years ago

        I have the same problem... I try everything, but my remote doesn't work. It worked two days ago but now doesn't.

    • geno2u's avatar
      geno2u
      Channel Surfer
      5 years ago

      The new Roku remotes are just plain junk. Like everyone else my remote also just stops working on a regular bases. The remote also changes to the preset Vudu channel randomly. I asked support about these problems and was told as far as the preset channels Roku has no control over what gets put on the remote. Its up to the retailer what makes up the remote. I went with Roku to "cut the cable" and now Roku has become push TV pushing the presets on you. At least with cable I got to choose what I paid.

      • Denise2215's avatar
        Denise2215
        Reel Rookie
        5 years ago

        The roku remote do suck and customer service does as well. 

    • glr2472's avatar
      glr2472
      Channel Surfer
      5 years ago

      Can I also contact you since I am having the same issue and none of the solutions works, remote still fails at random. Can I get a replacement remote since I've only had the device for 6 months.

      • pjhino311's avatar
        pjhino311
        Newbie
        5 years ago

        I have had similar issues with my Roku remote as well.  I have a 4K stick about 1-2 months.  The remote works when I reset but I am constantly having to reset for it to work.  Is there something I’m missing here.   Please notify me with how to fix.  

  • Denise2215's avatar
    Denise2215
    Reel Rookie
    5 years ago

    I have the same exact problem. It works when you put new batteries in the remote then when I don't touch the remote for a couple of hours it doesn't work again. 

    • RokuDanny-R's avatar
      RokuDanny-R
      Retired Moderator
      5 years ago

      Denise2215 

      Thanks for the post.

      Can you please provide us with the following information:
      -Roku device model
      -serial number
      -device ID
      -software OS/version
      (these can all be found in Settings > System > About)
      -when did you start see this issue occur?

      Please keep us posted.


      Thanks,
      Danny

      • Chevy852020's avatar
        Chevy852020
        Reel Rookie
        5 years ago

        I am not able to get into settings I turn on the Roku and it goes to that screen and then that's it I'm not able to do anything else the model number is 4200x FCC ID is tc2- r1004 IC number 595 9a-r1004 serial number is 1gh335040732

  • EvanEff's avatar
    EvanEff
    Reel Rookie
    5 years ago

    Hi, not sure if this is the issue with your remote or not, but, my remote stopped working as well for about 30 mins everyday.   I like to keep my door open because my dogs loves to investigate the outside.  This was not a problem during the winter.  But late winter early spring it started acting up at the same time everyday.  Me, as a scientist (not a tech engineer) noticed that the sunlight in my room directly shines on my roku reciever everyday at the same time when my door is open during the spring/fall months.  So I did an experiment, door open, roku remote not working, door closed (aka no sun light on the roku receiver) the remote wouldn't work.  The sun produces enough infrared light that it blinds the roku receiver making it appear as though your remote is not working when it is perfectly fine.  Im not sure if this has to do with the time of year or not but ive definitely proven my theory with my experiment and this is an unknown problem that probably extends to other infrared devices.  I am going to keep doing more experiments and I will notify you of my findings.  

    • geno2u's avatar
      geno2u
      Channel Surfer
      5 years ago

      Standard and Enhanced point anywhere remotes use RF (radio frequency), Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi Direct and don't need line-of-sight. However, they must be paired with a Roku device before they can be used

  • BSbutler82's avatar
    BSbutler82
    Newbie
    5 years ago

    Same issue here... will a new remote fix this issue or am i just stuck with having to use my phone as a remote or get a new streaming stick? 

    • geno2u's avatar
      geno2u
      Channel Surfer
      5 years ago

      I was sent a new remote by Roku which I am grateful for but it is just as bad as with the original remote I got with the Roku Ultra. I think we are beating the wrong horse here because I replaced the Roku Ultra with my old Roku 3 and every thing is back to normal again working fine. The remote that came with the Ultra and the replacement work fine with the Roku 3. The Ultra is a $99 paper weight. I think Roku got in over their head. 

    • JCollell's avatar
      JCollell
      Reel Rookie
      5 years ago

      I have the same issue with my enhanced remote. I started having issues with my stick and my remote maybe 2-3 months ago. I am convinced this is a software issue as a result of firmware updates.

      I did a factory reset and the stick is performing better but the remote is problematic. Another poster spoke of a fix involving accessing a secret screen with hidden remote settings and turning off the sleep mode. Essentially the remote is always on which seemed to fix the issue but drains your batteries a lot faster. This makes sense and would explain the erratic performance where it works briefly and then doesn't work or there is latency like you send commands and the remote wakes up after 10 seconds. I had pressed a bunch of commands and 10-20 seconds later my Roku is acting possessed.

      The mobile app works perfectly and I assume it is because sleep mode is non-existent when you are using the app's virtual remote. I wish Roku would listen to this feedback. I am convinced there is a bug with the remote's sleep mode and I am convinced it is due to spotty firmware updates, not remote failure. Not dead batteries.