Forum Discussion

jgegenhe's avatar
jgegenhe
Reel Rookie
2 years ago

Remote drains batteries in a matter of days

4k stick plugged into dedicated, continuous USB power supply.  The remote chews through batteries even with minimal use.  This last instance, I loaded in brand new batteries before leaving town for 10 days.  The device was not used at all, and yet the batteries were fully drained upon return.  Searching online, this has been an issue for thousands of people for years running.  What is the fix and why hasn't there been a recall?

I see in another forum that Roku is advising people whose device is no longer under warranty that they need to purchase new - sorry, no, that's unlawful on Roku's part given that this is a known problem.

Frustrated.

36 Replies

  • Roku has known about their remotes being battery killers for years, they've literally done nothing. When you complain about these things eventually a useless Roku moderator will come along and copy and paste troubleshooting steps that never work. They will tell you to restart your device, repair your remote, put in new batteries, basically all common sense stuff you try first before even coming here to complain.

    Then once you report back that you have tried those things and they don't work the Roku moderator will respond with useless questions like asking you to provide the serial number of your device, software version, all which have nothing to do with the issue.

    So you comply and give them what they want and then nothing happens, sometimes you can get them to send you a replacement remote for free, but the replacement has the same problem as the original remote you came here to complain about.

    Then the cycle repeats with the next person who has a remote problem and it goes on and on for years. Roku won't actually fix the problem because they are either too stupid to know how, or they just don't care and think it's not worth the money to redesign remotes that actually work.

    Even the rechargeable battery version is full of problems, mine has never fully charged to 100% ever since I got it brand new and the charge dissipates very quickly with minimal remote useage.

    Bottom line is the Roku remotes are a flawed design, everybody knows it including Roku and they will not fix it. It says a lot about the company!

    It's probably best to look for alternative devices at this point because this will never change with the way Roku operates. There is no true customer support here, just the illusion of it with moderators who parrot the same script lines of steps that don't work again and again, it's very sad and pathetic.

    • jgegenhe's avatar
      jgegenhe
      Reel Rookie

      That's certainly no good.

      If that is the case, then the right approach is to the CEO, CFO, CTO, COO and the Board.  I'll write them.

      • Media_Guy's avatar
        Media_Guy
        Binge Watcher

        I don't know this the case with all Roku remotes but it definitely is the case with the RC 833 model I barely get two weeks with that remote before I have to put new batteries in. My older remote RC EL3 last for months.

        Yes what are the emails of these big wigs of Roku corporation? Let's create a petition which we all sign and send them.

         

    • RokuJohnB's avatar
      RokuJohnB
      Community Moderator

      Hi jgegenhe,

      Greetings from the Roku Community, and thanks for raising this problem with us!

      We will be more than happy to assist you further with this issue that you're having with the Roku remote. If the remote is not properly paired with the Roku device, it will drain the batteries in a few days. Please try the steps below.

      Put your streaming device in pairing mode.

      1. Remove the power cable from your streaming device.
      2. Wait at least 5 seconds.
      3. Re-connect the power cable.
      4. Wait for your streaming device to power on and the Home screen to appear on your TV screen.
      5. Within 30 seconds of seeing the Home screen on your TV screen, put your voice remote into pairing mode.

      Put your voice remote in pairing mode.

      1. Remove the battery cover on the back of your voice remote.
      2. Remove both batteries from the battery compartment.
      3. Wait 5 seconds, and then reinsert the batteries.
      4. If your remote has a pairing button, press and hold the pairing button for 5 seconds, or until you see the status light begin to flash.
      5. If your remote does not have a pairing button, press and hold both the Home button and Back button for 5 seconds, or until you see the status light begin to flash.
      6. If the status light does not flash, try replacing the batteries.
      7. Wait for 30 seconds while the remote establishes a connection with your streaming device.

      Once your streaming device and remote are connected, the pairing dialog will appear on your TV screen.

      Let us know how it works, and we will continue to assist you further.

      Best regards,                                                                                                                                        John

      • JP980's avatar
        JP980
        Newbie

        Literally did what Emissary35 just mentioned would happen.  Re-pairing makes no difference.  I woul like to hear how the issue is being addressed, not a set of troubleshooting instructions which people have been following for literally years now that have not made a difference yet.  It is starting to become widely known that the remotes are a problem.  I will not ever recommend a roku to anyone ever again, and not because of the remote issue,  but because of the response, or complete lack thereof to the issue.

    • RokuJohnB's avatar
      RokuJohnB
      Community Moderator

      Thank you for the post, Emissary35!

      We have sent you a private message here in the Roku Community. Kindly check your inbox.

      We'll wait for your response.

      Regards,                                                                                                                                                    John

  • jgegenhe  This issue seems to be on & off for me over the past several years with the sticks, I've actually had a set of new batteries drain once with very little use.

    If you test these batteries, are they really depleted much? 

     

     

     

  • You need to invest in rechargeable batteries.  but I found a solution after same issue.  make sure you push remote power button off also u need good batteries like new Duracell optimum 4x boost they last forever ive had same ones now going on 2 months but rechargeable batteries and the pack to charge are like 15 bucks for charger an 4 batteries or

    • Emissary35's avatar
      Emissary35
      Roku Guru

      Media_Guy Your batteries have lost half it's charge in two weeks that is pathetic. And with little Roku usage you say, I've had the same problem. It's because the remotes are always draining the batteries even when you aren't using the Roku at all.

      You would notice a huge difference if you removed the batteries from the remote when you aren't using your Roku and only put them in when you are using it. I've been doing this for a while and it makes a huge difference.

      I know it's ridiculous to have to resort to that because Roku can't make a remote that works properly, but give it a try and see what happens.

      • Media_Guy's avatar
        Media_Guy
        Binge Watcher

        I appreciate your suggestion to to remove the batteries. However I have a rubber protection device around all my remotes and they are very hard to put back on. These are kind of like insurance to help protect the electronics should others drop it on the floor. See the link below

        Remote Cover for Roku... Roku remote cover 

         

        • I'm only having this issue with this one model Roku remote draining the batteries. Other Roku remotes have no issue. And I just purchased this new unit (streaming device and remote) in November.

         

    • Bismarck318's avatar
      Bismarck318
      Roku Guru

      BipolarGirl48  What is the current mAh rating on these batteries?  (I assume AAA), the last ones I purchased were 900 mAh, several years ago.

      • Media_Guy's avatar
        Media_Guy
        Binge Watcher

        These are not rechargeable batteries these are standard alkaline. I've tried both Duracell and Rayovac High Energy. If there is a FAQ posted by Roku support as to the suggested type of batteries please inform me. I've yet to locate.

        As to putting a plastic bag over the remote, not certain how that would go over with my significant other who is the primary user of the device. The current rubber protection device I purchased from Amazon Does the job other than when pulling it off to put a new batteries it is a royal pain.

         

         

  • Same here.  My two voice remotes go through a set of batteries every 7-10 days whether or not they are used.  Where can I get an email address to contact Roku personally to get new remotes? 

    • Media_Guy's avatar
      Media_Guy
      Binge Watcher

      Clicked on this site then click on the remote controls icon and the unit that you have registered with Roku when you purchased.  Then click the chat option with a support person and provide them with the info they need. Hopefully you will get remotes in the next five/seven business days.  This is what I did. https://support.roku.com/contactus/contact-options

    • Bismarck318's avatar
      Bismarck318
      Roku Guru

      Has to be something with the Voice remote (constantly in "listening mode" or searching for my Roku Stick when unplugged).  I turn power off the the Stick when not in  use.   I have the settings with listening/voice off.  

      In contrast my Express non Wi-Fi remote can last for a few years on the same batteries.