Roku TCL remote battery drains quickly

TCL Support has very strict warranty requirements and won't replace my remote without a receipt. Seems like a common issue and disappointed to that the remote build quality is skimped on. Basically ensuring I need to buy a new remote every 6 months.

TCL wont replace after a year or without a reciept. Better off just cutting your loses and buying a non-Roku TV. With remotes costing $80+ it will pay for itself in 2-3 years.

Same issue here, but it drains batteries on voice remotes purchased directly from Roku.

I've done this with three different remotes. I doubt tcl will be offering support or replacement on remotes purchased from Roku.

Just purchased a $7 roku remote on Amazon and am having no issues with battery life.

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harrisonh wrote:

1 this is not an issue of the remote. And even if it was, it is not a Roku issue, it would be a TCL issue. This is almost certainly not a defective remote. 

BUT
1 there are different battery technologies, 'heavy duty" is the worst of the worst. They very likely only last a week or two. Alkaline batteries are FAR superior. LiMH are rechargeable, but have a lower voltage, 1.2 v per cell vs alkaline batteries at 1.5v per cell.

2 where you buy batteries matters. You can buy some excellent "house brands" (generics) from places like Kroger or walgreens, but buying even seemingly "major" brand names from the 99 cent type stores is futile. Most are not by that company and most are not accurately labeled.  You do not need to buy from "the big two (D&E) R makes excellent batteries that last well under low load, low usage type products like remotes. But again, you are NOT saving moneyby buying "bargain" from a junk retailer.

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I think it’s wild you’re going on about these batteries. You can mention battery brands by name. I doubt he’s just buying the absolute worst batteries. And any battery should last more than a week in a regularly used remote. I’m having the same problem and my energizer batteries are dying after 2-3 days. You’ve really offered nothing helpful to the conversation 

jettyrat 

Thanks for the post.

Please contact your TV's manufacturer directly to report this issue and request additional support. Each Roku TV manufacturer provides direct support and warranty services for their products running the Roku OS. 

If you need a replacement remote for a Roku TV, you would need to contact your TV manufacturer. You can contact TCL here:https://support.tclusa.com/televisions or at 1-877-300-8837.

You can also purchase a remote that is compatible with your Roku TV here: https://www.roku.com/products/accessories/roku-tv

Thanks,
Danny

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Mhelenek wrote:

I have a Roku TCL TV, so no Roku stick. I also don’t use earbuds and have the same problem. It’s possible though that this remote, (which is new and not factory with my tv) is draining for the same reason. Danny from Roku has been of 0 help so far though.

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Every Roku TV I've seen has only come with an IR remote. They don't 2-way communicate with the device, and only use power when a button is pressed. There might be a stuck button that is causing a constant IR signal, and that could run the battery down. You can check the remote by looking at the front through a digital camera, such as a phone camera. If you see a flashing light, even when you aren't pressing a button, that's the problem. If there's no flashing unless you press a button, then the remote is likely defective. 

Roku does not provide hardware support for the TVs, as they are not the manufacturer. If the remote is defective you would need to contact TCL for assistance. 

If it's something that has started recently, there's probably a sticking button on the remote. I'm assuming it's a standard IR remote, and not one of the WiFi Direct versions. If there's no pairing button under the battery cover, it's the IR remote.

Look at the end of the remote though a digital camera, such as a camera on a phone. If you see a flashing light when you aren't pressing a button, that's the problem. 

If there's no flashing light, or if it's a WiFi remote, it's possible (and likely) that the remote has failed. You're well out of warranty I assume (I don't know what TCL offers). But you can buy an inexpensive IR remote from Roku and other places for $20 or less. 

You could also control the TV using the Roku app on a phone or tablet. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices. But it will only work if the phone and the TV are on the same network and there's no security feature blocking the phone from seeing other devices on the network. 

mmessmore 

Thanks for the post.

Please contact your TV's manufacturer directly to report this issue and request additional support. Each Roku TV manufacturer provides direct support and warranty services for their products running the Roku OS. 

If you need a replacement remote for a Roku TV, you would need to contact your TV manufacturer. You can contact TCL here: https://support.tclusa.com/televisions or at 1-877-300-8837.

You can also purchase a remote that is compatible with your Roku TV here: https://www.roku.com/products/accessories/roku-tv

Thanks,
Danny