I've had the Roku 3 - 4200X for a number of years but it has suddenly started eating batteries at an alarming rate. I believe I have changed the batteries 3 times in the last month. I replaced them early last week and came home from a long weekend away only to find that the remote drained the batteries again. This makes me believe that there is an internal short somewhere since the batteries drained even when the remote was not being used. I am not using the remote audio function.
The 4200 was released in March of 2013, so it's getting along in electronic years. It is still officially supported by Roku, in that it still gets updates. But it won't run some of the latest channels, it's a slower processor, and only outputs 30 Hz at 1080p (it does 60 Hz at 720p). There's a reasonable chance that it has simply failed.
Of course, if you're satisfied with the 4200, you could just replace the remote. The Roku web site says the Voice Remote (out of stock) and the Simple Remote both work on your player. The Simple Remote is IR, not wireless like your current remote. IR remote batteries last a very long time, as they do nothing unless you press a button. The wireless remotes are always in communication with the player, although they do have a low powered sleep mode. That is likely where yours has failed. You can also find universal IR remotes in many local stores, as long as they list Roku as a supported device. Just remember you must have a direct line of sight between the remote and the Roku with IR.
Since your remote has the listening jack, it's possible that something has jammed the switch on the jack that is enabling the internal audio amplifier. That would be the same as leaving headphones always connected to the remote. It leaves the amp on at full power, and will drain the batteries in days. You could try inserting and removing a plug in the jack and see if anything dislodges. Do this rapidly a number of times and it might un-jam the switch.
The 4200 was released in March of 2013, so it's getting along in electronic years. It is still officially supported by Roku, in that it still gets updates. But it won't run some of the latest channels, it's a slower processor, and only outputs 30 Hz at 1080p (it does 60 Hz at 720p). There's a reasonable chance that it has simply failed.
Of course, if you're satisfied with the 4200, you could just replace the remote. The Roku web site says the Voice Remote (out of stock) and the Simple Remote both work on your player. The Simple Remote is IR, not wireless like your current remote. IR remote batteries last a very long time, as they do nothing unless you press a button. The wireless remotes are always in communication with the player, although they do have a low powered sleep mode. That is likely where yours has failed. You can also find universal IR remotes in many local stores, as long as they list Roku as a supported device. Just remember you must have a direct line of sight between the remote and the Roku with IR.
Since your remote has the listening jack, it's possible that something has jammed the switch on the jack that is enabling the internal audio amplifier. That would be the same as leaving headphones always connected to the remote. It leaves the amp on at full power, and will drain the batteries in days. You could try inserting and removing a plug in the jack and see if anything dislodges. Do this rapidly a number of times and it might un-jam the switch.
My Roku 3 is is now eating 6 batteries per DAY!!. This is ridiculous, what is the permanent fix? I am disabled and this is VERY difficult for me to deal with.
The fix is to use the Roku app on your phone as a remote, buy a new Roku remote, or buy a cheap universal IR remote. The Roku 3 is long past its warranty period.
Thanks for the post.
As @renojim mentioned, the Roku 3 is an older Roku device that is no longer under warranty. It's possible that the remote may simply be on its way out.
If you need a replacement remote for your device, you can purchase a remote on our Products page here: https://www.roku.com/products/accessories/player
Thanks,
Danny