Remotes

[Cult-of-Trajan]

About 2 years ago I bought my first Roku (let’s call it “A”).  Over the last 2 weeks I’ve bought 2 more sets (“B” & “C”).  All 3 are Express units with Simple remotes.  

Remote “A” works perfectly on receivers A,B & C.  Remotes B & C won’t control anything - no response even with the brand new batteries installed.  Is there a channel setting for A that I can somehow “teach” to B & C remotes?

Thanks, Jimmy

[makaiguy]

@Cult-of-Trajan-

Make sure you have the batteries installed in the correct orientation.  There should be a diagram inside the battery compartment.

If the old batteries had leaked and you see white crystals on the remote's battery contacts, clean the contacts.

If you have a digital camera, even just one in a phone or tablet, try pointing the remote at the camera and viewing the top end of the remote in the camera view screen while pressing various remote keys.  If the remote is working, you should see key presses produce a glow on the end of the remote.

[Cult-of-Trajan]

@makaiguy Thanks for the reply. Here’s what I found:

Remote A (that works) - I CAN see the IR when I press a button.  Remote C (doesn’t work) - I CANNOT see the IR.  So - I swapped batteries.  Same result. Also, remember that Remote B & C are brand new out of the box, with new batteries as well.  So the question is - why can’t I see the IR from Remote C?  I have eliminated the batteries as the root cause…thanks again for answering.

[Strega2]

Assuming you double-checked the battery orientation (because some Roku remotes are unusual and the batteries are both pointed the same way), then I’d be inclined to just assume it’s the kind of quick death you occasionally see on electronic products and swap them at the store.  In fact, I might be inclined to return them and buy again later because two at once is either really bad luck, or maybe there was a bad batch.

[Cult-of-Trajan]

Thanks for the reply.  The orientation of B & C is as you said - both the same direction.  But the Remote A (the one that works) is also the same way.  I’m trying to figure out how to get a replacement for them, but I bought them on Amazon & customer service for this issue has been awful from both Amazon & Roku, to be honest.

[Strega2]

I’ve always found Amazon to be very easy for returns.  On your orders page, scroll down to the order and click on “Return or replace items”.  I’ve done this choosing the ship back to Amazon option and the return at the Amazon desk at Whole Foods option.  Both were quick and easy. 

I wouldn’t involve Roku at all.  Manufacturers are usually slow and clumsy at this sort of thing.

[makaiguy]

@Cult-of-Trajan-

If you ordered B & C from Amazon, they carry third party knock off remotes as well as actual Roku remotes.  What did you order?

Edited:  Just checked Amazon and I can't find any Roku branded IR remotes, only the WiFi Voice remotes.

Roku sells their IR remotes (Roku Simple Remote) on their Accessories page for $14.99.  So ones selling for less are likely 3rd party knockoffs.

Frankly, the Roku Voice Remote is only $5 more, so I'd go for that.

Or you could consider an one of the inexpensive universal remotes that contain codes for Roku streamers (Roku TVs use a different set of IR codes, so be careful).

[Strega2 · Accepted solution]

I thought @Cult-of-Trajan ordered entire Roku Express units.  Of course, the trick with returning is you want to return the entire packages, not just one component.  To swap out just a remote (alone), you probably would have to deal with Roku and it wouldn't surprise me if such a thing would take months.  But swapping the entire Express at Amazon could be done within a couple of days if you have prime.  In fact, I just checked and Amazon claims they can get a Roku to me in as little as 4 hours! 😀 But that may vary based on your location and prime-ness.

[makaiguy]

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@Strega2 wrote:

I thought @Cult-of-Trajan ordered entire Roku Express units. 

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Upon rereading his original post, I think you're right.

[Cult-of-Trajan]

Yah, this is what I’m going to do - just return the entire thing to Amazon.  But my confidence in the replacement being any better is low.  We shall see.  Thanks to both @Strega2 & @makaiguy