Remotes

[mdlitten]

Our remote for our 4K Express (just 3 months old) has started blowing through batteries about every other day. We have re-paired and updated the remote, reset the unit frequently, but we still have to change out the batteries. This is getting ridiculous and costly. What can be done? Is this a faulty model because I've seen numerous complaints for the same issue. Is there a newer remote model that has been improved?

[RokuCarly · Accepted solution]

We appreciate your first post here in the Roku Community, @mdlitten!

Thank you for sharing your concern about the battery health of the remote that came with your Roku Express 4K. We'd be happy to provide further insights.

Roku remotes are designed to go the distance, but a few things will drain a remote a bit faster...

• Heavy usage of private listening on the remote itself, but using the mobile app will save your batteries!
• Congested Wi-Fi network around the device. The reason for this is that most remotes will use RF to connect to your Roku player, and constant reconnection will require more battery.
• Or viewing lots of short-form content, like YouTube, where a streamer could go through a few hundred button presses in an hour.

By the way, we also offer the Voice Remote Pro (2nd edition), a rechargeable remote with 50% more battery life than the Voice Remote Pro and USB-C charging that typically lasts three months per charge. It also has new backlit buttons that make navigation easier in low-light environments, perfect for movie nights. 

I hope you find this information helpful. 

Best regards,
Carly

[edpete]

I have a new Roku Streaming Stick 4K that is about 6 months old now. The batteries wear out fast requiring new batteries about once per month. My other TV uses a Firestick which has had the same batteries in the remote since I bought it two years ago. My two TV remotes, one a Sony BRavia and the other a Samsung do not require a battery change for two years or more, possibly longer.

I read this discussion and answer @mdlitten! and Roku Carly. None of your responses apply to my situation, i.e. I don't even know what private listening answer means. Is that when I turn my tv on and listen to a movie myself? Also not a congested Network, only two people live here and very few wifi devices. All devices that we do have do not have killer battery issues like this Roku remote like I have already described to you. YouTube- yes I go there periodically, meaning very infrequently.

So, I think  Roku needs to replace this defective Remote ASAP.  SKU IS 3820R2. S/N S0J7337XS4VS

PLEASE ADVISE HOW LONG FOR YOU TO REPLACE. THANK YOU.

[RokuCarly]

Welcome to the Roku Community, @edpete!

Thank you for providing us with a precise explanation of your concern, and we'd be happy to help you find the best resolution possible. 

Please be advised that the "Headphones Mode" (private listening) feature enables you to enjoy audio from your Roku Streaming Stick by connecting headphones directly to your remote for a personalized listening experience. 

Furthermore, I will coordinate this with our Support team for additional reinforcement. With this being said, I will reach out to you via Private Message to gather further details.

Your continuous patience and understanding are highly appreciated.

Best regards,
Carly

[mdlitten]

Carly, I notice you didn’t address the original concern of onerous battery usage addressed by both of us in this thread. Your first response said “they’re designed to go the distance” but clearly they’re not. You just gave me a link to yet another product that I would have to buy. I replaced the batteries again yesterday, paired it twice and my husband later once, and it’s STILL not working right. It’s not even 6 months old! How is that going the distance?? Please address the original problem with a relevant response. A replacement that doesn’t cost sounds in order, also, since it is evident that the remote if a faulty device. Thank you 

[RokuCarly]

Hi, @mdlitten.

I appreciate your response to my post above. Additionally, I have outlined the factors that may lead to a faster depletion of your remote's battery. 

Nevertheless, kindly provide me with additional information such as follows:

1. Serial number of the Roku device this remote is currently paired to.
2. Is this the remote that came with your Roku device?
3. Where did you purchase this?

I'll be looking forward to your response.

Best regards,
Carly