Remotes

[Gtc82]

I have recently bought a Roku Express (3940)4K device and have it up and running. A couple of weeks ago my remote suddenly stopped sending IR singal. I replaced batteries and followed all the troubleshoot instructions but they didnt work. I contacted Amazon, from whom I bought the device, and they sent me a new one a week ago. I have set it up and all was working well until yesterday when the exact same thing happened to the remote. Its IR signal stopped working. I can control my Roku device through my phone but not through the remote. The remote just stopped sending IR signal! I have checked batteries, i have restarted the device and followed the online troubleshoot but nothing seems to work. Do i have to request for a third device? This is very frustrating

[makaiguy]

Same failure in two separate purchases seems unlikely.

Have you verified that the remote is not sending IR?  You can check if the IR signals are being sent in the first place by pointing your remote at a digital camera, even one build into a phone or tablet, and pressing some remote buttons. If the remote is sending signals you should see flashes on the camera view screen.

If the remote seems to be operating okay, some other things to check:

• Be sure the front face of your Roku is viewable and facing your viewing location.

• Make sure there is nothing blocking the direct line between you and the Roku.

• Check for interference with the IR signal -- some fluorescent lights may interfere, as can direct sunlight.

[Gtc82]

Hello Makaiguy, 

As you said two devices is very unlikely but I did the checks you said with phone camera and no signal was being sent by remote. I have IR on my phone and used an online Roku app which sends signal through phone IR which worked. Meaning nothing is wrong with the device but with the remotes. 

What I did notice is that the remotes where both in close proximity to my phone prior to their failure to work. Could my phone have caused the problem to the remotes? I highly doubt it but can't figure why this has happened to both remotes. 

[makaiguy]

I suppose it's possible that there may be a bad batch of remotes that pass initial inspection and trials but fail prematurely.  This seems a more likely situation if both your units came from the same source.

I have not heard of, and can't imagine how, proximity to a phone causing an IR remote to go bad, but I'm no expert so would not rule that out.

Maybe @Tivoburkee the helpful poster here with the most remote knowledge can weigh in.

[Tivoburkee]

IR remotes work or they do not, there's nothing on your end to prevent that unless the batteries are in the wrong way? Switch to a wifi remote, you might have better luck? 

[Gtc82]

It's nothing to do with the batteries. It was working then it stopped. Just like that, both remotes. Checked batteries, checked polarity check IR signal.... Everything.

Where can I find a WiFi remote? Or a different version of a Roky remote. It's not easy using my phone all the time.

[Tivoburkee]

They sell Roku wifi voice remotes separately at Walmart and best buy.

[Gtc82]

Thanks for the update. Do you know where I can find one online? I'm living in Cyprus and don't have Walmart or best buy.