Remotes

[olemiss74]

My three Roku Streaming Stick 4K remotes drain batteries so that I am forced to replace them every couple of weeks.  The devices were purchased in March 2023 so they are out of warranty. 

I see this is a well-established and long-running problem with many, many other users.  What is the solution?  Is it possible to buy a different brand of remote that is better made and that is compatible?  These Roku remotes are pieces of junk.

[RokuMaryEF · Accepted solution]

Hi @olemiss74,

Thanks for reaching out!

We understand how frustrating it can be when your Roku remote is draining rapidly, and we’re here to help resolve the issue. Please try the following steps:

1. Test with different power outlets, micro USB cables, and USB chargers to ensure the issue isn’t related to the power source.

2. Reset the remote: Press and hold the Back/pairing button and Home button simultaneously for about 20 seconds. This can help to reset the remote and potentially fix the issue.

For detailed instructions on how to reset your Roku remote, you can refer to this support article: How to fix your Roku voice remote that is not working | Roku.

If the issue persists, please provide the following information to assist further:

• The serial number/device ID of the Roku device paired with your remote.
• The model of your Roku remote.

We look forward to helping you get this sorted!

The Roku Community Team

[olemiss74]

Please specify what "Test with different power outlets, micro USB cables, and USB chargers to ensure the issue isn’t related to the power source" means.  My streaming sticks are plugged into my TV USB ports, so please clarify exactly what you are suggesting with this comment.

I've reset the remotes numerous times since having them and it doesn't have any effect on the battery-draining problem.

Why do you need my remote serial numbers since they are out of warranty?   As I wrote in my original post, I purchased them in March 2023.  

[makaiguy]

@olemiss74-

The only external factor I've ever seen mentioned that can adversely affect battery life is this:

Roku remotes that must be paired to the Roku communicate by WiFi. Since the Roku has only a single WiFi radio, the Remote must use the same Roku channel your Roku is tuned to for your local network - this is set on your WiFi router, not the Roku.

There is some evidence that one cause of battery drain for those with point-anywhere WiFi remotes can be your router using a channel that has a lot of interference from nearby routers using the same channel. This is more likely to be a problem in the more heavily used 2.4 GHz wifi band where it can also get interference from other sources like Bluetooth and microwave ovens than in the 5 GHz band.

If you have access to your router's setup, try configuring it to use a different WiFi channel to see if this helps the situation. If you are connecting in the crowded 2.4 GHz band, channels 1-11 are supported. Channels 1, 6, and 11 do not overlap each other and so give you the best chance at reducing congestion, so try each in succession, although depending on what channels your neighbors are using, other channels in the 1-11 range may work best. Also, reducing router bandwidth from 40 to 20 kHz may also reduce interference.

Note that optimum WiFi channel choice can be a moving target as neighbors bring new routers online in your vicinity, or reconfigure their routers to use different channels. I periodically use a WiFi analyzer app on my smart phone that can show me which available WiFi channels have the least congestion and I change the channel my router uses accordingly. I don't know if that explains my battery longevity (usually 3 months or more with fairly heavy use for my remotes with replaceable batteries) but it's probably worth a try to see if it helps.

[olemiss74]

Thank you, makaiguy, for taking the time to offer a suggestion.  Unfortunately, I don't know how to do what you are suggesting as I don't have the necessary degree of technical know-how to do so.  I realize it's probably pretty simple, but I have no idea where to even start. 

I've decided on a fool-proof solution which is to remove the batteries from all my remotes until I need to use them.  That should take care of the problem.  It's a pain and so incredibly stupid to have to take such measures, but I don't know what else to do. 

I'm amazed that Roku can continue to successfully market these devices with remotes that are such defective, trashy pieces of junk.  I have to think at some point it will catch up with them and bite where it hurts.