@RokuCarly it is nice that you reach out to others but I can't trace such a request from you to me
From the plethora of complaints it should now be clear to you that there is a manufacturing defect, I have a Roku RC19 which is around 10 years old and not only does it work fine, but it is far more responsive.
The solution is surely a recall option for all customers and to STOP making these poor quality remotes.
I have TV's where the remotes have worked for over 20 years, the first thing I did when my Roku 4k started to fail was to swap it for one in another room. It did not take long for that one to fail too, so I went back to the RC19 which showed me how bad the Roku 4k remote really is.
To answer your questions
- Is this happening on your Roku Streaming stick 4K? YES
- When did this issue start, and which specific buttons are hard to press? It has degraded over the last few months, I did not realise just how bad it was until I swapped it out. The buttons most affected are the up down left and right, up and down most affected.
- Does the button work sometimes or not at all? Did it ever work when the player was new? All buttons worked when new, the top volume button does not have the tactile feedback on my newest Roku Stick but that is a separate problem. The buttons may work if you repeatedly press them really hard but they are not fit for purpose because by that time it does not carry out the command you want as it thinks multiple depressions are required.
I think for US, EU and UK I think that it is only a matter of time before there is a class action demanding a recall, the product cannot be used practically without a remote, using a mobile app is just awful.
As far as I can see if your Roku Remote has an OK button it is not fit for purpose, not of reasonable quality and it will not work for a reasonable period of time.
There is further evidence on YouTube showing how some people try to fix them but others report that does not work on some of your models. You also make matters worse by not using screws in the remote which might let some consumers have a go at fixing them.
I have seen some products with that rubbery material you use for the arrow buttons deteriorate and become sticky, based on the YouTube videos it does suggest this is a poor quality material that inhibits contact. some of those videos suggest dismantling the Roku Remote (difficult without breaking) and wiping the contacts with Isopropyl Alcohol, but that is not cost effective and it is incredibly hard to open a Roku remote without breaking the clips and others say you have glued things together since so that can't be done anyway.
