Wi-Fi & connectivity

[Acoots87]

I have lost my remote. I installed the roku app on my smartphone. It says they have to be on the same network. I can't get my roku to get past the "Let's Get Started" screen. How can I connect them? Thanks

[AvsGunnar]

@Acoots87 

If a Roku device is showing "Let's Get Started", then that indicates the Roku device is either new or has been Factory Reset so needs to go through setup and activation process.

Unfortunately, you need a physical Roku or Roku-compatible remote to proceed through the setup and activation before you can use the Roku Mobile app as a remote.

If you need one immediately, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy sells replacement Roku remotes. (about $20 for a Voice Remote).  There are also some Roku-compatible IR-based universal streaming remotes available for $10-15.  However, with the holidays, you may find just purchasing a new Roku device (that will come with a new remote) may be a better deal.

Currently the Roku Express is on sale for $18 which comes with a Player Remote (no tv controls or voice feature), while the Roku Express 4k+ is on sale for $25 which comes with a much better Voice Remote (tv controls and voice).

https://www.roku.com/products/players

There is also an Amazon special of $29 for the Streaming Stick 4k for $29 that will come with Voice Remote as well. (amazon link)

[Acoots87]

Can I use my other remote from one of my roku tvs? I know it sounds crazy but the express is in my room and the roku tvs are in other rooms. Is it possible to use one of them and get it to connect to that remote? Sorry I'm just at a loss here.

[AvsGunnar]

@Acoots87 

The RokuTV remotes use a different IR code set than the Roku streaming players.

If any of your RokuTVs have a Voice Remote paired to them, then you can use that Voice Remote with your Express.  Just point it the Express and it should respond.  (again, needs to be a Voice Remote).

https://www.roku.com/products/accessories

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It definitely can be confusing with all the different remotes available and what controls what.  In a nutshell, a Voice Remote can control any Roku device or RokuTV.  In the case of your Roku Express, you need at least the 'Players Remote' that is showing in the above Roku accessories link.

[Acoots87]

I tried that and it didn't do anything.  Not for my express or my mother's TV in her room. Also one if the tvs is a Vizio. Does that matter? I tried to hold the home and back buttons down for a few seconds and now my express has a blinking light. It blinks twice then goes blank for about two seconds

[AvsGunnar]

@Acoots87 

A Voice remote will have a little microphone button on it. (center, right below the arrow keys).  RokuTV remotes generally have a little moon/sleep timer on them in place of the microphone or a magnifying glass for search).

Pressing the Home and Back buttons is a method to pair one of the Voice Remote models.  Here is the link to tell if you have a Voice Remote. https://support.roku.com/article/360011621473.  Additionally, different Voice Remote models have different methods to initiate pairing. (some have a little button on back, others have it under the battery cover,  newer models use the Home and Back buttons).

Are you seeing a little microphone button on the Roku remote that you have?