Remotes & Accessories

[Snoopy42]

My RC-AL2 remote for my Roku streaming stick (3800) is going through batteries fast.  I shouldn’t have to change batteries every 2 weeks.  I’ve tried the system reset suggestion to no avail.  The battery warning indicator for the remote control keeps displaying on my TV screen.  Please help.  

[makaiguy · Accepted solution]

@Snoopy42--

There is some evidence that one cause of battery drain for those with point-anywhere remotes that connect to the Roku via WiFi-direct can be use of a router channel that is crowded by nearby routers using the same channel. The remote has to work too hard constantly sorting through the information packets from other devices using the same channel and it may accelerate the battery drain.

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. In the 2.4 GHz band, channels 1, 6, and 11 do not overlap each other and thus give you the best chance at reducing congestion, so try each in succession, although depending on what channels your neighbors are using other channels may work best. Also, reducing router bandwidth from 40 to 20 kHz may also reduce interference.

Reducing congestion and interference can also improve your data transmission rates.

Please report back to let us know how you make

[Snoopy42]

Wow, thank you so much @makaiguy .  That is one of the most detailed explanations I’ve read in this topic so far.  And it makes perfect sense, so thank you for taking the time to share it.  I have a TCL Roku TV downstairs (no issues), but a Roku Streaming Sitck in the bedroom, and I never thought about any differences in the way the two remotes work.  Once I figure out how to access the settings in my Spectrum- provided wireless router, I will report back on the result.  

Thank you again. 

[DOuGpRATt]

You're saying that the remote has a WiFi connection to the player that operates on 2.4 GHz, regardless if the player is on a 5 GHz channel? (The lack of support for Dynamic Channel Selection in 5 GHz is another matter.) What is the evidence that a crowded 2.4 GHz channel is a problem for Roku's remotes, and why doesn't Amazon's Fire TV RF remote design have the problem?

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@makaiguy wrote:

@Snoopy42--

There is some evidence that one cause of battery drain for those with point-anywhere remotes that connect to the Roku via WiFi-direct can be use of a router channel that is crowded by nearby routers using the same channel. The remote has to work too hard constantly sorting through the information packets from other devices using the same channel and it may accelerate the battery drain.

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. In the 2.4 GHz band, channels 1, 6, and 11 do not overlap each other and thus give you the best chance at reducing congestion, so try each in succession, although depending on what channels your neighbors are using other channels may work best. Also, reducing router bandwidth from 40 to 20 kHz may also reduce interference.

Reducing congestion and interference can also improve your data transmission rates.

Please report back to let us know how you make

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