How to reset your Roku remote

Popcorn and snacks in hand, you sit down to binge-watch a comedy series with your Roku® device. But there's a problem—no matter how hard you push the Roku® remote buttons, nothing happens on the screen. 

At Asurion, our experts keep your favorite devices running smoothly. Whether you need help setting up a new Roku TV™ or want to connect your Airpods to your TV, we're here to answer your questions. Here's how to reset a Roku remote so you can relax and enjoy your show.

Differentiating between soft and hard resets

Technical glitches may prevent your Roku device from receiving signals from the remote. Resetting your Roku clears out temporary bugs that cause those glitches. 

A soft reset powers the device off and back on. It doesn't erase any of your configurations or settings. It's similar to restarting a laptop or TV.

A hard reset restores the Roku to its factory settings (like when you opened it out of the box) and removes all stored data and customized settings. You may need to hard reset your Roku if other solutions don't resolve your remote connection problems.

How to reset a Roku remote control

The first step of resetting your Roku remote is to determine which type of remote you have.

 To reset your  Roku simpleremote without a pairing button, just replace its batteries. That's it!

Resetting a voice-activated Roku remote requires a few extra steps.Here's how to do it:

1. Remove the batteries from the remote.
2. Unplug the power cable of the Roku device. Wait 10 seconds before plugging it back in.
3. Wait for the Roku screen to appear.
4. Reinsert the batteries or replace them with a fresh set.
5. Locate the Reset button on your remote. Press and hold the button for 10 seconds. On some Roku remotes, it's underneath the battery cover.
6. The pairing button flashes during the reset process. You'll see a notification on your screen once it finishes. 

Using the Roku app as a virtual remote

If resetting your Roku remote control doesn't fix the issue, you can turn your smartphone into a virtual remote with the Roku mobile app. This solution gives you complete control over your Roku device even if the physical remote doesn't work.

1. Download and install the Roku app to your smartphone from the Google Play™ store or the Apple App Store®.
2. Verify that your smartphone and Roku device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Open the Roku app. Let it automatically search for available Roku devices.
4. Tap the Roku device you want to add from the available options.
5. Tap Remote to access the virtual remote features. 

Performing a soft reset on your Roku device

If you continue to experience remote issues, you may need to soft reset the Roku device. You can do a soft reset through the Roku menu options.

1. Press Home on the Roku remote.
2. Click Settings > System > Power.
3. Click System restart. 

A Roku Voice Remote Pro may require a network reset after changing its batteries. If your remote won't respond to voice commands, follow these steps.

1. Press Home on the Roku remote.
2. Click Settings > Advanced system settings.
3. Click Network connection reset > Reset connection. 

Once finished, reconnect your Roku to the internet.

1. Press Home on the Roku remote.
2. Click Settings > Network > Set up connection.
3. Click Wired or Wireless.
4. If you chose Wireless, click the name of your network when it appears. Enter the password to access Wi-Fi. 

After a soft reset, you shouldn't need to pair your remote to the Roku device

Undertaking a hard reset with the hardware button

Software issues could be to blame if a soft reset  doesn't resolve remote connectivity. Try a hard reset to remove software bugs preventing your device from working properly.

1. Press Home on the Roku remote.
2. Click Settings.
3. Click System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset.
4. Click Factory reset everything if you have a Roku TV. Otherwise, follow the on-screen instructions.

A hard reset of your Roku device restores it to its out-of-the-box state and can fix common issues. Follow the instructions to connect to Wi-Fi, log into your streaming apps, and configure settings.