
Upgrading your Roku TV remote is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance your viewing experience.
The new Roku TV remote features a sleek design and improved navigation. It also includes a voice search button, making it easier to find your favorite shows and movies.
To start the upgrade process, ensure your Roku TV is connected to the internet and your remote is fully charged. This will ensure a smooth transition.
The upgrade process typically takes a few minutes to complete, and you'll be guided through it by on-screen instructions.
Upgrading Your TV
You can upgrade your Roku TV remote for just $20.
Roku's website makes it seem complicated, but it's actually a simple process.
The $20 voice remote replacement works with most televisions, according to Roku.
However, some older TVs may not support private listening, where audio is streamed to the remote's headphone jack.
The regular Voice remote still has voice control for muting the television, even without the mute button.
Roku recommends using the $30 TV remote that adds the mute button for a more complete experience.
You can choose to spend $30 for a remote with a mute button, or stick with the $20 option.
Either way, you'll be able to improve your Roku TV with a new remote.
Connecting Devices
Connecting your new Roku TV remote is a straightforward process. First, charge or insert batteries into your replacement remote, making sure it's fully charged if it's rechargeable.
To pair your remote, you'll need to use the Roku mobile app on your Android, iPhone, or iPad. This app allows you to navigate your Roku's menus, so download it for free from the Play Store or App Store.
Once you've launched the app, select your Roku device from the list of available devices. This should bring up your makeshift Roku remote, which you can use to navigate your menus.
To access the remote control feature, tap the "Remote" button at the bottom of the app. This will take you to your Roku's home screen, where you can start using your mobile phone or tablet as your Roku remote.
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To add your new remote, go to Settings in the app, then select "Remotes & devices" and "Add devices." This will put your Roku into pairing mode, allowing you to connect your replacement remote.
Here's a step-by-step guide to pairing your Roku voice remote:
- Insert batteries into your remote and leave the battery case open.
- Press and hold the Pairing button for several seconds until the status light begins to flash.
- On your Roku screen, you should see a notification that says "pairing remote."
- After several seconds, the remote should pair and be ready to use.
If your Roku is struggling to pair with the remote, try pairing from your Roku device instead. This involves going to the Home screen, selecting Settings, then Remotes and devices, and finally Set up a new device.
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Pairing Options
Pairing options for your new Roku TV remote are relatively straightforward, but they can vary depending on the type of remote you have. New Roku remotes generally have Bluetooth pairing options, which usually pair themselves after you insert the batteries and are ready to go out of the box.
Some Roku devices, especially older models, use a "simple remote" that operates via an infrared (IR) connection and doesn't need to be paired. These remotes tend to have fewer buttons and are often used for basic functions like back and replay.
To pair a Roku voice remote, you'll need to insert the batteries, press and hold the pairing button on the remote, and wait for the status light to flash. You can also try pairing from your Roku device by going to Settings, selecting Remotes and devices, and choosing Set up a new device.
If your remote doesn't have a pairing button, you can enter pairing mode by pressing the Home and Back buttons simultaneously. This will cause the light on the front of your Roku remote to blink, indicating that it's in pairing mode.
Here's a quick rundown of the pairing options for your new Roku TV remote:
If you're still having trouble pairing your remote, you can always use the Roku app on your phone or tablet as a makeshift remote.
What Should I Get?
The regular enhanced remote is a quick $20 upgrade if you don't care about the private listening mode. It's a simple and relatively cheap way to upgrade your Roku experience.

If you're tired of constantly pointing your remote directly at the TV, the $20 regular voice remote is a good option. It's also available at a host of retailers like Walmart, B&H Photo and Video, Rakuten, and Amazon for roughly the same price.
The $30 Voice Remote Pro is perfect for those who constantly lose the remote or don't want to deal with swapping in AA batteries. It also has customizable buttons and a headphone jack for private listening.
CNET's David Katzmaier has been using an older Streaming Stick on a bedroom TV, paired with an enhanced voice remote from a Roku Ultra, for the years. He calls it a "marriage saver" - a worthwhile upgrade for frequent users.
Best Buy and Kohl's will sell you the voice remote, but they're still charging $30. On the other hand, you can find the Voice Remote Pro for $30 at Roku's site, Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon.
Pairing Options
Some Roku remotes have a pairing option, but not all of them. Newer remotes like the Voice Remote and Voice Remote Pro generally have Bluetooth pairing options to link to your Roku device for more advanced features.
You can identify these remotes by the presence of microphone buttons or magnifying glass search buttons. If your remote has these features, it's likely meant to be paired.
Older Roku devices, on the other hand, use a "simple remote" that operates via an infrared (IR) connection. These remotes don't have advanced features like voice commands, but they also don't need a Bluetooth connection to work.
If your remote doesn't have a pairing button, don't worry! You can still enter pairing mode by pressing the Home button and the Back button simultaneously.
Here's a quick reference guide to help you determine which pairing option is right for you:
In some cases, you may need to use the Roku mobile app to navigate your Roku's menus. This is especially true if you've lost or broken your old remote. To use the app as a makeshift remote, follow these steps:
Simple
The Simple remote is a basic controller that's included with older Rokus, cheaper streaming sticks, and cheaper or older Roku TVs. It uses infrared, aka IR, to send commands to the Roku, so you need to point it directly at your Roku for it to work.
This remote lacks a microphone, which means it can't be used for voice control. If your Roku remote lacks a mic button, it's likely a Simple version.
One thing to note is that this remote is less reliable than other options, as it won't work if something gets in the way or if you're not pointing it directly at your Roku.
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Troubleshooting
If your Roku TV remote isn't working, try replacing the batteries first.
Make sure the batteries are inserted correctly, with the + sign facing up.
If that doesn't work, check if the remote is paired with your Roku TV, as explained in the "Setup" section.
Roku remotes use infrared signals, which can be disrupted by physical barriers or interference from other devices.
Try moving the remote closer to the TV or removing any obstructions to see if that resolves the issue.
If you're still having trouble, try resetting the remote by pressing and holding the Home and Back buttons simultaneously for 10 seconds.
Advanced Features
The new Roku TV remote has some exciting advanced features that can enhance your streaming experience. The Voice Remote Pro, available for $30, has a rechargeable battery, which means you'll never have to worry about running out of power.
You can also use the "Hey Roku" voice commands with the Voice Remote Pro, thanks to its midfield microphone. This means you can give voice commands without having to press down on the remote.
The remote also has all the features of the Enhanced remote, making it a great upgrade for those looking to take their streaming to the next level.
Voice Pro

The Voice Pro remote is a worthwhile upgrade for any Roku user. It's available for $30 on Roku's site.
This remote has all the features of the Enhanced remote, which means you get the same basic functionality. The Voice Pro remote is a great option for those who want a more convenient streaming experience.
One of the key upgrades of the Voice Pro remote is its rechargeable battery. This means you'll never have to worry about replacing batteries again.
The Voice Pro remote also features a midfield microphone, allowing you to use "Hey Roku" voice commands without pressing down on the remote. This is a game-changer for those who prefer a hands-free experience.
Gaming
Gaming on Roku devices is somewhat limited, but if you're interested, there are a few options.
Roku sells a "gaming remote" on its site, but it's largely useless since Roku devices don't support many games. It's basically identical to the enhanced voice remote, minus the customizable shortcuts.
The gaming remote costs $30, which is the same price as the enhanced voice remote. If you're in a pinch and need a remote, this can take its place, offering most of the same functionality.
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Switch to CEC
If your TV supports CEC, you can use your Roku streaming stick's remote to control the power and volume on your TV seamlessly.
CEC stands for Consumer Electronics Control, and it allows for more advanced remote control capabilities.
If the Power and Volume buttons stop working, the remote may be using IR, which can be affected by obstructions and interference.
Your TV must support CEC for this feature to work, and you can check if it's enabled in your TV's settings.
If CEC is disabled or not supported, your remote can only use IR, which may not work as well.
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