How to pair a standard or enhanced Roku remote to your Roku device

• Every Roku player comes with a remote that should already be paired to work properly right out of the box.
• There may be times when you need to pair a remote, such as if you get a replacement remote control.
• To pair an enhanced remote, press the reset button in the battery compartment for at least 3 seconds.

Roku is a gateway to thousands of streaming channels, giving you access to Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, and countless other services from any television.

And while your Roku player comes with a small remote control that's supposed to work automatically right out of the box, there are times when it's not quite so simple. If you need to replace a Roku remote, for example, your Roku might not recognize the new remote when you take it out of the box — it'll need to be paired.

Not all remote controls need to be paired, though. There are two kinds of Roku remotes: The simple remote, which communicates to your Roku via infrared beam and doesn't need to be paired, and the enhanced remotes, which pairs with the Roku and uses RF radio waves to control the player. You can tell you have an enhanced remote because it'll have a pairing button, usually in the battery compartment.

How to pair a simple infrared Roku remote

As mentioned earlier, a simple remote is one that uses infrared light to control the Roku player. There's no pairing process for a simple remote — just insert batteries, point it at the player, and press a button. It should work automatically.

Because it uses infrared light, though, you need to have direct line of sight with the Roku for the remote to work. If it's hidden behind a cabinet door or the TV itself, your IR remote won't work. And simple remotes aren't compatible with any Streaming Stick model, such as the Roku Streaming Stick+, Roku Streaming Stick 4K, or Roku Streaming Stick 4K+.

How to pair an enhanced Roku remote

1. Put batteries in your Roku remote.

2. Unplug your Roku player, wait one minute, and then plug it back in. Wait for the Roku to boot, so you see the Roku screen on your TV.

3. If you were in the process of setting up your Roku player, it should automatically pair with the remote. If not, remove the battery compartment cover and locate the pairing button. Press the button for about three to five seconds. This will trigger the pairing process, and the Roku player will pair automatically. You'll see a message on the screen when it's done.

Quick tip: If your remote is not working properly, try replacing the batteries. If it still doesn't work with fresh batteries, manually reset the remote, which will re-pair it with the player.

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