Your Roku remote still browses shows, but its power button won't turn on the TV. Or every button has stopped responding. Start with the remote's power supply, then follow the fixes for your setup: an external Roku player or a television with Roku built in. Pairing and TV-power control are separate, so working navigation does not mean the remote is set up to turn on your television.
Start with the remote and its power supply
If several buttons have stopped working, check the remote's power first. A basic Roku player remote is different from a simple Roku TV remote, which supports television power control.
For a battery-powered remote, remove both batteries.
Press any two buttons.
Insert a fresh matching pair of batteries, negative ends first.
For a rechargeable Roku Voice Remote Pro, charge it with the supplied cable from USB power or a computer for at least five hours.
Restart the rechargeable remote by holding Pairing for 20 seconds. On a model without that button, hold Back and Home together for 20 seconds instead.
Wait until the flashing stops.
Once navigation works, check the rechargeable remote's battery level under Settings > Remotes & Devices > Remotes > your remote's name > About.
Clear the path to the TV sensor
An obstruction between the remote and the television blocks infrared TV controls even while the remote still operates your Roku player.
Remove anything blocking the sensor on the front of the television.
Aim the remote at that sensor.
Try Power again.
To identify infrared TV controls on a voice remote, test Volume while pointing the remote normally at the television.
Repeat the volume test with the remote's front covered and pointed away. Losing volume control in that position indicates infrared operation.
Set up TV control again
Press Home on your Roku voice remote.
Open Settings > Remotes & devices > Remotes. Roku’s TV-control guide labels the same menu Settings > Devices > Remotes, so follow whichever wording your Roku shows; both open the list of paired remotes.
Select your voice remote.
Choose Set up remote for TV control.
Raise the television's volume so you can hear the setup music.
Aim the remote at the television.
Complete the music test, re-entering your TV brand if the initial setup fails.
This setup applies to voice remotes with TV-control capability, and compatibility varies by television.
Try another code when volume works but power does not
A TV code that operates volume does not necessarily operate power. If volume works but power does not, try another code through TV-control setup.
Repeat the sound test under Set up remote for TV control.
When the music stops, restore audible volume before answering the on-screen question.
Select No to skip that code.
When the music stops with the next code, select Yes.
Test Power again.
If your external Roku player connects through a soundbar or AV receiver, temporarily connect it directly to the television.
Repeat Set up remote for TV control with that direct connection so Roku can detect the television correctly.
If the test music is inaudible, check that the HDMI connection supports audio.
Disconnect audio equipment before repeating the test.
If the test cannot stop the music, disconnect extra receivers or game consoles.
Run the music test again.
Restore pairing if navigation also fails
A lost wireless connection stops a voice remote from controlling Roku navigation.
Move closer to the Roku.
Remove obstacles or sources of wireless interference.
For a Streaming Stick with a receiver built into its power cable, use that supplied receiver.
Try an HDMI extender for a Streaming Stick with wireless connection trouble, as Roku recommends.
Using another working remote or the Roku mobile app, open Home > Settings > Remotes & devices > Add devices > Remote > Continue.
Hold the voice remote's Pairing button for five seconds. Without that button, hold Back and Home together for five seconds until flashing starts.
Without another working control, disconnect the Roku player or Roku TV from power for at least five seconds.
Reconnect it to power.
With the television powered on, put the voice remote into pairing mode when the Home screen appears. Both devices must be in pairing mode together.
Simple infrared remotes do not require pairing. If navigation already works and only television power fails, return to Set up remote for TV control.
Give Roku a software update
For a Roku player with voice-remote TV controls, open Settings > System > System update > Check now.
Install any available update and allow the restart to finish.
Return to Settings > Remotes & devices > Remotes.
Select your remote.
Repeat Set up remote for TV control.
If television power still does not work, try HDMI-CEC on a compatible external-player setup, or test the television's physical Power button if you have a Roku TV.
Use Home to wake a compatible TV
Enable your television's HDMI-CEC setting using the path for its model. Samsung calls it Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC), LG uses Simplink (HDMI-CEC), and Sony uses BRAVIA Sync control.
On Samsung Australian models from 2025–2026, open Settings > All Settings > General & Privacy > External Device Manager > Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) > On. For 2023–2024 models, replace General & Privacy with Connection; menus differ by region and firmware.
On LG webOS 6.0 and webOS 22 models, open Settings > All Settings > General > Devices > HDMI Settings > Simplink (HDMI-CEC) > On.
On Sony televisions with this menu, open Home > Settings > Watching TV > External inputs > BRAVIA Sync settings and enable BRAVIA Sync control.
On your external Roku player, open Settings > System > Control other devices (CEC).
Enable 1-Touch Play.
Enable TV Power if your device lists it.
Power the player from a wall outlet if its TV USB connection switches off with the television.
Press Home to turn on a compatible television and select the Roku input. This also provides a wake-up option for a remote without a dedicated TV power button.
If CEC control remains unreliable, test a direct connection between the player and television using a High-Speed HDMI cable, bypassing the receiver or soundbar.
For a Roku TV receiving an external HDMI player, enable 1-touch play under Settings > System > Control other devices (CEC).
Check whether the Roku TV itself has power
A television without electrical power will not respond to the remote.
Try the Roku TV's physical Power button.
If it still will not start, connect the television directly to another wall outlet, bypassing extension cords or power strips.
Reset a tripped GFCI outlet using its Reset button.
For a TCL Roku TV, unplug the television for at least 30 seconds.
Reconnect it to power.
Allow startup to finish before retrying the remote.
If audio is playing but the Roku TV's screen was disabled with Picture off, press OK to restore the display.
If the physical button and outlet checks do not restore power, open Roku's TV power troubleshooting page and use its contact us or manufacturer-support link. Replacing the remote does not address the television's failure to start.
Use a backup remote or replace a failed one
If the television works but the remote remains unresponsive, the official Roku mobile app provides a backup for supported devices. It requires a network-accessible Roku, so it cannot reach an external player that loses power when the television switches off.
Download the app through Roku's official mobile-app page using Download on the Apple App Store or Get it on Google Play.
Connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku.
Select your Roku in the app.
Open Remote.
Tap Power on a supported setup. Available controls vary by device, and external-player television power requires compatible CEC control.
For supported external-player app controls, enable TV power under Settings > System > Control other devices.
Enable TV volume in the same menu.
Keep television CEC and Roku's 1-Touch Play enabled as described above.
For a Roku TV that disconnects during standby, open Settings > System > Power > Fast TV start and select Enable 'Fast TV Start'. This uses more standby power.
On a TCL Roku TV remote with a sticking or failed Power button, press each button several times.
Remove debris around the buttons.
Replace the remote if its buttons are damaged or remain unresponsive.
Before buying a Roku Voice Remote, use Sign in on its official product page to check device compatibility.
Pair the replacement using the pairing procedure above.
Complete Set up remote for TV control.
For a television with Roku built in, choose the dedicated Roku TV Remote RCC1R for an infrared replacement with power, volume, and mute controls. It supports all Roku TV models, but does not support external Roku players or Roku audio devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I connect the mobile app when automatic discovery misses my Roku?
Find the Roku's IP address under Settings > Network > About. In the mobile app, open Devices > Get help? > Connect manually. Enter the IP address, then tap CONNECT. The Roku must already be accessible on your network.
Can I use my phone camera to check whether the remote is transmitting?
For a TCL Roku TV infrared remote, open your phone's camera. Point the remote's transmitting end at it, then hold a button. Flashing light indicates infrared output. If no light appears, replace the batteries and retest. Some cameras filter infrared, so a negative result is inconclusive. This does not test wireless pairing.
Why does my Roku seem unresponsive after sitting idle?
Supported Roku players enter auto power savings after inactivity. Press Home first to wake the player. If that fails, open Settings > System > Power > Auto power savings and clear After 20 minutes of no interaction on a model with that setting. This addresses a sleeping player or missing picture that resembles a television-power failure.
Should I factory-reset the TV because the remote power button fails?
Reserve a hardware factory reset for an unresponsive Roku TV after other troubleshooting fails. It erases personalization, accounts, and input configuration. The button procedure depends on the television's hardware, so consult your model manual before resetting it.