Is your Roku remote blinking a green light?
A blinking green light on a Roku remote indicates a pairing issue. This could be because the remote is not sending a signal (low/dead batteries), there is interference with the signal, or the remote is malfunctioning somehow. Often replacing the batteries with new ones will resolve the issue.
Instead of taking the blinking green light on your Roku remote as a problem, rather use one of these fixes below to get you streaming again in no time!
What Does A Green Light On A Roku Remote Actually Mean?
A blinking green light on your Roku remote means it is attempting to pair with your Roku device but can’t. In essence, this is a pairing issue, but several different factors can cause the issue. Knowing what is causing the pairing issue is the first step to using one of these quick and easy fixes to stop the blinking green light and pair the remote and device again.
A green blinking light is usually an indicator that your batteries are low or have run out of energy completely, but it can also indicate pairing issues. You won’t be able to use your Roku remote in this case, and you won’t be able to pair it with your Roku TV.
Which Roku Remote Do I Have Before I Troubleshoot
To diagnose the exact problem and find a troubleshooting solution, you must first identify if you have an EPA (Enhanced Point Anywhere) Roku remote or an IR (Infrared) Roku remote, as different devices use different remotes.
You can use the EPA Roku remote anywhere, and obstructions such as objects or walls are less of an issue than with the IR Roku remotes, so troubleshooting batteries or settings first may save you time.
However, the IR Roku remotes could be as simple a fix as removing an obstruction or moving to a different part of the room to troubleshoot the issue. Check inside the remote’s battery compartment to identify whether it is an EPA Roku remote or an IR Roku remote: if there is a pairing button in the compartment, the remote is an EPA Roku remote; if there is no pairing button, then the remote is an IR Roku remote.
Six Ways To Fix A Blinking Green Light On A Roku Remote
Fix 1:
Remove the batteries in the remote and replace them with new ones. This may seem like a simple solution, but it is often the case that low or near-dead batteries are the reason for the pairing issue. It is best to try the simplest solutions before changing settings or other more complicated fixes.
If you do not have new batteries on hand, try taking the existing batteries out of the remote completely for at least 10 seconds. Put them back in the remote in the correct orientation and check the remote to see if the blinking green light is still there.
Even if this second option fixes the blinking green light problem, you may want to replace your batteries with fresh ones anyway.
Fix 2:
Remove all obstructions between the remote and device. This applies particularly if you have an Infrared Roku remote. Remove all objects that may be obstructing the sensor on the TV or device. This will allow the infrared signal to connect the remote and the device.
Fix 3:
Check the HDMI connection is not faulty or loose in some way. This fix is for EPA Roku remotes, and streaming sticks only. Unplug and re-plug the HDMI stick; if there is a second HDMI port on your TV, try plugging the streaming stick into that port instead to ensure the HDMI connection is sound.
Fix 4:
Reset all remotes and devices by turning off all power to the Roku devices and turning them on again. Be sure that the TV is on, then do the following:
- Remove the batteries completely from the remote.
- Unplug the Roku device from its power source or completely unplug it from the back of your TV and wait at least 30 seconds.
- Before plugging the device back in, replace the batteries in your remote, making sure the orientation of the batteries is correct. The remote should have blinking green lights as it has no powered device to pair with.
- Plug the Roku device back into its power source or back into the TV
- The device and remote should pair automatically; the EAP Roku remote may require you to press the pairing button. Check that the blinking green lights on the Roku remote have stopped.
Fix 5:
Review your Roku remote settings: in some cases, the pairing issue is due to incorrect settings for your TV manufacturer or the display type. To do this, follow these steps:
- Connect the Roku remote to the Internet
- In Settings, follow the prompts on the screen to configure the display type of your TV.
- Select your TV’s manufacturer displayed on the screen. If your manufacturer is not listed, then enter the details manually.
- Press ‘Yes.’ Then press ‘OK’ to confirm your selection.
Fix 6:
Do a hardware factory reset your Roku streaming device. Locate and hold down the factory reset button for at least 10 seconds on the device. This button will usually be a raised button or a pinhole button on the back or the bottom of the device. Note: this will reset your device to its original factory settings, any personalized settings you may have set will be lost, and you will need to set up the device from the beginning again.
OR
Do a settings menu factory reset of your Roku streaming device. To do this, follow these steps:
- Press the ‘Home’ button on the remote
- Select ‘Settings’ > ‘System’ > ‘Advanced system settings’
- Select ‘Factory reset’
- Follow the rest of the on-screen instructions to reconfigure the device
Two Other Options If You Can’t Fix The Issue
If you are unable to resolve the issue, you may consider using one of these two alternatives:
Use the Roku app as a temporary remote. Download the Roku smartphone app from your app store, use the app to search for available Roku devices, and connect to the device. This will allow you to continue to do advanced troubleshooting even if the hardware remote is completely non-functional.
If all else fails, you may need to consider buying a new Roku remote. New remotes are available on Amazon. Be sure to buy the correct remote as not all Roku remotes work with all Roku devices!
Conclusion
While a blinking green light on your Roku remote indicates a pairing issue, there are a few quick and easy fixes that should have you connected again in no time. Check the batteries first and then go from there. Happy troubleshooting!