If you’re looking for a way to sync your Roku remote without a paring button, you can use one of our simple fixes!
Manually Sync Roku Remote Without Pairing Button With Roku TV (Fix 1)
Roku has two main types of remotes, namely the Roku Simple Remote and the Roku Voice Remote – but only one of them has a pairing button.
With the Roku Voice Remote, a paring button is used to sync the remote with your Roku TV, as the remote uses a Wi-Fi network to communicate with the TV.
However, the Roku Simple Remote uses invisible infrared (IR) technology to communicate with your Roku TV. This remote also does not feature a pairing button.
To use a Roku Simple Remote, no pairing is required. However, your Roku TV needs to have an IR receiver that is clearly visible. To control your Roku TV, the Simple Remote needs to be pointed at the receiver.
If you find that your Roku remote doesn’t have a pairing button, it means it is a Roku Simple Remote and doesn’t need to be paired with your Roku TV. To set up a Simple Remote, users only need to insert new batteries and point the device directly at the Roku TV while using it.
If you’re unsure about the type of Roku remote you have, you can read Roku’s guide to determining this!
However, if your Roku Simple Remote isn’t working with your Roku TV, it likely means you do not have a Roku TV with an IR receiver.
In this case, you’ll need a Roku Voice Remote with a pairing button. However, if you own a Roku Voice Remote with a damaged or missing pairing button, there’s another way to sync the remote with your Roku TV!
Sync Roku Remote Using Roku Smartphone App (Fix 2)
As we explained above, there are two types of Roku remotes. A Roku Simple Remote uses IR technology and is compatible with Roku TVs with IR receivers.
This type of remote does not need to be paired. However, Roku’s Voice Remote utilizes a pairing button to pair the remote and TV.
If this button is missing or damaged, you can use Roku’s smartphone app to pair the remote with your TV. However, these steps can also be followed to use your smartphone as your Roku remote to control your Roku TV!
Step One: Install Roku’s Smartphone App
Roku’s official app is available for both Android and Apple devices. To install Roku’s official smartphone app, you’ll need to visit Google Play or Apple’s App Store. When installing the Roku app, you need to ensure you install an official version, which we have linked to. On your app store, you’ll find many unofficial third-party apps.
Step Two: Check Your Smartphone’s Internet Connection
Once you’ve installed Roku’s smartphone app, you’ll need to check your smartphone’s internet connection.
For your smartphone to communicate with your Roku TV, both devices need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. When your phone is using cellular data or a different Wi-Fi network, the Roku app will not work.
Step Three: Launch Roku’s Smartphone App
Once you’ve installed Roku’s app and double-checked your internet connection, you can go ahead and launch the app. Roku’s smartphone app requires you to accept the terms and conditions the first time you use it. The Roku app and its features will be explained in a short tutorial.
If you want to regularly use this smartphone app to control your Roku TV, you should consider placing the app on your home screen for easy access whenever you’re watching TV!
Step Four: Navigate To Remote Settings
Once you’ve launched the Roku app, you’ll see a ‘Remote’ option. You will need to select this option! Whenever you want to use the Roku smartphone app to control your TV, you’ll need to click on the ‘Remote’ option to launch the virtual smartphone remote.
Step Five: Use Smartphone Remote To Navigate Roku TV Settings
Now that you’ve clicked ‘Remote,’ your smartphone will have been transformed into a fully functional Roku TV remote! As we mentioned earlier, you can use Roku’s app as your go-to remote when watching TV.
You’ll find four directional buttons on the app, as well as an OK button. Additionally, the app has buttons for voice control, brightness, play, pause, rewind, and fast-forward. Additionally, there are buttons for settings, keyboard input, headphones, and search functions.
Step Six: Select ‘Remotes & Devices’ On Roku TV
Using the Roku app’s remote interface, you can navigate to ‘Remotes & Devices’ on your Roku TV. Once you’ve found these settings, you can press the virtual OK button!
Step Seven: Select Pair New Device On Roku TV
In the ‘Remotes & Devices’ settings, you’ll see an option that reads ‘Pair New Device.’ Once you’ve selected ‘Pair New Device,’ your Roku TV will begin scanning for any compatible remotes. Of course, compatible remotes will be Roku Voice Remotes which need to be paired.
Once your Roku device has finished scanning for nearby compatible remotes, you can select the correct remote using your smartphone. Your Roku Voice Remote is now paired with your Roku TV – all without the need for a pairing button!
However, if your Roku TV does not find your Roku remote while scanning, it could mean you need to replace the batteries and repeat the previous two steps.
Alternatively, it could mean you have a Roku Simple Remote that does not need to be paired. In this case, you should see the first section of this article.
Conclusion
With Roku Voice Remotes, a pairing button is required to pair the remote with Roku TV. However, the Roku app can be used to pair a Voice Remote with a Roku TV.
With Roku Simple Remotes, pairing is not required, and the remote does not feature a pairing button. Simple Remotes need to be pointed at the Roku TV’s IR receiver to be used.