Roku Remote Power Button Not Working? [6 FIXES!]

Roku has been a game-changer for a lot of home entertainment systems, but you’re going to have a hard time using it if the power button does not work. If you are a Roku user, you have probably enjoyed having access to countless streaming applications to watch your favorite shows and movies. However, when your Roku remote’s power button stops working, then the device becomes pretty impractical for further use. 

Why won’t my Roku remote’s power button work?

To fix your Roku remote power button try to re-pair the remote with your TV, ensure you have a direct remote signal, replace your remote batteries, and power cycle the Roku device and remote. Alternatively, use the Roku app as a remote or try using a different remote altogether.

Roku is a company that pioneered the concept of streaming content on your TV. Smart TVs have been around for a while now, but buying one is a huge commitment – and an expensive one at that. Roku flipped the script on smart TV technology by launching its streaming service. A Roku can transform any standard TV into a smart TV with the ability to use apps. This ended the era of laptop streaming and brought us into the modern age of watching content on our TVs with just a few simple clicks. 

That is until the Roku remote starts giving you trouble. There are a couple of buttons on your Roku remote that you can live without, but your power button is not one of them. Unfortunately, there have been a number of reports of Roku users running into this issue. To help get your Roku back in action, we are going to take you through the process of fixing the power button on your remote. 

After extensively researching Roku remote issues I have been able to gather enough information to determine how to fix the device’s power button. 

My research has indicated that there are a number of different factors that could be contributing to this problem, which is why you should consider all of the potential reasons behind the malfunction to properly fix your Roku remote power button.

Method 1: Pair Roku Remote

For your Roku remote to function, the device needs to be paired with your TV. It is not uncommon for connections to become separated, which results in your remote control unpairing from your TV. 

In addition, sometimes connections can simply glitch out.

You may even be able to use your Roku remote’s other controls, but not the power button due to a connection problem. A lot of devices that experience this issue can be fixed simply by re-pairing them together. 

To re-pair your Roku remote, you need to access the pairing button on the device. Open the back cover of your Roku remote where your batteries are located. You should see a small button that you need to press to pair the remote to your Roku.

Approach your TV and then press this button to begin the pairing process. After holding the button down for several seconds, you will be prompted with a menu to pair the devices together. Follow the instructions that are on the screen to connect your Roku remote and TV. 

You may find that a menu did not appear on your screen for you to pair your device. This is quite common with some Rokus and you can try to get around it by unplugging the Roku device and TV. Next, completely take out all of the batteries in your Roku remote and insert them back in. 

After 30 seconds, plug the Roku device and TV back in and repeat the pairing process. This often fixes most people’s power button issues with Roku remotes. 

Method 2: Blocked Signal

A lot of Roku users go through strenuous and elaborate procedures to fix their remotes only to find that the issue was very simple from the very beginning.

Much like with a standard TV remote, your Roku remote needs to have a clear signal to the TV and device in order for it to function. 

Before you go out and buy a new remote for your Roku, try pressing the power button from different angles around the room. You would be amazed by how often this fixes the problem – given that most people tend to use their remotes from the same seating position. 

Another very common reason behind blocked signals with Roku remotes is if the receiver has been moved. This generally happens after a cleaning day around the house when the receiver is moved or altered in any way accidentally. 

To confirm if the problem with your Roku remote power button is a blocked signal, make sure that you have direct contact between the remote and the receiver. 

Confirm that there are no obstacles in the way and try out the remote. If the power button starts working, then you will have found the right fix.

Method 3: Roku Remote Battery Replacement

Roku remotes can start malfunctioning when the batteries start running out of juice. Some of the controls may be working on the remote but the power button might not respond appropriately (or at all). 

Replacing your Roku remote’s batteries should be an easy go-to option to fix the problem and you should try this method before committing to anything too technical

This is a classic power button issue if you noticed that your controls have been deteriorating in functionality over time. Simply swapping out the batteries for new ones could solve the problem. 

However, you should also keep in mind that the issue might not be that your batteries are drained but simply that they are of poor quality. Cheap batteries are notorious for causing malfunctions with technology and can even damage components permanently. If you opted for low-end batteries the last time that you replaced them, this could be the reason behind your Roku power button problem. 

Always rely on batteries from reputable brands to ensure that you get the most life out of them and that they work properly with your device. 

Method 4: Power Cycle Roku & Remote

You can power cycle both your Roku device as well as your remote to try to fix your power button. To do this with your device, you need to completely remove the batteries. With your batteries out, take your remote and go through each button and press it firmly a couple of times. 

To power cycle your Roku device, you need to access the settings so that you can power down the entire system. After the device is completely switched off try the following:

• Unplug the Roku power cable 
• Wait 2-3 minutes
• Plug the Roku power cable back in 

This will initiate a power cycle that will reboot your Roku system, which can often fix issues with power buttons on Roku remotes.

Method 5: Roku App Remote

Unfortunately, not all technological devices are going to last a lifetime and that is often the case with Roku remotes. If you are able to get more than 5 years out of your Roku remote, you managed to squeeze more life out of it than the vast majority. 

Most users start reporting issues with Roku remotes after 2 to 5 years of use and you can expect to run into some hardware problems after this time – with power button malfunctions being notorious. If you have tried out our above-mentioned methods to fix your Roku remote power button, it may be time to start coming to terms with the fact that the device is broken beyond repair. 

However, that does not mean that your days of streaming on your Roku are over. Roku has designed a very user-friendly app that can remedy this situation. 

The Roku mobile app is available on Android and iOS – with the ability to replace your broken Roku remote. To set up the app as your Roku remote follow these steps.

1. Open Play/App Store 
2. Download Roku App
3. Select ‘Devices’
4. Select the Remote Icon

Now that you can completely control your Roku using your phone, you do not need to bother fixing the remote power button, as this is a great workaround that does not involve getting into the hardware of the actual remote. 

Method 6: Replace Roku Remote

Although the Roku app is a great temporary fix, a lot of people prefer the feel of a physical remote after a while. 

The Roku app requires you to constantly have your phone handy whenever you want to change any of the controls on your TV. This means that you need to open up the device and use your touch screen for every action, which is not only tedious but it will also drain your phone battery very quickly.

If your power button is truly out of commission and you are missing the feel of a physical remote, your best bet is going to be to simply buy a new one. 

Roku remotes are not expensive and they are very easy to replace. 

Roku makes a number of different remotes and the latest models even have enhanced features like voice control, which can enable you to switch on your device without even needing to deal with a power button at all.