How to Control Your TV with a Roku Remote

Evan Gower January 2, 2022

When you purchase a Roku device, you’ll probably get a designated remote that helps you navigate and browse your Roku player. However, this also requires a separate remote to power on your TV and adjust the volume.

How to Control Your TV with a Roku Remote

This doesn’t have to be the case, though. You may set up your Roku enhanced remote to work with your TV too, albeit with reduced features. This article will explain how a Roku remote can work with most TV brands.

Can You Set Up a Roku Remote to Control TV?

The 2017 release of Roku Streaming Stick + and Roku Ultra introduced a new Roku remote control that you’re able to set up to control your TV. These enhanced remotes contain infrared and wireless technologies that allow you to control both your Roku player and certain functions of your TV.

With the enhanced Roku remote, you can control the power of your TV and adjust its volume, but you might not be able to change channels and use some other functions. Some TV brands allow you to do so, but they’re in the minority.

Furthermore, you can’t use your Roku remote to control devices that are connected to your TV, such as audio and video receiver, sound bar, DVD player, and others.

Things to Know Before Setting Up Your Remote

You should keep a few things in mind before you start setting up your remote control.

First, you should know that you can set up your remote both during the setup of your Roku device but also after you’ve finished everything. So, if you’re already installed Roku on your TV, there’s nothing to worry about – this article will cover both methods.

If you choose to set up both Roku and enhanced remote at the same time, the Roku player will try to scan and recognize the brand of your TV. Sometimes this isn’t possible, so you’ll have to manually enter your TV’s brand. Therefore, you should gather the necessary information before you proceed with the installation.

In the end, you should always connect your Roku directly to the TV when you want to set up the remote control. This is necessary so the Roku player recognizes the brand of your TV (and sets up the remote accordingly). Some people connect Roku to their surround system instead of TV – this is fine, but not during setup. When you’re installing the remote, plug the Roku to the TV directly. After it’s finished, you can readjust the cords.

Setting Up Your Remote During Roku Installation

The first time you decide to set up your Roku player, you’ll need to go through a series of on-screen instructions before you see the Check remote settings screen. This is when you’ll set up the remote control to access your TV.

First, turn the volume of your TV up so you can hear it. Point your Roku remote directly at the TV as you’re going through the instructions. Then, follow these steps:

Select Check remote settings to go to the next screen.
Select Yes if you hear the music playing. If you don’t hear the music, use your TV remote to increase the volume.
Select Yes if the music stops on the following screen. This is when the system recognizes the brand of your TV and uses the specific set of remote codes to try and mute the sound.
Note: If the music doesn’t stop it means that Roku failed to automatically recognize the brand. Selecting No will take you to another screen where you’ll have to go to Enter TV Brand and use your remote keys to input the brand name (it should appear on the list). Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your remote.
Select OK to finish programming the remote. Depending on the model of your TV, your remote will have more or fewer functions.

Settings Up Your Remote After Roku Installation

You can set up your Roku remote after the initial set up by accessing the ‘Settings’ menu on the Roku player. Make sure that your Roku is connected directly to the TV and do the following:

Press the Home button on your Roku remote, go to Settings, and click OK.
Next, choose Remotes & Devices.
Go to Set up Remote for TV control.
Hit Start.

Roku will automatically start the setup process to connect your TV and your remote. Just follow the on-screen instructions carefully and you should be able to set up your remote.

Pair Your Remote and TV

If you have a newer Roku remote and TV, then you can quickly pair them.

Open the battery cover on your Roku remote and press and hold the Pairing button for about five seconds, the lights will start flashing on the remote.

Don’t Ditch Your TV Remote Completely

Although your Roku enhanced remote can control certain aspects of your TV, you should still keep your regular TV remote control somewhere close. You might need it to access certain TV menus that are only available with the designated TV remote. This may include the settings menu or menu for switching between different inputs (HDMI, coaxial, etc.).

However, for those who stream their content specifically from Roku, using only one remote can be extremely convenient. Would you agree with this? Leave a comment in the section below.