Why does my Roku say not connected and my remote is not working?

Answered by Robert Flynn

There could be several reasons why your Roku device is saying “not connected” and your remote is not working. Let’s go through some troubleshooting steps to help you resolve this issue.

1. Check your network connection: Ensure that your Roku device is properly connected to your Wi-Fi network. Go to the Settings menu on your Roku and select “Network” to check the network status. If it is not connected, select your network and enter the correct password to establish a connection. Make sure your Wi-Fi router is functioning properly and there are no connectivity issues.

2. Restart your Roku device: Sometimes a simple restart can fix connectivity problems. Go to the Settings menu on your Roku, select “System”, and then choose “System restart”. Wait for your Roku to restart and check if the “not connected” message disappears.

3. Reset your Roku remote: If your remote is not working, try resetting it. For standard battery-operated remotes, remove the batteries, wait for a few seconds, and reinsert them. This will power cycle the remote and might resolve any temporary issues.

4. Re-pair your remote: If your Roku remote is rechargeable, press and hold the pairing button located inside the battery compartment for about 20 seconds. The status light on the remote should slowly flash green, then stop, and then flash rapidly. This indicates that the remote is in pairing mode. Follow the on-screen instructions on your TV to complete the pairing process.

5. Replace the batteries: If your Roku remote is still not working, the batteries might be low or dead. Replace the batteries with fresh ones and check if the remote starts functioning properly.

6. Check for obstacles: Make sure there are no physical obstructions between your Roku device and the remote. Move any objects that might be blocking the line of sight between them. Sometimes, interference from other electronic devices can also affect the remote’s functionality.

7. Update your Roku software: Outdated software can sometimes cause connectivity issues. To check for updates, go to the Settings menu on your Roku, select “System”, and then choose “System update”. If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

8. Factory reset your Roku device: If none of the above steps work, you can try performing a factory reset on your Roku device. This will erase all your settings and data, so make sure to back up any important information beforehand. To do a factory reset, go to the Settings menu, select “System”, and then choose “Advanced system settings”. From there, select “Factory reset” and follow the prompts to reset your Roku device to its default settings.

If you have tried all these troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing issues with your Roku device and remote, it may be worth contacting Roku customer support for further assistance. They can provide more personalized troubleshooting based on your specific situation.

In my personal experience, I have encountered similar issues with my Roku device and remote. In most cases, a simple restart or re-pairing of the remote resolved the problem. However, there have been instances where a factory reset was necessary to fix more complex issues. It’s always a good idea to check for software updates and ensure a stable network connection to avoid connectivity problems in the future.