We can all agree that Roku provides a brilliant service, but sometimes it has its antics and glitches. If you are trying to watch your favorite Roku TV channel but due to a technical glitch, have to reset it, you will need to navigate to the ‘Reset’ menu via the Roku’s remote. Where’s the remote though? Don’t worry, read this article to figure out how you can reset your Roku device without even touching its remote.
To reset Roku without its remote, press the reset button at the back of your Roku device. In some models, the reset button will be missing, press the power and mute buttons on such Roku devices simultaneously to reset them. It is also recommended you install the Roku Remote App on your phone so you can use your smartphone as a remote.
How to reset Roku without a remote?
Roku has undoubtedly become a huge part of our lives. We all look forward to the weekend when we can grab a drink, and fire up Roku to stream our preferred channels. Unfortunately, your Roku can fall victim to software bugs and glitches which will require you to reset your Roku. A full factory reset is an invasive method that clears all data and installed channels on your Roku, but it helps give it a fresh start and fix any errors. Now the problem is, we don’t have a working Roku remote, how do we reset our Roku? Thankfully, there are several alternatives we can try to sort out our problem –
Roku Remote App
There have been so many times that we want to lay down on our couch watching Roku, but we can’t find its remote to navigate. Thankfully, Roku’s developers have come up with a way to help us when we lose track of the remote, or when the remote simply refuses to work – The Roku App.
The Roku application is available for free on Android and iOS devices. The app allows you to manage your Roku device through your handy smartphone. There’s a Remote feature on the app which allows us to pair our smartphone to our Roku device and use our smartphone as our remote. We’ll be using this feature to use our phone to navigate to our ‘Reset’ menu and reset our Roku, here’s a step-by-step guide:
Install and connect the Roku App to your device
- Access your smartphone’s app store, and search for ‘Roku App’. Install it and launch it.
- Connect your mobile phone to the same wireless network that your Roku is connected to.
- The Roku app will automatically discover all the Roku devices on the network. Choose your Roku device from the list that will be displayed.
- Once the app connects to your Roku. Tap the ‘Remote’ option on your mobile. This will display a remote on your mobile that’ll work exactly as your Roku remote.
Reset your Roku
- Press the Home button on your phone/remote.
- Scroll to find the “Settings” option.
- Choose the “System” option, and then the “Advanced System Settings” option.
- There will be a “Factory Reset” option, select it.
- Follow the simple on-screen instructions that appear to completely reset your Roku.
Reset your Roku using the physical buttons.
Depending on your Roku model, there will be a physical button of sorts that you can press to factory reset your Roku. This button will usually be on the bottom or towards the back of your device. There are two types the reset buttons come in –
- Tactile, press-able button
If your Roku has a tactile reset button that you can press, it’s relatively easy as you just have to press the button to completely reset your Roku device.
- Pinhole button
For other devices, however, there’ll be a small pinhole next to some text that says ‘Reset’. You will have to insert a straightened paperclip or similar inside the pinhole to reset your Roku.
No matter the type of reset button, once your Roku is powered on, press the reset button and keep the button pressed for 10 seconds to initiate the factory reset.
Reset your Roku device without a Reset button.
There are other models of Roku players that simply aren’t shipped with the comfort of a ‘Reset’ button. For these devices, you need to press the mute and power button simultaneously to factory reset the Roku device.
Keep both of those buttons firmly pressed for 10 seconds to initiate the factory reset.
Conclusion
How do you reset your Roku without a remote? The Roku Remote App allows you to use your smartphone as a remote for managing your Roku device via an app. Reset your Roku using the physical buttons. There are two types the reset buttons come in – Tactile, and Pinhole. Other models simply don’t come with a ‘Reset’ button so you need to press mute and power simultaneously to factory reset the Roku device. Regardless of the type of reset button, press the button(s) after turning on your Roku and hold it down for 10 seconds to start the factory reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will I know if my Roku device’s factory reset is complete?
Your Roku’s LED lights will blink rapidly on and off when the factory reset process is complete.
