How Do You Get a Roku Remote Replacement? (Free or Buy, 2026)

The 30-second test: which Roku remote do you need?

Before you buy anything, find out which remote your Roku uses. It decides what will actually pair. Pop open the battery cover and look inside.

• IR remote (line-of-sight): a plain remote with no pairing button. It has to point at the device. This covers most streaming sticks, the Express, and older Roku TVs.
• Point-anywhere remote (Wi-Fi/RF): has a small pairing button hidden in the battery slot. This is the Roku Voice Remote or Voice Remote Pro.

A pairing button means you need a point-anywhere replacement or the app. No button means a cheap IR remote will do the job.

Skipping the store for now? If your Roku is built into a Hisense TV, the HiRemote browser remote and the HiRemote app turn your phone into a full remote right now — the D-pad, Home, Back, and volume, no batteries to buy. More on when that works below.

Method 1: Use the free Roku mobile app (any Roku)

This is the cheapest fix and it works on every current Roku. The app mirrors the whole remote, including voice search and a private-listening mode through your headphones.

1. Install the official Roku app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Put your phone on the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku.
3. Open the app, tap Devices, and pick your Roku from the list.
4. Tap Remote and use the on-screen D-pad, Home, and Back.

When it won't work: the app needs Wi-Fi, so it's useless during an outage. It also can't wake a Roku TV that's fully powered down over IR — turn on Fast TV Start in Settings first so the TV stays reachable on the network. If the app can't find your device, see Roku remote troubleshooting.

Method 2: Use a browser remote (no app, no download)

No room for another app? A browser remote runs from any phone or laptop on your network. It's handy on a work computer or a guest's phone.

1. Open your browser and go to a Roku remote online tool.
2. Make sure the device and your Roku share the same Wi-Fi.
3. Let it detect your Roku, then tap the on-screen buttons.

When it won't work: browser remotes talk to your Roku over the local network, so both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi. Detection isn't always instant, and some browsers block the connection — if it stalls, the native app in Method 1 is the reliable fallback. Browser remotes work best on Roku TVs, including Hisense, TCL, and Onn.

Method 3: Buy an official Roku replacement remote

If you want a physical remote for good, buy from Roku's own accessories store or a major retailer. You have two real choices.

• Roku Simple Remote (~$15): an IR remote with just the basics. No voice, no pairing needed — point and press.
• Roku Voice Remote (~$20 to $30): point-anywhere, voice search, and TV power and volume buttons. This is the one most people want back.

To pair a Voice Remote: insert the batteries, then hold the pairing button in the battery compartment for 3 to 5 seconds until the status light flashes. Your Roku shows a pairing prompt on screen. Our full pairing guide covers the edge cases.

One honest catch: a Voice Remote's TV power and volume keys only control your TV after you set up the IR or CEC codes during pairing. A Simple IR remote skips pairing entirely but can't do voice or point-anywhere.

Got a Hisense Roku TV? Before you pay for a physical remote, try the HiRemote browser remote or the HiRemote app. Both give you the D-pad, Home, Back, and volume over your network — a useful permanent backup even after your new remote arrives.

Method 4: Buy a universal or third-party replacement remote

Universal remotes are the budget route. "Made for Roku" models pair just like the official one and usually cost less. Generic IR remotes are cheaper still but drop the smart features.

1. Pick a remote listed as Roku-compatible for your model.
2. For a point-anywhere model, pair it using the same battery-compartment button steps as Method 3.
3. For a generic IR model, follow its code sheet or auto-search to lock onto Roku.

When it won't work: the cheapest generic remotes are IR only, so no voice and no point-anywhere. Some also miss the shortcut buttons for streaming apps. Read the listing carefully before you buy.

Method 5: Get a free replacement from Roku

You may not have to pay at all. If your remote failed and the device is still under warranty, Roku Support can replace it free in many cases. A remote lost during setup sometimes qualifies too.

1. Sign in to your My Roku account at roku.com.
2. Open Support and start a remote replacement request.
3. Have your model number and purchase date ready.

The honest limit: out of warranty, you'll pay retail. Warranty terms vary by country and by whether the remote came bundled or was bought separately.

Roku remote replacement options compared

Option	Cost	Voice	Point-anywhere	Needs Wi-Fi	Setup
Roku mobile app	Free	Yes	n/a	Yes	~30 sec
Browser remote	Free	No	n/a	Yes	~30 sec
Roku Simple Remote	~$15	No	No (IR)	No	Batteries only
Roku Voice Remote	~$20 to $30	Yes	Yes	No	Pair + set TV codes
Universal remote	~$8 to $15	Usually no	Rarely	No	Program codes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Roku without a remote at all?

Yes — the free Roku mobile app replaces the remote completely. Install it on your phone, join the same Wi-Fi as your Roku, then use the on-screen buttons, voice search, and keyboard. It's the same method people use when a remote is lost or broken, and it needs no extra hardware.

Are all Roku remotes interchangeable?

No, they split into two types. Simple IR remotes work on almost any Roku but must point at it. Point-anywhere (Wi-Fi) remotes only pair with players and TVs that support them, so a Voice Remote won't help a device that shipped with a basic IR remote. Check your battery compartment for a pairing button before you buy.

How much does a replacement Roku remote cost?

Expect $15 for a Roku Simple Remote and $20 to $30 for a Voice Remote. Universal replacements run $8 to $15, though the cheapest ones drop voice and point-anywhere control. The free Roku app or a browser remote costs nothing if you'd rather use your phone.

Why won't my new Roku remote pair?

Usually the batteries are weak or the pairing didn't trigger. Put in fresh batteries, then hold the pairing button in the compartment for 3 to 5 seconds until the light flashes. Restart the Roku if it still won't connect. Our pairing walkthrough covers stubborn cases.

Do universal remotes work with a Roku TV?

Yes, many do — but read the box. "Made for Roku" models pair over Wi-Fi and keep most features. Generic universal remotes control power, volume, and channels over IR but often lack voice and the streaming shortcut buttons. For a Roku TV, a Roku-branded or Roku-certified remote gives you the fewest surprises.

Can I get a Roku remote replacement for free?

Sometimes. Roku Support may replace a faulty remote free while your device is under warranty, so start a request in your My Roku account. Out of warranty, you'll pay retail. Either way, the mobile app and browser remotes stay free forever as a backup.

Related guides

• I Lost My Roku Remote — 5 Fixes That Work
• How to Pair a Roku Remote (With or Without a Pairing Button)
• Roku Remote Not Working? 5 Fixes (Fastest First)
• How to Use the Roku Remote App on Your Phone
• How to Replace a Hisense Roku TV Remote (Free or Buy)

Sources: Roku Mobile App and Roku Support.