Remote Volume Not Working in Roku? Try These Fixes

A Roku remote might not control the volume of a TV due to bad device configurations or hardware failure of the remote or TV. The configurations causing the issue might range from an un-paired remote (usually after a firmware update) to a remote configured to be a gaming remote (whereas the remote is of another type like a voice one).

The problem occurs when you try to control the TV’s volumes through the Roku remote but it fails to do so. Sometimes, volume bars are shown but are not effective, whereas, in other instances, there is no response from the TV.

In some cases, other remote buttons like power or mute also failed to work. The volume issue in Roku remotes is a widespread problem and is not limited to a particular Roku device or specific TV manufacturer.

A Roku remote might not control the volume of a TV due to many reasons but the following can be marked as the main culprits:

1. Check the Roku Remote and TV

You may encounter the remote-control problem at hand if the remote or TV is faulty. The first step should be to check if the Remote and TV are working fine. Before proceeding, keep in mind that to perform the below methods you may have to use a universal remote or the mobile app for the Roku device. For some models, you may have to press the Home button twice to open the Roku device Settings.

1. Open the camera of your phone and point it to the IR output of the remote.

   

2. Now press the volume up or down button on the remote and check in the phone’s camera if the light beams out of the IR unit (except remotes that use Wi-Fi) of the remote. If not, then either the remote’s batteries are faulty or the remote has a hardware problem. You may also press other buttons on the remote as well and check if there is any difference in the intensity of the beam. If so, then most probably, the remote’s batteries are dying and you may need a new pair of batteries to resolve the issue. If a constant IR beam is shown in the phone’s camera, then either a remote’s button is stuck in the pressed position or the remote is short–circuited. 
3. If the remote was working fine on the previous step, then check if another remote (like the remote that came with the TV) can control the TV’s volume. If not, then most probably the issue is with the TV’s IR unit and you may get it checked for any hardware error.

2. Replace the Batteries of the Roku Remote

If the old batteries in your remote have died or dying, then they may fail to provide the required current to the remote’s circuit and thus cause the non-working of the volume button on the Roku remote. Here, replacing the remote batteries of the Roku remote may solve the problem.

1. Open the back cover of the Roku remote and remove the batteries from the battery compartment.

   

2. Now put the new batteries into the battery. Make sure correct polarities are used.

   

3. Then check if the remote has started to work fine.
4. If not, use the TV’s original remote to control the TV’s volume and then check if the Roku remote has started to control the TV’s volume.

3. Re-plug the Roku Device and Perform a Cold Restart of The TV Along With Other-related Devices

The Roku remote may fail to control the volume of the TV due to a glitch with any of the related devices (like a TV’s external soundbar) and performing a cold restart of all the related devices may solve the problem.

1. Launch the Roku device Settings and open the System.

   

2. Now select Restart Device and upon restart, check if the Roku remote is clear of the volume button issue.

   

3. If the issue is still there and you are using an external sound device like a soundbar, check if unplugging and plugging back the external sound device (like a soundbar) resolves the issue.
4. If that did not work, remove the batteries from the remote and wait for 30 seconds.
5. Now put back the remote’s batteries and check if the remote has started to work fine.
6. If the issue persists, remove the remote’s batteries and unplug the Roku device from the TV.
7. Now wait for 5 minutes and plug back the Roku device into the TV.
8. Then wait till the Roku device boots and reaches its main screen.
9. Now put back the batteries to the remote and check if the Roku Remote volume is working fine.
10. If not, power off the Roku device and TV along with other attached devices (like external speakers, etc.).
11. Now unplug the power cable of these devices from the power source and then disconnect the devices from the TV.
12. Then dislodge the back cover of the remote and remove the remote batteries from the battery compartment.
13. Then wait for 5 minutes and put back the remote’s batteries.
14. Now power on the TV and connect back the Roku device to the TV.
15. Then wait till the Roku’s main screen is shown and then check if its remote problem is solved.

4. Re-pair the Roku Remote to the Device

A temporary glitch in the device’s firmware may not let the Roku remote control the TV’s volume and thus cause the issue at hand. Here, re-pairing the Roku remote with the device may solve the problem.

1. Launch the Roku Settings and head to Remotes & Devices.

   

2. Now select Set Up a New Device and select Remote.

   

3. Then click on Pair (for some models, you may have to click > icon to proceed) and press the pair button on the remote (you may have to remove the back cover and locate the pair button) which will show a green light on the successful pairing.

   

4. Once paired, check if the volume on the Roku remote is working fine.
5. If not, go to the Home screen of the Roku device and then remove the remote’s batteries.
6. Then put back the remote’s batteries and press the pairing button on the remote for 5 seconds (a green light may begin to flash).
7. Now the TV should show the pairing screen and if it does, keep the remote pointed to the TV for 30 seconds.
8. If any on-screen prompt is shown, follow the prompts to pair the remote with the TV, and once done, check if the volume of the Roku remote is working fine.

5. Setup the Roku Remote for TV Control

If a recent change in the Roku’s configuration (e.g., due to an update) has removed the remote’s ability to properly control the TV, then that could result in the volume issue at hand. Here, setting up the Roku remote for the TV control may solve the problem.

1. Launch the Roku device Settings and open Remote & Devices.
2. Now select Remotes and click on Set Up Remote for TV Control. In some cases, you may have to choose between a gaming remote or a voice (e.g., Enhanced Voice Remote in use) remote, so make sure to select the proper model.

   

3. Then follow the prompts on the screen to complete the process and afterward, check if the remote’s volume issue is resolved.
4. If your TV manufacturer is not shown or working during the setup process of the remote, check if selecting another brand (you may have to switch between IR codes and AVR codes) during the remote’s setup resolves the issue i.e. if you have a Sharp TV but is not shown in the setup process or is not working, then you may select Mitsubishi during the setup. 
5. If the issue persists, repeat the above steps and when the scanning for the remote begins, remove the remote’s batteries and then put back the remote batteries.
6. Then press the pair button in the remote’s battery compartment and even if you heard the music played on the first prompt on the screen, select No.
7. Afterward, follow the prompts on the screen to complete the process, and once done, check if the remote’s volume control is working fine.
8. If that did not work, disconnect the TV from the Wi-Fi and then check if repeating the above steps clears the remote’s volume problem.
9. If the issue is still there, enable the TV’s built-in speaker and disconnect any external sound devices (like a soundbar).
10. Then repeat the above steps and check if the remote’s volume issue is resolved.
11. If the problem persists, check if programming TV in Settings > Remote & Devices > Remote in Use clears out the Roku remote volume problem.

6. Update the Roku’s Firmware to the Latest Build

Roku remote volume might not work if the firmware of the Roku device is outdated as it can cause incompatibility between both devices (Roku and TV) due to which the Roku device may fail to pass the remote’s signal to the TV. Here, updating the firmware of the Roku to the latest build may solve the problem.

1. Launch the Roku device Settings and open the System.
2. Now select System Update and press Check Now.

   

3. If an update is available, confirm to update the firmware and wait till the process completes.

   

4. Once done, the Roku device will restart and upon restart, check if the remote’s volume is working fine (you may have to set up the remote for the TV control as discussed earlier).

7. Change the Router’s Wi-Fi Band (For Wi-Fi Roku Remotes Only)

If you are using a Roku Wi-Fi remote, then interference from the 5 GHz band with the remote’s Wi-Fi signals could be the cause of the issue. Here, changing the router’s Wi-Fi band to 2.4 GHz may solve the problem.

1. Firstly, make sure no button on the remote is stuck in the pressed position and if it does, remove it from the stuck position and afterward, check if the remote’s volume control is working fine.
2. If not, launch a web browser and head to the router’s management portal.
3. Now log in using your credentials and open Settings.
4. Then select Wireless and checkmark the option of 2.4 GHz.

   

5. Now untick the checkbox of 5 GHz and apply the changes.
6. Then check if the Roku’s Wi-Fi remote is successfully controlling the TV’s volume.

8. Reset the Roku Device to the Factory Defaults

You may encounter the volume control issue with a Roku remote control if the firmware of the Roku device is corrupt. In this scenario, resetting the Roku’s device to the factory defaults (a tedious task as you may have to re-log into many of the apps) may solve the problem. Before proceeding, make sure to note down the logins of the apps that are required after resetting the Roku device.

1. Launch the Roku device Settings and open the System.
2. Now select Advanced System Settings and click on Factory Reset.

   

3. Then confirm to reset the Roku device and afterward, re-setup the Roku device.

   

4. Now you may set up the remote as a new device in Settings>> Remote & Devices and hopefully, that will resolve the issue.

If the above did not work or the (a non-Wi-Fi) remote is not sending an IR signal, then you may opt for a replacement remote, especially, if under warranty. If other remotes are also failing to work properly with the TV, then get the IR portion of the TV checked for a hardware failure, or if under warranty, get the TV replaced. If that is not the case or did not work, you may use the Roku app to control the TV’s volume.