Roku is a well-known brand in the field of home entertainment. The company has an extensive streaming device line-up that supports remote voice commands. But what happens if your Roku’s voice command isn’t working, and how do you enable or disable it?
If your Roku remote voice command isn’t working, start by replacing the batteries in your controller. When that fails, your next step is a factory reset in the Advanced System Configuration menu. Unfortunately, these fixes only work in certain regions (U.S., Mexico, Canada, U.K., and Ireland).
This article will discuss how to troubleshoot a malfunctioning Roku remote that won’t allow voice commands. We’ll also reveal how to fix each common culprit (and how to activate voice commands on your Roku device).
Roku Remote Voice Control Not Working
If the voice control on your Roku remote is not working, the issue may be with the microphone. First, ensure that the remote is not muted and the microphone is not obstructed. If this doesn’t help, try resetting the remote by removing the batteries for a few seconds and then reinserting them. This can often resolve minor glitches affecting the microphone.
Software issues can also affect the voice control function. If your Roku device’s software is outdated, it might cause compatibility problems with the remote’s voice feature. To fix this, check for updates on your Roku device through the settings menu and install any available updates. Keeping your device up-to-date ensures smoother performance and fewer issues with connected accessories like the remote.
Another potential cause could be battery issues in the remote. Weak or nearly depleted batteries might not provide enough power for the voice control feature to function properly. Replacing the batteries with fresh ones can often solve this problem. It’s a simple and effective solution to ensure that all features of the remote, including voice control, work optimally.
Roku Voice Command Not Working
Is your Roku’s voice command not functioning or completely inaccessible? If so, you may live in an incompatible country or be using an unsupported language.
Roku only supports voice commands from the following regions:
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- Mexico
- Ireland
- Canada
- United States
- United Kingdom
Voice control on Roku is only accessible in English and Spanish at the moment. If you tried to issue commands in another language, it would be ineffective (at least for now).
Another possibility is that you don’t have the required software. Your Roku system must run Roku OS 8.2 or later, and you need one of the following devices:
- Roku enhanced voice remote
- Roku’s smartphone application
However, if you meet these conditions but the voice commands still fail to perform, there are a few workarounds worth trying.
How To Fix Roku Voice Command Not Working
Roku recommends factory resetting the unit if you have issues with the voice control function. Follow the steps outlined below.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Find System and select it with your controller.
- Scroll to Advanced System Configuration.
- Choose Factory Reset.
- Enter the on-screen code to confirm that you want to factory reset everything.
If you can’t use your remote, you can execute a factory reset by pressing your unit’s physical pinhole reset button. Once you locate the switch, use a tool to press and hold it for approximately 10 seconds.
After a Reset …
After performing a factory reset, you need to re-configure your Roku unit, including the following:
- Sign in to accounts for streaming services.
- Set up parental controls if you previously used them.
- Carry out the directed configuration and activation phase.
- Conduct a broadcast channel scan if you’re using an HDTV antenna.
Once done, evaluate the voice controls. If the factory reset didn’t resolve the problem, the best course of action is to contact Roku. You can also reach out to one of their support moderators, who typically reply within 24 hours.
However, before reaching out to them, ensure that you have the following details on hand:
- Roku model number. You can find this in the About section under the System tab.
- A note of all error messages, if any.
- A note of all previous troubleshooting methods.
- Provide your case number if you’ve contacted Roku Support before.
- An overview of your home system, including the configuration of your Roku player, television, and home network.
How To Activate/Deactivate Voice Command on Roku
There’s no way to deactivate voice controls using a Roku remote at the moment. The feature is active by design and will remain so indefinitely.
There’s a solution, though, that’ll allow you to deactivate this feature. You can either purchase a Roku IR controller without a microphone or connect a universal remote control.
If you want to use a universal controller, you need to link it to your Roku player. You can find instructions for how to do that in the device’s user manual.
Remember that universal remotes can be tricky to program if you lack the required connection codes. To prevent any complications, try connecting your Roku player to a remote app instead.
How To Do Voice Search on Roku
On your Roku device, there are three ways to conduct a voice search:
- Using the remote controller
- Sending a voice command via the smartphone app
- Asking Alexa to search for you
As previously mentioned, you can communicate with your Roku by holding down the microphone key and issuing a search command.
You can also conduct a voice search using the mobile app by following the steps below.
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- Access the remote display.
- In the bottom navigation column, tap Remote.
- Press the microphone button.
- Then, give a search command containing the terms “find,” “search,” or “show.” Or, you can say the title of a show.
How To Issue a Voice Search to a Roku Player Using Alexa
Alexa uses the same commands as your remote to perform a voice search. But you need to specify that your order is for the Roku player. The only way this is possible is if you connect your Roku unit to your Alexa device.
You need a compatible player and the following before you can connect devices:
- A Roku account
- An Alexa-enabled device
- Alexa’s mobile application
To link your Roku player and Alexa device, connect them via your Amazon account by following these steps:
- Launch the Alexa smartphone application.
- In the right corner, tap the Menu button.
- Choose Skills & Games.
- In the search bar, type Roku and pick the skill.
- Choose to enable it.
- Sign in to your Roku account when asked.
- Choose the Roku modules that you want to pair with Alexa.
- Hit Continue.
- Return to the Alexa platform by following the instructions. The Alexa software will perform a search for your device. This move requires your Roku to be on.
- Select the Roku system you want to use.
- Pick the Alexa devices you wish to pair with the Roku system you’ve chosen.
- Tap Link Devices.
Does Roku Have Voice Search?
On all of their modern devices, Roku does have voice search. However, you might run into some issues if you speak anything other than English or Spanish or live outside Roku’s boundaries.
Using the steps outlined above, you can complete a successful Roku voice search.
There is one caveat worth noting when using Alexa to perform voice searches on your Roku. If you want to browse the famed subscription service Netflix, well, you can’t. You also can’t use voice instructions to adjust the sound while running Netflix.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 19, 2021.