Help! My Roku Pause Button Isn’t Working – What Can I Do?

Hey there! It seems like you’re having some trouble with your Roku pause button. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Let’s see what we can do to fix this pesky issue together.

So, you’re sitting back, enjoying your favorite show or movie on your trusty Roku device, when suddenly, the pause button decides to take a vacation. Frustrating, right? But fear not, because I’m here to help you troubleshoot the problem.

First things first, let’s try a simple restart. Sometimes, a quick reboot can work wonders. To do this, just locate the power cord at the back of your Roku and unplug it from the outlet. Wait for about 10 seconds, then plug it back in. Give it a moment to power up, and then try pressing the pause button again.

If the restart doesn’t do the trick, let’s move on to checking the batteries. Yes, your Roku remote needs some good ol’ batteries to function properly. Simply remove the battery cover, take out the batteries, then put them back in. Make sure they’re inserted correctly and securely. Now give that pause button another go!

Still no luck? Okay, let’s not lose hope. The next step is to make sure your remote and Roku device are properly paired. Sometimes, a little hiccup in the connection can cause the pause button to misbehave. To pair them up again, follow these steps:

1. Find the pairing button on your Roku device. It’s usually located on the side or back, depending on the model.

2. Press and hold the pairing button for a few seconds until the pairing light starts flashing.

3. On your Roku remote, find the pairing button as well. It’s usually inside the battery compartment.

4. Press and hold the pairing button on the remote until the pairing light on both the device and the remote stop flashing.

When the lights stop blinking, your remote and Roku should be back in harmony. Give that trusty pause button another try, and hopefully, it’ll be back in action!

In the unlikely event that none of these steps work, it might be time to consider getting a new remote. You can easily purchase a replacement remote from Roku’s website or other reputable retailers.

Remember, I’m just a fingertip away if you need any further assistance. I’m here to help you get back to your binge-watching adventures!

Before I help you troubleshoot your issues with Roku TV, let’s make sure we’re on the same page. There’s a difference between the pause function not working and the pause button on your remote not working.

Depending on which issue you’re experiencing, the solutions will be different. Here are some common fixes you can try, even if you’re not very tech-savvy.

Fixing Physical Button Issues

Let’s start with the problems and solutions related to your physical remote control. If you can’t pause anything on your TV, try pressing the other buttons on your remote. If more than one button is slow or not working at all, it may be time to replace the batteries.

Restarting the System

1. Take out the batteries from the remote.
2. Unplug the power cable from your Roku TV.
3. Wait for five seconds, then plug the cable back in.
4. Wait for the home screen to appear.
5. Put the batteries back in the remote.
6. Wait for the remote to reconnect.

Your remote should connect within thirty seconds, even on older Roku TVs. If it doesn’t, there may be a problem. Also, try changing the batteries when you do this trick.

Another option is to re-pair your devices. When you reach Step 5, look for the pairing button inside the battery compartment of your remote. Press and hold it for at least three seconds, or until the remote starts flashing.

If your remote is less than a year old, it may be covered by the one-year warranty. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of it if you need to.

Using the Virtual Remote

If you can’t replace the remote, if the previous tricks didn’t work, or if you can’t get your remote fixed or replaced for free, you have another option. Before dedicated Roku TV remotes were available, people used their smartphones as virtual remotes.

Whether you have an Android smartphone or an iPhone, you can use the official Roku mobile app to turn your phone into a virtual remote and channel browser. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Go to the Play Store or the Apple Store on your phone.
2. Search for Roku and install the app.
3. Open the app.
4. Swipe down from the top of the app’s home screen to access the quick settings menu.
5. Tap the Wi-Fi icon to enable wireless communication with your TV.
6. Tap the Remote icon at the bottom of the screen.
7. Tap the pause button.

When you use the Roku mobile app to open a channel from your phone, the app will automatically switch to the remote control feature, allowing you to control the channel on your TV.

If you tap the settings slider on the remote control screen, you can personalize your experience. You can choose between a traditional view or a swiping view. The latter is more smartphone-like but not necessarily better.

You can also switch between different Roku devices from the same settings page, in case you want to use your mobile app to control another Roku device in a different room.

Fixing Software Glitches

It’s not uncommon to experience software glitches, which can sometimes make the pause function unavailable. If you suspect that the problem is software-related, here are some things you can try:

Performing a Manual Update

Just like with any operating system, installing third-party apps or skipping certain updates can cause glitches. To fix video control issues, try performing a manual update on your Roku streaming device.

1. Press the Home button on your remote.
2. Select and enter the Settings menu.
3. Go to System.
4. Choose the System update function.
5. Select Check Now.

If there’s an available update, it will be downloaded and installed automatically. Your Roku device will then reboot.

Performing a Factory Reset

In cases where there’s no way to revert to a previous version of Roku OS, a factory reset of your streaming device might solve the problem. This clears the device’s memory and restores it to its original factory settings. This can help when certain third-party apps cause compatibility issues.

1. Press the Home button on your remote.
2. Use the scroll function to find and enter the Settings menu.
3. Go to System.
4. Go to Advanced system settings.
5. Select the Factory reset function.
6. Select the Factory reset everything function.
7. Follow any additional on-screen instructions.

If you don’t have a remote or if your remote is faulty, most Roku streaming devices have a physical hard reset button. This button is usually located on the back or underneath the device.

Use your finger or a paperclip to press and hold the button for at least twenty seconds. The timing may vary depending on the device generation. Once the reset is complete, the device’s light will start flashing.

Never Miss a Bathroom Break Again

Even the most dedicated binge-watchers need to take a break every now and then. That’s why it’s important to have the ability to pause what you’re watching at any time. While the solutions in this article should work in most cases, there’s always a chance that the pause button on your remote is faulty.

That’s why it’s a good idea to keep your smartphone nearby. Let us know if you prefer using a Roku remote or if you’re more comfortable using your phone. We’d also love to hear your thoughts on the smart remote features of the Roku mobile app and whether the tips in this article helped you out.