how to find my roku remote

Everyone knows the frustration of misplacing a remote. When all you want to do is relax and binge-watch your favorite show, first you've got to set off on a top-to-bottom sweep of the room or house until you (hopefully) find it under the couch or in between the cushions.

If you happen to misplace the remote to your Roku streamer, you may be in luck. Some Roku streamers come with a remote finder function built in, as How-To Geek's Justin Pot points out. Here's how it works.

How to find a lost Roku remote

Currently, the remote finder function only comes on two Roku models: the Roku 4 ($84 at eBay) and Roku Ultra.

If you're not sure which model you own, you can quickly check to see if yours has the feature by looking at the Roku itself. The Roku 4 and Roku Ultra both have a button in the shape of a remote on the top. When you press this remote finder button, the remote will emit a sound until you locate it and press any button.

Keep in mind that if the remote has died or is out of range of a Wi-Fi signal, the Roku will not be able to locate it.

How to change the remote finder sound

Compatible Roku remotes can play different sounds for the remote finder function.

To change the sound, go to Settings > Remote and select Change remote finder sound. To preview the sound you selected, click Preview remote finder sound.

Still can't find it? Try one of these alternatives

If you can't seem to locate your Roku remote, you're not totally out of luck. Replacement remotes can be found in most places where you can purchase Roku streamers for $14.99 (£12.17 or AU$19.85) to $29.99 (£24.35 or AU$39.71).

Alternatively, you can purchase a universal remote, like the Inteset 4-in-1 Universal Remote, which is easily programmed to control most televisions, set-top boxes, streamers and gaming consoles.

Roku also provides applications for iOS and Android that will turn your mobile devices into fully functioning Wi-Fi remotes. However, the apps don't include the motion-controlled gaming functionality of the Roku Enhanced Gaming Remote.