If you’re wondering how to turn on Roku TV without a remote, you’ll be glad to know that there are multiple ways to do so. These include using the physical power button, the smartphone app, a gaming console, or a third-party universal remote. Here’s a thorough overview of all four methods.
1. Use the Power Button
The most straightforward way to turn on your Roku TV is to use the built-in power button.
Yes, you have to walk over to your TV, but it’s a reliable method.
Unfortunately, there’s no single, standard model of Roku TV.
Depending on the manufacturer, model, and model year, the button can be in several locations.
Let’s talk about the four most common:
The back right side
Many Roku TV power buttons are located on the back of the housing, near the right side of the unit.
This can be an awkward location if your TV is wall-mounted.
If necessary, angle your TV to the left as far as possible. Feel around with your fingers, and you should be able to find the button.
That said, the button can be pretty small.
You might have trouble finding it without using a flashlight.
The back left side
If the button isn’t on the back right, there’s a good chance it’s on the back left.
This is the most common location for power buttons on a Sanyo brand TV.
As before, you may have to angle the TV away from the wall if it’s on a mount.
Use a flashlight if necessary to find the button.
The bottom middle
A large number of Roku TVs have their power button on the bottom edge.
This is most often found in the middle, but it can be slightly offset to the side.
Along the same lines, the button may be located closer to the front or closer to the back.
This can be a tough place to get in with a flashlight and look.
But in most cases, you can find the button with your fingers.
The bottom left
The bottom left is the least common position for a Roku TV button.
Look on the bottom edge, just to the side of the TV’s infrared receiver.
It can also be located behind the receiver, which makes it particularly tough to find.
Take your time and feel around, and you should find it.
Other locations
If you still can’t find your power button, don’t give up!
Check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to find the correct location.
2. Use the Roku App
While the power button can turn the TV on and off, you’d probably like to do more than that.
Using the Roku app, you can adjust picture settings, change inputs, and give other commands. Here’s how it’s done:
- Install the Roku app on your smartphone. (It’s free to download in both the Apple Store and Google Play)
- Connect to the same WiFi network as your TV.
- Open the Roku app, and click the device button.
- Look in the list for your Roku TV. Click it, and select “Remote.” This will allow you to use your smartphone as a remote.
The app is an easy way to replicate most of your remote control’s capabilities.
Unfortunately, it has one major downside; it doesn’t work when the TV is powered off.
In other words, you’ll have to turn your TV on manually before you can use the app.
There’s one exception to this. If your phone has a built-in IR sensor, you can use the app to turn on a Roku TV.
3. Use a Game Console
Not all game consoles can control a Roku TV.
You’ll need to have a Nintendo Switch or a PlayStation console.
The process is a little bit different for both, and you’ll need to turn on your TV manually to set things up.
On a Nintendo Switch:
- Put your Nintendo Switch in docked mode, and connect the dock to your Roku TV.
- Navigate to the home screen, then click “System Settings.”
- Select “TV Settings,” then “Turn on Match TV Power State.”
On the PlayStation 4:
- Connect your PS4 to your Roku TV, and turn the power on.
- From the home screen, click “Settings,” then “System Settings.”
- Check the box that says “Enable HDMI Device Link.”
At this point, your console is linked with your Roku TV. When you turn on your console, the TV will automatically turn on.
When you turn your console off, the TV will shut off on its own.
It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s a quick and dirty way to turn on your TV for gaming.
4. Try Your Universal Remote
The last three methods are only partially effective.
A game console or the power button can turn a Roku TV on and off, but you can’t adjust other settings.
The app can control all aspects of the TV, but unless your phone has an infrared sensor, it can’t turn on the TV.
If you want a fully functional remote, there are options.
You may even be able to use a universal remote that’s already lying around your house.
Not all remotes are compatible, though.
You’ll have to check Roku’s website for a list of remotes, including the codes necessary to program them.
What If My Roku TV Still Won’t Turn On?
If none of these methods works, there’s probably something else going on.
Double-check that your TV is plugged in, and that your circuit breaker hasn’t tripped.
It also helps to reset the Roku TV.
Unplug it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in.
If it still doesn’t work, there’s probably something else wrong with the TV.
In Summary
All four of these methods are viable ways to control your Roku TV.
It’s also sensible to use them in combination.
You can use the power button to turn the TV on and off and use the app to control the settings.
You can program a universal remote control, but let the TV turn on automatically when you fire up your Nintendo Switch.
It’s all up to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I manually turn on my Roku?
The easiest way to manually turn on your Roku TV is to use the built-in power button.
However, the smartphone app can be very handy for many other functions.
You can use a game console, negating the need for a controller altogether.
You can even reprogram many third-party universal remotes to work with a Roku TV.
Are there buttons on a Roku TV?
Yes. That said, Roku TVs are made by different manufacturers, and they all have unique design quirks.
The location of the button will depend on the exact model.
Different manufacturers put them in different spots.
Depending on the brand, it could be located on the back of the screen, or somewhere on the underside.
