Hisense Roku TV Not Responding To Remote? (Here’s the Fix)

We know how frustrating it is when Hisense Roku TV not responding to remote, especially if you’re ready to start relaxing with your favorite show.
Whatever the cause, you’re not alone in facing this issue, and the good news is that there are a few straightforward steps to get things back on track.
Some of these steps include:
Let’s unwrap some practical solutions that will get your control over Hisense TV back in no time!
Hisense Roku TV Not Responding to Remote – 7 Quick Fixes!
Note: Have you tried power cycling the Hisense Roku TV?
1. Check the Remote Batteries
If your Hisense Roku TV isn’t responding to the remote, start with the batteries.
Remove the two AA batteries, switch their positions, and reinsert them.
If it still doesn’t work, replace them with fresh AA batteries, since dead batteries are the most common issue for remote problems.
How to Test if Remote is Working?
So, to check if the Hisense Roku TV remote is working, use your smartphone’s camera.
Point the remote’s IR sensor at the lens, press a button, and look for a purple flash on your screen.
If you see it, the Roku remote is sending an IR signal; if not, the batteries are dead or there is a TV problem.
If you see no purplish flashes, make sure to test with multiple Roku remote buttons.
Note: If you see no purplish light, replace the batteries!
2. Rest and Re-Pair the Remote
If your remote is sending signals but your Hisense Roku TV isn’t recognizing them, you need to troubleshoot the connection.
Hisense Roku TV remotes are “simple”, which means they use (IR) light, and they should pair automatically when you press a button while pointing at the TV.
However, if something is not working, like a blocked signal or a glitch, you can reset and re-pair the remote control to get things working again.
2.1 How to Resetthe Roku Remote?
There’s no reset button for a Roku “simple” remote, but you can still give it a quick refresh.
To do so, eject the batteries, wait a few seconds, then put them back in.
2.2 How to Pair a Roku Remote?
A simple Roku remote doesn’t need manual pairing since it’s designed to connect automatically via IR.
Just point it directly at the TV’s receiver and press any button.
Note: It’s crucial to verify that there is nothing blocking/obstructing the Hisense TV IR receiver!
3. Verify a Clear IR Light of Sight
Your Hisense Roku TV remote uses infrared (IR) signals; hence, obstruction between it and the Hisense TV receiver can block the infrared light.
Here’s how to ensure a clear path and boost that signal connection:
- Furniture: Move tables or chairs between the remote and the TV.
- Objects: Clear books or decor blocking the television’s sensor.
- Reflection: Verify there are no metallic and reflective surfaces.
- TV Sensor: Clean the TV IR sensor with a dry microfiber cloth.
- Remote: Wipe the remote IR bulb “eye” to remove dust buildup.
Important: Try to interact with the Hisense Roku TV while staying close, on the same elevation!
4. Check & Resolve Interference
Even with working batteries and a direct line of sight, your Hisense Roku TV remote might still fail if other devices are interfering with its infrared (IR) signal.
Nearby electronics or lighting can impact the connection, so you may need to power off or relocate certain sources of interference.
Here are some working ways to isolate IR interference:
- Move gadgets like wireless routers or Bluetooth speakers.
- Unplug nearby devices, such as a soundbar/game console.
- Power off other TVs in the same room as your Hisense TV.
- Eject the batteries of any other remotes in the same room.
Pro Tip: Test each fix one at a time to identify the exact source of interference!
5. Use the Roku Mobile App (Workaround)
When your Hisense Roku TV not working with remote, there is a quick workaround, that will help you regain control over your TV.
Well, this method would only work if your Hisense Roku TV is already connected to Wi-Fi or you can control the Hisense TV using the built-in buttons.
You can regain control over your Hisense Roku TV using the Roku mobile application.
It simply turns your smartphone into a Wi-Fi remote, allowing access to all buttons the actual remote has.
Here is how to download and set up the Roku TV mobile application:
- Get your Roku app from Google Play or the App Store.
- Then, install the app and sign into your Roku account.
- Connect the smartphone to the same Wi-Fi as the TV.
- Open the Roku app and press “Devices” at the bottom.
- Then, you must tap the Hisense Roku TV from the list.
- Tap on the “Remote” icon to access the control screen.
- Use the Roku application’s remote to navigate your TV.
- You must keep your phone and TV on the same Wi-Fi.
With the applications set up, you can control your Hisense Roku TV without the physical remote.
Well, it’s a 100% working fix to keep you streaming, but it’s not a permanent solution to rely on.
Note: Use the official Roku Inc. app, not third-party versions!
6. Factory Reset Hisense Roku TV
Sometimes, the problem isn’t your remote or IR signals, instead, it’s in the Roku system or TV software that’s causing all this fuss.
A factory reset will reinstall the Roku operating system, fixing glitches by restoring the device to its original settings.
Warning: The factory reset erases all data, so back up any settings!
There are two ways to reset Hisense Roku TV, based on whether you have control over it:
6.1 Reset Through Menus:
- Press the Home button on the app remote.
- Then, scroll to Settings in the main menu.
- Next, select System from the options list.
- Choose Advanced system settings next.
- Select the Factory reset option in the tab.
- Then, choose Factory reset everything.
- Follow the instructions to finalize the reset.
You might be asked to insert the 4-digit PIN, shown under the number pad.
6.2 Physical Button Reset:
- Find the Reset button on the TV’s back or bottom.
- Next, ensure the TV is working before proceeding.
- Then, press and hold the button for 10–15 seconds.
- Finally, watch for blinking LEDs to confirm the reset.
Once done, you must set up your Hisense Roku TV from scratch and connect it to the Wi-Fi.
7. Replace the Roku Simple Remote
If none of the fixes above work, and your Hisense Roku TV is not responding to remote, you may be dealing with a hardware defect.
Hence, replacing the remote may be the only working solution, but don’t worry–simple remotes go for as little as $10, making it quick and affordable.
When to Replace a Remote?
- Dead buttons show internal hardware failure.
- No IR light means the sensor is likely broken
- Physical cracks or liquids in the HW circuitry.
You can purchase a new Simple Remote straight from the official Roku website or any retailer, but make sure that it’s original before buying.
Third-party or unoriginal remotes may not work!

Finn Wheatley, a Master’s graduate in Computer Science from UCL, London, honed his skills at small data science consultancies. There, he helped large corporations enhance their data capabilities by deploying cutting-edge machine learning analytics and resolving technical hurdles.