7 Ways to Enter Channel Number on a Roku Remote

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Baffled by the lack of numeric keypads on Roku remotes? You’re not alone.

Many grapple with how to enter channel numbers on Roku Live TV.

This article unveils seven effective methods to tackle this issue.

Explore to simplify your channel-changing process on Roku.

Do Any Roku Remotes Have Numbers?

No, none of the Roku devices’ or TVs’ remotes have numbers.

However, this doesn’t mean you’re left without options when it comes to changing the channel number on your Roku. In fact, there are several workarounds and methods you can try.

Let’s explore seven simple ways to change the channel or even enter channel numbers on your Roku live TV.

7 Ways to Change Channel or Enter the Channel Number on Your Roku Live TV 

1. Use the Original TV Remote (If a Roku Device Is Connected to Your TV)

If you’re connecting a Roku device to your existing TV, such as an LG TV, you may leverage the HDMI CEC feature to enter the desired channel number using the LG remote. 

Most TVs automatically enable HDMI CEC when you connect a Roku device, but if it doesn’t, make sure to manually activate this function.

For Samsung TVs, you can follow specific instructions to activate CEC, while LG TVs have their own set of instructions to enable CEC.

However, if you’ve already activated the HDMI CEC feature on your Roku device and connected it to your TV, but still find that nothing happens when attempting to change channels using the number buttons, don’t worry.

There are other methods that can help you overcome this hurdle and provide you with the convenience of a numerical keypad. Keep trying the following solutions, as we have several approaches that are sure to allow you to effortlessly change the channel.

2. Try Another TV Remote You Have

In the case of a Roku TV, another TV remote with infrared (IR) signals might also be capable of controlling your Roku TV, just like this user’s case.

However, it’s important to note that Roku Stick devices cannot receive IR signals and, therefore, won’t work with any IR remotes.

Other Roku devices should work just fine with compatible IR remotes. 

And although there are still instances where an IR remote might not support your Roku (like this user found), it’s still worth giving it a try.

3. Use the Voice Feature on the Roku Remote or the Roku Mobile App

How to Know If Your Roku Remote Supports Voice Feature

• Quickly check to see if your Roku remote has the Mic or Magnifying Glass button.
• Alternatively, you can select your specific Roku device from the Roku comparison table to confirm if it comes with a voice remote.
• Consult the user manual for your Roku remote to verify whether or not it supports voice commands.

If your Roku remote doesn’t have the voice feature, don’t worry! You can still utilize vocal commands to change the channel by installing the Roku Mobile app on your smartphone. Simply proceed to solutions 6 and 7 to learn how to do so.

How to Use the Roku Remote’s Voice Feature to Change Channel

Step 1: Press and hold the Mic or Magnifying Glass button on your Roku remote.

If you’ve installed the app following the #5 solution, you can press the Mic icon in the app to activate the voice command feature.

Step 2: Now, you can speak one of the commands listed in the Roku link here to control the channel and enjoy hands-free channel changing.

4. Open the Numerical Keypad 

Some Roku devices offer a convenient method for entering channel numbers. 

Step 1: When on the Live TV list, you can press the Asterisk (*) button on your remote to open the numerical keypad. 

Step 2: Simply enter the desired channel number using this keypad.

5. Install and Launch the Roku Mobile App

Note: If you encounter compatibility issues, an alternate solution is to install a universal remote app (read solution #6 for more details).

Countries that Support the Roku App

The Roku mobile app is supported in the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Ireland, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Note: Only users in the United States can stream content directly from The Roku Channel within the mobile app.

How to Install Roku App in Unsupported Countries

The Roku mobile app is only available in select countries, so if you’re not in these supported countries, a VPN connection is a must to download the app.

If you’re using an unsupported country account for your app store, it’s essential to have an account registered with a US location (or a supported country) to download the Roku app (especially for iPhone users).

This is because most of them recognize your location based on the country you’ve registered when signing up for an account.

By ensuring your account is set to the US, you can successfully download the Roku app and access its features on your phone.

Also, in some cases, you’ll need to establish a VPN (Virtual Private Network) connection to install the Roku app. Follow these steps to set up a VPN network.

Step 1: On your smartphone, go to the app store and search for ExpressVPN, we recommend ExpressVPN as it has a 3-month free trial.

Step 2: Create an account and log in.

Step 3: Choose one of the supported countries mentioned earlier as your VPN connection location/server.

Step 4: Create a new Apple ID (for iPhones) or Google account (for Android) and log it into your smartphone as the main profile. And proceed to the next section.

How to Install & Use the Roku App to Enter Channel Number

Now, let’s proceed with installing and using the Roku Mobile app to enter channel numbers:

Step 1: On your smartphone or a mobile device, go to the app store and install the Roku Mobile app (Android – iOS), and launch it.

Step 2: Ensure that both your Roku and smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Sign in to your Roku account on the Roku Mobile app. The app will automatically detect and connect to your Roku device on the Wi-Fi network (allow it to do so).

Step 4: Once your Roku device is successfully connected to the app, navigate to the Remote tab.

Step 5: Now, press the Keyboard icon to enter the desired channel number, and then press the OK button to confirm.

By following these steps, you can install and use the Roku Mobile app to easily enter channel numbers, providing you with a convenient alternative to Roku remotes without numerical buttons.

6. Install and Launch a Universal Remote App

Similar to using the Roku Mobile App, you can install a universal remote app on your smartphone to control your Roku device.

Step 1: Install a universal remote (we recommend these apps for Android and iOS smartphones).

Step 2: Ensure that both your Roku and smartphone are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Step 3: Then, press the Keyboard icon to enter your favorite channel number, and press the OK button after that to confirm.

7. Buy a Universal Remote

If you prefer a physical remote with numeric buttons, you can buy an IR universal remote and pair it with your Roku TV.

This way, you’ll have a dedicated numerical keypad for changing channels. Consult our detailed article on how to use a universal remote with a numerical keypad on your Roku.

4 Pro Tips to Quickly Access Your Favorite Live TV Channel

1. Add the Channel to Your Favorite List 

Step 1: From Roku’s Home screen, navigate to Live TV.

Step 2: Highlight your favorite channel, then press the Asterisk (*) button on your Roku remote, and select Favorite this channel.

Step 3: The next time you want to access your favorite channels, all you need to do is open the Favorites list.

2. Hide Channels You’ll Never Watch

Customizing your Live TV list by hiding channels that you seldom or never watch is a worthwhile endeavor that can greatly enhance your viewing experience.

Imagine never having to encounter those irrelevant channels again! Investing a little time in following our instructions below will enable you to curate a Live TV list tailored to your preferences.

Step 1: From Roku’s Home screen, navigate to Live TV.

Step 2: Highlight any random channel on the list, then press the Asterisk (*) button on your Roku remote, and select Manage channels.

Step 3: Choose Edit channel lineup.

Step 4: Now, you’ll be presented with a list of channels. Simply check the boxes next to the channels you wish to hide, ensuring that only your preferred channels remain visible.

3. Click the Rewind or Fast-Foward Button

Instead of going through every single channel one by one, utilize the rewind or fast-forward button on your Roku remote. 

This allows you to skip through multiple channels at a time, making it way quicker to find the desired channel.

4. Search a Channel According to Its Category

Step 1: From Roku’s Home screen, navigate to Live TV.

Step 2: Press the Left Arrow (←) button on the Roku remote to access the category list. This helps you quickly locate channels based on their specific category.

To Sum Up

Navigating Roku’s live TV channels without numerical buttons on the remote can be a frustrating experience.

However, there are several simple and effective ways to overcome this challenge and change channels with ease.

Whether it’s using the original TV remote, leveraging voice commands and the Roku Mobile app, opening the numerical keypad, or even installing a universal remote app, there’s a solution for everyone.

By following the steps outlined in this article, you can bid farewell to tedious channel surfing and embrace a more streamlined and enjoyable TV viewing experience.

Also, remember to customize your Live TV list by hiding unwanted channels, adding favorites for quick access, and utilizing the rewind or fast-forward buttons to save time. 

With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to navigate Roku’s live TV channels like a pro.

What is your experience with changing Roku Live TV channels? Let us know in the comment section below!

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