In the world of home entertainment, remotes are their own sort of language. Each TV brand tends to have its own “accent,” if you will. LG remotes are designed for LG TVs, Roku TVs have their own style, and universal remotes try to translate between them all. But let’s focus on the main question: can you use an LG remote with a Roku TV? I’ll walk through what works, what doesn’t, and why it can be a little more complicated than it first seems.
How TV Remotes Talk to Their TVs: A Beginner’s Walkthrough
Let me explain something that took me forever to really grasp: not all remotes work the same way. Most LG TV remotes use infrared (IR) signals. Imagine invisible beams shooting out whenever you hit a button, aiming straight at your TV’s little “eye.” If you’ve ever waved your remote wildly because something blocked the signal, yeah, you’ve witnessed IR in action.
Now, Roku TVs—especially Roku-branded TVs—sometimes use IR, but they can also use wireless tech like Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetoooth. It kind of depends on the specific Roku model (just to keep things spicy). So if you try to “speak” LG-IR to a Roku TV that only understands wireless, you’re basically talking to a brick wall.
That said, some Roku TVs (especially those made by brands like TCL, Hisense, or Sharp) do have IR sensors. Does this mean every IR remote can work? Not so fast! Even if both devices use IR, that doesn’t mean they speak the same “button language.” LG’s remote might send out a code the Roku doesn’t recognize. Imagine trying your house key on your neighbor’s door—same shape, but not a perfect fit.
Compatibility Myth-Busting: Will an LG Remote Work With Your Roku TV?
Here’s the thing: most LG TV remotes aren’t directly compatible with Roku TVs. Why? The remote sends out brand-specific IR codes—like secret handshakes each TV brand invents. When you hit “power” or “volume” on your LG remote, it’s sending signals that only LG TVs understand.
A Roku TV, meanwhile, is listening for a completely different set of signals. So if you point your LG remote at a Roku TV and try to pair or sync it, you’ll probably get… well, crickets.
There are some rare exceptions. For basic functions like power and volume, very old-school universal “TV” codes sometimes overlap. This usually means the most ancient, basic Roku TVs might accidentally recognize the “power” or “mute” from an LG remote. But for actual navigation (like scrolling, selecting apps, or launching Roku channels)? Sorry, you’re out of luck.
Honestly, using an LG remote on a Roku TV is mostly wishful thinking. They’re not designed to be friends out of the box.
Why Remotes Use Different Codes (and Why You Can’t Just Switch Them)
You might be wondering, why can’t companies just agree on one remote language? Wouldn’t that make life easier? Well, yes, but where’s the fun (or, more cynically, profit) in that? Every brand—LG, Samsung, Sony, and Roku—wants their stuff to be special and, honestly, a little exclusive.
Remotes use different code sets—basically, digital Morse code for TVs. When you click “volume up” on an LG remote, it sends a unique pattern of IR blips that only an LG TV (or a universal remote programmed for LG) will recognize. Try that code on a Roku TV, and it’s like trying to unlock your phone with your elbow.
This is partly for tech reasons (companies develop features at their own pace) and partly to encourage you to buy into their “ecosystem.” So, even if both remotes use IR, unless the code sets match, there’s no magic way to sync or pair an LG remote with a Roku TV. It’s not a battery or hardware issue—just plain old digital stubbornness.
Universal Remotes: The Great Translator (Maybe?)
If you’re tired of swapping between multiple remotes—or if your dog has chewed one beyond recognition—there’s hope: universal remotes. These are like the Rosetta Stone of TV control. You program them with the right code, and voila, it can run your LG TV, your Roku TV, your soundbar—even your dusty old DVD player.
But even these have their quirks. Sometimes the code for a TCL Roku TV is not the same as Hisense, even though both run the Roku OS. Setup usually involves:
- Looking up your TV’s brand in the universal remote’s manual or app.
- Entering a code during the sync or pair process.
- Testing each button—sometimes power works, but volume doesn’t, and you have to try another code.
If you go this route, read the remote’s fine print. Some “universal” models only work with IR devices, not the Bluetooth or Wi-Fi remotes that advanced Roku sticks use. Also, don’t forget about batteries—dead batteries turn even the smartest remote into a paperweight.
Smartphone Remote Apps: An Unexpected Alternative
Here’s a plot twist: if you can’t use your LG remote, your phone might save the day. A lot of Roku TVs support the official Roku remote app, free for iOS and Android. These apps use your Wi-Fi network to talk to your TV, bypassing the whole IR situation.
The catch? Both your phone and your Roku TV have to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. If your internet is down, or your TV is off the grid, the app won’t find your TV. But if it does, you get a full touchscreen remote—sometimes even better than the real thing.
Pro tip: The LG TV Plus app only works with LG smart TVs, not Roku TVs. Stick to the official Roku app for streaming boxes and Roku-enabled TVs.
Troubleshooting: What to Do When Remotes Refuse to Cooperate
Let’s say you’ve tried everything. You pointed your LG remote at your Roku TV, nothing happened. You tried a universal remote, and it only half-worked. Don’t panic—there are a few troubleshooting tricks you can try:
- Reset your remotes: Sometimes, remotes need a fresh start. Remove the batteries, wait a minute, then pop them back in.
- Check for obstructions: Make sure nothing is blocking the IR sensor on your TV, like a soundbar or those piles of magazines I keep meaning to recycle.
- Double-check codes: If you’re setting up a universal remote, try every code listed under your TV’s brand—sometimes the third or fourth code is the winner.
- Test the remote sensor: You can point your phone’s camera at the remote, press a button, and see if you spot a flashing light in the camera image. If so, it’s sending a signal. If not, you might need new batteries.
If nothing works after honest tries, the simplest solution is usually to get a replacement remote made for your exact TV model—or stick with a good universal remote that lists Roku-branded TVs as compatible.
When an LG Remote Might Work: Special Cases and HDMI-CEC
Alright, to be super thorough, let’s talk about a tiny loophole: HDMI-CEC. This is a tech feature on many modern TVs and devices that lets one remote do basic control across everything plugged into your TV’s HDMI ports.
If both your LG TV and your Roku box (not Roku TV) support HDMI-CEC—and if the feature is actually turned on in the settings—you might be able to do things like turn the Roku on or off, or control the volume, with your TV’s remote. This only works for basic functions and not for full Roku menu navigation. And again, this usually only matters when you’re plugging a Roku streaming stick into a TV—not when using a full Roku-branded television.
So, if you’re dreaming of using your LG remote for menu surfing or app searching on a Roku TV, HDMI-CEC won’t save you. But if you just want to turn everything on or off with one button? It can be worth checking your settings.
LG Magic Remotes: Cool Gadget, Same Old Limits
You might’ve seen the LG Magic Remote—it’s the fancy, wand-shaped one with the pointer and scroll wheel. It’s great for surfing on LG’s webOS, but what about using it with a Roku TV? Could you code, sync, or pair it like a universal remote?
Sadly, no dice. The Magic Remote’s universal control feature is mainly meant for cable boxes, disc players, soundbars, and projectors—usually via IR. There’s no supported way to pair it with another brand of smart TV like a Roku. Even if you tinker with the remote’s settings or try to “learn” commands, you’ll find it can’t crack Roku’s code set.
If you really want one remote to rule them all, a dedicated universal remote from a third-party brand is going to be your best bet. I wish LG’s tech wizards would open things up, but for now, that’s just how it is.
So, What’s the Best Way to Control Your Roku TV?
After all these detours and dead ends, here’s my honest take: If you have a Roku TV, stick to the remote that came with it. Or buy an official Roku-branded replacement if you’ve lost yours. If you need one-remote-to-control-everything magic, invest in a well-reviewed universal remote—it’s less stressful than trying to make an LG remote do tricks it wasn’t built for.
If you’re really in a pinch, the smartphone app can get you out of trouble, especially for streaming and typing. As much as I love LG’s remotes (their design is top-notch), they just weren’t coded to chat with Roku TVs.
So, next time you’re hunting through the couch cushions and thinking about mixing and matching remotes, remember: the brands built their remotes for their own gear. Sometimes, the simplest answer is also the safest bet.
When in doubt, grab the remote made for your device—or trust a universal remote that promises Roku compatibility on the box.
There’s always a temptation to make things easier by using one remote for everything, but tech doesn’t always cooperate. Hopefully, you’re now armed with enough info to avoid hours of frustration—and hey, maybe your remote pile will be a little less confusing from now on.
