Remote battery life

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone had issues with the amount of times they need to keep changing the batteries in their remote?

At the moment I'm having to replace my batteries every 3 months.

That surely can't be right?

[schnapps]

Hi @Anonymous User

Both my nowtv smart remote on my 4K smart box and Roku remote on my Roku Stick Plus offers similar battery life of 3 to 4 months.

Where I am guessing because it uses direct WiFi to operate the devices, it drains the batteries more quickly because its always on the WiFi network, compared to a conventional IR remote which only uses battery power when you pressing the remote buttons. 

[Anonymous User]

Having same problem. Put new batteries in on Christmas Day and it’s already run out. Probably 5th set of batteries in 2 months and there not cheap either 😡

[schnapps]

Hi @Anonymous User 

I have noticed since recent firmware / software updates on my NowTV 4K Smart box that the smart remote controller is starting to eat through batteries myself where i am getting about a month out of my remote.

Also i noticed when using cheaper batteries, when the battery level is about 50 % or less the remote starts to get unresponsive 😡. 

[Anonymous User]

Mine are draining weekly??!!

[iHubbi]

Hi everyone, 

It sounds like a physical technical fault with the remote as my understanding is that the remote doesn't work unless you have physical pressed a button so to make a connection which then transmit the information to the box. 

If your battery is draining down in a short time then this could be caused by either a short in your remote or a faulty battery (unlikely).

It's very easy to get a short in your remote control it can be caused by spilling a drink on it.

I hope that this will help. 

Good luck. 

GJ

[Anonymous User]

I have the same problem.

The Now TV remote is basically a Ruko remote. They are all having the same problem. It appears to be design / firmware as the remotes are not infra-red (because the stick is behind your tv).

That said, it is not good.

Sollution - Probably isn't one!

[Ves]

INSTALL on you phone "Roku - Official Remote Control" and control from your device. Works for both Apple and Android phone.

[RoyB]

@Ves 

I have had to factory reset my Now Stick because it frozen 😢

How do I get back into communication with it from the Roku mobile app?

[Ves]

When you start the app from the bottom menu go to Devices. You should see it there if all ok

[RoyB]

@Ves 

Are you saying that @schnapps is wrong here

https://community.nowtv.com/t5/NOW-Stick/Lost-Now-tV-stick-remote/m-p/573918/highlight/true#M8107

then?

[Ves]

I don't know about that 

Probably the guy is right

[RoyB]

@Ves @schnapps 

Certainly the guy is right.

We might all wish that the Roku app could entirely replace a physical remote, but there is this insurmountable gotcha.

And given that sooner or later (and most probably sooner) any Now Stick is going to need a reset, and they all use the advanced remote that needs to be paired, then either we have to keep a physical remote batteried up in readiness, or keep one without batteries in, and cross our fingers that it will still pair OK when we put the batteries back in (if we can find them), with the reset device 😥