Harmony Remote For Roku: Everything You Need To Know
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Finding the right universal remote to work with your Roku can be a little tricky if you don’t know what you’re looking for. I personally would highly recommend a couple models of Logitech’s Harmony Remote for your Roku.
Before making your buying decision, you should know “why” and a few ins and outs.
This article will help serve as a guide for everything you need to know about using your Harmony Remote for Roku and to help answer some common questions like:
- Can I use a Harmony Remote with my particular Roku?
- Will standard universal remotes work with my Roku?
- How do I get started setting it up?
- Helpful Tips and Troubleshooting
In today’s world of accessible streaming services, we are inundated with options for how to interact with our media. The more devices we use, the more remotes we tend to collect.
If you’re like me and often misplace your remotes, a universal media remote compatible with all your devices is a necessity.
Logitech, a company well known for its reliable and affordable electronic devices, offers a line of universal remotes, called Harmony Remotes.
Some of the Harmony Remotes from Logitech are perfectly compatible with all Roku devices.
Before moving on, let me tell you the two I recommend that will work with your Roku and nearly any other device in your household.
I’m getting ready to tell you all about these and where to get them. First let’s see if your Roku actually needs a Harmony Smart Remote.
Note: If you’d rather skip the details and see the remotes, what they have to offer and where to get them feel free to scroll down.
Universal Remotes: The Basics
Universal remotes are adjusting to the demands of modern technology. They’re no longer just a solution to control your TV and cable box. Some modern universal remotes can control smart devices and even interact with Google Home and Alexa.
You can often control several simultaneous devices at the single touch of a button – everything from smart lights to video game consoles.
Typically, universal remotes communicate via IR (Infrared) with your devices. This limits their functionality and compatibility.
Can You Use Any Universal Remote With Roku?
This depends on which Roku you have. If you have a Roku Streaming Stick, then you will need a special remote, because it doesn’t have IR capabilities and thus can not directly interact with most universal remotes.
Roku does offer many products that can be used with a standard universal remote though.
Those models include:
(Click to view on Amazon)
Does The Harmony Remote Work With Roku Streaming Stick?
Yes, the Harmony Hub Based Remotes will work with your Roku Streaming Stick. The reason is that it’s WiFi capable, which is how Roku’s factory remote controls the device.
You can directly interact with any of your Roku devices this way, along with up to 15 other devices in your household. You’ll also have customized controls at the touch of your fingers.
Logitech says the Harmony Hub remotes are compatible with 5,000 brands and well over 200,000 devices. They can also control smart thermostats, lights and much more.
You can even integrate the remote with Alexa to control all your devices with the sound of your voice.
Which Harmony Remote Works With Roku Streaming Stick?
Understandably, It can be challenging to distinguish between the different universal remotes. Before we get into more details on the functionality, let’s take a look at the two most viable options available if you’re looking to get a Harmony Remote:
Harmony Elite
Coming in at the higher price point, Logitech’s Harmony Elite offers complete control over your entertainment systems and smart home technology. Additionally, the Elite boasts a full-color touch screen display, and the ability to consolidate fifteen remotes into one, making it an excellent and all-inclusive option.
Features and Specifications:
- Can be bundled/purchased with Roku
- Can control up to 15 separate devices
- Compatible with the Harmony iOS and Android app
- One-touch Activities
- Voice integration for smart home technology
- Offers a full-color touch screen interface
Harmony Companion
The Harmony Companion by Logitech is a great, budget-friendly option if you’re looking for loads of features without breaking the bank. Though it doesn’t have a color display like some of the other models, the Companion offers a wide array of features, including Alexa voice-control, One-Touch Actions, Custom Activities, and more.
Features and Specifications:
- Remote functionality, even when you’re not home
- Compatible with over 270,000 devices
- One-touch controls via the mobile app
- Smart home automation compatibility
- Can create unlimited “one-touch” custom activities
Harmony Elite Versus Harmony Companion
| Feature(s) | Harmony Elite | Harmony Companion |
| Harmony Hub Compatible | ✔ | ✔ |
| Rechargeable Battery | ✔ | X |
| Smart Home Compatability | Google Home/Alexa | Google Home/Alexa |
| Voice Activation | ✔ | ✔ |
| Screen | Full-Color Touchscreen | n/a |
| Number of Connected Devices | 15 | 8 |
A Closer Look at the Harmony Hub
As briefly mentioned earlier, these particular Logitech remotes are accompanied by a device called the “Harmony Hub.” This access point allows you to communicate with your devices, regardless of their location (meaning they don’t rely exclusively on IR). It also offers:
- “Closed Cabinet Control”
- This feature allows you to use your devices, even behind closed cabinets with IR, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
- Mobile device compatibility
- You can program unlimited activities directly through the app on most smart devices.
- Control your devices from anywhere
- Many functions can be activated through mobile devices, even when you’re not home.
- Depending on your model, control up to 15 devices
- Anything from TV’s and cable boxes to smart lights and ceiling fans.
- Smart Home Integration
- Control nearly any smart home device.
- Use voice-activated smart home devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Home to control remote functions.
- “One Touch Activities”
- Create commands to turn on multiple devices at the same time.
- “Start Movie Night” could, for instance, turn off the lights, turn on the TV and put on Netflix.
- Access to Roku Apps from Touchscreen
- The Harmony Remotes with touchscreen allow users to easily access many of their Roku apps, without the need for excessive in-app navigation.
- Up to Date Software
- Logitech maintains its software by offering frequent updates. This allows for a consistent experience over time with Roku devices.
- Easy Setup
- As an additional bonus, Harmony Remotes are easy to set up with Roku devices. Let’s take a quick look at getting your Roku setup with a Harmony Remote.
Harmony Remote For Roku Setup
The easiest way to go about getting your Roku setup with your Harmony Remote is to download the associated MyHarmony software (Found Here).
Once you have the desktop software installed and ready to go, it’s just a matter of following a few on-screen prompts and selecting your Harmony Remote. After that, you’re good to go!
Quick Guide:
- Download App (Here)
- Launch the app and sign-in
- Click “Devices > Add a Device.”
- Click “Scan for Devices”
- Add Your Device.
If you are unable to use a computer, you can also set up the Harmony Remote for Roku with the mobile app. After you install and launch the app, select your Roku model from the Device list, and hit “Sync.” That’s all there is to it.
Harmony Hub Not Working With Roku?
You have your Harmony Hub and Remote all setup, but the Hub isn’t working with your Roku. Let’s take a look at some of the potential issues and solutions:
- Harmony Remote buttons intermittently stop working.
- It may seem obvious, but an easy solution to this potential problem is changing the batteries. Many users have found low batteries to cause intermittent button connectivity issues.
- Roku may have been disconnected from your wireless network. Make sure your Roku is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network (You may need to try disconnecting and reconnecting).
- Reboot the remote. When in doubt, rebooting the remote is always a viable option to solve potential response issues.
- There is a noticeable lag between when a button is pressed, and action is taken on the Roku.
- Try updating the software on the Harmony Remote (this can be done through the MyHarmony desktop software, mobile app, or directly on the remote’s touchscreen (not available on all models)
- A potential workaround to this issue is using IR on your Harmony Hub instead of the remote’s Wi-Fi. This may help eliminate the lag associated with network connectivity issues.
- Harmony Hub won’t discover/connect with Roku
- If you are unable to connect your device to the Hub, you can try rebooting it:
- Disconnect Power Cable
- Wait 10 Seconds
- Reconnect Power
- If you are unable to connect your device to the Hub, you can try rebooting it:
*Note: Rebooting the Hub does not delete your settings (stored devices, custom activities, etc.)
Conclusion
The Harmony Remote series offers many great solutions to combining our excessive remotes, into a sophisticated, user-friendly interface. Their compatibility and automation with Roku devices make them a definite must for any smart home enthusiast.
We also have a great article here establishing the best universal remote options to use with Firestick.
