How to Control Roku with Your Voice: A Step-by-Step Guide

It sounds simple, but to control Roku with your voice is not as straightforward as it seems. There are certain procedures one needs to follow. Here in this article, we will walk you through the step-by-step method to control your Roku device using voice commands. Stick till the end to avoid any confusion.

Prerequisites

• Make sure your device is running on Roku OS 9.4 or greater. If not, update your device. You can learn how to set up a Roku streaming device in our detailed guide.

• Get a Roku Voice Remote. (This feature does not work with the standard Roku remote.)

• Alternatively, you can access voice control via the Roku Mobile App.

Steps to Control Roku with Voice commands

After checking the prerequisites, just follow the below steps to control Roku.

Language Selection

By default, Roku devices are set to English. However, languages like German, Portuguese, and Spanish are also available.

To change the language:

1. Open Settings

2. Click on System

3. Select Language

4. Choose your preferred language

5. Click on OK

6. Restart the device for the changes to apply

Keep in mind that once the language is changed, the entire device interface will reflect that change. So, select wisely.

Accessing Voice Control on the Device

This part is quite easy if you want to control Roku with your voice effectively.

• Press the Mic button on your Roku Voice Remote

• Speak the selected command or keyword

Important Tips:

• Hold the remote within 3 inches of your mouth for better accuracy

• Keep pressing the mic button until your command is fully spoken. If you release it too soon, the command may not register

What You Can Do with Roku Voice Commands

When we talk about voice control, it’s important to note that Roku recognizes specific commands. It’s not a full-fledged virtual assistant, but it does make navigating and finding content easier.

For example, you can:

• Find a specific movie or show

  • “Batman”

  • “Find Batman The Dark Knight”

  • “Show me episodes of How I Met Your Mother”

• Search for actors or directors

  • “Robert Downey Jr.”

  • “Search for action movies with Robert Downey Jr.”

  • “Find all Christopher Nolan films”

• Browse genres

  • “Show me comedies”

  • “Find thriller movies”

• Find genre-specific content on channels

  • “Show documentary films on Sky Store”

For more advanced controls like mirroring your Android to Roku, you might want to check out our guide on how to cast from Android to Roku TV.

FAQs