Roku Remote Options

Some of you may already know that the Roku remote can be a bit tempermental.  You may wish to consider setting your Roku remote aside and start using the Roku Remote Control App in its place.

You can get the Roku Remote Control App from here or just go to the App Store on your phone and search for "Roku Remote Control". They have both an Android version and an iPhone version.

IMHO, the Roku Remote Control App is a whole lot better than the Roku remote control.  I use the Roku Remote Control App about 98% of the time - it really is that much more convenient and reliable.

Go ahead and check it out.  Oh, yeah, it's free so the price isn't so bad either!

The Dreaded "Error Code 014": Solution #1

My first Roku setup went like a dream.  My second setup (for my in-laws) was not so easy.  I was setting up the wireless connection and I got an error message:

    Error Code 014

Ouch!  Not a very informative error message.  You should know that a number of issues can cause and Error Code 014.  Unfortunately, the Roku engineers used this error code as a 'catch all' for any network connection problems.

OK, here's what you should do if you get and Error Code 014:

If you're getting an Error Code 014 while trying to setup a wireless connection, are you able to plug the Roku into the network using an Ethernet cable?  I'm not sugesting you do this permanently,  rather, connecting the Roku to the Internet using an Ethernet cable can get you past an outdated firmware issue.

Try this:

1. Connect your Roku to your cable modem or to your router using an Ethernet cable.
2. Complete the setup for an Ethernet connection in the Roku settings.
3. While Ethernet connection is active (i.e. still connected to your modem or router) go back to the Internet settings on the Roku and choose the wireless connection option.
4. After choosing the wireless option, choose your network.
5. Input your password (remember, case matters!).
6. You should now be connected to your wireless network.

If the underlying reason for the Error Code 014 was outdated wireless firmware, connecting your Roku using an Ethernet cable allows the Roku to download the lastest and greatest firmware. 

If this didn't work for you, don't panic.  Take a look at Solution #2, below.

The Dreaded "Error Code 014": Solution #2

If Solution #1 didn't work for you and you still have an Error Code 014, do not despair.  Let's reset you Roku back to the factory settings and then re-enter your settings.

The quickest method to do a factory reset:  merely press and hold the Roku 'Reset' button on the back of the unit for 15 seconds.

Another way to do a factory reset:

1. From the Roku Home screen, press the Up button on the remote to activate the Menu Bar.
2. Select 'Settings'.
3. Select 'Factory Reset'.
4. Select 'Factory Reset' again.
5. Select Yes.

Now let's set your Roku up again:

1. After the restart, you will be prompted to select your time zone.  Change to your correct time zone then select “done.”
2. The next screen will display a unique code to link your Roku player.  Open a browser session on your computer and go to www.roku.com/link.
3. Enter the code displayed by your Roku player on your TV. (You may have done this on your first setup but if you see the code on the TV screen, enter the code.)
4. Log into your Roku account and follow all steps, including selecting a payment method and selecting your initial channel lineup.  This will complete the linking process.

If this didn't work for you and you're still seeing an Error Code 014, don't panic. Take a look at Solution #3, below.

The Dreaded "Error Code 014": Solution #3

You must get the latest software - if my previous suggestions did not work, try these steps:

Force a Software Update:  On your Roku remote:

• Press the Home button 5 times
• Press the Fast Forward button 3 times
• Press Rewind button 2 times

You will get an unusual screen known as the 'secret screen'.  There you have to check your IP address that it is not all 0's. Select the option to update software. The Roku player should now restart.

Disable Pingback:  Once the Roku completes the setup, enter the following on your Roku remote:

• Press the Home button 5 times
• Press the Fast Forward button 1 time
• Press the Play button 1 time
• Press the Rewind button 1 time
• Press the Play button 1 time
• Press the Fast Forward button 1 time

This will take you to the another secret screen.  Select the option to disable network ping.

Now you must start your Roku setup from the beginning.  Hopefully this will solve your problem and will  get you connected.

Roku Remote Stopped Working - Easy Solution

So maybe you're been using your Roku for a while and everything is hunky-dory.  Then one day you're stabbing at the buttons on your remote and nothing happens.  Damn!!!  My Roku remote stopped working - WHY????

This is an easy fix that you can do in just 3 minutes.  There are a lot of blogs and forums that will give you bad advice on how to fix the 'Roku remote stopped working' situation - please, DO NOT do either of the following:

• Perform a factory reset on the Roku box.
• Swap out your remote and buy a new one.

A factory reset of the Roku box won't make a difference.  Buying a new remote, well, that will work but it's not necessary and it's a little extreme.

Here's what you need to do if your Roku remote stopped working:

1. Remove the batteries from the remote.
2. Look carefully into the battery compartment of the remote and locate the purple button shown circled in red, below:



3. Unplug the power from the Roku.
4. Wait for 5 seconds.
5. Connect the power back to the Roku.
6. Wait for Roku banner to bounce around on the screen.
7. Put the batteries back in the remote.
8. Press and hold the purple button in the battery compartment of the remote for 5 seconds.
9. Wait for the Roku to finish booting up.

Now you should be good to go.  I'll bet you're glad you didn't do a factory reset, yes?  Better still, you've got to be delighted you didn't spend any more cash on a new remote, too.

Before we gloat maybe this didn't work for you.  If you've tried this a couple times with no success, now you're REALLY pissed and I don't blame you.  I'll tell you how to get this straightened out in just another 5 minutes, my friend. 

Take a cleaning breath, grab your smart phone and go get the Roku Remote Control App from here or just go to the App Store on your phone and search for "Roku Remote Control".  They have both an Android version and an iPhone version.

The fact is that the Roku Remote Control App is superior to the Roku remote control - period.  If for no other reason, it's a great backup when the Roku Remote gets lost in the cushions or after Fido stimulates his gums with it.

I hope you're watching your program by now.  If neither of the above suggestions work, keep looking around on the web.  Maybe there's another post that will get you back on track.

Roku Connected to Apple Airport

Are you having trouble with a Roku that is connected to an Airport?  Here's how you might resolve the problem.

1. Unplug your Roku.
2. Unplug your Airport.
3. Unplug your cable or DSL modem.

Leave the above items unplugged for a full 3 minutes.  This ensure that any onboard power has dissipated.  After the 3 minutes is up, do the following:

1. Plug in and power up your cable or DSL modem and wait for all lights to go green.
2. Plug in and power up your Airport and wait for all lights to go green.
3. Plug in your Roku and wait for the bouncing Roku banner.
4. Repeat the network setup procedure.

Notice the power down and power up sequences are in the opposite order.  This type of 'cascading' sequence is important, especially when you plug in and power on each device.

Comcast is Evil!

I'm usually scraping to get by each month.  I get paid every other Friday and usually by Sunday I have less than $100 in my account.  Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful to be employed and I live a full and wonderful life.  I'm just living hand-to-mouth most of the time so I'm always looking for a way to save a buck.

One bill I've had for years and years is for my cable which is through Comcast, our local carrier.  I get Internet, video and phone service.  I add a few premium channels and I try to take advantage of whatever deals they offer.

I was paying roughly $150 a month.  Some months I'd get behind and have to pay catch-up which would cost me $300.  Here's a reminder:

How did this get so expensive?  I remember when cable first came out and it cost $29.95 a month!

Comcast is big, Comcast is clever and Comcast is evil  They have a very simple plan:  take all your money.

So I came up with a plan....

Saying Goodbye to Cable

If you're independently wealthy, read no further.

If you enjoy paying a couple hundred bucks a months for cable, read no further.

If you enjoy paying a fee to watch re-runs of 10 year old B movies on Showtime or HBO, read no further.

If you're still reading, you and I have a lot in common. I'm going to show you how a Roku box can change all this.



You'll have more current, contemporary content available at a tiny fraction of what you're paying for cable today.  More content that you'll be able to view in your lifetime - several lifetimes in fact.

It's small, easy to setup and it will change the way you watch TV and what you watch on TV - all for the better!