How to Connect Alexa to Roku

Browse Netflix, change volumes, or pause playback with Alexa commands.

By
Tricia Goss
Tricia Goss
Tricia Goss
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  • Pima College
Tricia Goss has been a writer and editor for 10+ years. She's written tips and tutorials for Microsoft Office applications and other sites.
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Updated on February 13, 2021
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
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Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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What to Know

  • In the Amazon Alexa app, go to Menu > Skills & Games > Roku > Enable to Use > Link Devices.
  • Use Alexa voice commands to control the Roku device.

This article explains how to use an Alexa device like an Echo Dot to control a Roku streaming media player, including downloading an app and a corresponding Alexa skill. Instructions apply to Amazon Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Spot, Echo Show, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap, and Fire HD 10 Tablet.

Lifewire / Jie En Lee 

Roku and Alexa can be used with a wide variety of televisions, including those from LG, Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, and Vizio, among others.

How to Connect Alexa to Roku

To control Roku with Alexa, you will need to download the Amazon Alexa app and the Roku Alexa skill.

  1. Download the Amazon Alexa app for Android or iOS.

  2. Open the Amazon Alexa app.

    Make sure your device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku device.

  3. Select the Menu icon, indicated by three horizontal lines in the upper left corner.

  4. Select Skills & Games.

  5. Select the search icon, indicated my a magnifying glass in the upper right corner. Type "Roku" and select Search.

  6. Select the Roku skill and then Enable To Use.

  7. You will be prompted to link your Roku account. Select the device(s) you wish to control, and then follow the prompts to return to the Alexa app. Alexa will search for Roku devices on your Wi-Fi network. When the Device Discovery process finishes, select the Roku device(s), then select Continue.

  8. Choose the Amazon Alexa device(s) you would like to use to control Roku, then select Link Devices.

How to Use Voice Commands to Control Roku With Alexa

Once you've connected both your Roku and Amazon Alexa devices, you can use voice commands to control your Roku.

Amazon Echo Dot on Books
Andres Urena/Unsplash

There are dozens of commands available to control Roku with Alexa. To help you get started, here are a few of the most useful ones:

  • “Alexa, pause on living room Roku."
  • “Alexa, launch Prime Video on living room Roku."
  • “Alexa, find documentaries on bedroom Roku."
  • “Alexa, show comedies on kitchen Roku."
  • "Alexa, turn on living room Roku TV."
  • "Alexa, turn up the volume on living room Roku."
  • “Alexa, switch to HDMI 2 on bedroom Roku."

You will need to enable Fast TV Start on your Roku device for Alexa to turn the television on and off.

Make sure your Wi-Fi is always on, even when the Roku is in sleep mode; otherwise, Alexa will not be able to send it commands.

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