Picture this: You want to watch your favorite show on Netflix but you can’t find the remote. Or maybe it’s the batteries—either way, your TCL Roku TV isn’t turning on and you’re trying to figure out how to get it working without the remote.
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. While most TVs have at least one physical power button, TCL Roku TVs don’t have one of those traditional buttons on their devices that you’re used to. We’ll go over how to turn on your TCL Roku TV even if you can’t find your remote—and also some tips for keeping it from happening again in the future. Let’s dive in!

First Steps to Take When You Can’t Find Your Remote
If you can’t find your remote, don’t panic! There are ways to turn on your TCL Roku TV without using the remote.
First, search for the power button. Depending on your model, this may be located on the right side of the TV or somewhere behind the TV. If you can’t find it there, check your User Guide manual and look for an image of the back of your TCL Roku TV. Once you locate the button press and hold it for three to five seconds to turn it on.
If this doesn’t work, you can use a mobile device or computer to turn it on with your home network. First, make sure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then open up ‘TCL Screen’ app from either device and follow the instructions given there.
Finally, if none of these methods work for you, try unplugging and plugging in again or resetting your device through its internal settings menu. With any luck, this will help take care of whatever issue is causing it not to turn on so that you can get back to watching TV!
How to Use a Smartphone or Tablet as a Remote
Can’t find your remote, but still need to turn on that TCL Roku TV? Worry not—you can take advantage of the Roku smartphone or tablet app as a replacement. All you need is a compatible device and the latest version of the Roku app to get started.
Once you’ve downloaded and opened the app:
- Go to Settings in the left menu.
- Scroll down and select Remote.
- Tap Pair a New Remote.
- The app will then show a 4-digit code; enter this code into your TV screen.
- If the codes match, your device will be registered and ready to go! You’ll be able to control your TV from your smartphone or tablet, so if you’ve misplaced or lost the remote, never fear!
How to Use a Universal Remote Control
If you have a universal remote control, you can still get your TCL Roku TV up and running. All it takes is just a few simple steps.
Setting up the remote
- Locate the setup button on your universal remote. This is usually at the back and maybe labeled differently, but it should be clearly marked.
- Enter the code for your TCL Roku TV, which can usually be found in the instruction manual of the TV or the remote itself. If your code isn’t listed in either of those, you can find other codes online on various websites, like The Universal Remote Control Code Finder website.
- Once you’ve entered the code, keep pressing down on the power button until your TCL Roku comes to life!
There are also some universal remotes that require you to program them with a computer or download an app to enable it to work with your TV – so make sure to check that out too if this traditional method doesn’t work for you! Happy viewing!
Connecting to Your TV With an App
If you still can’t find your remote, you may be in luck. Many TCL Roku TVs have a mobile app that can be used as a remote control for your TV. It’s worth checking out whether the app is available for your particular model of TCL Roku TV, as not all models are compatible with the app.
The mobile app isn’t just another way to turn on your TV; it adds additional functionality not available with the physical remote control. It allows for controlling more than just the power and volume of your TV, such as searching for apps, browsing content and managing other settings. Plus, many apps like Netflix and Sling are available directly in the mobile app.
To connect to the TV using an app:
- Download the TCL Roku Mobile App from Google Play or the App Store
- Follow the instructions in the app to set up and connect to your TV
- Enter text using voice recognition or your own keyboard
- Enjoy control of all your favorite streaming channels
How to Program Your TCL Roku TV Without the Remote
Can’t find your remote and need to turn on your TCL Roku TV? Don’t worry—here are the three ways you can program your TV without a remote.
Use Buttons On the TV
If you have access to the physical buttons on the TV, you can power on your TCL Roku TV as long as it’s plugged in. Here’s how: press and hold the “Home” button on your TV for 12 seconds. Your TV should power up after that.
Use Mobile App
You can also use the mobile app to power your TCL Roku TV. Just install the app, connect it to your television over the same Wi-Fi network, and follow the instructions in the app to turn it on.
Use Google Assistant
If you don’t have access to a smartphone, you can use Google Assistant instead—just say “OK Google, power on my TCL Roku TV” and it should turn itself on without any further help from you.
Other Ways to Turn on Your TCL Roku TV
You can also turn on your TCL Roku TV without a remote! Don’t worry, it’s actually easier than it sounds.
First up, you can use specific non-TCL Roku TV remotes that can turn it on. If you don’t want to purchase a new remote, you can go the DIY route and create your own. All you need is the right set of materials to make it—a USB cable or a Bluetooth remote, for example—and some DIY instructions to put it all together.
Smartphone or tablet
Or if you have a smartphone or tablet nearby, you can just use the initial setup app to power up your TCL Roku TV. Follow the instructions in the app to connect your device and then turn your on and off your TV with ease!
On-Screen Options
If none of those options work out, TCL also gives users the option of turning their TVs on via on-screen settings. Accessing these settings is as easy as plugging in your TV and then pressing certain buttons (or combinations thereof) either on the back of the device or along the edge of its frame — no remote needed!
So, if nothing else works, this option should do just fine — try it out and see if you can find what’s best for you!
Conclusion
In summary, it may be a bit daunting to turn on your TCL Roku TV without a remote, but with a few simple steps, you can use your phone or tablet to do the job. With the mobile app, you’ll be able to access all the content on the platform and control all your streaming experience with voice commands.
It’s also important to consider why you’re looking for a way to turn on your TCL Roku TV without a remote. If your remote is lost, there’s no need to worry—grab your phone or tablet and get started. But if you’re having trouble using your remote, it could be a clue that something else might be wrong and it’s worth investigating other causes. Taking the time to troubleshoot the issue could save you from needing to buy a replacement.