As entertainment technology evolves, voice control has become an increasingly popular way to manage our devices. If you own a TCL Roku TV and are curious about voice control capabilities, you might be asking: Can Alexa control my TCL Roku TV? The answer is a resounding yes! Amazon Alexa, the well-known voice-controlled virtual assistant, can indeed be linked with your TCL Roku TV to offer seamless hands-free control.
Alexa, often referred to as Amazon Alexa, Echo, or simply Computer, is a cloud-based voice service developed by Amazon. It’s packed with features, known as “skills,” that extend its functionality. Among these capabilities is the power to perform voice searches and voice control specifically for TCL Roku TVs.
By integrating Alexa with your TCL Roku TV, you can use Amazon devices, or even the Amazon and Alexa Apps on your smartphone, to effortlessly manage your TV experience. Imagine searching for your favorite movies, controlling playback, launching streaming channels, and even powering your TV on and off – all with just your voice. Furthermore, you can adjust the volume and switch between inputs like your antenna, cable box, or gaming consoles using voice commands once everything is set up.
Key things to know before you begin:
- The Alexa skill for Roku is currently available in the United States and Canada.
- This skill is compatible with all TCL Roku TVs.
- Currently, launching Netflix or controlling Netflix content with voice commands through the Roku Alexa skill is not supported. Volume adjustments within Netflix using Alexa are also unavailable.
- You can launch over 100 popular channels on your TCL Roku TV using Alexa voice commands. However, not every channel on the Roku platform is supported for voice launch at this time.
- The Roku skill for Alexa doesn’t encompass all the voice functionalities that Roku Voice offers natively.
Getting Started with Alexa and Your TCL Roku TV
Before you can enjoy the convenience of Alexa voice control, ensure your TCL Roku TV is running Roku OS version 9.1 or later. To check your current software version, click here for instructions on finding your TCL Roku TV system information. Keep in mind that your TCL Roku TV automatically checks for software updates every 24 to 36 hours. Alternatively, you can manually check for updates to ensure you have the latest version.
Besides the software, you’ll also need the following:
- A Free Roku Account: If you don’t already have one, you’ll need to create a free Roku account.
- An Alexa-Enabled Device: This could be an Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Show, Echo Spot, or any other Alexa-compatible device like a Sonos One speaker.
- Alexa Mobile App: The Alexa mobile app needs to be downloaded and installed on your iOS or Android device.
For assistance setting up an Alexa device or downloading the mobile app, you can visit Amazon’s Device Service and Digital Support page.
How to Set Up Alexa Control on Your TCL Roku TV
Connecting Alexa to your TCL Roku TV involves linking your Roku account with your Alexa account. Follow these simple steps to enable voice control:
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Open the Alexa App: Launch the Alexa mobile app on your smartphone or tablet.
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Navigate to the Menu: Tap the Menu icon within the Alexa app.
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Go to Skills & Games: Select Skills & Games from the menu options.
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Search for Roku: In the search bar, type and enter Roku.
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Select the Roku Skill: Find and choose Roku from the search results.
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Enable the Skill: Tap or select Enable Skill to begin the linking process.
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Sign in to Roku: When prompted, log in to your Roku account using your credentials.
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Follow On-Screen Instructions: Continue to follow any additional prompts that appear on your screen to complete the linking process.
Once you have successfully linked your accounts, you’re ready to start using voice commands to control your TCL Roku TV with Alexa.
Essential Voice Commands for Your TCL Roku TV
Here are some voice commands you can use to control your TCL Roku TV with Alexa. Remember to always begin your commands with the wake word, which is “Alexa” by default.
Media Playback Control
Manage your viewing experience with these playback commands:
- “Alexa, pause on Roku” – Pauses the current playback on your Roku TV.
- “Alexa, launch Hulu on Roku” – Opens the Hulu channel on your Roku TV.
- “Alexa, go home on Roku” – Returns you to the Roku home screen.
Content Search Commands
Discover new content easily with voice search:
- “Alexa, find me documentaries on Roku” – Searches for documentaries on the Roku platform.
- “Alexa, find me comedies on Roku” – Searches for comedy content on Roku.
TCL Roku TV Control Commands
Take charge of your TV’s settings and inputs:
- “Alexa, turn on Roku” – Powers on your TCL Roku TV. Note: For this command to work, Fast TV Start must be enabled in your Roku TV settings.
- “Alexa, raise the volume on Roku” – Increases the volume level on your Roku TV.
- “Alexa, mute on Roku” – Mutes the audio output of your Roku TV.
- “Alexa, change to channel 7.1 on Roku” – Switches to channel 7.1. Note: An HDTV antenna needs to be connected to your Roku TV for this command to control over-the-air broadcast channels.
- “Alexa, switch to HDMI 2 on Roku” – Changes the input source to HDMI input 2.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Q: Do I need an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot to use Alexa control?
- A: No, Amazon Echo or Echo Dot devices are not mandatory. You can utilize the Amazon Alexa App on your mobile devices to control your TCL Roku TV.
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Q: I can’t find Roku listed as a device type in Device Settings. What should I do?
- A: Alexa support for Roku was introduced with a recent Roku software update. Please refer to the “Getting Started” section of this guide to verify that your TCL Roku TV meets the system requirements, particularly the Roku OS version.
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Q: Can I control multiple Roku devices with Alexa?
- A: Yes, you can link multiple TCL Roku TVs and other Roku streaming devices to your Alexa account and control them individually.
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Q: My TCL Roku TV isn’t showing up to link after I log into my Roku account in the Alexa app. What’s wrong?
- A: All Roku devices linked to the Roku account you signed into should be available for selection. If your TV isn’t listed, double-check if it’s linked to a different Roku account. You can verify the linked account on your TV by going to Settings > System > About. Note: If you previously used the ‘remember me’ feature during Roku account login, you might be automatically logged in with previous credentials. To switch users, clear your browser’s browsing data and cache, and try again.
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Q: Alexa isn’t understanding my voice commands.
- A: Ensure you are including “… on Roku” at the end of each voice command. For example, say “Alexa, show me action movies on Roku.” If you are experiencing general voice recognition issues with Alexa, it’s best to contact Amazon support for specific assistance.
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Q: I’m having trouble getting Roku voice commands to work, even with “… on Roku”.
- A: Double-check that you’re consistently adding “… on Roku” to the end of your voice commands. For instance, use “Alexa, find comedies on Roku” instead of just “Alexa, find comedies.”
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Q: I’m having issues using Alexa to control Netflix.
- A: Currently, Alexa does not support voice commands for launching or controlling content within Netflix on Roku. This is a known limitation of the current Roku Alexa skill.
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Q: Music commands aren’t working with Alexa.
- A: At this time, the Roku skill for Alexa does not support voice commands for music playback control.
By following these steps, you can easily set up and start using Alexa to control your TCL Roku TV, making your entertainment experience more convenient and hands-free. Enjoy the power of voice control!
