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The star button on a Roku remote is a context-sensitive Options button. Its action changes according to what is selected: on the Home screen it can manage apps, shortcuts, and Quick Access tiles; while a program is playing on a Roku TV it can open display controls; and four rapid presses can toggle the screen reader when that shortcut is enabled. Because menus vary by Roku device, remote model, and app, press Star with the relevant tile or video selected and follow the options shown on your screen.
What does the Star button do on Roku’s Home screen?
Highlight an app, shortcut, or Quick Access tile, then press Star (the button below and to the right of the directional pad). Roku displays actions available for that specific item.
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- Add to Quick Access: A highlighted app or shortcut may offer an option to add it to Quick Access.
- Remove from Quick Access: Highlight an existing Quick Access tile and press Star to look for a removal option.
- Manage an app: Options such as Manage subscription may appear only when the app is selected in the Apps section, not from Quick Access.
- Hide or move a shortcut: A shortcut highlighted in the app grid can offer hide or move commands.
The exact list is not universal. If an action is missing, move the selection to the app itself, open the Apps section, or use the on-screen menu that appears after pressing Star.
How do I hide or show Roku Home-screen shortcuts?
You can use the Star button directly, or change shortcut visibility in Settings.
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- On the Home screen, highlight the shortcut in the app grid.
- Press Star and choose the available hide or move action.
For the settings route, go to Home > Settings > Home screen > Shortcuts. Highlight a shortcut and press OK to toggle whether it is shown. Roku’s Home-screen layout and shortcut list can differ across devices, so your labels may not match another Roku owner’s exactly.
Can Star turn off a Roku TV screen while audio keeps playing?
Yes—on a Roku TV, Star can open a playback Options menu that includes a screen-off command. This feature is for Roku TVs, not Roku streaming players.
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- Press Star.
- Select Options, then choose Picture off or Turn off display, depending on the software version.
- Press OK to turn the picture back on.
Audio should continue while the display is off. Some apps do not open the Options menu from Star, so the command may be unavailable even on a compatible Roku TV. If Star does nothing during playback, try the same steps in another app or check the app’s own playback controls.
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Does pressing Star four times turn on narration?
Four quick Star presses can toggle Roku’s screen reader, which reads interface text and controls aloud. This is a separate shortcut from the single-press Options menu.
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Screen reader.
- Enable the screen-reader shortcut if it is disabled.
- Press Star four times quickly to switch the reader on or off.
If four presses do not work, the shortcut is probably disabled, the presses were too slow, or your remote/software combination does not expose that shortcut. You can still control the feature from the Accessibility settings.
Why do I see different Star-button options?
Roku deliberately changes the menu by context. The selected object (an app, shortcut, or Quick Access tile), whether video is playing, the device type, the app, and the remote generation all affect the commands shown.
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A Roku TV has display controls that a Roku streaming player does not. Apps can also block or limit the playback Options menu. Voice-remote models and older Roku remotes have different feature sets, and Roku Home screens are not identical across products or software releases.
Therefore, treat the on-screen menu as the authoritative answer for your setup rather than expecting a single universal Star-button list. If a documented action is missing, verify that the correct tile is highlighted, try the Apps section instead of Quick Access, and confirm whether you are using a Roku TV or a separate streaming player.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should I do if Star does nothing?
- Press it once while a tile or shortcut is clearly highlighted; pressing it while a menu is still loading may have no visible effect.
- During playback, check whether the app supports Roku’s Options menu.
- On a Roku TV, try the command from a different app to distinguish an app limitation from a remote problem.
- For screen-reader control, use Settings > Accessibility > Screen reader and verify the four-press shortcut.
- If the button is physically unresponsive everywhere, replace or recharge the remote batteries (where applicable), restart the Roku, and then check the remote model’s documented features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Star button on a Roku remote?
It is the button marked with an asterisk, located below and to the right of the directional pad on standard Roku remotes. Some remote designs place the label or surrounding buttons differently, but the asterisk symbol identifies it.
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Can I use Star to uninstall a Roku app?
Star opens the app’s available management menu, but the commands depend on the app and device. Look for a remove or delete command after highlighting the app; subscription cancellation may instead require the app’s account or billing settings.
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Why does Star open an ad or recommendation menu on my Roku?
Roku can show different context menus on newer Home screens, including recommendation-related actions. Move the highlight to the exact app or tile you want to manage before pressing Star, then read the menu headings carefully.
Does every Roku remote have a Star button?
Most Roku remotes include an asterisk/Star key, but remote layouts and capabilities vary by generation and device bundle. If yours lacks the key, use the equivalent on-screen controls or the Roku mobile remote, where available.
