Apple TV 2nd Generation remote will not pair.

Tried the "Menu plus left button for 6 seconds" option repeatedly, but screen remans the same "Your Apple TV isn't connected to the network" and two icons at bottom of screen, "Computers" (highlighted) and "Settings" (not highlighted). The white light blinks when the Menu + left buttons are pressed, then goes steady, then blinks again if buttons still pressed for ~ 10 sec. When any button on remote is pressed, I get the three blinks (meaning 'remote not paired').

Any suggestions? I don't have an ethernet cable easily available, so am stuck with the wi-fi connection option.