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Use Roku Hotel & Dorm Connect While Traveling or at School

Let your Roku tag along when you're away from home

By Robert Silva Robert Silva Writer San Diego State University Robert Silva has extensive experience in consumer electronics and home theater product sales and sales supervision; he has written about audio, video, and home theater topics since 1998. Robert has articles published on HBO.com and Dishinfo.com plus has made appearances on the YouTube series Home Theater Geeks. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 29, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Streaming Devices Roku The Ultimate Guide to Roku Chromecast Fire TV Apple TV You can use your Roku streaming device when you're traveling or away at college with the Roku Hotel & Dorm Connect feature. Here's everything you need to know to set up your Roku away from home and enjoy your favorite streaming content. Some content and channels may be restricted or limited, depending on where you're traveling. Roku

Set Up Your Roku in a Hotel or Dorm

The Roku Hotel & Dorn Connect feature makes it possible to set up your Roku and connect it to Wi-Fi without signing in from a web browser. Here's how it works: Plug the Roku stick or box into a power source. Plug the Roku streaming device into the HDMI input on the TV you want to use. Make sure to set the TV's input to HDMI. When you power on the TV, you'll see the Roku Logo or home screen. Press the Home button on the Roku remote. Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Connection. Select Wireless. Choose the hotel or dorm's wireless network. In the Network connection help box, select I am at a hotel or college dorm. Go to the Wi-Fi Settings on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop and make sure it's connected to the same dorm or hotel wireless network you selected for the Roku. Follow the on-screen instructions to authenticate your connection. On your device, select Connect to DIRECT-roku-[xxx-xxxxxx] and enter the designated password. Using a browser on your smartphone or laptop, enter any additional required information, such as your name or room number. If the network setup times out during the authentication process, select Try Again. Once the Wi-Fi setup is authenticated, the Roku device returns to the Network menu. The network name should match the network name of your hotel or dorm, and the status should say Connected.

Connect Your Roku Using a Mobile Hotspot

If you can't connect your Roku using the Hotel & Dorm Connect feature, there's a workaround. Create a mobile hotspot with your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, and use it to connect your Roku to the internet. Be aware of your data cap, as this method can be data-intensive. Make sure to connect your device to Wi-Fi. Westend61 / Getty Images Connect the device to the hotel or dorm's Wi-Fi. Set up a hotspot on your iOS device, Android device, Windows 10 computer, or Mac. On the Roku device, go to Network > Setup Connection > Wireless, and find your mobile hotspot on the list of available networks. Select the mobile hotspot and enter its password on the Roku. Upon confirmation, you can access your Roku channels for viewing.

Before Traveling With Your Roku

Before you arrive, call ahead and confirm that your destination provides free Wi-Fi. Make sure it's OK to connect more than one device to the location's network, as you'll be using your laptop or mobile device as well as your Roku. If you use a Roku streaming stick or box, make sure the provided TV has an available and accessible HDMI connection. Find out if the hotel or dorm imposes daily, weekly, or monthly data caps. Finally, make sure to obtain the correct Wi-Fi network name and password. If you have a 4K-enabled streaming stick or box connected to a TV that isn't 4K-enabled, you can't access the 4K versions of streaming content. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Connect Chromecast to Hotel Wi-Fi What Is Roku And How Does It Work? How to Connect Your Roku to Wi-Fi The Pros and Cons of Traveling With an Apple TV How to Fix It When Your Roku Remote Is Not Working How to Add Spotify to a Roku Device 20 Roku Hacks to Make Your Life Easier How to Pair a Roku Remote How to Set Up Your Roku TV, Box, or Streaming Stick How to Cast to Roku TV From Android How to Connect a Phone to a TV Wirelessly How to Get Netflix on a Non-Smart TV How to Connect Google Home to Your TV How to Mirror Your iPhone to Roku How to Use Chromecast Without Wi-Fi How to Reset Your Roku Box or Streaming Stick Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies