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How to Connect Your Roku to Wi-Fi

You can't stream until Roku is connected to the internet

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 19, 2022 Reviewed by Ryan Perian Reviewed by Ryan Perian Western Governors University Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Streaming Devices Roku The Ultimate Guide to Roku Chromecast Fire TV Apple TV

What to Know

During initial setup: Pick Wireless. The Roku will scan for Wi-Fi networks. Pick yours, enter the password, and press Connect.To connect later: Home > Settings > Network > Set Up Connection > Wireless. Pick your network, enter the password, and Connect.For a hotel or dorm: Follow the steps above. Once you connect, select I am at a hotel or college dorm. Follow the authentication steps. This article explains how to connect your Roku device to stream any of the 5000+ streaming channels available over Wi-Fi. Roku boxes and TVs allow you to connect to the internet via Ethernet or Wi-Fi, while Streaming Sticks provide only the Wi-Fi option. How to Fix It When Roku Won't Connect to Internet

How to Connect Roku to Wi-Fi for the First Time

Follow the below steps if you're connecting your Roku to Wi-Fi for the first time.

What You' ll Need

To prepare for the internet connection process you need: A Roku streaming stick, box, or Roku TVYour Roku remote controlA Router with Wired and Wireless connectivity optionsYour Network Password How to Connect Roku to Wi-Fi Without a Remote

Connect to the Wi-Fi

Once you have your Roku device connected to power and powered on, you'll be guided through a setup process which includes connecting the stick or box to the internet. During setup for Roku boxes and TVs, you'll be prompted to choose Wired or Wireless for connection to a router and the internet. The wired option will not appear for Roku Streaming Sticks. If you select Wired, don't forget to connect your Roku box or TV to your router using an Ethernet cable. Your Roku device will directly connect to your home network and the internet. Once confirmed, you can continue with the remaining setup steps for your Roku device. If you select Wireless, there are additional steps to complete the connection process before moving on to the rest of the Roku device setup steps. For a first time wireless connection setup, your Roku device will automatically scan for any available networks within range. ​ Once the list of available networks appears, find and choose your wireless network from the list of those available. If you don't see your home network, select Scan again to see all networks and see if it appears on the next listing. If the Roku device can't find your network, the Roku and router may be too far apart. If you have the option of connecting to your router using ethernet, that is one solution. Another is to move the Roku device and router closer together or add a wireless range extender or another option. Once you choose your network, it will check to see if the Wi-Fi and internet connection are working properly. If so, then you can proceed. If not, make sure you have chosen the correct network. Once Roku confirms it can connect to your network, you need to enter your network password. After you enter your password, select Connect. If the password was entered correctly, you'll see a confirmation stating your Roku device has connected to your home network and the internet. Once connected, your Roku device will automatically search for any available firmware/software updates. If any are found download and install them. Your Roku device may reboot/restart at the end of the software/firmware update process. Wait for this process to finish before moving on to additional setup steps or viewing.

Connect Roku to Wi-Fi After First-Time Setup

If you want to connect the Roku to a new Wi-Fi network, or are switching from a Wired to Wireless network, here are the steps to follow using your Roku's remote: Press the Home button on the remote. Select Settings > Network in the Roku onscreen menu. Select Set Up Connection (as shown previously). Select Wireless (if both the Wired and Wireless options are shown). Wait for Roku to find your network. Enter your network password and wait for connection confirmation.

Connect Roku to Wi-Fi in a Dorm or Hotel

One great feature of Roku is you can travel with your streaming stick or box and use it in a dorm room or Hotel. Before you pack your Roku for use in another location, make sure the location provides Wi-Fi and the TV you'll be using has an available HDMI connection you can access from the TV's remote control. Make sure to have your Roku Account log-in information, just in case you need it. Once you arrive and are ready to use your Roku, do the following: Obtain the location's network password. Plug in your Roku stick or box to power and the TV you want to use. Press the Home button on the Roku remote. Go to Settings > Network > Set Up Connection. Select Wireless. Once you establish the network connection, select I am at a hotel or college dorm. ​ Several prompts will appear on the TV screen for authentication purposes, such as entering the Wi-Fi password you obtained earlier, as well as a specific password that will grant access to the Roku server. This password will be shown on the screen. The latter password may require a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. Once the Wi-Fi setup is confirmed, you can enjoy your Roku device's features and your favorite streaming content. Does Roku Have a Web Browser? FAQ How do I connect my Roku remote to my TV? To pair a Roku remote, insert the batteries, turn on the device, and hold the remote near the box. Some Roku remotes use IR (Infrared Light) and require line-of-sight to work with a Roku, but they don't require actual pairing. How do I connect my phone to my Roku TV? To connect your Android phone to a Roku, use Android's Smart View feature, or use the Roku mobile app. To mirror your iPhone on a Roku, go to Settings > System > Screen Mirroring on the Roku, then on your iPhone go to Control Center > Screen Mirroring and choose your Roku device. How do I connect external speakers to my Roku TV? You can connect external speakers to your TV via Bluetooth, HDMI, or RCA cables. How do I connect AirPods to my Roku TV? You can’t directly connect AirPods to a Roku device. To use your AirPods with your Roku, connect your AirPods to your phone. In the Roku app on your phone, connect the phone to the Roku device, then turn on the Private Listening feature.
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