How to Fix It When Roku Won't Connect to Wi-Fi or Internet

First, check your Roku's power and internet connections to be sure they are working correctly

This article explains how to fix a Roku that won’t connect to Wi-Fi, and how to test the signal strength.

In order for Roku devices and Roku-equipped TVs to continue streaming content, they must be connected to the internet and they must have a high-quality Wi-Fi signal. If that connection is lost, you must troubleshoot the problem before you can use the device as intended.

Why Is My Roku Not Connecting to Wi-Fi or the Internet?

Connection errors can appear for several reasons, stopping media playback, and sometimes affecting the performance of the Roku device.

Some of the most common issues are:

  • A poor Wi-Fi signal can freeze playback or cause performance problems.
  • A power or router outage may temporarily interrupt service.
  • Additional network devices like game consoles or computers may be using up the network bandwidth.
  • The Ethernet cable for wired devices may have come unplugged.
  • In rare cases, the Roku device may be failing or malfunctioning.

Note

The Roku software is fairly intuitive and will notify you almost immediately when there is a connection problem or when the device isn't connected to the internet.

What to Do When Roku Isn't Connecting

The first step in solving the issue is to determine whether or not your Roku is connected to the internet, and if it is, the available signal quality or signal strength.

Note

The Roku user interface is the same across all devices. It doesn’t matter if you have a TV with Roku built in, or you have a Roku stick or Roku Express—they are the same.

  1. Press the Home button on your remote and scroll down to Settings.

  2. Select Settings > Network to focus on the Network page.

  3. Reference the connection details on the About page. Look for any issues with the status, connection type, signal strength, and download speeds. You can also find helpful details about the device's IP and MAC address and the wireless channel.

    If this information isn't available, your Roku isn't connected to the internet. If you aren't connected, skip to the next section about reconnecting your Roku to the internet.

  4. If you're connected to the internet according to the Network About page, but you’re still experiencing issues, you can use the Check Connection tool. Scroll down to Check connection and then select OK to start the test. A message will appear showing your network connection status, internet connection status, and internet signal or speed.

If you're connected and the speeds are acceptable, try playing media through a streaming app to see if the problem is fixed.

Extra: Reconnecting Your Roku to the Internet

If your Roku is not connected to the internet, and the tests or connection tool did not help, then you can try reconnecting.

Here's how to reconnect:

  1. Press Home on the Roku the remote > select Settings.

  2. Select Network.

  3. Scroll down to Set Up Connection > Wireless and press OK.

  4. The system will perform a wireless scan for nearby networks. When it’s done, you will see a list of available networks nearby. Look for your network in the list and press OK.

  5. Enter the password for your wireless network, then scroll down to Connect and press OK on the remote. If your password is correct the system will begin connecting.

  6. If the connection was successful the menu will disappear and you will now see relevant details on the Network About page.

If the connection fails, or you're still unable to connect, then you’ll need to try some additional solutions like resetting your Roku.

Note

Roku TVs do not include an option in settings to restart the system. That’s because you can press the power button or unplug the TV, at your discretion.

What to Do If Your Roku Still Won't Connect

If you’ve tried all of the steps above, then the most likely culprit is your network, router, or modem and not your actual Roku device.

Here are some additional steps you can try:

If nothing seems to help, you might consider contacting Roku support to check the warranty and have it replaced altogether.

FAQ
  • How do I reset my Roku network settings?

    To reset your Roku network settings, go to Settings System Advanced System Settings > Network Connection Reset > Reset Connection. Select Factory Reset to restore all settings to the default.

  • How do I fix it when my Roku won't turn on?

    When your Roku won't turn on, check all the connections and make sure you're using the cables that came with your device. If you're still having problems, disconnect the Roku completely, and then reconnect it using a different power outlet.

  • How do I fix it when my Roku remote is not working?

    If you're having problems with your Roku remote, first remove the batteries and put them back in. If that doesn't help, try replacing the batteries and re-pairing the remote. If the Roku remote app isn't connecting, make sure Roku TV is enabled to use mobile apps.

  • How do I fix it when my Roku TV is not finding antenna channels?

    When your Roku TV can't find antenna channels, update and restart your Roku, then rescan for channels. If you still can't get channels, try moving your TV to a different room near a window.

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