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5 Reasons Your Roku Isn’t Connecting To WiFi, and How To Fix It

Updated: September 6, 2023 by Jacqueline Michelle

Key Points

WiFi connectivity problems are a common issue with Roku streaming devices. If your Roku isn’t connecting to WiFi, it could be due to a number of factors such as power outages, poor signal, additional devices, loose cables, or even a malfunctioning Roku box.
Depending on the cause of your issue, there are several potential fixes for a disconnected Roku. Checking your internet connection, resetting your modem, moving your Roku closer to your router or modem, or hardwiring your Roku with an ethernet cable are the most common solutions for this problem.
If none of the above methods work, you should call Roku support for additional troubleshooting ideas.

Roku’s streaming media players let you watch the latest movies, TV shows, and much more. But they aren’t problem-free. One of the common issues with Roku is its failure to connect to WiFi. This may happen when you launch the app or try to watch any content on Netflix and more. It may also happen when you update the firmware. Let’s look at why Roku isn’t connecting to WiFi and how to fix the problem.

Why is Roku Not Connecting To WiFi?

Roku on tv streaming with remote — *Roku’s remote allows you to control your streaming player to browse and stream videos on your TV.*
©renata colella/Shutterstock.com

If your Roku is not connecting to WiFi, the following issues might be to blame.

A Power or Router Outage

Sometimes your router or power outage is why your Roku won’t connect to WiFi. You might want to check the router and power connection first. Try to reset your router and check another device’s WiFi strength. The issue is often just your router and not another problem.

Poor WiFi Signal

The second most common issue is a weak WiFi signal. Check the connection strength on another device. You may also want to clean your router using the push button method. Simply unplug and then re-plug it. This will help with coverage.

Additional Network Devices

When sharing a network device with different devices, you may notice that some devices have trouble connecting with your Roku. For game consoles, you would want to set them up on their own profiles. If you have guests over, check whether they’re sharing their devices or not. If not, take care of it before someone else does.

Unplugged Ethernet Cable for Wired Devices

Sometimes the Ethernet cable may come loose from the Roku device. Try to plug it in again. Problem still there? Remove your Ethernet cable from the Roku device and plug it back in again. This might resolve problems with poor connections.

A Malfunctioning Roku Device

If you have tried all of the suggestions above but connectivity problems persist, you may want to contact Roku directly. Have your device serial number handy when calling or emailing them. They will be able to help you with this issue.

How to Fix Your Roku When It’s Not Connecting to WiFi

Use these steps to help fix any issues with your Roku when it’s not connecting to WiFi:

Step 1: Check the Internet Connection

Roku requires a good internet connection. Check whether or not your internet is working. Here is how to do it:

Open the home screen. Your Roku remote has an arrow on the left side; press it. To access the Settings, scroll down.
To open the Settings menu, use the right arrow on your keyboard. After pressing the right button once, continue pressing right until you reach the Network page.
Read the About Us page to learn about your connection, including the kind of connection, the download speed, and the signal strength. It is possible that you are not connected to the internet if you do not see this information.
If you have already confirmed that you are connected to the internet but are still experiencing problems, scroll down until you see Check Connection and then select the OK button.
To determine whether or not the issue has been resolved, you should attempt to stream some content using your Roku. If this is not solved yet, you should attempt to reconnect your Roku to WiFi.

Step 2: Restart your Roku

Roku 1 — *Roku’s streaming player allows you to watch videos, listen to music, and view personal photos.*
©FASTILY / Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license – License

The second simple fix is to restart your Roku. Ensure that your router, modem, and Roku are all connected and that they’re at the right location. Here is to restart your device and reconnect it to your network.

Your Roku remote has an arrow on the left side of the home screen; press it. Scroll down to access the Settings.
Use the right arrow on your keyboard to open the Settings menu. Scroll down to access the System menu.
To open the System menu, use the right arrow on your keyboard. To restart the system, scroll down until you see the system restart.
Use the arrow key on your keyboard to go to the right until you see the Restart option, then select the OK button.

Step 3: Reset your WiFi Router and Modem

Check the WiFi network that connects to your Roku player. Make sure everything is working properly. Pay attention to the internet speed and all other devices connecting to it. If everything is working fine, double-check your router or modem connection. To do this, unplug the power cable for 10 seconds. Plug it back in and wait for approximately 2 minutes then try to connect your Roku again.

If you still can’t connect your Roku to WiFi, insert the setup CD or USB stick and try to set up your connection again. Ensure you are using the latest software version for your Roku device. If not, update it. This should fix the problem with your Roku when it’s not connecting to WiFi.

If you still have problems, unplug your router and modem from the wall and try to connect again. Then plug them back in. Wait for them to turn on, and then try connecting your Roku again.

Step 4: Connect an Ethernet Cable to Roku

Try connecting your Roku to your router via an Ethernet cable. This will bypass any WiFi issues and let you know whether the issue is indeed related to your internet service. The steps to connect your Roku to your router via Ethernet cable are:

Connect an Ethernet cable to your Roku.
Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to your router.
Once you’ve connected both ends of the Ethernet cable, try launching a video on Netflix and see whether it plays or not.

Roku device remote plugin — *Some Roku devices like the Streaming Stick 4k and 4k+ dongles don’t have an ethernet port for hardwiring.*
©Fozan Ns/Shutterstock.com

Step 5: Move Roku Closer to Router and Modem

Roku requires a strong enough signal to establish a connection. Sometimes, even though you may have a signal bar showing up on your Roku remote, the WiFi signal is not strong enough. Try moving your Roku closer to the modem or router. This way, it can connect to a good strong WiFi signal. If you’re using a wired connection for Roku, move the device closer to the cable plug-in point.

Move the device closer to the router if you’re using Wireless LAN (WiFi) on your Roku. Whichever way you choose to do it, just ensure that the signal strength is strong enough.

Step 6: Contact Roku Support

If the above steps can’t fix the issue, contact Roku support. If your Roku is still under warranty, you have nothing to worry about. But if it’s not and you cannot connect your Roku to WiFi, then find a technician near you who can check your router or modem. You may also need to replace them if they are faulty.

Roku Alternatives: When Your Roku’s Not Connecting to WiFi

Roku devices have become extremely popular in recent years, filling a need to bridge the cost of cable with the common use of streaming services. Here are some of the best alternatives to a Roku device, so you can find the best options for you:

Google Chromecast: This small device plugs into a TV (or even a computer) through an HDMI port, and allows you to stream from any platform like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
Nvidia Shield TV: This device can stream all content platforms, and it also supports 4K streaming and HDR.
Amazon Fire TV Stick: It has streaming services, and also offers a voice control through the remote.

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Smart TV vs. Roku — Not sure what the differences are between a smart TV and a Roku? Find out here!

5 Reasons Your Roku Isn’t Connecting To WiFi, and How To Fix It FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How do I reset my Roku network settings?

To reset your Roku network, you need to make sure that the TV you want to connect is powered on. After that, turn on your Roku device, press the Home button, and select Settings. To proceed with this, make sure that “Network” is selected. Scroll down and tap “Reset Network Settings,” then confirm the process by pressing “OK.”

My Roku device connection keeps dropping

It might be suffering from a weak network signal or radio interference. To resolve this issue, change the channel on your router or try to relocate your Roku device.

What happens if the signal loss is more than 10 seconds?

In case signal loss is more than 10 seconds, it means that the Roku device has lost the connection with your TV. You will not be able to stream content until you get it connected again.

Why does my Roku still show a weak or no signal?

To make sure there is no interruption in streaming content over your Roku device. To fix this issue, reset your network settings to see if you can fix the problem.

How do I set up parental controls on my Roku?

To set up parental controls on your Roku device, you need to go to “Settings” and tap “Parental Controls.” You must enter a passcode and select “On” or “Off.” Once activated, you will be asked to create a PIN (personal identification number) which needs to be entered in case you turn off the parental control feature. To learn more about setting up parental controls for your device, refer Roku help website.