A very strong and reliable WiFi network is essential to access unlimited content on your Roku device. In other words, for any smart device that requires internet access, without a strong WiFi connection, you will be frustrated with the outcome. To help you fix these internet connection issues, this article has been compiled to help you fix Roku won’t connect to WiFi issues. Relax and read on!
There are simple troubleshooting steps you can take initially like restarting your device, and also ensuring your Roku is connected to the internet if it won’t connect to WiFi. Roku won’t connect to WiFi is usually caused by a power outage, a poor WiFi signal, or a glitch in the Roku itself.
Here in this post, you will learn how to connect Roku to WiFi, the reason why your Roku is not connecting to WiFi, how to fix Roku won’t connect o WiFi, and many other troubleshooting steps. Relax and read on to make the most opportunity out of this article.
How to Connect Roku to WiFi
Connecting your Roku to WiFi involves a simple process, follow the steps below to connect Roku to WiFi:
- Set up your Roku device.
- Switch to your Roku’s input channel.
- Choose a language.
- Select Wired or wireless (N.B: Roku sticks don’t have a wired option).
- Choose your wireless network from the available list.
- Input the network password (That’s if you have one).
- Finally, select Connect.
Why is my Roku not connecting to WiFi?
You may encounter connection errors can for several reasons which halt media playback, and at times affect the performance of your Roku device.
In case you have a Roku that won’t respond or connect to the internet, several factors could cause it not to connect to WiFi. Some of which has been listed below:
- A power or router outage may temporarily disrupt service.
- A weak WiFi signal can freeze playback or cause performance issues.
- Other network devices such as game consoles or computers may be using up the available network bandwidth.
- Ethernet cable for wired devices may have come without being connected.
- You never can tell, although it doesn’t happen too often, your Roku device may be malfunctioning.
How to fix Roku won’t connect to WiFi
To enable your Roku to keep streaming content, you need to be connected to a high-quality internet signal. If in the process of connecting to your Roku device, you lose the connection, then you need to troubleshoot the problem to enjoy the streaming experience with your device. Follow the steps below to fix Roku won’t connect to WiFi:
Check your Internet Connection
You need to be sure whether the problem is related to your Roku or the WiFi network. Ensure your Roku is connected to WiFi by following the steps below:
- Navigate to the Home Screen.
- Tap the left arrow on your Roku remote and scroll down to Settings.
- Also, tap the right arrow to navigate to the Settings menu.
- Click right for Network, then right again for the Network page.
- Go ahead to read the About page for connection information, including download speed, connection type, and signal strength.
- In case you don’t see this information, then you are not connected to the internet.
- Once you have confirmed that you are connected to the internet but you are still having problems, navigate down to Check Connection, then tap the OK button.
- After that, try streaming content on your Roku to see if the issue has been fixed.
- If not, try to reconnect your Roku to WiFi afresh.
Restart your Roku
Navigate to the System menu to ensure your Roku is connected to WiFi. Follow the steps below:
- Navigate to the Home Screen.
- Tap on the left arrow on your Roku remote.
- Scroll down to Settings.
- Click on the right arrow to access the Settings menu.
- Now, scroll down to System.
- Then, click on the right arrow to access the System menu.
- Navigate down to System Restart.
- Finally, press the right arrow to direct you to Restart, then press the OK button on the remote.
- Wait for a few seconds to allow the Roku to reboot.
N.B: On Roku TV’s settings, there’s usually not an option to restart the system. This is because you can simply tap on the power button or disconnect the TV.
Reset your WiFi Router and Modem
If restarting your Roku did not help fix Roku won’t connect to WiFi issues, then there may be something wrong with the network, router, or modem.
Try resetting your WiFi router and modem to see if this fixes the issue. Follow the steps below to reset your network equipment:
- Disconnect your wireless router and the Roku device.
- Plug in the devices back after about 30 seconds.
- This process will help soft reset them.
You might want to try this if the above-mentioned fixes didn’t solve the issue of Roku won’t connect to WiFi. This is because a reset can delete all your current internet settings; therefore it is very essential to note down your settings before resetting the device.
Move Roku Closer to Router and Modem
Are you encountering a weak signal? Then all you need to do might just be to physically move your Roku device closer to your router and modem or simply move your router and modem closer to your Roku device to help strengthen the signal.
Connect an Ethernet cable to Roku
A strong internet connection is essential when streaming content on Roku to prevent freezing and other errors and malfunctions. Since it’s impossible to plug an ethernet cable into a Roku stick, physically using a cable to connect a compatible Roku player to the internet will always provide a robust, fast, and reliable connection.
Ethernet cables are used to connect the router to the internet entry port of your device. Even though the option is not available on the Roku Stick, it’s a perfect fit for Roku TV and Roku player.
Once you have connected the cable manually between your device and router, follow the steps below:
- Click on the Home icon using your remote.
- Go to the Network option in your Settings.
- Set up the connection.
- Select the Wired option and follow the on-screen instructions displayed to set up an internet connection.
- Wait for a few seconds for Roku to connect to your network automatically.
- The streaming will begin to run smoothly with an optimized internet connection.
Now, you have successfully connected an Ethernet cable to your Roku device.
Change WiFi Channel
You can also fix Roku won’t connect to WiFi issues by changing the wi-fi channel. It’s possible to change the channel on another user’s advice, and you will enjoy streaming various content on your device.
Disable Network Pings
By disabling the network pings on your Roku device, you can solve most issues relating to Roku won’t connect to WiFi. All you need to do is access the secret menu.
Accessing the Roku secret menu involves two ways. The first one is as follows:
- Go to Channel Operations and then select disable network pings.
The other method is as follows:
- Tap on the Home button on your remote and select system operations.
- Then, select disable network ping, then press OK on the remote to lock in on that option.
You can check whether a device is sending out “ping” packets to check a network connection. If you have disabled the ping functionality of your router, this could prevent the Roku device from checking an internet connection in some cases.
Disabling the ping functionality of your router should fix this problem.
Since this feature is located in a hidden settings menu, you may have to navigate carefully by pressing the following buttons in the given order.
You can as well follow the order below to locate the hidden settings menu:
- System Operations Menu >> Network Menu >> Disable Network Pings.
Factory Reset Router/Roku
If after you have tried the above fixes and your Roku still won’t connect to WiFi, then a factory reset might be your last resort because you will have to begin all over from the beginning to set it up again, as though it’s new.
Follow the steps below to factory reset your Router and Roku device:
- Restart your router.
- Once the router comes up again, restart your Roku by navigating to Settings >> System >> Restart system.
- For a Roku TV, you follow this order from Settings >> System >> Power >> Restart system.
- Once the Roku comes back on, follow this order from Settings >> Network >> Set up connection.
That’s all! You have successfully factory reset your Router and Roku. This should fix Roku won’t connect to WiFi issues.
Contact Roku support
Unfortunately, if all fixes fail, you can go ahead to contact Roku support for further assistance with your issue. An online chat option and an email address are available for reaching out.
The Roku customer support will be able to take a deeper look at your device and detect what went wrong and the location of the problem. Ensure you disclose your problem clearly and also the steps you’ve taken so far till now to try and solve it. This will give them a clue on how to assist you better.
Roku won’t connect to WiFi after Reset
Irregular power supply or failure is accompanied by spikes that can damage electronics. It’s possible the power failure damaged the wifi radio/network adapter in your Roku TV, thus preventing it from connecting to your WiFi. Follow the steps below to fix the issue of Roku won’t connect to WiFi even after reset:
- Check your network connection.
- Set up or fix your WiFi connection.
- Improve your Wi-Fi connection.
- Search for your network name and password.
- Enable Bandwidth saver.
How to fix Roku won’t accept WiFi Password
Ensure you choose the correct wireless security option when you are asked for your password (for instance, choose WEP 40/128-bit Key) if you are typing the 40-character pass key for a WEP-encrypted connection.
Wireless cards get stuck or experience a minor issue sometimes which means they won’t connect. If your Roku won’t accept WiFi passwords even if the password is correct, then you need to follow the steps below:
- Restart your router (even if other devices do not have any issues with finding and connecting).
- Restart the Roku to clear its memory by going to Settings >> System >> System restart (If it’s a Roku TV, go to Settings > System > Power > System restart).
- Search and connect to your network via Settings >> Network >> Set up connection.
Do we hope this article has helped you fix your Roku won’t connect to WiFi issues? Kindly drop your comment in the section below and let us know which of the fixes helped you to solve your specific problem.