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

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.

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.

1. From the home screen, press Left on the remote to enter the side menu. Then, scroll down to Settings.

2. Press Right on the remote to enter the Settings menu, and press Right again to go to Network. Press Right one more time to focus on the Network page.

3. There are two options here. We can either reference the connection details on the About page, or we can use the Check Connection tool to test the connection. You should already see the About page details off to the right. Here, you can reference connection type, IP and mac details, signal strength, the wireless channel, and download speeds. If this information is not available or not populated it means you are not connected to the internet. If you are not connected, skip the next step.

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

If you are connected, and the speeds are acceptable then 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. From the home screen, press Left on the remote to enter the side menu. Then, scroll down to Settings.

2. Press Right on the remote to enter Settings, and press Right again to go to Network. Press Right one more time to focus on the Network page.

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 About page.

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

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:

• Check and fix connection issues with your Wi-Fi router.
• Restart your router and modem.
• Relocate your Roku device so it's closer to the router and has a strong signal.
• Contact Roku support.

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