The basic steps to get your Roku online
To connect a Roku to WiFi, you turn on the device, select your network from the list on screen, enter your password, and wait for the connection to complete. The whole process usually takes two to three minutes. You do not need a computer or phone to do this — the Roku remote controls everything through your television screen.
Roku devices connect to the internet through your home WiFi network, the same one your phone or laptop uses. Without this connection, the Roku cannot stream shows, movies, or apps. The device itself has a built-in WiFi receiver, so you just need to tell it which network to join and provide the password.
Key Takeaways
- Turn on your Roku and television, then use the remote to navigate to Settings and select your WiFi network from the list shown on screen.
- When prompted, type in your WiFi password exactly as it appears — uppercase and lowercase letters matter, and spaces count.
- The Roku will test the connection and display a confirmation message; this usually takes 30 seconds to two minutes.
- If the connection fails, restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plug it back in and try again.
- Some older Roku models may require you to use a USB keyboard or the Roku mobile app to enter a long or complex password.
Finding the WiFi settings on your Roku remote
Press the Home button on your Roku remote — this is the button with a house icon, usually near the top. This takes you to the main menu. From there, scroll down using the arrow buttons until you see Settings, then press OK to open it.
Inside Settings, look for an option called Network or WiFi. The exact name depends on which Roku model you own, but it will be clearly labeled. Select it and the Roku will show you a list of all the WiFi networks it can detect in your area. Your network name (also called the SSID) should appear in this list.
Selecting your network and entering the password
Highlight your WiFi network name using the arrow buttons on the remote and press OK. The Roku will then prompt you to enter your password. This is where many people run into trouble — the password must be typed exactly right, including capital letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.
Use the remote's arrow buttons to navigate a keyboard that appears on your television screen. Highlight each letter or number and press OK to select it. This is slow, but it works. If you have a very long or complicated password, consider temporarily changing your WiFi password to something shorter while you set up the Roku, then changing it back afterward. You can do this through your router's settings on a computer or phone.
Once you have entered the password, select the Connect button on screen. The Roku will attempt to join your network. You will see a message saying "Connecting" followed by either a success screen or an error message.
What to do if the connection fails
If the Roku says it cannot connect, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Go back and try entering it again, paying close attention to capital letters. If you are not sure what your password is, you can find it on the sticker attached to your WiFi router, or you can check it on any device that is already connected to that network.
If you have entered the password correctly and the Roku still will not connect, restart your WiFi router. Unplug the router from the wall outlet, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Wait another minute for it to fully restart, then try connecting the Roku again. This fixes most connection problems.
If the Roku still cannot connect after restarting the router, move the Roku closer to the router temporarily. WiFi signals weaken with distance and through walls. If the Roku connects when it is close to the router but not from across the room, you may need to move the router to a more central location or purchase a WiFi extender.
Checking that your connection is working
Once the Roku shows a success message, it is connected to your WiFi. To confirm the connection is stable, go back to Settings and look for Network or WiFi again. Select it and you should see your network name listed with a signal strength indicator — usually shown as bars, similar to what you see on a phone.
If you see three or four bars, your signal is strong. If you see only one bar, the connection is weak and you may experience buffering when streaming. In that case, try moving the Roku closer to the router or restarting the router again.
Using the Roku mobile app as an alternative
If typing the password with the remote is too frustrating, you can use the official Roku mobile app on a smartphone or tablet instead. read the Roku app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, open it, and follow the prompts to connect to your Roku device. The app will let you enter your WiFi password using your phone's keyboard, which is much faster.
The app must be on the same WiFi network as your Roku for this to work. Once you have entered the password through the app, the Roku will connect to your network and you can use the app as a remote control if you prefer.
Troubleshooting a Roku that was previously connected
If your Roku was already connected to WiFi but has lost the connection, the first step is the same: restart your router. Unplug it, wait 30 seconds, and plug it back in. Most of the time this restores the connection when ready.
If restarting the router does not work, go to Settings on the Roku and select Network. Look for an option to forget the network or remove the saved connection. Then follow the steps above to reconnect as if it were the first time. This clears out any corrupted settings that might be preventing the connection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a password to connect my Roku to WiFi?
Only if your WiFi network is password-protected, which it should be. If you set up your router without a password, anyone nearby can connect to your network and use your internet. Most routers come with a default password printed on a sticker on the device itself.
Can I connect my Roku with an ethernet cable instead of WiFi?
Some Roku models have an ethernet port on the back, but most do not. If your model has one, you can plug in an ethernet cable connected to your router for a more stable connection. Check your Roku's specifications or the back of the device to see if this option is available.
Why does my Roku keep disconnecting from WiFi?
This usually means the signal is weak or the router is overloaded. Try moving the Roku closer to the router, restarting the router, or reducing the number of devices connected to your network. If the problem continues, contact your internet provider to check whether your router needs to be replaced.
What if I forgot my WiFi password?
Check the sticker on your router — most routers have the default password printed there. If you changed the password and cannot remember it, you can reset the router to factory settings by holding down a small reset button for 10 seconds, but this will erase all your settings and you will have to set it up again.
Can I connect my Roku to a mobile hotspot instead of home WiFi?
Yes, you can select a mobile hotspot network from the list of available networks and enter its password the same way. However, streaming video uses a lot of data, so this is not practical for regular use unless you have an unlimited data plan.