Roku TVs connect to Bluetooth speakers through the TV's built-in settings menu
Your Roku TV has a Bluetooth radio built in, so you can pair a wireless speaker without running cables or buying extra equipment. The process takes about two minutes: you turn on the speaker's pairing mode, search for it in your Roku's settings, and select it from the list. After that, sound plays through the speaker instead of the TV's built-in speakers.
This works with any Bluetooth speaker — a portable one you already own, a larger home speaker, or even wireless headphones. The connection stays active until you unpair the speaker or pair a different device, so you do not have to set it up again each time you turn on the TV.
Key Takeaways
- Open your Roku TV's settings, go to Remotes & Devices, then Bluetooth, and select Search for Devices to find your speaker.
- Put your Bluetooth speaker into pairing mode before searching — usually by holding a button on the speaker for three to five seconds until a light blinks.
- Once paired, the speaker appears in your Bluetooth settings and stays connected even after you turn off the TV, as long as the speaker stays on.
- If the speaker does not appear in the search, restart both the TV and the speaker, then try again.
- You can unpair a speaker at any time by going back to Bluetooth settings and selecting the speaker's name, then choosing Disconnect or Remove.
How to put your speaker into pairing mode
Before your Roku TV can find the speaker, the speaker has to be in pairing mode — a state where it broadcasts its name to any nearby device that is looking for it. Most speakers enter pairing mode when you hold down a button labeled Bluetooth, Pair, or Power for three to five seconds. The speaker will usually beep or show a blinking light to tell you it is ready.
Check your speaker's manual or the manufacturer's website if you are not sure which button to hold. Some speakers have a dedicated pairing button; others use the power button. A few older or budget speakers may not have Bluetooth at all, so if you cannot find pairing instructions, your speaker may not support it.
Leave the speaker in pairing mode while you search for it on the Roku TV. If the speaker times out and exits pairing mode before the TV finds it, you will see a message that the device was not found, and you can try again.
Steps to connect through your Roku TV's settings
On your Roku remote, press the Home button to go to the main menu. Scroll down and select Settings, then look for Remotes & Devices. Inside that menu, you will see Bluetooth — select it.
Choose Search for Devices. Your Roku TV will scan for any Bluetooth device in pairing mode. This usually takes 10 to 20 seconds. When your speaker appears in the list, select it. The TV will pair with the speaker and show a confirmation message.
After pairing, the speaker's name will stay in your Bluetooth settings. If you want to use a different speaker later, you can either pair a new one (which disconnects the old one) or go back to Bluetooth settings and manually disconnect the current speaker first.
What to do if the speaker does not show up
If your speaker does not appear in the search results, the most common reason is that it is not actually in pairing mode. Turn off the speaker completely, wait five seconds, turn it back on, and hold the pairing button again for the full three to five seconds. Then go back to your Roku TV and search again.
If it still does not appear, restart your Roku TV. Press Home on the remote, go to Settings, then System, then Power, and select Restart. Wait for the TV to turn back on and reconnect to your network, then try the Bluetooth search one more time.
Some speakers have a limited range — they may not pair if they are too far from the TV. Try moving the speaker closer to the TV, within about 30 feet, and search again. If you have tried all of these steps and the speaker still does not appear, the speaker may not have Bluetooth, or the Bluetooth radio in your TV may need service.
How to switch between multiple Bluetooth speakers
You can pair more than one speaker to your Roku TV, but only one can play sound at a time. To switch from one speaker to another, go back to Settings, Remotes & Devices, Bluetooth, and select the speaker you want to use. The TV will disconnect from the old speaker and connect to the new one.
If you want to remove a speaker completely so it does not show up in your list anymore, select its name in the Bluetooth menu and choose Disconnect or Remove, depending on your Roku model. The speaker will no longer be paired, and you would have to go through the pairing process again if you wanted to use it later.
Troubleshooting sound that still comes from the TV
If your Bluetooth speaker is paired but sound is still coming from the TV's speakers, check that the speaker is actually turned on and charged. A speaker that is off will not play sound even if it is paired. Also make sure the speaker's volume is turned up — if it is muted or set very low, you may not hear anything.
Some Roku TVs have a separate audio output setting. Go to Settings, Audio, and look for an option called Speaker or Audio Output. Make sure it is set to Bluetooth or External Speaker, not TV Speakers. If you see an option for HDMI ARC or Optical, those are for soundbars connected by cable, not Bluetooth speakers.
If the speaker is on, charged, and the audio output is set correctly, try unpairing and pairing again. Go to Bluetooth settings, select the speaker, and choose Disconnect. Then put the speaker back into pairing mode and search for it again on the TV.
When to use a Bluetooth speaker instead of a soundbar
A Bluetooth speaker is useful if you already own one and want to improve your TV's sound without buying new equipment. Portable speakers are good for this because you can move them around the room or take them with you. However, if you are buying something new specifically for your TV, a soundbar connected by HDMI or optical cable usually gives better sound quality and is easier to set up permanently.
Bluetooth speakers can have slight delays between the picture and the sound, which is noticeable during movies or sports. A wired soundbar does not have this problem. If you watch a lot of video content, a soundbar is the better choice. If you mainly use your TV for news, music, or shows where the delay does not matter, a Bluetooth speaker works fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect wireless headphones to my Roku TV the same way?
Yes. Wireless headphones use Bluetooth and pair through the same menu as speakers. Once paired, sound plays through the headphones instead of the TV or any connected speaker. This is useful if you want to watch late at night without disturbing others.
Will the Bluetooth speaker stay connected if I turn off the TV?
The speaker will stay paired in your settings, but it will not receive sound from the TV if the TV is off. When you turn the TV back on, it will automatically reconnect to the last speaker you used, as long as the speaker is still on and in range.
What if my speaker pairs but then disconnects on its own?
Bluetooth speakers sometimes disconnect if they are too far from the TV or if the battery is low. Move the speaker closer and make sure it is charged. If it keeps disconnecting, try unpairing and pairing again. Some older speakers have weak Bluetooth radios and may not stay connected reliably.
Can I use a Bluetooth speaker and the TV's built-in speakers at the same time?
No. When you pair a Bluetooth speaker, the TV sends all sound to that speaker and turns off its own speakers. If you want sound from both, you would need to use a soundbar or receiver that can split the audio, which is not a Bluetooth feature.
Do I need to pair the speaker every time I use it?
No. Once paired, the speaker stays in your Roku TV's Bluetooth list. When you turn on both the TV and the speaker, they reconnect automatically. You only need to pair again if you unpair the speaker or pair a different device.