The Roku is a wonderful device that puts all your streaming networks at your fingertips. Several essential networks, from Disney+ to Netflix, utilize Roku as the main hub for streaming content. I rely on Roku to catch all my favorite shows and movies, which is especially nice after a long workday.
But, when the Roku won’t connect to the wireless internet at home, it can not only be frustrating but downright halt any plans I had for the night. A robust wireless connection to Roku is essential to watch any streaming content. Fixing the Roku quickly and easily is key to sitting down and enjoying the night.
A Roku failing to connect to the wireless internet may indicate a more significant problem with your wireless router or modem. Your router may need to be reset, or the DNS information confirmed or updated. A Roku that fails to connect to WiFi may also be an issue with network pings, too large a distance from the router, or even limited bandwidth.
Luckily, there are several easy checks and tweaks to get your Roku working again. If all else fails, several Roku devices are compatible with an Ethernet cable to supply a steady, reliable internet stream.
Is Your WiFi Signal Working?
Roku relies on an internet signal to be able to stream content to your television. One of the most common reasons your Roku won’t connect to the WiFi is that your wireless router is not working to send a signal to the Roku properly.
Within the Roku menus, there is an easy way to check the wireless connection. To check if your WiFi Signal is reaching the Roku, you’ll want to:
- Settings – Navigate to the home screen on your Roku. Use the left arrow on the Roku Remote to scroll to Settings.
- Network – Next, press the right arrow button on the remote to toggle to the Network option. Press the right arrow again to select the Network Page option.
- About – Read the About page for more information about the connection type, signal strength, and download speed. If this information is not present, there is no internet connection to your Roku. This information can also help diagnose other potential reasons why the Roku is not connecting to the wireless internet.
- Check Connection – If it looks like the Roku is receiving a wireless internet signal, try clicking the button for Check Connection, and press OK.
- Test – Next, try to test your Roku by streaming some content. This test is a great way to see if the internet connection has been repaired.
Does My WiFi Need Reset?
If you are struggling to maintain a connection between Roku and your wireless internet provider, it may be time to reset your WiFi router and modem.
Resetting your internet equipment can help resolve a router, modem, or network issue. Try to reset your wireless internet modem and router, and then test the Roku again to see if the problem is resolved.
Why Does Roku Say Unable to Connect to the Internet?
When searching through the Network menus, you may see “Unable to Connect” listed instead of information regarding your connection on the About Network page.
When you see “Unable to Connect,” it could mean you have an issue with the wireless signal quality or the network is experiencing issues.
If the network is experiencing problems, it may mean your router is on but not connected to the internet, which means your wireless signal is not reaching your Roku correctly.
What If I Changed My Internet Credentials?
There may be an issue with your wireless internet credentials in your Roku. If you recently changed the wireless password or switched network providers, this problem could happen. You’ll want to ensure your Roku is properly connected to the correct wireless internet in your home. You’ll want to:
- Settings – Go to the Settings menu. Press the right arrow on the remote to go to the network. Then, press the right arrow again to select the Network Page.
- Wireless – You’ll want to scroll down to Set Up Connection from this menu. Select Wireless. Press OK.
- Available Networks – Next, your Roku will look for available wireless signals in the area. You’ll see a list of available networks. Find your wireless network and press OK.
- Password – Next, you’ll be asked to enter the password for your wireless internet. Enter the new, correct password into the system and press OK. Once a correct password is entered, the Roku system will connect.
Does My Roku Need a Restart?
Sometimes, a communication error occurs between your Roku device and the available wireless internet connections. A simple Roku restart can help restore communication and allow you to stream content again. To restart your Roku, you should:
- Settings – Navigate to the Home Screen and press the left arrow on the Roku remote. Scroll to Settings.
- System – From the Settings menu, select System.
- Restart – Press the right arrow within the System menu until you find System Restart. Press OK.
Is Your Roku Too Far Away?
Sometimes your Roku will not work if the wireless internet signal is too weak. A weak signal could be to blame if your Roku is too far away from the router and the modem.
Sometimes, simply moving your Roku closer to the router and modem can improve signal strength and help your Roku better connect to the wireless internet.
Can You Use Ethernet?
While an Ethernet connection might not be a solution for a Roku Stick, using an Ethernet cable to connect a Roku player may be the proper fix for a Roku unable to connect to the internet.
Using an Ethernet cable to connect to a Roku player can create a reliable connection, often more robust than a wireless internet signal. A wired connection won’t work with all Roku devices, but it may be the right solution to get a Roku player onto the internet to stream content.
Try To Disable Network Pings
In some cases, network pings are set up in your wireless network. Unfortunately, these can prevent a Roku from successfully connecting to a wireless connection. It can be a little tricky disabling network ping, so it is essential to pay close attention to the necessary steps to disable the pings.
Within the Roku, a hidden settings menu will allow you to make changes deep within the Roku. Typically, these are advanced settings, but if your network pings are turned on, it may prevent your Roku from connecting to the internet. To access the hidden menu, perform the following sequence:
- Press the Home button five times
- Press Fast Forward Button
- Press Play Button
- Press Rewind Button
- Press Play Button
- Press Fast Forward Button
At this point, you should be able to access the hidden menu. Next, select the System Operations Menu. Continue to the Network Menu. From this menu option, you should be able to disable network pings. Select OK, and continue to save your settings. Return to the main menu.
Test your Roku internet connection after completing these steps to confirm you have fixed your Roku internet connection successfully.
Can You Upgrade Your Internet?
Using the Roku device to stream content can be heavy on your available bandwidth. Usually, a lower bandwidth, at 2.4 GHz, is used for wireless internet.
Although a common bandwidth, this band can be prone to signal obstructions and occasional interference. Higher bandwidth wireless internet, like the 5GHz wireless internet, can help you stream content seamlessly.
Luckily, the Roku has been designed to work with both bandwidths. If you have trouble connecting to the internet with a standard 2.4 GHz wireless connection, it may be time to upgrade to a larger bandwidth.
This upgrade should help you connect your Roku and sustain a stable internet connection suitable for heavy streaming. Be sure to contact your internet provider about a potential bandwidth upgrade for your home.
Have You Checked DNS Settings?
DNS is an abbreviation for Domain Name System. Sometimes if your Roku system becomes disrupted or interrupted, your DNS settings will become jumbled. You need the correct DNS settings to get the internet signal to your Roku successfully.
DNS Settings typically live in your wireless router. To check your settings, you’ll want to:
- Login – Log into your router with the correct username and password.
- Settings – Navigate to the DNS Settings found within your router.
- Internal to Public – You’ll want to change the internal DNS address to the public DNS address. It should read: (Input 8.8.8.8 in DNS1 and 8.8.4.4 in DNS2).
- Save – Next, save changes and restart both the router and your Roku at the same time.
Once you have made the appropriate changes, test your Roku by connecting to the internet and streaming content. You should be able to not only connect to the internet with a stable connection but also stream content without any interruptions or lag.
Call Roku Support
Remember that Roku has a customer service team that is more than happy to help troubleshoot problems with your Roku. If you have tried the few troubleshooting steps listed above without success, it may be time to reach out to a knowledgeable customer service representative from Roku to further test and troubleshoot your device.
