The Roku platform has tons of content with many reliable streaming services, games, and apps that cover virtually every topic.
The only caveat is that Roku requires an internet connection to perform nearly any of its functionalities. So when your Roku is not connecting to WiFi, it’s a total bummer.
Luckily, there are a handful of simple solutions that you can try to resolve the connectivity issue.
Most of the time, your Roku not connecting to WiFi is due to a weak WiFi connection, an issue with the router, power supply, or the Roku itself.
In this guide, we’ll step you through possible ways to fix it when your Roku is not connecting to WiFi.
Roku Not Connecting to WiFi
If Roku is not connecting to WiFi, you need to check if you have an active internet connection. Then, you need to restart your Roku device. In most cases, this will fix the problem.
If it’s not working yet, don’t panic, there are several other steps you can take to fix this issue. Follow every step below, and I’m confident you’ll get your Roku connected to WiFi again.
1. Verify Roku WiFi Signal Strength
Since the signal is what everything cycles around regarding Roku internet connectivity, that is the best place to start the troubleshooting process.
Besides WiFi connection issues, a slow internet connection can cause affect Roku audio sync.
Navigate to Settings on your Roku device from the main menu and press the right arrow to enter the submenu.
From there, right arrow into Network and finally scroll to the About tab. This will show the status of your connection, the strength, and the download speed, alongside some other connectivity data.
If any information does not indicate that your Roku is connected, then the connectivity is lacking.
The same menu has a Check Connectivity option just under the About selection. Scroll down to that to check if you can restore the connectivity.
If it says that the device is connected and the signal is strong, the connectivity isn’t the problem. If there is no connection, you’ll need to check your modem or router.
See also: How to fix Roku not connecting to TV
2. Power Cycle the Modem or Router
If the Roku shows no connectivity, you should power cycle the source of your WiFi. This means that you need to reset the modem or router that is broadcasting the WiFi signal.
To do this, unplug it from its power source by either pulling the wall connection plug out or by pulling the end of the cord out of the modem itself.
After 15 to 20 seconds, plug the unplugged end back in and allow about a minute and a half for the initial protocols to run.
After initialization, check that the modem light indicators show the connection is active. Use the previous technique on this list to see if you can connect Roku to WiFi.
3. Reset your WiFi Router and Modem
When you try the troubleshooting steps above and still can’t connect to WiFi, the issue is probably with your network, router, or modem.
You can try resetting your WiFi router and modem to see if that helps.
4. Reset Your Roku Device
In any case, if your Roku is not performing well or the About menu indicates that connectivity isn’t the issue, it is time to reset it.
This is the same idea as restarting your PC when acting off. For step-by-step instructions, see our guide on how to reset Roku.
After about 30 seconds, plug it back in. In either method, once the restart happens, most modern Roku models should be back online within 30 seconds. You can then check for connectivity or try to stream with any of the Roku apps.
5. Make Sure Roku and Router Are Near Each Other
Sometimes, the problem is simply that the signal from the router cannot reach the Roku. That means that the device is currently outside of the finite radius of the WiFi’s reach.
If this is the issue, you should move the devices closer together. Try testing for connectivity again after moving the Roku closer to the modem or router.
6. Connect Roku With an Ethernet Cable
If you cannot connect to the WiFi and suspect that the router or modem is the culprit, you can connect your Roku via Ethernet.
Remove the ethernet wire from the modem and plug it directly into the Roku. Most Roku units (that are not the Roku stick) should be equipped with an ethernet port on the back.
When you plug the Ethernet cable directly into the Roku, it receives the internet signal directly as opposed to having to wait for the modem to broadcast it.
If there are no local internet outages, this should fix your “Roku not connecting to WiFi” problem.
7. Contact Roku Support
If all else fails, you may need to contact Roku support for further assistance with your issue. You can reach out via online chat or email.
Roku support will prompt you with some questions regarding the nature of your issue to best direct you to the proper personnel to assist with your issues.
Final Thoughts on Roku Not Connecting to WiFi
It’s annoying when your Roku won’t connect to WiFi, especially if you’re trying to watch your favorite show.
Fortunately, there are usually easy ways to resolve this issue, as you can see from the troubleshooting steps above.
I hope this assisted you in fixing your “Roku not connecting to WiFi” problem. In case you fixed the problem with any other solution, please do share it in the comments section.
