Roku not Connecting to Wi-Fi? Here’s Why and Latest Solutions 2023

All of us want to watch the latest movies and shows without any interruptions, don’t we?

And for that, we have got lots of mediums today. One of them is Roku. Although it is not exactly an OTT medium itself, it enables us to have access to all the channels i.e., streaming platforms all in one place like a hub.

Why is Roku not Connecting?

There can be many probable reasons why Roku isn’t connecting to Wi-Fi or is unable to reach the Ethernet. We have listed some of them below for you to understand.

• Poor Wi-Fi Signal, Internet Issues – It is one of the most common and basic causes of many errors. If you have a bad internet connection or the signal strength is low,  it can cause issues in the smooth functioning of Roku.
• Device Configurations – Sometimes a device itself have internal and external issues which prevent them from connecting to the servers. The internal issues are usually bugs in the system software and external issues can be any damage physically in the device.
• A Router or Power Outage – The services can often get interrupted by a power or router outage.
• Ethernet Cable may be unplugged – If the Ethernet cable for wired devices is unplugged, the device won’t be able to function.
• Loosened Cables – There can be a chance that the cables are not connected properly to the device or may have come loose, hence it can cause issues with Roku.
• The Roku device may be malfunctioning or failing – If the Roku device itself has some faults or issues, it can be a reason why it isn’t connecting to the Wi-Fi or the internet.
• Additional network devices using network bandwidth – If the additional network devices like game consoles or computers are using up the network bandwidth, it can hamper the network connectivity and Roku may end up having internet issues.
• DNS Configuration – In some cases, the DNS configurations get cached by the router and get corrupted to connect to the internet. This can result in connection issues and if the DNS servers cannot connect, the network process can get interrupted.

These were some of the reasons that can cause the issue of Roku’s not connecting to Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Now, let’s see what are the solutions that help to resolve this issue.

How to Get Roku to Connect to the Internet?

Luckily, resolving the issue and getting Roku back online is no big deal. Usually, when Roku cannot connect to the internet, the cause lies in the router or other devices and connection settings. You need to make sure that the physical hardware of your Roku device is alright, and check that all the cables are connected properly along with the device being connected to the correct network. Now we will proceed with the solutions we have got for you that are easy to follow step by step.

To connect Roku to the Internet, follow the given steps:

Perform an Internet Speed Test

• Open the Roku Settings, and go to Network.
• Then tap on Test Connection.
• Now the internet signal quality will be checked, and you will know if the problem is being caused due to poor connection.
• Try disconnecting other devices using the Internet to give Roku more bandwidth. 

Restart your Roku

• Press Left on the remote and go to the side menu. Then, scroll down to Settings.
• Then press Right on the remote to enter the Settings menu. Scroll down to System. 
• After that, press Right to focus on the System menu.
• Now scroll down to System Restart and tap on Restart. Then press OK on the remote.
• Wait for the Roku to reboot.

Check the Internet Connection

• Go to the home screen and press left on the Roku remote.
• Then scroll down to Settings.
• Now press the right arrow to access the Settings menu and again press right for Network.
• After that, press right for the Network page and read the About page for connection information that includes the connection type, download speed, and signal strength. If you are unable to find this information, this means you are not connected to the internet.
• If you are sure, and you have confirmed that you are connected to the internet, then scroll down and tap on Check connection and then press OK.

Now try reconnecting Roku to Wi-Fi and see if the issue is resolved now or if the problem still persists.

Reset your Wi-Fi Router 

• Press the power button of your Wi-Fi router and turn it off.
• Then wait for around 30 seconds. 
• After that, turn it on and connect it freshly to your device.
• Start your Roku device and connect the Wi-Fi to it.

Now see if the issue has been resolved.

Switching Devices

• Unplug all connected devices from the electrical outlet.
• Press and hold the power button on the device for about 15 seconds.
• Now reconnect the power cord and turn on the devices by pressing the power button.
• Wait for all the devices to turn on and now see if the problem is solved.

Move Roku Closer to Router and Modem

There is a possibility that due to the distance between your Wi-Fi router and your Roku device, the signal strength is weak. So, in order to make sure that there is no issue with the network connectivity, you can try moving your router closer to Roku and see if the issue resolves.

Connect an Ethernet Cable to Roku

While you can’t physically plug an Ethernet cable into a Roku Stick, using a cable to connect a compatible Roku player to the internet will always create the most stable and reliable connection.

We hope that with the help of these steps your issue will be resolved. Now let’s see how we can check the internet connection status of the Roku device. 

How to Check Roku’s Internet Connection Status?

Regardless of the devices, the Roku user interface is the same. So if you have a Roku stick or a built-in Roku on your TV, it does not matter. It is important to determine whether you have any specific network problems like signal strength or quality if you are facing any internet connectivity issues. To check Roku’s internet connection status, follow the steps given below:

• Press Left on the remote and go to the side menu.
• Then scroll down to Settings.
• Press right on the remote to enter the Settings menu and press right another time to go to Network. 
• Then press right again to focus on the Network page.
• You will be provided with two options: About Page and Check Connection. On the About Page, you will be able to access the information for connection details and through Check Connection, you will be able to check the signal strength of the network that you are connected to. 
• Now, if you cannot see the information on the About Page, then this means that you are not connected to the internet.
• If you are connected to the internet as per the About Page info and still face issues then you can tap on Check connection and select OK to start the test. 
• Then a pop-up will appear which will present the details of your network connection status, signal, and speed as well.

If you are connected, and the speed is stable, try playing media through a streaming app to see if the problem is fixed.