Roku TV is a great way to enjoy a wide spectrum of entertainment on demand. However, without an internet connection, the device ceases to be of use. If your Roku device keeps disconnecting from the internet, then here’s a guide on how you can fix it.
Why Does My Roku Device Keep Losing Connection?
If the internet connection on your Roku Streaming Stick or Roku TV keeps dropping, it could be happening for a number of reasons:
- Unstable internet connection – This is one of the most common reasons why Roku devices will keep disconnecting from a wireless network.
- Poor WiFi signal strength – If your WiFi signal strength is low, chances are your Roku TV device won’t maintain a stable connection.
- Improper WiFi setup – Your WiFi setup can refer to a number of things such as where you’ve positioned the router, whether the necessary cables are connected properly, and the WiFi settings on both your Roku and your router.
- IP address glitches – IP address glitches can also happen for a number of reasons. When they do, they can easily hinder your entertainment experience.
- Roku software bugs – The software installed on your Roku device plays a huge role in creating a seamless experience. If it encounters a bug of sorts, the device may become unable to hold internet connections.
- Too many devices connected to the internet – You have to look around your home to find out how many devices are connected to your home network and what they’re using the connection for. If you’ve reached the maximum number of router users, then you’ll have connectivity issues.
- Outdated software – If your software hasn’t been updated in a while, then you may not be able to use your Roku. Luckily, this issue can easily be fixed.
What To Do When Roku Device Keeps Disconnecting
If your Roku device keeps disconnecting from the internet, there’s no need to panic. Here are a number of fixes that you can try:
Check your WiFi connection
One of the first things you should do is check your WiFi and router to see if there’s anything wrong with them. Before proceeding with these troubleshooting steps, ensure your internet is working properly. You can do so by running a test with your other devices.
- Ensure your router is placed close to your Roku device. If one is far from the other, move them closer together.
- Place the WiFi router higher or above the Roku TV or Streaming Stick. This should improve the network connection.
- Make sure that all the router’s cables are undamaged and connected properly.
- Check the lights on your WiFi modem. Sometimes they could serve as an indication of an internet outage or problem with the device.
- Check the speed of your connection. You can do this via many different free websites. If it’s slower than usual, then it may be why the Roku keeps disconnecting. This may also mean having to contact your internet service provider.
Restart your Roku
A restart is often a simple way to fix a seemingly complex problem.
- Navigate to the Roku home screen and then select settings.
- Scroll down and select the system option.
- Scroll down and select system restart.
- Select restart and then hit ok.
Power cycle your Roku device
Restarts don’t always fix issues, so you can then try power cycling your Roku TV or Roku Stick. Here are the steps for each device:
Roku TV
- Use the Roku remote to turn off the Roku TV.
- Unplug the Roku TV from the power outlet.
- Press the power button on your TV for 15 to 20 seconds.
- Wait 10 to 15 minutes.
- Plug in your TV and power it on. Check to see if the issue has been fixed.
Roku Stick
- Unplug the Roku Stick from your TV.
- Disconnect your Roku and TV from the power outlet.
- Wait 10 to 15 minutes.
- Plug in your TV and Roku device.
- Connect your Roku to your tv. Check to see if your Roku is connected to the internet.
Power cycle your router and modem
If you’re dealing with a slow connection, you can try power cycling your router. Follow the steps below to do so:
- Turn off your router and modem.
- Remove the cables from your router and modem out of the power socket.
- Wait for around 60 seconds.
- Reconnect your router and modem. Start them up.
- Connect your Roku to your WiFi router. Check to see if the wireless connection is working.
Check your network connection on Roku
Your Roku settings will give you all the information you need to know about your internet connection.
- Navigate to the Roku home screen.
- Select settings.
- Select the network option.
- Click on check connection.
After you’ve completed the steps above, you’ll have detailed information about your Roku’s wireless connection. If your device says the wireless network isn’t working, then test it with another device. If your internet connection still isn’t working, then contact your Internet Service Provider.
Enable or disable network ping
If power cycling didn’t get your Roku connected again, then you can start looking at your network ping.
- Navigate to the home screen of your Roku, then press the home button five times.
- Press fast forward, play, rewind, play, and then fast forward.
- Scroll up and select the system operation menu.
- Navigate to and select Disable network ping. Restart your Roku.
- Check to see if the WiFi connection is working. If not, follow the steps above again, enable network pings, and check again.
Change your DNS settings
It’s all sounding quite technical, so we’ll spare you the details. Follow these steps to change your DNS settings:
- Press menu on your Roku remote.
- Navigate to network and then network status.
- Select IP settings and then choose DNS settings.
- Input 8.8.8.8 as the DNS address.
Connect your Roku to the WiFi and check to see if this issue has been resolved. You may have to wait a few minutes before testing it.
Update your Roku device
As we said, if you haven’t updated your Roku’s firmware, you’re likely to run into connectivity issues. Here’s how to update it:
- Navigate to Roku settings.
- Select system.
- Choose system update and then select check now.
- The Roku will check for updates, if one comes up, select update now.
- Your device will automatically download and install the update.
- After it’s done, restart your Roku and see if your network connection has been restored.
Factory reset your Roku
When all else fails, a factory reset is the final solution. Do note that it involves advanced system settings, so exercise caution while doing this:
- Press home on your Roku remote and choose settings.
- Select Advanced system settings.
- Choose factory reset, enter the code on your screen, and select ok.
- Select start factory reset. When it’s done, check your internet connection. If this fails, then it’s time to get in touch with Roku.
Verify WiFi Band
Some Roku models only work on the 2.4 GHz WiFi band. At last update, this applies to the Roku Premiere and Roku Express.
For anyone that has a smart home running on the 5.0 GHz band, you may experience compatibility issues.
Verify that your WiFi network is on the correct band (2.4 GHz), but also that it is using the b/g/n mode. Many ISPs use routers on g/n as a default mode — this will need to be changed.
Use Ethernet Cable (if Possible)
Clearly, this won’t be possible for everyone. If your TV is located in a room without an ethernet jack, obviously this won’t help. Likewise if your TV and/or Roku model doesn’t have an ethernet port.
However, for some models of Roku (such as the Roku Ultra) and many models of Roku TVs, this will be the easiest and most reliable workaround. Simply use an ethernet cable for a steady, reliable connection — rather than relying on a spotty WiFi signal.
Change the Channel on Router
These steps will vary depending on your router and ISP, but here’s the short version: your Roku will generally be assigned to channel 1, 6, or 11.
If you still can’t figure out why the Roku is disconnecting, try manually re-assigning it a different channel. You should use either channel 1, 6, or 11.
To be sure that the change is in effect, try restarting your Roku at this point.
Final Thoughts
Innovations such as Roku TV are designed to make our lives easier. However, their reliance on having strong network connections can make the experience irritating and inconvenient.
We’ve mentioned a lot of fixes in this article, so hopefully, one does the trick. If not, there may be a fault with your WiFi router, Roku device, or internet service provider. Hopefully, this article will have you streaming content again in no time.
FAQs
What is the best alternative to Roku TV?
There are a number of big-name competitors to Roku TV, however, the “best” one may depend on your budget and what features or programs you’re looking for. Here are some of the most noteworthy alternatives to Roku TV:
- Google TV
- Amazon Fire TV Stick
- Apple TV
- TiVo Stream
- Onn FHD
How do I request a return or warranty replacement for my Roku device?
Follow these instructions:
- Go to your web browser on your preferred device and navigate to support.roku.com.
- Select “Check support options” at the bottom of the page.
- After landing on the “Let’s find your best support options” screen, click “Return/Replace.”
- Indicate whether the purchase was made directly from Roku or another retailer. After you’ve made an indication, follow the next instructions to complete your request.
If your product wasn’t purchased from the Roku website, you’d have to contact the retailer you purchased it from for a refund.
Can you use a mobile hotspot for Roku TV?
Luckily, you can indeed use a mobile hotspot for Roku TV. Doing this will require you to change a few configurations of your hotspot settings. After doing this, you should be able to pair your Roku device to your smartphone with ease.
Ensure that your device has a solid internet connection when doing this.
Will Roku work on any TV?
Roku streaming players can work on any television with an HDMI input. So, a Roku player can be connected to an HDR or 4K compatible television. However, if you want to stream TV shows and movies in those resolutions, you’ll need a compatible Roku streaming player and television that supports HDR or 4K.
Sources:
https://support.roku.com/article/360007223934
