The basic steps to get your Roku online

When you turn on a new Roku TV for the first time, it will walk you through a setup menu that includes connecting to WiFi. The TV will show you a list of available networks, you select yours, enter your password, and the TV connects. If you skip this step or need to reconnect later, you can do the same thing through Settings on any Roku TV — go to Settings, then Network, then WiFi, and select your network from the list.

The whole process usually takes under a minute once you have your WiFi password ready. If your TV does not see your network in the list, or if the connection fails, the sections below cover the most common reasons and how to fix them.

Key Takeaways

  • During initial setup, your Roku TV will prompt you to select a WiFi network and enter your password — this is the standard way to connect.
  • If you skip setup or need to reconnect later, go to Settings > Network > WiFi and select your network from the available list.
  • Your WiFi password must be entered exactly as it is set on your router, including uppercase and lowercase letters.
  • If your network does not appear in the list, restart your router and move it closer to the TV, since Roku TVs have shorter range than some devices.
  • A wired ethernet connection through a USB adapter is an alternative if WiFi is unreliable in your location.

What to do if your WiFi network does not show up

Roku TVs scan for networks within range, but they have shorter WiFi range than phones or laptops. If you do not see your network name in the list, the TV is too far from your router or the signal is blocked. Move your router closer to the TV, or move the TV closer to the router if possible. Even a few feet can make a difference.

If moving is not practical, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Wait for it to fully boot — usually two to three minutes — then check the Roku TV's network list again. Sometimes a router restart helps the TV detect the network more reliably.

If your network still does not appear, check that your router is broadcasting its name (called the SSID). Most routers do this by default, but some people turn it off for privacy. If yours is hidden, you can tell the Roku TV to connect to a hidden network by going to Settings > Network > WiFi > Set up connection > Other network, then typing your network name and password manually.

Fixing a connection that fails or keeps dropping

If the TV connects briefly then disconnects, or if it asks for your password repeatedly, the most common cause is an incorrect password. Roku passwords are case-sensitive, meaning uppercase and lowercase letters matter. If your password is "MyWiFi123", typing "mywifi123" will not work. Check your router's label or your WiFi settings to confirm the exact password, including capitalization.

If the password is correct but the connection still drops, restart both the TV and the router. Unplug the router for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait for it to fully boot. Then restart the Roku TV by going to Settings > System > Power > Restart. This clears temporary connection issues that sometimes build up over time.

If the TV connects but then loses WiFi after a few minutes, your router may be dropping the connection due to power-saving settings or interference. Check whether other devices in your home (phones, laptops) stay connected reliably. If they do, the issue is specific to the Roku TV. If they also drop, the problem is your router or internet connection, not the TV.

Using a wired connection if WiFi is unreliable

Roku TVs do not have a built-in ethernet port, but you can add one using a USB-to-ethernet adapter. Roku sells an official adapter (the Roku Ethernet Adapter), or you can use a third-party USB 3.0 ethernet adapter — most work, though Roku recommends checking their compatibility list first. Plug the adapter into a USB port on the TV, connect an ethernet cable from your router to the adapter, and the TV will detect the wired connection automatically.

A wired connection is more stable than WiFi and useful if your router is far from the TV or if you have interference from other devices. The trade-off is that you need to run a cable, which is not practical in every room. If you go this route, you can still use WiFi as a backup — the TV will prefer the wired connection when both are available.

Checking your connection speed and signal strength

Once your Roku TV is connected, you can see how strong your signal is by going to Settings > Network > About. This screen shows your WiFi signal strength as a percentage and your internet speed. A signal strength of 50 percent or higher is usually fine for streaming. Below 50 percent, you may see buffering during video playback, especially if you are streaming 4K content.

If your signal is weak, the same solutions apply: move the router closer, remove obstacles between the router and TV, or switch to a wired connection. If your internet speed is below 5 Mbps, the problem is your internet service, not the WiFi connection — contact your internet provider or move the router to a location with better signal from your modem.

Reconnecting to a different network

If you move your TV to a new location or change your WiFi network, go to Settings > Network > WiFi and select "Set up connection". The TV will show the available networks again. Select your new network, enter the password, and you are connected. The TV will forget the old network and remember the new one.

If you want to remove a network the TV has already connected to without switching to a new one, go to Settings > Network > WiFi > Manage networks, select the network you want to forget, and choose "Forget". This is useful if you have multiple networks in range and want to prevent the TV from connecting to the wrong one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my TV every time I change my WiFi password?

No. Once you change your password on your router, go to Settings > Network > WiFi on the TV, select your network again, and enter the new password. The TV will update automatically. You do not need to restart anything.

Can I connect my Roku TV to a guest network?

Yes. Guest networks appear in the WiFi list just like regular networks. Select it and enter the guest password. Some guest networks have restrictions that prevent streaming services from working, so if apps do not load, check your router's guest network settings or try the main network instead.

What if I forgot my WiFi password?

You can reset your router to factory defaults by holding the reset button for 10 seconds, but this erases all your settings. A better option is to log into your router's admin page from a computer or phone — the address is usually printed on the router itself — and view or change your password there. Then reconnect the Roku TV with the new password.

Why does my Roku TV keep asking for the WiFi password?

This usually means the password you entered is incorrect, even if it looks right. Passwords are case-sensitive. Double-check capitalization and special characters against your router's label or settings. If the password is definitely correct, restart both the router and TV, then try connecting again.

Can I use a 5GHz network instead of 2.4GHz?

Yes. Most modern routers broadcast both bands, and Roku TVs support both. The 5GHz band is faster but has shorter range. If your TV is far from the router, stick with 2.4GHz. If it is close and you want faster speeds, 5GHz works fine. Your router's network list will show both if they are available.