Connect your Roku TV to WiFi in three steps

Your Roku TV needs a WiFi connection to stream shows, movies, and apps. The connection process takes about five minutes and happens on your TV itself — you do not need a computer or phone to start.

Turn on your Roku TV and wait for the home screen to load. Use your Roku remote to navigate to Settings, then select Network. Choose WiFi from the menu. Your TV will scan for available networks and display a list of WiFi names (called SSIDs) in your area.

Find your WiFi network name in the list and select it. When prompted, enter your WiFi password using the on-screen keyboard. The remote's arrow buttons move between letters and numbers; the OK button in the center selects each character. After you enter the password, select Connect. Your TV will test the connection and confirm when you are online.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Roku TV connects through its own Settings menu — you do not need another device to set it up.
  • The on-screen keyboard uses your remote's arrow buttons and center OK button to type your WiFi password character by character.
  • Your TV will show you a list of nearby WiFi networks; select the one you use at home.
  • The connection test happens automatically after you enter your password, so wait for the confirmation screen before moving on.

What to do if your WiFi password has special characters

Passwords with symbols like @ # $ % or & can be tricky on the on-screen keyboard because you have to navigate through extra screens to find them. Before you start, write down your exact password so you can see which special characters it contains.

When the keyboard appears, look for a button labeled Symbols or ?123 — this switches the keyboard to show punctuation marks. Navigate to the symbol you need, select it, then switch back to letters for the next part of your password. Take your time; the TV will not time out while you are typing.

Troubleshooting a failed connection

If your TV shows "Connection failed" or "Incorrect password," the most common cause is a typo in the password. Go back to Settings > Network > WiFi, select your network again, and re-enter the password more slowly. Double-check that Caps Lock is off unless your password actually contains capital letters.

If the password is correct but the connection still fails, restart your WiFi router. Unplug it for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and wait two minutes for it to fully restart. Then try connecting your Roku TV again. If your router is far from your TV (more than 30 feet away or through multiple walls), move closer temporarily to test the connection, then move the router or TV if needed.

If your WiFi network does not appear in the list at all, your router may be broadcasting on a 5 GHz frequency that your Roku TV does not support. Most Roku TVs connect only to 2.4 GHz networks. Check your router's settings to see if you can enable the 2.4 GHz band, or contact your internet provider for help adjusting your router.

Switching to a different WiFi network

If you move to a new home or change your WiFi provider, you can connect to a different network without resetting your TV. Go to Settings > Network > WiFi and select Set up connection. Your TV will scan for networks again and let you choose a new one.

If you want to remove an old network your TV remembers, go to Settings > Network > WiFi and look for Manage networks or Forget network. Select the old network and choose to forget it. This prevents your TV from trying to reconnect to a network that no longer exists.

Using a wired connection instead of WiFi

Some Roku TV models have an ethernet port on the back. If your TV has one and you prefer a wired connection, plug an ethernet cable directly from your router to your TV. Wired connections are more stable than WiFi and do not require a password.

Your Roku TV will usually detect the wired connection automatically. If it does not, go to Settings > Network and select Ethernet. The TV will test the connection and confirm when it is working. You can use both WiFi and ethernet at the same time; your TV will prefer the wired connection.

What to do after you connect

Once your Roku TV is online, it will download updates automatically in the background. This can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on your internet speed. You can use your TV while this happens, but do not unplug it during an update.

After the update finishes, you can sign in to streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, or Hulu. Each app has its own login process. Some apps let you sign in on your phone and send the login to your TV automatically, which is faster than typing on the remote keyboard.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my Roku TV after connecting to WiFi?

No. Your TV will work immediately after the connection test passes. If you want to restart it anyway, go to Settings > System > Power > Restart. Wait about 30 seconds for the TV to turn back on.

Can I connect my Roku TV to a guest WiFi network?

Yes. Guest networks work the same way as regular networks — just select the guest network name from the list and enter its password. Some guest networks require you to accept terms on a web page; if that happens, use your phone or computer to connect to the guest network first and accept the terms, then try your Roku TV again.

What if I forgot my WiFi password?

You can reset your WiFi password through your router's admin page or your internet provider's website or app. Look for the router's model number on the device itself or on your bill. Once you change the password, go back to your Roku TV's WiFi settings and enter the new password.

Why does my Roku TV keep disconnecting from WiFi?

Frequent disconnections usually mean your TV is too far from the router or something is blocking the signal. Try moving your router closer to your TV, or move your TV closer to the router temporarily to test. If that fixes it, you may need to relocate the router or use a WiFi extender. If the problem continues even when close, restart your router and your TV, then try again.

Can I use a 5 GHz WiFi network with my Roku TV?

Most Roku TV models only support 2.4 GHz networks. Check your TV's manual or go to Settings > System > About to see your model number, then search online for its WiFi specifications. If your router broadcasts both bands, you can usually enable just the 2.4 GHz band in your router settings.