Why Roku won’t Connect to WiFi after Reset? (Possible Fixes!)

Roku is a well-known streaming device that allows users to view TV shows, movies, and other content on their TV screens. One of the most obvious issues faced by a Roku user is WiFi connectivity. Sometimes, even after you’ve reset your Roku device, it still won’t connect to WiFi. It can be a really frustrating experience. So, in this detailed blog post, we will learn why Roku won’t connect to WiFi after resetting and offer some possible troubleshooting tips.

Reasons and fixes for Roku not connecting to WiFi after reset

In this section, we’ll explore all the reasons why your Roku won’t connect to WiFi after resetting and even share several troubleshooting tips.

The reason most likely reason would be to do with your WiFi/internet connection or the Roku device.

Internet/WiFi Connectivity issues

A key reason why your Roku device won’t connect to your WiFi is because of no internet connection or poor signal strength. This could be because of service outages, slow internet speeds, the location of your router from your Roku device, or the connection of multiple devices to your WiFi at the same time. We’ll also share a couple of solutions that you can try.

Internet service outage

So, the first thing you do if your Roku won’t connect to WiFi is to check your network status. You can do this by connecting to your network from another device, like your smartphone. It is not uncommon for your network providers to take maintenance breaks.

Also, it is most likely your provider would inform you of any outages beforehand. And they usually try their best to resolve this problem. So, the best thing you can do in this situation is to have patience and periodically contact your ISP for any updates.

Check your internet speeds

Roku has a recommendation for minimum bandwidth for streaming different types of content. For instance, they suggest you need at least 3 Mbps speeds for SD content and 9 Mbps for HD content.

So, you can check your current internet speeds using an online speed testing tool. And if you find your speeds are lacking, you need to get hold of your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to upgrade your current plan.

Placement of your WiFi router & Roku device

Sometimes, where you place the router makes a big difference in the strength and stability of your WiFi signal. Ideally, it should be placed in a central location, away from walls or other obstructions that could interfere with the signal. By placing the router in the center, the signal from the router will be distributed evenly throughout the room.

Also, the direction the Roku device faces will affect the strength of the WiFi signal it receives. It is recommended to position the Roku device in a location where it has a clear line of sight to the router for optimal performance.

Disconnect other devices from WiFi

When playing Roku, we recommend disconnecting all other devices from your WiFi network. This will help reduce interference and ensure that the Roku device has access to the maximum bandwidth available for smooth streaming. Additionally, you can try restarting your router or upgrading to a higher-speed internet plan if you continue to experience buffering or connectivity issues.

Reset your WiFi router

If your internet speed is not the problem, then you can try resetting your WiFi router. It is a common troubleshooting fix that usually solves issues like your Roku content keeps on buffering or loading. You can reset the router by unplugging it from the power outlet for 30 seconds and then plugging it back in.

Use an Ethernet cable

If you are using a Roku TV or Roku Player, you can connect your WiFi router via an ethernet cable. This is because an ethernet cable provides a more stable connection when compared to a wireless one. Also, even if you are using a Roku device plugged into your smart TV, you can still use an ethernet cable. But this time the cable would be connected to your TV and router. So, if you use an ethernet cable, you will never face the issues of bad signal strength from your router.

Troubleshoot on Roku TV or device

By this point, you should’ve ruled out your WiFi network from being the main culprit for the Roku not connecting to it. In this section, we assume your Roku device is the main reason it won’t connect to your WiFi, even after a reset. So, we will share some scenarios you might be facing and some solutions.

Check your connection on Roku TV

You can check for WiFi and internet connection from Roku. This feature will let Roku detect and then connect to the network that is available.

So, here’s how to check for a connection on Roku.

1. First, you need to press the Home button on the remote.
2. Next, you have to click on Settings > Network > Check connection.
3. This will allow Roku to look for available WiFi or an internet signal.

If you get a connection, then you’ll get a “Connection check was successful” message. This means everything is OK. However, if you don’t get this message and your WiFi network isn’t identified by your device, then you have a problem.

Reset network connection on Roku TV

If the earlier method of checking for a network connection on Roku TV doesn’t work, try resetting the network connection. Sometimes when you’ve changed your WiFi password, then you must update that on your Roku TV. This action will resolve any issues related to your WiFi. So, you need to reset the network connection on your Roku TV and then set up the WiFi network again.

Here’s how to reset the network connection on Roku TV.

1. The first step is to press the Home button on your remote.
2. Next, from the Home menu, head over to Settings > System > Advanced System Settings.
3. Then select Network Connection Reset > Reset Connection.
4. After that, wait for your TV to restart.

Here’s how to set up a network connection on Roku TV.

1. The first step is to press the Home button on your Roku remote.
2. Then head over to Settings > Network > Set up connection.
3. Next, you should select Wireless and wait for your Roku TV to scan for the available wireless network.
4. After that, you need to choose your WiFi network and enter the password.
5. Make sure that you’ve entered the correct password, and then click on Connect.

Disable the Network Pings on Roku TV

Sometimes disabling the network pings will solve your internet connectivity issues. Here we will show you the entire step-by-step process. 

Step 1: The first step for you is to access the Platform Secret Screen on your Roku. You need to perform this step very carefully. In order for the secret screen to appear on the TV screen, you need to press the following buttons one after the other on your remote in the exact order.

1. Press the Home button 5 times
2. Press the FAST FORWARD button 1 time
3. Press the PLAY button 1 time
4. Press the REWIND button 1 time
5. Press the PLAY button 1 time
6. Finally, press the FAST FORWARD button 1 time

Step 2: On the Platform Secret Screen that appears on your Roku TV, select the System Operations Menu and press the OK button.

Step 3: After that, head over to Network Menu and press on Disable network pings. And final, head over to your home screen by pressing the Home button.

Step 4: Now check if you can connect to your WiFi. And if it doesn’t connect to WiFi, repeat the process again by enabling the network pings and disabling them. Keep on repeating this process a few times if it keeps failing.

Restart your Roku TV

Another fix you can try is simply rebooting your Roku TV. This can help clear any temporary glitches or errors that may be causing the WiFi connection issue. Here’s how to reboot your Roku TV.

1. The first step is to press the Home button on your remote and head over to the home screen of your Roku TV.
2. After that, head over to Settings and then select System > Power.
3. Then click on System Restart and the Restart to turn off your Roku and then turn it back in.

Update your Roku TV

Outdated TV software can cause various issues, including performance problems and security vulnerabilities. Updating your Roku TV can help you avoid these issues and ensure that you have access to the latest features and improvements. It is recommended to regularly check for software updates and install them to ensure optimal performance and security of your Roku TV.

Here’s how to update your Roku TV.

1. The first step is to press the Home button on your remote and then head over to Settings from the home screen.
2. After that, select System > System update.
3. Next, click on the Check now option. If any updates are available, the Roku TV will automatically download them.

Unplug your TV and Roku device

A common troubleshooting tip you can try is to power off your TV, unplug the cable from the power outlet, remove the Roku device, and wait for at least a minute before putting it all back in and turning them on again. This can help reset the connection between your TV and Roku device, which may resolve any connectivity issues you are experiencing. Now you can try reconnecting to WiFi again.

Reset your Roku TV

Although this article is about finding the reasons why Roku won’t connect to WiFi even after a reset, we’ll also find out how to perform this reset.

Resetting any device is a common troubleshooting fix. However, there is a difference between a simple power cycle and a factory reset. In this section, we’ll see both.

You can physically reset your Roku TV by pressing and holding the Reset button for at least 20 seconds. After that, your Roku TV will start the restarting process. However, it is only supported on some Roku models.

Here are the steps on how to perform a factory reset on a Roku TV.

1. First, open the Home button from your Roku TV remote.
2. Next, head over to Settings and click on System > Advanced System Settings.
3. After that, you need to select Factory Reset and then choose Factory Reset Everything for confirmation.

Wrapping up

In this detailed review, we’ve shared everything you need to know about why Roku won’t connect to WiFi after reset and what could be done about it. We’ve shared several troubleshooting tips based on our experience.

Read more:

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