Background
Your Roku streaming player or Roku TV™ provides you with access to stream video and music from the internet. In order for this to work, you need a good network connection from your router* to the Roku device.
This FAQ is designed to help resolve these issues:
You are unable to connect to your home wireless network and have tried the steps outlined here.
You are experiencing video playback issues and have tried the steps outlined here.
In these cases, your wireless signal may not be adequate. Below are suggestions to further identify the issue and improve the quality of the wireless signal.
How to Check your Wireless Signal Strength
Your Roku device provides information on the strength of the wireless signal it is receiving.
Go to Settings > Network
If your Roku device is not connected, select Set up new wireless connection.
If you do not see your network name, you may be too far from the router. Try the steps listed below to improve the wireless signal and then try Set up new wireless connection again.
If you would like to connect to a different router, select Setup new wireless connection and follow the prompts.
When connected, the wireless signal strength will be shown on the screen as Poor, Fair, Good, or Excellent.
If your signal strength is good or excellent and you are having connection or playback issues:
Check for wireless interference: Cordless phones, microwave ovens, or other wireless devices near your router can all cause wireless interference, so move them away from your wireless router.
Check whether your internet service provider (e.g. Comcast, AT&T, or Spectrum) is currently experiencing issues, and that your internet package provides speeds fast enough for streaming.
Reduce usage of other devices currently accessing the network, such as other streaming players, computers, game consoles, and mobile devices.
If your signal strength is fair or poor and you are having connection or playback issues, in addition to the above tips, also try moving your Roku device or router
If you can move them closer, the signal will get stronger.
If you can move them so there are fewer objects and walls between them, the signal will get stronger
Perhaps you can try moving the Roku device closer temporarily, so as to verify that the signal strength is the problem.
Try re-orienting the router’s antennas
Try moving either your router or the Roku device. Sometimes just a few inches or feet can make a difference.
Try moving your router and Roku device higher up.
If your router or the Roku device is in a cabinet, take it out.
If the TV is between the Roku device and the router, try moving the Roku device so that the TV is not blocking the wireless signal.
If you are using a Roku® Streaming Stick®, try moving it away from your TV by using the free extension cable.
If the wireless signal is still not strong enough, here are additional options:
Purchase a new wireless router that provides a stronger signal, or has more reliable software. Routers do vary considerably in their quality – so read the online reviews.
There are more advanced home network options, such as range extenders, “mesh network” routers, or powerline extenders which can increase wireless coverage within your house.
Is Ethernet an option? If you have a Roku device with an Ethernet jack, you might be able to run an Ethernet cable. Or Ethernet might be a temporary solution to verify that the wireless connection is your real problem.
If you have a Roku player, move it to a different TV that is closer to your wireless router
Return your Roku device for a refund (if within the return window of your retailer).
*A note on terminology:
The wireless network in your home is created by a device that is typically called a router, but may also be referred to as a wireless access point, home gateway, or cable modem. This device is usually provided by your internet service provider or an independent company such as Linksys, Belkin, Netgear, or D-Link among others. In some cases, there is a single integrated device (router + modem), and in some cases the router and modem are separate. In this article we will use the term ‘router’ as a generic term to refer to the network device that your Roku device is connected to via Wi-Fi. Your ISP or router vendor will provide specific information on their devices.