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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteIf your Roku has stopped connecting to Wi-Fi, first check whether another device can get online through the same network. Then confirm the Roku’s network and password, restart the Roku and router, and use Roku’s connection test to tell a weak Wi-Fi link from an internet-service problem. Work through the steps below before resetting the device.
First, find out whether the problem is the Roku or the network
- On a phone, tablet, or computer connected to the same Wi-Fi, open a public website. If that device also cannot get online, the issue is likely with the router, gateway, or internet service—not just the Roku. Check for an outage with your internet provider.
- If other devices work, confirm that the Roku is selecting the intended Wi-Fi network and enter its password carefully. Passwords are case-sensitive; check for a mistyped character or an old saved password.
Roku’s troubleshooting guide lists password-related codes 14.40, 14.41, 14, and 014. A weak-signal message or codes 14.20, 14.62, 14.64, 016, or 017 point instead toward the wireless link. Code 018 indicates slow internet; codes 012 and 013 relate to Ethernet cable connection; and code 003 indicates an update issue. Use the exact message shown on your screen to choose the next check. Roku’s Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide explains these errors and suggested actions.
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Restart the Roku and network equipment
- On the Roku, open Settings > System > Power > System restart, if that option is available. If it is not, unplug the Roku briefly and reconnect it.
- Restart the modem and router. If your home uses a combined gateway, restart that unit. Wait for the equipment to reconnect to the internet before testing the Roku again.
- Reconnect the Roku to Wi-Fi and check whether the error has changed.
Roku’s support pages give different wait periods for different instructions, so follow the directions for your equipment and allow it to finish coming back online rather than assuming it is ready as soon as its lights turn on. See Roku’s connection-improvement guidance and Wi-Fi troubleshooting steps.
Use Roku’s connection test to separate Wi-Fi from internet access
On the Roku, go to Settings > Network > About to view the signal strength. Then select Check connection from the Network menu. The test can show whether the Roku can reach the local network and whether that network can reach the internet.
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- Wireless connection shows a red X: The Roku cannot reach the router or Wi-Fi network. Focus on the selected network, password, signal, router placement, or interference.
- Roku reaches the network but not the internet: Check another device on the same Wi-Fi by opening a public website. If that device also fails, contact your internet provider about an outage or connection problem.
- Roku connects, but streaming pauses or drops: Check signal strength and household network use; a connection can be established yet still be too weak or congested for reliable streaming.
Roku’s UK guide labels signal strength Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor; weaker results make pauses and disconnections more likely. Roku gives typical download requirements of 3 Mbps for SD, 5 Mbps for HD, and 25 Mbps or more for 4K Ultra HD. These are Roku’s typical figures, not a guarantee for every app or household: other devices using bandwidth and app-specific requirements can affect playback. See Roku’s connection-test and speed guidance.
Improve the Wi-Fi signal where the Roku is installed
Roku notes that buffering, dropped Wi-Fi, or a weak-signal message is usually caused by the wireless connection between the Roku and the router. Try these changes before altering router settings:
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- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Move the Roku and router closer together, with fewer walls or large pieces of furniture between them.
- Raise the Roku or router and avoid placing either inside an enclosed cabinet.
- Keep the router away from potential sources of interference such as cordless phones, microwaves, and baby monitors.
- Reduce competing network use while testing, such as large downloads or other bandwidth-heavy activity.
- If a Streaming Stick is hidden behind the television, the TV may obstruct its wireless signal. Roku recommends using its free HDMI extender to move the stick away from the back of the TV.
Roku’s Wi-Fi improvement guide covers placement, interference, and other signal checks. It also says routers older than five years may not provide the needed speed or range; age alone does not prove that a router is causing the problem.
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If both your Roku model and router support 5 GHz Wi-Fi, try connecting to the 5 GHz network. Some Roku models may not see certain DFS channels. If the Roku cannot find a supported 5 GHz network, Roku suggests trying channels 36–48 or 149–165, where the router and regional rules allow them.
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- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
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For intermittent or slow connections, manual channel selection may also help. Roku’s advanced networking guidance identifies channels 1, 6, or 11 as preferred for 2.4 GHz in North America. Available channels depend on your router and region, so consult your router documentation or internet provider before changing them. Roku’s advanced networking guide describes these options.
Test Ethernet or another network, when your setup supports it
A wired connection can help determine whether the trouble is specific to Wi-Fi, but Ethernet is not available on every Roku. Support depends on the model and, in some cases, a compatible adapter. Check the connection options for your device before buying or connecting an adapter. Roku’s internet connection guide explains supported connection methods.
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- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku Streaming Stick with the Roku remote
- Voice search & control: Quickly search, play entertainment, and control your streaming device with the voice remote
You can also try connecting to a phone hotspot as a diagnostic or temporary workaround. If the Roku connects to the hotspot but not your home Wi-Fi, that points toward the home network setup or wireless link. Streaming and software updates can use substantial mobile data, so check your plan and avoid treating a hotspot as an unlimited substitute for home internet.
Reset the network connection before considering a factory reset
If simpler checks have not worked, use Roku’s network connection reset option in the advanced settings and then reconnect to your Wi-Fi. This targets the connection setup without jumping straight to wiping the device.
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A factory reset is a last resort: it erases settings, and you will need to set up your apps again. Use Roku’s device-specific instructions before proceeding, and try the network reset first. Roku discusses both options in its connection-improvement guide and connection-check guide.
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