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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →If your Roku won’t connect to Wi-Fi, first confirm the network name and case-sensitive password, then check whether other devices can use the same network. Those two checks help separate a Roku setup issue from a weak signal, router problem, or internet outage. Use the Roku connection test to choose the next step; save a factory reset for last because it erases settings and requires setup again.
Start with the network name and password
- On the Roku, open the network setup or wireless settings screen and select your intended home Wi-Fi network.
- Enter the password carefully. Wi-Fi passwords are case-sensitive, so check capitalization and any easily confused characters.
- If the network name is missing from the list, select Scan again. Confirm that the router is on and that the Roku is within range.
Roku’s network-name and password guidance covers connecting a device to a wireless network. Menu labels and paths can differ by Roku model and software version.
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Find out whether the problem is the Roku or the whole network
Try connecting a phone, tablet, or laptop to the same Wi-Fi network. If that device also cannot connect or get online, the fault is more likely with the router, gateway, or internet service than with the Roku. Roku advises contacting your internet provider when other devices also cannot connect. If other devices work, focus on the Roku’s saved network details, signal, and compatibility.
Restart the Roku and network equipment
A restart can clear a temporary connection failure. Roku’s setup guidance recommends unplugging the player and router for 10 seconds when setup fails. A combined modem/router is a single gateway device; there is no need to treat it as two separate boxes.
#1 Best Overall
- HD streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
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- Unplug the Roku player or TV from power.
- Unplug the router and modem, or the combined gateway, from power.
- Wait 10 seconds, then reconnect the network equipment and let it finish starting up.
- Reconnect power to the Roku and try joining Wi-Fi again.
See Roku’s setup troubleshooting guidance and connection troubleshooting steps for the current instructions applicable to your device.
Use the Roku connection test to choose the next fix
Run the network connection check from the Roku’s network settings. It can show whether the device joined Wi-Fi, whether the network has internet access, and how strong the wireless signal is. A red X after the Wi-Fi information indicates the connection failed. If Wi-Fi is connected but streaming still buffers or fails, investigate internet access, signal quality, and available speed rather than repeatedly entering the password.
Rank #2
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- 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.
Roku’s connection-check instructions list typical download speeds of 3 Mbps for SD, 5 Mbps for HD, and 25 Mbps or more for 4K Ultra HD. These are Roku’s stated typical requirements, not guarantees of smooth playback: congestion and the requirements of individual streaming apps can change what is needed. If the test reports a good speed but video stutters, other devices may be using bandwidth, or the app may have its own minimum.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →If Wi-Fi is connected but the signal is weak
Roku’s signal display uses the labels Poor, Fair, Good, and Excellent. If the signal is weak, try these adjustments one at a time and rerun the connection test:
Rank #3
- Stunning 4K and Dolby Vision streaming made simple: With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- 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.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
- Move the Roku or router so there are fewer walls or other obstacles between them.
- Reduce competing network activity, such as large downloads or simultaneous streams, while testing.
- Keep the router away from sources of wireless interference where practical.
Roku’s connection-check guidance explains signal and speed information; its network troubleshooting article also describes a network connection reset. Use that reset if the ordinary restart and signal improvements do not resolve the issue.
Check Wi-Fi band and channel compatibility only when needed
Do not assume every Roku streaming player needs 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Roku says a device and router that both support 5 GHz can use that band, while some mesh systems combine 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under one network name. Support for bands and channels depends on the exact Roku model and router.
Rank #4
- Hides behind your TV: The all-new design plugs right into your TV with a simple setup
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- Long-range Wi-Fi: Enjoy fast, smooth TV streaming in any room with a strong Wi-Fi connection, now up to 2x faster
- 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
Roku’s advanced wireless networking guidance discusses 5 GHz channels 36–165 and, for North America, suggests 2.4 GHz channels 1, 6, or 11 when selecting a channel manually. It also warns that some Roku devices do not support certain DFS channels. If your Roku cannot see or join a network despite correct credentials and a strong signal, check the model’s supported bands and channels and the router’s settings before changing them.
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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 minuteThe 2.4 GHz requirement on Roku’s network-name and password page applies to setting up Roku Smart Home cameras or doorbells; it should not be treated as a universal requirement for Roku streaming players or TVs.
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What Roku connection error codes mean
Roku’s troubleshooting page associates these codes with the following checks. Error behavior and menus can vary by device and Roku OS version, so follow any instructions shown on screen if they differ.
| Code or codes | What to check |
|---|---|
| 14.40, 14.41, 14, 014 | Recheck the Wi-Fi password. |
| 14.20, 14.62, 14.64, 016, 017 | Weak signal: move the Roku closer and restart the Roku and router. |
| 012, 013 | Ethernet cable issue: reseat the cable, wait 10 seconds, try another cable, or switch to Wi-Fi. |
| 018 | Slow internet: move the Roku closer to the router and restart the modem/router. |
| 009, 14, 14.10, 14.11, 14.30, 14.50, 14.62, 14.64 | General inability to connect to the internet: work through the network checks above. |
| 003 | Update failure: improve the signal, restart the devices, and contact the internet provider if it continues. |
When Ethernet may be a better option
A wired connection can avoid weak or unreliable Wi-Fi, but only if the exact Roku model supports Ethernet. Some Roku devices have an Ethernet port; some players may support a compatible USB Ethernet adapter. Check the model’s official specifications before buying a cable or adapter. Ethernet will not fix an internet-service outage or a router problem that affects the whole network.
Leave factory reset until other fixes fail
Roku describes factory reset as an extreme, last-resort measure. It erases settings and means setting up the device again, so try the network checks, restart, and signal or compatibility fixes first. If you do proceed, use the reset instructions for your specific model in Roku’s troubleshooting guidance.
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