How to improve the Wi-Fi or wireless internet connection to your Roku streaming device

1. Restart your Roku and router

• Unplug your Roku device, your router, and your modem. Wait about 15 seconds.
• Plug the modem in first, then the router, then your Roku player.
• A full restart often fixes most connection problems.

2. Check your Wi-Fi signal strength and run a connection test

Use your Roku remote to check your current signal:

• Press Home
• Go to Settings > Network > About to see Signal strength (Poor, Fair, Good, or Excellent)
• Then select Check connection for a quick test of your signal and download speed

If the signal is Poor or Fair, that means your Roku device isn’t getting a strong Wi-Fi signal. Move on to Step 3 to improve it.

3. Improve placement and reduce interference

How your Roku player and router are positioned makes a big difference:

• Reduce distance: Move your Roku device and router closer to each other.
• Eliminate obstructions: Make sure there aren't any walls, cabinets, or large furniture between your Roku player and router.
• Avoid cabinets: Don’t place either device inside enclosed spaces.
• Re-orient router antennas: If your router has antennas, adjust them in different directions to spread the signal.
• Try elevated placement: Put both the router and the Roku device higher up, such as on a shelf.
• Move Roku away from the TV: TVs can block Wi-Fi signals, especially if you use a Roku streaming stick plugged directly into the back. Use the free HDMI extender to move it out from behind the TV.

After moving things, go back to Settings > Network > Check connection to see if your signal and download speed improved.

4. Reset your player's network connection

If your Roku device keeps failing to connect:

• Go to Settings > Advanced system settings > Network connection reset > Reset connection
• Then reconnect to Wi-Fi

5. Check your power source

If your Roku player shows a “low power” message or randomly restarts, plug it directly into a wall outlet instead of your TV’s USB port.

Advanced Troubleshooting Tips

If you’ve tried the basic fixes and the problem continues, these extra steps can help.

Reduce network congestion

• Other devices using Wi-Fi (phones, game consoles, or smart TVs) can slow your connection. Pause large downloads or streaming on other devices to free up bandwidth.

Eliminate wireless interference

• Keep your router away from cordless phones, microwaves, and baby monitors as these can weaken the Wi-Fi signal.

Connect to the 5 GHz network (if supported)

If your router and Roku both support 5 GHz Wi-Fi, switch to that network (usually named something like “MyNetwork_5GHz”).

• 5 GHz is faster and less crowded than 2.4 GHz.
• Some Roku player models can’t use certain 5 GHz DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection) channels (50–64 or 100–144).
• If your Roku device doesn’t see your 5 GHz network, try changing your router’s channel to 36–48 or 149–165.
• Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for help

Change your Wi-Fi channel manually

• Routers automatically pick a channel, but it’s not always the best one. Use a free Wi-Fi analyzer app on your phone to find a less crowded channel, then set that manually in your router’s settings.

Try Ethernet (if supported)

• If your Roku device or a compatible adapter supports Ethernet, connect it directly to your router.
• If everything streams smoothly, your Wi-Fi setup is the problem.

Update or replace your router

• If your router is older than five years, it may not deliver the speed or range you need for streaming. Newer routers (especially mesh or dual-band systems) often fix persistent Roku Wi-Fi problems.

Factory reset your Roku player (last resort)

If all else fails:

• Go to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset.
• This erases all settings and starts fresh.
• You will need to set up all your Apps again.

Still Having Trouble?

Try connecting your Roku device to another TV or a different Wi-Fi network (like your phone’s hotspot).

• If it connects there, your home network setup is the issue. Contact Roku Support or your ISP for help checking your connection.