Connecting to WiFi without remote

AmyRee90-

The Roku app on a phone can only be used with Rokus that are already connected to your home network, so you have to use a method other than the Roku app to set up a new net connection.

If you have a Roku with an Ethernet port, connect to that if you can and it should find and connect to your local network without problem the next time you power the Roku up. Then you should be able to use the Roku remote app on your phone again.

Otherwise, you have several options, of increasing complexity.

FIRST METHOD

Normally a remote compatible with your Roku model is used to set up the Roku's net connection. This is by far the simplest method.

If necessary, report back with your Roku model (and model number if you have it) and we can advise you on which remote you need.

SECOND METHOD

You will need all of these:

-- A Roku that is still set up for its prior network. If it was no longer connecting to that network when you shut it down, if you have cleared its network settings, or if you have done a factory reset, your only recourse is to use a compatible Roku remote to set the Roku network connection up.

-- Knowledge of the network name (SSID) and password from your former network that the Roku is currently configured to use. Again, without this, your only recourse is to use a compatible Roku remote to set the Roku network connection up.

-- A phone or other mobile device with the Roku app (not TheRokuChannel app) installed.

-- Access to your new router's control panel. If you don't have this access, scroll down to the third method.

If you have ALL of the above:

Go into your router's control panel and set it to use the same network name (SSID) and password as your previous network.

Pull the power plug on your Roku for a few seconds then plug it back in. When it boots up it should connect to your reconfigured net.

Now when you connect your phone to this same net you should be able to use the Roku app to control your Roku once again. Any other devices that you may have already configured to the new network will need to be set back to the old network connection settings.

THIRD METHOD

(I successfully used this method recently when visiting my timeshare. I brought a Roku from home and needed to configure it for the timeshare's network, but found the remote's batteries were dead, rendering the remote useless.)

This method is more complicated, but if you really need it …

In addition to a Roku still configured for its prior network and knowledge of the prior network's SSID and password as listed for method two, you'll also need:

-- A mobile phone with WiFi hotspot capabilities.

-- A second WiFi-equipped mobile device, either a phone or tablet, with the official Roku (not TheRokuChannel) app installed.

If you have all these things, here's how you do it:

1.) Configure the WiFi hotspot on your mobile phone to use the same network name (SSID) and password from your former home network that the Roku is currently configured to use. If your hotspot can use the 5 GHz WiFi band, switch it to the 2.4 GHz band for compatibility with all Roku models.

2.) After you turn on this hotspot, pull the power plug on your Roku for a few seconds then plug it back in. When the Roku starts up it should connect to the hotspot and through the phone to the internet. You just won't be able to control the Roku yet.

3.) Connect your second device (phone or tablet) to the first phone's WiFi hotspot network.

4.) Now that this second device and your Roku are both connected to the same WiFi hotspot, you can run the Roku app on the second device to gain control of your Roku using the app's remote control capabilities.

5.) Using the app on the second device, set up the new network on the Roku, via Settings > Network > Set up network, using the new network's SSID and password.

6.) When the Roku connects to the new network, disconnect the second mobile device from the WiFi hotspot and connect it to the new home network (SSID and password).

7.) You can now continue to use the Roku app on the second device to operate your Roku on the new network.

8.) The Roku is no longer connecting to your phone's WiFi hotspot, so you can shut that down. If you wish, you now can also connect this phone to your home WiFi and use the Roku app on this phone to control your Roku.

If you use method two or three I'd still suggest acquiring a compatible remote to make it possible to recover if your Roku ever drops its network connection and needs to be reconnected, and much simpler if you need to change to a new network again.

Hi, Martin1233!

A warm welcome here in the Roku Community!

We understand that you are attempting to connect your Roku device to a new Wi-Fi network so you can use the Roku mobile app. However, we strongly recommend using a physical remote to connect to your Roku device or TV. Attempting to connect to the network without a remote will not work.

In case you need a new Roku streaming remote, you can purchase one from our website: Roku streaming remotes.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We will be more than happy to assist you.

Thanks,
Jharra

A warm welcome to the Roku community, Nintzel 

Please inform us if the suggestions given by one of our streaming experts are useful to you. We'd like to make you aware that this method is more complex than usual. In addition to having a Roku device that is already set up, you will also need to have the following.

• A mobile phone with WiFi hotspot capabilities.
• A second WiFi-equipped mobile device, either a phone or tablet, with the official Roku mobile app installed.

For more insights about the remote app, click this support page here: How to use the Roku mobile app to control your Roku streaming device without a remote.

Best wishes,
Elmer

Hello! Antoinette1,

Thank you for posting here in the Roku Community!

We're sorry to hear about your lost remote. We are here and more than willing to help you out.

For your Hisense Roku TV remote replacement, you can contact them at https://www.hisense-usa.com/support/ or 1-888-935-8880. Alternatively, you can purchase the Roku TV Remote on our website.

For your Roku Express, you can purchase the Roku standard IR remote or the Roku Players Remote.

Please feel free to let us know if you need any additional assistance!

Thanks,
Arjiemar

• Create a post here in the Roku Community
• Check out the dedicated Roku Contact Us page for device or account issues.
• Explore our comprehensive collection of help FAQs and videos. Get started here: Roku Support page