Forum Discussion

Newbie

6 years ago

Solved

Operate/Configure Roku Through Computer USB Connection

I had packed my Roku Streaming Stick/dongle with my Samsung 32" Series 5 HD TV before traveling to my elderly parents' house to remain in total quarantine during the crisis, but it seems the remote f...

tv & player wifi

renojim
6 years ago
None of what you're attempting to do is possible. The USB port is strictly for power and nothing else. You can't use any remote app until the stick is connected to Wi-Fi and you can't connect to Wi-Fi without a remote. You're only hope is to setup your parents' Wi-Fi SSID, password, and band (2.4GHz vs 5GHz) exactly as yours was at your home.

Short of that, you'll have to order a new Roku remote or a new cheap device like an Express just to get you through your quarantine.

Reel Rookie

5 years ago

If you setup your phone's hotspot to exactly match your home WIFI settings, so the roku can connect to the phone's hotspot, you may be able to trick the roku into working well enough to let you change the wifi settings to use the wifi in your new location. Other than that you'd probably need to buy a replacement remote (or universal remote that can operate the tv in question). .

atc98092
Community Streaming Expert
5 years ago
mts713 wrote:
If you setup your phone's hotspot to exactly match your home WIFI settings, so the roku can connect to the phone's hotspot, you may be able to trick the roku into working well enough to let you change the wifi settings to use the wifi in your new location. Other than that you'd probably need to buy a replacement remote (or universal remote that can operate the tv in question). .
The Roku app will not connect to a device that is connected to the phone's hotspot, unfortunately. So you can't use the same phone to provide the hotspot and control the Roku.
Universal IR remotes are an inexpensive option, but will only work on the non-Stick players. None of the Roku Stick models support IR control.
- mindl
  Reel Rookie
  3 years ago
  None of the Roku stick models support IR control. Okay. So, can you tell me what is allowing the Roku remote to connect to a stick before wifi is connected? Is it magic? I'm finding myself in this situation. Got Roku. Ain't got a remote. Clearly wifi is NOT needed to communicate with EVERY SINGLE ROKU PRODUCT. Because, last i checked, Roku doesn't ship products programmed to specific networks. Now, if you want to gain some respect, stop this ridiculous nonsense and let customers have use of a product that you already grip too tight. Forced obsolecence doesn't mean you are saving the planet by reducing remote control waste. No, i believe you'd have to come out and say it.
  So, quit the b.s. Not only with the remotes, but modding forced junk. Zero respect.
  - Tivoburkee
    Community Streaming Expert
    3 years ago
    mindl
    Roku sticks communicate via Wifi-Direct to their remote controls, a type of RF. Once the Roku Stick is paired to Roku remote, the signal can go through walls. It needs to because Sticks are usually behind the TV, no line of sight, so no IR will work. It's not magic, just because you don't understand it it's not a conspiracy.
- SARCASTICDALEK
  Reel Rookie
  5 years ago
  I did this with my phone and it worked just fine.
  - atc98092
    Community Streaming Expert
    5 years ago
    SARCASTICDALEK wrote:
    I did this with my phone and it worked just fine.
    That's good to know. Another user reported the opposite. Perhaps there some setting in the phone's hotspot that controls it.