Forum Discussion

crossld's avatar
crossld
Channel Surfer
6 months ago
Solved

Password length should be 8 characters

I have spent a while looking at why I could not connect to my 5G SSID but could connect to 2.4G SSID. I eventually read a post that said try an open network connection and go from there with a short password. So the open connection to the 5G connected and worked. I then tried connecting using WPA2 Personal and found the maximum number of characters in the password I could use was only 8. I did this by using the password 12345678 which connected and worked, then tried using 123456789 and this did not connect just go the error. Luckily my router allowed such a low number of characters as it allows only 8-64 characters (lets hope they don't update this to 10 minimum). Why, do I have to change my 5G password to a very insecure maximum 8 characters on a 2024/2025 Roku device. All my other devices work very happily with 5G, it just seems to be you Roku. Oh, I have just checked the Roku TV I have and that too has the same issue. Come on Roku, which decade are you in with regard to your security. Surely this should be an easy fix and should have been fixed months/years ago. 3940EU - Roku Express 4K Software Version 14.5

tv & player wifi
  • RokuRiamie-D's avatar
    RokuRiamie-D
    3 months ago

    Hi! roku16v​

    It's great that you were able to connect to the 2.4 GHz network. The issue with connecting to the 5 GHz SSID could be related to compatibility or configuration settings.

    You might want to check if your router's settings are configured correctly for dual-band operation. If the problem persists, reaching out to your internet service provider could provide more assistance.

    Thanks!
    Roku Community Team

14 Replies

  • roku16v's avatar
    roku16v
    Reel Rookie
    3 months ago

    Hello. I just purchased my first Roku device. It is a Roku Ultra. I tried to connect to my wi-fi too, and my password failed. I came across this thread and tried disabling my 5GHz SSID on my wi-fi antenna. Sure enough, it worked when I connected to the 2.4 GHz SSID.

    Is this design intent or a known issue? I want to be able to reconnect with the 5Ghz SSID.

    • RokuRiamie-D's avatar
      RokuRiamie-D
      Community Moderator
      3 months ago

      Hi! roku16v​

      It's great that you were able to connect to the 2.4 GHz network. The issue with connecting to the 5 GHz SSID could be related to compatibility or configuration settings.

      You might want to check if your router's settings are configured correctly for dual-band operation. If the problem persists, reaching out to your internet service provider could provide more assistance.

      Thanks!
      Roku Community Team

      • roku16v's avatar
        roku16v
        Reel Rookie
        2 months ago

        No that's not the solution. I updated my password on the wifi to not include special characters. I have a 14 character password still.  Problem solved. 

  • Strega2's avatar
    Strega2
    Roku Guru
    6 months ago

    That's weird.  I've had Wi-Fi passwords from 20 to 50 characters - nothing ever shorter, and never had a Roku fail to connect.  (Including a 3941, which I think is the same as a 3940 with a voice remote.)

    (Oh, not an EU, but I doubt they would specifically de-feature an EU version in that way.)

  • crossld's avatar
    crossld
    Channel Surfer
    6 months ago

    Does anyone know how you raise this as a possible fault to the technical team?  I have just spent 10 mins going around the roku web site and coming back to the same page over and over again.  There is no "contact us" that gets you to a human.  No wonder Rome fell.....

    • Strega2's avatar
      Strega2
      Roku Guru
      6 months ago

      Hopefully one of the employees like RokuReynan-L will notice this.

      They'll probably suggest resetting the router, if you haven't already, and they'll probably want the model number since, I'm sure there are lots of Roku users in the UK with > 8 character passwords.

    • RokuReynan-L's avatar
      RokuReynan-L
      Retired Moderator
      6 months ago

      Greetings, crossld.

      Thanks for letting us know about having an issue with entering the password on the device. No worries, we've already raised this to our team for further advice. We'll let you know once we have an update.

      If there's anything else we can do to assist you, please let us know. We're always willing to help.

      Thanks,
      Roku Community Team

      • crossld's avatar
        crossld
        Channel Surfer
        6 months ago

        Hi Raynan,

        This morning I powered on the Roku and it showed "Not Connected". At this point I could not connect to the 5G network.

        I reset the network settings on the roku and rebooted both roku and router and tried to connect to the 5G with password and in open mode. Nothing. 2.4G still connects.

        I could not get it to connect. I have spent about 1hr trying different things.

        I have now Factory Reset and it has take the 5G password with 13 characters.

        I have the TV working correctly and it can see lots of wireless devices when it scans.

        My Roku 4K can only see my router - which is 2m away - line of sight. Then sometimes it can't see it. Then it will only see the 5G or 2.4G. My laptop which is 1.5m away from the roku can see at least 8 networks, so I am guessing that there is a problem with the roku.

        At this precise moment if I "Scan again to see all networks" I only get the network I have connected to, not even the 2.4G network from the same router.....No other networks are showing. (I do not have the mircowave on...)

        I have now moved the roku box up about 1 foot and it seems to have things working. However, I can't believe that this is so sensitive when the router is only 2m away.

        Is this possible a software or hardware fault?

        TV software that is working correctly - 14.5 - 4.5934-GT

        Roku 3940EU - 14.5 - 4.5934-CR (which I potentially have either a hardware or software issues).

        Thanks for your help.

  • ryanwilliam99's avatar
    ryanwilliam99
    Reel Rookie
    6 months ago

    I discovered my Roku Express 4K (model 3940EU, software 14.5) won't connect to 5GHz WiFi with normal passwords - it only accepts maximum 8 characters! After troubleshooting:

    🔹 Works with:

    • Open networks (no password)

    • WPA2 passwords of exactly 8 characters (like "12345678")

    🔹 Fails with:

    • Normal secure passwords (9+ characters)

    • All my other devices connect fine to 5GHz

    This feels like outdated security - it's 2024 and Roku still has this limitation? Both my Roku devices have this issue. Hope they fix this soon!

    • RokuReynan-L's avatar
      RokuReynan-L
      Retired Moderator
      6 months ago

      Greetings, ryanwilliam99.

      Thanks for letting us know that you're also having the same issue. Could you please provide us with the information we need above?

      We'll wait for your response.

      Thanks,
      Roku Community Team