Won't connect to wifi extender

Thanks - I really don’t believe this is the problem. My extender is working with every single wifi device I have flawlessly - except the Roku. Also looks like others are reporting the same problem. Seems to be a Roku issue. 

OK, thanks for the reply.  I am returning the extender since I essentially got if for the Roku stick on the TV.  Oh well, I'll consider other options.  Maybe someday Roku will fix it! :)

Thank you for this reply.  I see so many entries without any answers.  So I abandoned my Netgear extender and replaced it with the TP link extender.  Somehow that seemed to work.  Roku now connects to the Wi-Fi extender.  But it doesn't seem to be the TP link extender.  Puzzling.  Now I have a better and more reliable signal.

So ...  Roku needs to address this problem.

And to be honest I'm really tired of acronyms.   I'm still not entirely certain of the difference between an extender and a MESH Wi-Fi set up.

Here's a decent explanation of the difference:

https://www.howtogeek.com/714781/wi-fi-extender-vs.-mesh-network-whats-the-difference/

If you want to dig into the underlying network specification for mesh, you can start here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11s

The main takeaway is that a WiFi Extender pulls some tricks with the older IEEE 802.11 wifi protocols to allow multiple points for your devices to connect, whereas a WiFi Mesh setup uses the IEE 802.11s protocols specifically designed for multiple points of connection.

I suspect the Roku networking stack and the Netgear extenders have interpreted the older IEEE 802.11 specs differently and they just don't interoperate.

-Paul

bodywise007 I also have a TP Link and it won't connect to my Roku unless I click the WPS button and when I do that it connects but the extender does give internet to any of the devices. Any tips you have?

Mine will not connect to a TP Link RE450.  Like everyone else, all my other devices will connect to extender but not my TLC Roku TV.  It does prefer the weaker Wi-Fi signal for the main router in the far room.

dsalling

Thanks for the post.

If the Roku device is able to connect to the router but won't connect to a wifi extender, it's possible that there may be an issue with how your extender has been setup. Have you tried contacting your extender's manufacturer to see what insight they can provide?

Please keep us posted what you find out and we will be able to assist you further.

Thanks,
Danny

So many of us reporting the same issue yet the problem is always suggested to be the extender - many of which are different. The common denominator is the roku device, not the extenders. I’m still having this issue and subscribed still hoping a solution will be surfaced. 

KahluaKat

Thanks for the post.

If you are able to connect to the wireless router, but not able to connect to the wireless extender, then the issue would appear to be the wireless extender and not the actual Roku device. Have you already tried contacting the wireless extender Support to see what insight they can provide?

Please keep us posted what you find out.

Thanks,
Danny

Same here.  Three Rokus, even of different ages and models, in the vicinity of my extender (TP Link RE150), and they're the only three devices that won't connect.  Every other device connects to the extender and works flawlessly.  The Rokus attempt to connect and cannot.  This is a system-wide Roku issue.

The connection issues cannot occur due to the ages of the devices, and it’s not a system-wide issue because I do not have this issue as of right now.

~ Jordan

I was living in a house until very recently that I was using a Xfinity WiFi extender to connect my 3 Roku TVs and a soundbar without any issues at all. I have since moved and I am back with Verizon fios as my internet and TV service. I don't have a need for a wifi extender anymore. If someone's ISP is Xfinity I recommend getting your extenders from Xfinity.

Have you read through all the comments? This seems to be specific to Roku,  as many have different extenders and are having the same issues.  I’m on this forum today because I also just got a TPlink extender.  Everything connects to it wonderfully EXCEPT my TCL roku tv.

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RokuDanny-R wrote:

KahluaKat

Thanks for the post.

If you are able to connect to the wireless router, but not able to connect to the wireless extender, then the issue would appear to be the wireless extender and not the actual Roku device. Have you already tried contacting the wireless extender Support to see what insight they can provide?

Please keep us posted what you find out.

Thanks,
Danny

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Have you read through all the comments? This seems to be specific to Roku,  as many have different extenders and are having the same issues.  I’m on this forum today because I also just got a TPlink extender.  Everything connects to it wonderfully EXCEPT my TCL roku tv.

I was living in a house until very recently that I was using a Xfinity WiFi extender to connect my 3 Roku TVs and a soundbar without any issues at all. I have since moved and I am back with Verizon fios as my internet and TV service. I don't have a need for a wifi extender anymore. If someone's ISP is Xfinity I recommend getting your extenders from Xfinity.

Hi Dkcap32, 

Thanks for reaching out. 

We're here to help you connect your Roku TV to the network. Do you receive an error message when connecting to your wireless extender? If possible, have you tried to connect your Roku TV using a wired connection to the network extender? Could you try to connect the Roku TV to another network and see if there's a difference to isolate the issue? 

Keep us posted on what you find out. 


Regards,
Nimfa

no, it is not a problem of the extender, it is a problem of roku. we already saw that there are multiple extender models which have problems only with roku but not with other devices.

Level 8 and you still cannot understand the issue we are all having with your product? 

Edit: I may have been a bit hasty, now seeing Level 8 is not indicating a Roku tech... My bad.

Still, can't believe a Roku tech hasn't found a solution for us.

Hi scotthome,

Thanks for posting. 

We understand that you're unable to connect to a Wi-Fi extender. Try to connect your Roku streaming device to a wireless router and then connect to a wireless extender. If you can connect to the router but not the wireless extender, it would indicate that the issue Is within the wireless extender. It might be better to contact the wireless extender manufacturer's support and inform them about this issue.

Could you keep us posted on what you find out?

All the best,

Kash

RokuTakashi, seriously, have you not read any other post herein? The issue is 100% ROKU. We've all had the same **bleep** connection experience with different extender brands. And yes, my ROKU connects directly to my router, but at 1990/dialup speeds. 

scotthome 

I was able to get a xfinity wifi extender to connect to my Sharp, 2 Westinghouse Roku TVs and a Roku streambar pro without an issue.