Remotes

[Msgehrck]

Our dog ate the remote so we having been using the Roku remote app. We then got new internet yesterday. The app can no longer find the device because it is offline. Is there a way to change the devices network settings without the actual remote 

[DBDukes]

@Msgehrck 

Nope. You need a remote. If it's not a Stick model, you can pick up a cheap universal remote for under $10 from many retailers. Just make sure it says it supports Roku on the box.

A better option is a Roku Voice Remote. Unless you have a really really really old Stick model, the Voice Remote ($20) should work just fine. You can find those at Walmart, Target, Best Buy, etc.

[StreamerUser]

You can either:

1)  Change your new modem/router/gateway's SSID & password to match your old SSID & password, and if your Roku connects, you can use your phone/tablet app as before.

2)  Buy a new remote - non-stick models can use any IR universal/Roku-programmed remote; stick models require either the $20 Voice Remote (RCAL7R) or $30 Voice Remote Pro (RCS01R) - any of which can be obtained from Roku.com/Walmart/Best Buy/Amazon/etc.

[gestroud]

You may be able to use the Roku app for your phone or tablet. There's a Remote Control feature on the Android app. I'm not sure about Apple products.

[DBDukes]

@gestroud 

That won't work. The app, which is available for Android and iOS, only works if the mobile device and the Roku are on the same network. And, since the Roku isn't on the network yet -- that's the whole issue, remember -- the mobile app won't work.

Once it's connected, which requires a remote, then yes the app will work. But not until then.

[makaiguy]

There is one more, semi-complicated possibility, if all the right conditions are met.  You must have:

-- 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 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.

-- 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.

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

If you decide to try this, please report back how it worked.

If you get this method to work I'd still suggest acquiring a compatible remote to make it MUCH easier to recover if your Roku ever drops its network connection and needs to be reconnected.

[ponyboy4488]

Connect my phone to the Roku device because I lost my remote and I'm having trouble connecting to it I've used Wi-Fi and I use Bluetooth

[renojim]

You can only use your phone once it's connected to a network and you can't use Bluetooth at all.  If you're trying to connect to a new network you need a physical remote.  If you know the SSID (network name) and password of the network it was last connected to then there are other options.

[makaiguy]

@ponyboy4488-

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.

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.

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 remote to set the Roku network connection up.

-- Knowledge of the network name (SSID) and password that the Roku is currently configured to use.

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

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

If you have ALL of the above:

Go into your router's control panel and if necessary set your new network 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.

THIRD METHOD

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.

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

If you decide to try this, please report back how it worked.

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.

[Melody4]

How could I connect my roku device without the remote? My device is not hooked up to t do internet and the device was outlined. How can I go by of connecting it