Remotes

[Theguy]

I recently moved and have lost my roku remote! I can’t seem to figure out how to connect my roku to wifi. I’ve tried using the mobile app (ios) but the device isn’t showing up in the devices page. Any help would be awesome. 

[makaiguy]

@Theguy-

When seeking help it's ALWAYS a good idea to include your Roku model, model number, and Roku software version (all available via Roku menu path Settings > System > About), as this may help pin down the problem and the advice you need may depend on this information.

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 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 much more easily if your Roku ever drops its network connection and needs to be reconnected.

[Kylizzle99]

I lost my Roku remote, and I moved homes and got new Wi-Fi. The Roku remote on my phone won’t connect to the Roku unless it’s on Wi-Fi. Do I need to buy a new remote? Or is there a way around this

[DBDukes]

@Kylizzle99 

You need a remote to connect a Roku device to a network. The app can only find the Roku device when it's on the network.

You didn't say which Roku device you have. If it's a box and not a stick, you can get a cheap universal remote to control it. If it's a stick, or if you want to get a proper Roku remote, you can find a Roku Voice Remote for around $20.

[renojim]

If you remember the SSID (network name) and password of your old Wi-Fi then you should be able to configure your new Wi-Fi to match and hopefully the Roku device will connect.  There's even a procedure using multiple phones/devices to get it to connect to the new Wi-Fi, but you must know what the Wi-Fi configuration is that the Roku device was last configured to use.  If you don't know the old settings then you'll need a new remote.  If your device is anything but a stick that plugs directly into the TV then a cheap universal remote would work to get it connected to your new Wi-Fi.

[makaiguy]

@Kylizzle99-

Here is the multiple phone method mentioned by @renojim.  This method is complicated, but if you really need it …

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 physical remote to set the Roku's 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 Remote function of 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.

I'd still suggest acquiring a compatible remote if only to make it much easier to recover if your Roku ever drops its network connection and needs to be reconnected.

[JimmyCra]

Okay ,

 Here’s my issue.  I currently own 4 Roku devices. All have gone back and forth between my city residence and my country cottage 100 miles away. So all have had the wifi info loaded in each.  As I go from one place to the other the devices recognize the appropriate router and wifi network and we are able to chose and receive that connection. Unfortunately for me to navigate over to the settings and establish that connection I need to use the remote that came with the specific device. Today I brought my favorite Roku device , the 3820 Streaming Stick to the country house but left the remote in the city.   Where I’m different than most of the others presenting their question is :  I do have another older ROKU streaming stick connected to another tv that DOES have a remote and is currently set for and using the router and wifi network here in the house.  I would like to get my 3820x stick working.  So 3820 stick has the network info loaded for this house but was set for the previous place + I have a remote for the other stick.  Is there anything I can do to get the 3820x going under that circumstance ?

[renojim]

@JimmyCra, yes.  Pair the remote for the other stick to the 3820.  Unplug the power from the other stick just so there won't be any interference.  Press and hold the pairing button in the battery compartment until the light starts to flash and the 3820 may discover it and pair automatically.  If it doesn't, disconnect the power to the stick or press the reset button while the light in the remote is flashing and when the stick restarts it should pair.  You'll have to go through the same procedure to pair the remote back to the other stick.  A remote can only be paired to one device, but a device can have multiple remotes paired to it.  Once you have everything connected to Wi-Fi you should be able to use the Roku app on a phone or tablet as a remote.

[Texas8622]

Ok then the $20 version voice (my lost one does not have) for the tcl Roku 40” at Walmart should work to setup WiFi again, correct? The three buttons on  the bottom -of screen get me to setting menu but that’s it. 

[renojim]

@Texas8622, yes and if it doesn't at least they have a pretty good return policy.  They probably have a universal remote that would work as well if it supports Roku TVs (and not just Roku players).