Wi-Fi & connectivity

[lmparnell23]

UPDATE: I tried every fix out there, even tried doing a manual software update, and the TV wouldn't even accept that. TCL offered no assistance and deferred directly to Roku support. Roku Support finally admitted that it's a hardware issue with the wireless card and that there is no fix and it's essentially never going to work again. The only way the TV can now be used is by purchasing a Roku stick to hook up to the TV. So the TV is now basically just a monitor with zero other function on its own. That was confirmed by the Roku agent. 👎🏻👎🏻

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I purchased my TCL Roku TV (model no. 32S327) in mid-2023 and used it flawlessly in my home office for many months. I took several months away from the office, so the TV was unplugged and not turned on for quite a while. I just tried to get back to it, and it will not even find any wifi networks to connect to. I have done all the resetting of the internet router as well as the TV itself with no luck. I tried manually inputting our network information, and still nothing. Everything else in our house is connected flawlessly with a strong signal. My phone has a strong wifi connection when standing right next to the TV. So it shouldn't be a weakness issue...? Neither the router nor the TV have moved since it last worked, so this makes no sense

I tried to send an email through the TCL Roku site, but it won't let me complete the submission form. It tells me to select a model but the only option to select is something that I don't even have. So I can't email them.

I'm beyond frustrated. I haven't even had this for 2 years, and again it worked perfectly before I took a break from my office. 

[makaiguy]

@lmparnell23-

On your other devices that find and connect to youur network router, what WiFi band and channel number do they report they are connecting to?

[lmparnell23]

I have no idea. I'm not tech savvy enough to know how to find that information. 

[lmparnell23]

UPDATE: I tried every fix out there, even tried doing a manual software update, and the TV wouldn't even accept that. TCL offered no assistance and deferred directly to Roku support. Roku Support finally admitted that it's a hardware issue with the wireless card and that there is no fix and it's essentially never going to work again. The only way the TV can now be used is by purchasing a Roku stick to hook up to the TV. So the TV is now basically just a monitor with zero other function on its own. That was confirmed by the Roku agent. 👎🏻👎🏻

[jontalk]

@lmparnell23In nearly ALL cases connectivity issues are associated with WiFi channel congestion and its for this reason, my personal choice is use of a power line network which uses electrical circuits to move Internet data. The simpler solution is use of WiFi Analyzer for Android or something similar for iPhone. Once installed, the app will graphically show you how many others nearby have selected the same channel/band as you have. Stating you're not technically savvy, I'm going to assume your modem/router has been supplied by the provider, and by default, its using 'auto' to select channels which rarely if ever helps. The app will also rate channels so you'll need to find out how to log into the router, disable the 'auto' feature for channel selection, then manually select a channel with less congestion. This is NOT complicated at all nor do you need to be a 'techie' to resolve the issue. I've offered this same advice to hundreds of people in this community and it fixed their problems instantly.  Best of success!

[lmparnell23]

Nope, that wasn't the issue. I got help from other tech savvy folks, and it's not fixable. Please see the update. Roku has confirmed it's a hardware defect with the TV itself. Our wifi is fine, we had it analyzed and played around with channels, and nothing fixed it. It's the TVs hardware, so basically it's just a monitor now because I'm not taking a TV apart to have it fixed. It is only useful now if another device like a Roku stick is connected to it. 

[jontalk]

@lmparnell23If that's the case, I'd recommend getting a higher quality TV and using a Roku Ultra..as with all things in life, we get what we pay for..Regardless best of success!

[JWS9518]

@lmparnell23 Unfortunately, TCL is a budget level brand that isn't known for quality or durability with the parts that they use in their TVs, hence the price.