Wi-Fi & connectivity

[Firestorm2004]

I've had a Roku Streaming Stick+ since Dec 2019.

It is setup in a unique situation, where it doesn't have internet connection normally, just a local wifi.

It's for my parents, to be able to view home videos (stored on a home computer) on the TV. I set it up for them. They aren't very technologically savvy, and felt this was the safest for them. I've had no issues with it since getting it, and would periodically take it to my place and update it before bringing it back.

However, when I did the latest update, after not seeing them for about a year due to the pandemic, it updated from OS version 9.2 to version 10.0.

When I got back to their place, it will no longer connect to their local network.

Is there any way to fix this?

[AvsGunnar]

Could try doing a Network Reset from the Roku Menu.

Settings...System..Advanced System Settings...Network Connection Reset...Reset Connection

The above basically erases your stored  network's SSID settings from the device, restarts the Roku device, and searches for new networks. (your parents)

[Firestorm2004]

I've tried the Network Reset. It isn't working, unfortunately.

When I select my parents network, it shows the following:

"Wireless Connection" -- Green Checkmark (expected)
"Internet Connection" -- Red X (expected, as my parents have NO internet service)

It then returns the error saying no internet connection was found (again, expected), and gives me two options, "OK" and "Restart my device".

Before, I would click "OK", go back to the Home screen and wait about 5-10 seconds. Then the "Not Connected" would disappear from the top right, and if I were to take a look, I would see the Roku has an IP address under System -> About.

Now, when I click "OK", and go back to the Home screen, nothing further happens. It does not get an IP address. If I go to System -> About, it shows 0.0.0.0 as the IP address.

This is the issue.

[makaiguy]

The IP address is supplied by the router when it establishes a net connection to the device.  Until a net connection is established, the device (Roku in this case) has no IP number of its own.

I've run into this here several times.  This has always worked for me to re-establish my net connection when it has been lost:

• Restart your router (even if other devices have no problem finding and connecting). Sometimes that's all it takes, if not keep going.
• Restart the Roku to clear its memory via Settings > System > System restart (for a Roku TV it's Settings > System > Power > System restart). This step is important, do not skip it.  Again sometimes that's all it takes, if not keep going.
• Find and connect to your network via Settings> Network > Set up connection

If that doesn't fix it, try disconnecting the power to your Roku for a few seconds.  When it comes back up, see if you then can set up the network connection.

[AvsGunnar · Accepted solution]

This has been an issue for years when trying to use the Roku with no internet.  Sometimes if it had been connected previously (when you had internet and device succesfully connected) and then the internet connection was lost/off you could still use the local network features of the Roku. (Roku Media Player/RMP).  I have run into it a couple different times, some of the devices would still see the USB or NAS at the router and I could access it from the RMP, other times I couldn't.

Since without internet at all currently, your stick is not going to pass the two checks (network and internet checks) to complete its setup.

There is a little workaround posted here in the forums regarding someone who did this for camping in his RV (no internet) but you need some additional pre-planning/configuration and an ethernet adaptor.  Here is link for that discussion.  https://community.roku.com/t5/Network-Wireless-Wired-Connections/Workaround-Forcing-Roku-to-connect-...

Here is another article that has some alternative methods. https://nerdschalk.com/how-to-use-roku-without-wifi/  Basically includes mirroring and hotspots.

Essentially, it is a little easier if you had a Roku device that has an ethernet port (Ultra, or maybe even the new Express 4k devices that you can buy an ethernet adapter for).  That way can use the ethernet and eliminate the need for the internet check.  You would have to configure at your house so the devices are set up successfully with a network and internet connection and then bring them to your parents (like you have done in past).  I don't think it is possible anymore easily with the stick unless you use the camping method in the Roku posting above, or the mirroring technique.

Good luck and post back with any updates or maybe some other members have some more insight.

[Firestorm2004]

I got the Roku Ultra, and it worked using the Ethernet. Thank you for the idea. It works exactly as I needed.