Wi-Fi & connectivity

[antigone16]

I spoke too soon ... the auto channel selection messed up the Roku, again. So, I've set the channel on 6 and will leave it there. I wonder if I should consider getting a new router? Or a WiFi extender, since the Roku keeps telling me that the signal coming from the router is weak.

Again, thanks so much! I never would have figured this out on my own.

[AvsGunnar]

@antigone16 

It would be more beneficial to purchase a new dual-band router that allows for both 2.4ghz and 5ghz band capability, rather than an extender for a 2.4ghz-only router.  Currently, all your devices (even those that are dual band capable like laptops, computers, cell phones, etc) are operating on your 2.4ghz frequency in addition to any cordless phones, microwaves (even though not on wifi are using the same radio frequencies when operating).  This often leads to channel crowding and network interference.  A dual band router will allow the 5ghz devices to operate on the 5ghz band, thus freeing up the 2.4ghz band resources for those devices capable of only operating on the 2.4ghz band.

There are a few things you can do within the Netgear WNR2000 to "ease" the congestion and prioritize network traffic.  You can actually assign the MAC address of your Roku in the QoS (Quality of Service) settings so it prioritizes the Roku over other devices. (This router seems to lack a generic streaming selection you can enable for this purpose).   You can disable SSID broadcast so that devices no longer connect to network until needed. (You would physically have to type in your network SSID and password to connect devices...no more point and click connecting.  The network name no longer visibile for anyone or any device to just automatically connect to.  Normally used for security reasons, but also works for device management as well.)

Although you can tinker with a few settings, most would find that buying a new router is probably easiest.

Regarding the weak signal strength you reported, that is the strength reported by Roku as being received from the router.  I wouldn't condemn the router over the Roku device with this.  You can install just about any free wifi analyzer on your mobile phone from the app stores to see actual network strength.  Of course, no matter what the real strength is, if the Roku device is interpreting as weak signal, it is not going to perform properly.

You can see if you can improve the strength by moving both the Express+ and your router around a little bit. (Usually away from anything that may be causing interference or blocking signal).  This router has max 300ft radius according to specs.  Usually, by entering a debug screen in the Roku, it will show you an antenna strength and then you can fiddle with moving the device around (left, right, up down) and see in real time on a graphic (green bars) or interpreting the network numbers any improved performance.  On your Roku remote, press Home 5x, then Up, Down, Up, Down, Up.  Mid 20's strength will be good, and higher Antenna Strength the better (as long as green, OK here.  Mostly 30's and 40's sufficient).  Move the device and the router around a bit and see if you get a better signal. (May be as simple as that).  Press Home to exit this menu.

Here is a link to your Netgear WNR2000 for help on the various settings we have discussed.  https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/WNR2000V1/WNR2000_UM_24FEB09.pdf

[antigone16]

Thanks, again! I moved the Roku slightly yesterday, and unfortunately am limited in how much I can move it and the router. I didn't really want to buy a new router, but that seems like the best route (haha) to take. So, I've got a dual-band router on order. I appreciate your assistance!

[antigone16]

I am so frustrated! I bought a new dual band router (Netgear R6230 AC1200 Smart WiFi Router) and the dang Roku still won't connect. I have changed the channel on the 2.4ghz to 6 and factory reset the Roku, restarted the router, and even though I can see the router name on the Roku it won't connect when I put in the (correct) password. Other devices, and the PC are all working. I am about to throw the Roku out the window! What the HECK?

[AvsGunnar]

@antigone16 

This router is very similar to your previous one so you should be familiar with changing the settings by now.  I have posted the link for this new router at end of this message.  Two things to try initially.  Make sure you name your 2.4ghz band differntly than your 5ghz band. (ie. antigone and antigone_5g).  That way you know which band your devices are connecting to.  You can use the same passwords on both, but just use different SSID names. (p.97)

Under the 2.4ghz, try the recommendations for your previous router, ch6 (as you have) and lower the default mode to 145. (The default 300 should work, but lower to 145 for troubleshooting.)  Then next step is to try with no security on 2.4ghz. (p.98)  If you see an option for channel width, select 20mhz instead of 40mhz. (I did not see it in the UI so may not be available as on other netgear routers.)

Post back again like you have done previously.  We know the Roku can connect succesfully, just have to get this router configured now.  Also, on this router, there are 2 physical buttons (look like LED lights but are actually buttons).  These are for the 2.4ghz and 5ghz radios (in addition to being set as default ON in router settings).  Make sure these are lit up.  You can press them/toggle the radios on and off.  When lit, they are ON.   Additionally, make sure your other old router is unplugged (some do forget to do this). 

https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/R6230/R6230_UM_EN.pdf   (Netgear AC1200 router)

[antigone16]

Thanks AvsGunnar. I will mess around with it some more later, or more likely tomorrow. I am very appreciative of all your help.

[antigone16]

Well, I changed the settings (channel 6, 145 and no security) on the 2.4 channel and the Roku connected, and then tried to do a software update. That failed and now even though I am seeing the WiFi network (and I didn't change the settings back) it won't connect again. I have restarted the Roku and the router. No luck. 

[AvsGunnar]

@antigone16 

Do you have an ISP modem in line, or is the Netgear AC1200 now acting as both your modem and router?

Being a Netgear, the LAN IP (your local network addresses should be 192.168.1.xxx with your Netgear being 192.168.1.1).  You can check this  under LAN Settings in the router admin.

Couple of things for the troubleshooting...

1. Try setting Netgear to 300mbps, ch.6 intially, then try ch.1 or ch.11, still no security for troubleshooting. (By changing to 300, eliminating slower device protocols which may be slowing down network).  Only make the mbps mode changes on the 2.4ghz band, not the 5ghz band.  Make sure to Save Changes and reboot router.  

2. Regarding your other wireless devices, make sure the ones that are able, are all on your 5ghz band.

3. Using laptop or cell phone, connect to the 2.4 ghz band and run an online speedtest.  https://www.speedtest.net/    (Here, testing that 2.4ghz is working and reporting good speeds)

4. Back on the Roku, Settings...Network...About (Are you seeing an IP address and a Gateway that appear similar [192.168.1.xxx and gateway 192.168.1.1])

5. Take note of the IP address if present.  Using laptop, go to the command prompt (c: >) and type that IP address in after the word ping.  If the IP address is 192.168.1.123 then at the command prompt type in ping 192.168.1.123  (You should see some response times, etc.  As long as you get some result, that means router is connecting to your Roku on the local network.)

6. From Roku, Settings...Network...Check Connection (Are you getting 1 red X or 2 red X.  Network connected, but not internet?)  If Roku is not connecting to internet, then we can try changing DNS servers laters to resolve this as potential issue.)

7. Reboot router and let reload, then do the Roku Network Connection Reset again. (Advanced System Settings...Reset Connection).  Make sure to press Scan Again again a few times after reloads.

8. Trying to avoid a factory reset here since can be difficult to restablish when Roku not seeing internet so lets not do this yet unless you have a mobile hotspot.

9. If all the above fails, temporarily disconnect this router and plug your old one back in.  See if the Roku can connect to your old one again.  If so, try streaming a couple of channels, then attempt the System Update from that one.  After updating and making sure operates, disconnect the old one, and try again with the new router. 

Basically, the way the Roku works, is that it first has to connect to your router (network).  Once connected, your router will assign the Roku an IP address from the router's DHCP server.  Once this IP address is assigned, the Roku can then access the internet for streaming, updating, etc.  Need to determine where in line you are now at this point. 

[antigone16]

I have a separate modem. I set my new router to 300mbps and ch. 1. All my other devices are connected to the 5ghz band. Did a speed test on the 2.4ghz band and got: Ping ms 23, Download mbps 68.96 and upload mbps 5.77 (I also did a speed test for the 5ghz band: 20, 112.71 and 5.91). Back on the Roku I was able to connect to the 2.4ghz band, and started the setup. Got past the screen definition test (where it saw the high definition) and then when it asked for my email address I get a message saying "we can't seem  to reach you by email." I entered my email address correctly. Guess I'll restart the Roku and try again ...

(edit) I restarted the Roku and it finally accepted my email address, and sent me a link to activate the device. I can only get partway through that process before it stops, and tells me to enter the link on the tv, and there is no link.

I've gotten two error codes in this process first 003 and then 001.

(edit 2) I restarted the Roku and entered my email address and it said it was sending me an activation link ... which I have not gotten. I'm quitting for the night. Ridiculous.

I'm seriously thinking about getting a new Roku Express 4+ and cutting my losses with this one.

[antigone16]

This evening I have managed to get through the activation process, more than once, only to have the Roku say when I get back to it that it can't connect. When I check the network connections both the wireless and internet have green check marks. But it won't connect and it keeps sending me an activation link, and after I go through the activation process it tells me, again, that it can't connect. I'm in an endless, fruitless loop.

If I do manage to connect it now tells me that it's trying and failing to do a software update.