Re: How to connect my Roku TV or streaming player to WiFi without remote
I lost my remote so I wanted to use the app but my device isn’t connected to the wifi, and I need the remote to connect it. How do I connect it to wifi without the remote.
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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.
8) 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.
Few will actually try this, so if you do, 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.
Related topics that you might find helpful:
I re-plugged up the old modem Tht is not being used for the internet connection anymore (since I changed services). The tv and the Roku remote app are still connected to that modem, I was then able to use the Roku remote from my phone to go into the tv settings and change the WiFi settings to the new one. Then I put my new WiFi modem password in and it connected. Thanks to my WONDERFUL Boyfriend Carlos, who just is so smart and knows so much about low voltage stuff. He is so cool. 🙄
BRAVO! option 3 is brilliant! 👏
We are up in the mountains and forgot the remote. We followed your steps and SUCCESS!
Thank you for sharing this. We will be watching movies and toasting spiked hot chocolate to makaiguy!
Can it be done with a TCL RokuTV Model #49S325?
Can't be done. Get a remote unless you can configure you're Wi-Fi to match the old Wi-Fi.
Forgot the remote for the roku we brought on vaca.
Trying to connect to the roku remote app
anyway to connect the roku to wifi without the remote?
Your Premiere supports an IR remote. You might be able to find a generic IR remote at a store nearby, but make sure they state they have Roku codes available. But the basic answer is, there's no way to connect the Roku to a wireless network without a remote of some kind.
