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JKasten's avatar
JKasten
Streaming Star
11 months ago

Roku Express cannot find the ethernet (for wired internet)

Just got a Roku Express and the recommended UGreen Ethernet Adapter and a Netgear GS308 Unmanaged Switch so that I could use the Express (and my laptop) with my Cable Modem.  Hooked everything up but the Express puts a Red X in the Wired Connection box when searching for the internet, and then puts up a page titled "Unable to find Ethernet".  Tried all the recommended fixes, but no change - although the Express DOES detect if I disconnect its ethernet cable. 

All Activity LEDs on the Modem, Switch, and Ethernet Adapter show plenty of activity on all devices.  Even tried a second UGreen Ethernet Adapter (same results).  Ditto when connecting the Ethernet Adapter directly to the Cable Modem (without the Switch).

What am I missing?  Is a wired Router needed instead of a Switch?  Formerly, a laptop was connected directly to the Cable Modem; it still works when connected directly and when connected through the Switch - but the Express can't find the Ethernet either way.  Is the Cable Modem somehow "dedicated" to the laptop, and thus will not respond to the Ethernet Adapters?  (If so, can that be resolved such that all devices can access the Internet?)  Any other good suggestions?

Thanks in advance!

50 Replies

  • AvsGunnar's avatar
    AvsGunnar
    Community Streaming Expert

    JKasten 

    Likely, your cable modem is your router (internal/integrated DHCP server).  On most modems, though,(with a single ethernet port), you will need to add a router before a switch. (of course, if you add a router, you may no longer need the switch unless the number of wired devices outnumber the LAN ports of the router).

    Additionally, many ISP modems only allow one wired device to access the internet at a time (due to a single public/wan IP address allocation) when using a switch directly connected to the modem. (multiple devices unable to share/compete for this single address in this setup).  The router allows multiple devices to share this single IP address.  The switch expands the number of wired devices when plugged into the router.

    However, just to verify.  What is the model number of the cable modem, the ethernet adapter you are using, and the Roku Express (from Settings/System/About).

    ---

    First inclination is that the ethernet adapter may be part of the issue since it fails to work at both the switch and the modem location with the Express.  Generally, need to use a USB 2.0 10/100 fast ethernet adapter with the required chipsets AX8877X or SMSC95XX.  (there are a few users that have reportedly gotten some 10/100/1000 adapters to work, but hit and miss there.)

    https://support.roku.com/article/360058027813

    • JKasten's avatar
      JKasten
      Streaming Star

      Sorry for the delayed reply.  Here are some answers:

      Equipment models:

      Cable Modem:  Hiltron, Model appears to be EN2251  (This modem has a single ethernet port).

      Ethernet Adapter:  UGreen Model number on device is illegible; box does not explicitly state model number but shows 30985 and a bar-coded X001C6AUST.  (This is the adapter that is linked from the Roku compatibility article).

      Roku Express:  Model 3960R

      Roku Express 4K+:  Model 3941R2

       

      Regarding the cable modem, it does seem to latch onto the ID of the particular laptop that is connected to it, and usually has to be re-booted whenever changing from one laptop to another.  However, I did try connecting the Roku Express 4K+ directly to the Cable Modem and then re-booting the modem.  The Express still could not find the ethernet after that - but possibly the modem did not fully reset because it still recognized the laptop (when the laptop was re-connected directly to the Modem) without another re-boot.  (So, the ID of the laptop seemed to be retained by the Modem, despite the re-boot.  Possibly, this prevented recognition of the Express).

      Regarding the switch, based on what a local "IT guy" said, I was hoping that I could get away with an unmanaged switch, and avoid trying to find an ethernet-only router.  Oh, well...  The ISP's support rep also seemed to think that a switch was adequate - but didn't sound all that confident.

      Regarding the Ethernet Adapters and Rokus, I tried swapping between the two Adapters and the two Rokus when connected via the Switch, but tried only one Adapter and only the Express 4K+  when connecting directly to the Cable Modem.  Perhaps I should try the other Adapter and the Express connected directly to the Cable Modem - although all other "test cases" produced identical results.  By the way, the Adapters do not indicate which USB protocol they use but are 100 Mbps "fast internet".  No idea about their chipsets.

      At this point, I'm hoping to find some conclusive identification of the problem before buying more components to "try" - so I hope this isn't going to end up being a matter of "try and see".

      Thanks for the info and suggestions! 

      • AvsGunnar's avatar
        AvsGunnar
        Community Streaming Expert

        JKasten 

        The Ugreen 30985 ethernet adapter does use the ASIX AX88772C chipset and is the one that is currently linked to from the Roku Support page.  https://oemdrivers.com/network-ugreen-30985

        Although the product description on the Amazon page indicates it is not compatible with "any Roku devices", I think they mean to say not compatible (technically) with Roku Streaming Sticks.  The recommendation/review section indicates users successfully using it with Express 4k devices.

        Since it is a compatible chipset and users indicate it does work with Roku devices, you should be good to go with this device.  👍

        I have used the Smays ethernet adapter with OTG (for usb storage) with my Roku devices and they work fine (with OTG, allows videos to be played through the Roku Media Player).   With this setup, kind of an "improvised" Ultra setup by providing USB to the device.

        https://www.amazon.com/Ethernet-Adapter-Replacement-Express-Streaming/dp/B09MVWZMMB/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&sr=1-2

        ----

        The Hitron en2251 is probably your sticking point.   It is likely that you have only been issued one IP address.  Thus, you can only use an unmanaged switch (or managed switch for that matter) with two wired devices if your ISP issues you two IP addresses (determined by MAC address) when directly connected to a modem.

        It may be that the modem is having an issue providing internet access to both the MAC address of the ethernet adapter and the MAC address of the Roku device when directly connected to modem. (basically, a conflict is occuring as only one MAC address at a time can access internet with a single issued IP address.).

        However, forgot to ask and just re-read that this is a "new" Express.  Have you already setup/activated it?  If not, try setting it up using a hotspot or other network before trying the wired method.  May just need to get a LAN IP first (this will at least activate the device, but still don't think it will fix the issue you are having.).

        ----

        If you are adverse to wifi, then certainly placing a wired router (ethernet-only) after the modem, but before the switch will resolve the issues you are having.  If not adverse to having wifi present, then likely any cheap router with the standard 4 ethernet/LAN ports will also resolve your issue.

        Your modem has a 2.5G (multigig) ethernet port so depending on your speed plan and your budget, you can decide what type of router to purchase for your needs.

        I can confidently tell you that a router (wired or wifi) will resolve the issue you are having and how I would address it.  (you can also ask your ISP if they can upgrade your modem to include a combo modem/router if not adverse to wifi capability.)  I would just purchase my own router, but laying out the options for you here.

        Feel free to update or post more info if still having issues or questions. 

         

    • JKasten's avatar
      JKasten
      Streaming Star

      Update:

      By using longer power-down times for the Cable Modem in preparation for trying each device and waiting for the Modem to start up fully before connecting the ethernet device, I was able to get both Roku's to find the ethernet (& Internet) - although it seemed to take two tries for each Roku to "find" the ethernet.  (Not sure what that was all about).  Anyway, I was able to get as far as doing the firmware updates for each Roku.  So, it appears the problem is that the Cable Modem can "recognize" only one connected ethernet device at a time - even with a Switch in place - so apparently some sort of Router is required with this Cable Modem.  The unfortunate consequence is that I cannot activate the directly-connected Roku devices because I cannot connect a laptop (to receive the activation code eMails) and the Roku device being activated at the same time.  So, apparently, I'll need to get the Router situation settled before proceeding with activation/testing.  Frustratingly, the only ISP-compatible routers have just four ethernet ports - and I'll eventually need to connect six devices at the same time.  Hmmm...  Seems to be a gotcha at every turn...