Since you are reading this article, we will assume that you know what Roku or Roku TV is and that you are an active user of its services. However, it seems that you’ve misplaced your Roku remote, or did it stopped working? Whichever the case, you came to the right place if you want to learn how to connect Roku to Wi-Fi without remote.
In this article, we will take a look at the simplest and fastest way on how to connect Roku to Wi-Fi without remote. That way you will be able to enjoy the streaming content and entertain yourself and your loved one even if your Roku remote is lost or not functioning.
So, are you ready to dig deeper? Let’s do this, shall we?
Installing the Roku App
Before we move any further, we advise you to immediately install the Roku app on your smartphone or tablet.
In order to make use of the simplest workarounds on how to connect Roku to Wi-Fi without remote, you will need to use this app. Once the app is installed and launched, it may be used as a remote which will provide you the control over the settings.
However, since the process can be tricky for non-techy people, we will, of course, go into more details and provide you with step-by-step instructions.
Luckily for you, the Roku mobile app is available for both, iOS and Android devices. If you have an Android device, go to Google Play, download the app, and install it. If you use an iPhone or an iPad, go to the Apple iOS store to attain the app.
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Remoku – An Alternative To The Roku App
In case you do not want to use your mobile device to install the Roku app on it, there is an alternative option available. Thanks to the fact that Roku offers API (Application Program Interface) to third-party developers, some of those developers created a Chrome Extension called Remoku. This provides you with similar options to the Roku app.
To use Remoku, you will need to use the Google Chrome browser on your computer and install the extension. You will also need to have the computer and your Roku device operating on the same network.
How To Connect Roku To Wi-Fi Without Remote – Several Options
There are several options available to those who need to learn how to connect Roku to Wi-Fi without remote. We will take a look at each of these options in the subsections below.
How To Connect Roku To Wi-Fi Without Remote If Your Version of Roku Has an Ethernet Port
To make things work, you need to ensure that your mobile device (the one you installed the Roku app on) and the Roku Device are both on the same network. If your Roku device enables you to connect it via an Ethernet cable (has an Ethernet cable port), you can use a wired connection to establish the necessary connection.
In order to make this work, follow the steps below:
- Use an Ethernet cable and connect it to the back of your Roku device.
- Then plug the other end of the cable into your Wi-Fi router.
- Once connected you have established the physical connection using the cable, open the Roku mobile app on your mobile device.
- Before moving any further, you must make sure that both your mobile device and your Roku device are on the same network. Make sure that your mobile is connected to the same Wi-Fi router and the Roku device via the cable.
- Next, open the Roku app on your phone and tap on the ‘remote’ icon at the bottom. Your Roku device should be automatically detected by the app.
- Use the navigating buttons to enter the Settings.
- Once in ‘Settings’, navigate properly and open ‘Network’.
- Then choose ‘Wireless’ and set up a new wireless connection.
- After doing the above, Roku will detect all Wireless networks available in the area. Wait for a while until the list is populated.
- First, choose the name of your Wi-Fi network, then type in the SSID password. Click ‘Connect’ to complete the process.
- Now that the Roku device has connected to your desired Wi-Fi, you can remove the Ethernet cable.
- Enjoy the Roku service and continue using the App as a remote (until you can find your remote).
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How To Connect Roku To Wi-Fi Without Remote If Your Version of Roku Doesn’t Have an Ethernet Port
The newer versions of Roku devices do not have Ethernet cable ports. For those devices, the steps from the previous subsection will obviously not be an option.
Luckily, there are two ways to make that work as well. Which of the two methods to use, will depend on whether you know the details of your old Wi-Fi connection (the one that your Roku device was connected to) or not.
If you know the details of the WI-FI network that your Roku device was last connected to, you will need two mobile devices to make this method work.
In case you don’t know the details of the Wi-Fi or if your Roku device has been reset meanwhile (which means it is no longer connected to the same network)
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Knowing the Details of the Last Roku Wi-Fi Connection
In case you know to which Wi-Fi connection your Roku device is connected to (this is often the case if you only have a single network available), you’ll need to trick your Roku device into believing that it’s connecting to the old network.
This is done by setting up one mobile device as a mobile hotspot while using the second device as a controller via the Roku app (as explained above).
The exact steps will slightly vary, depending on the mobile device you use, however, here are the general steps to follow:
- Make sure that the Roku device is turned off.
- Set up a Mobile Hotspot on the first of the two mobile devices. Mobile Hotspot and Tethering options are typically located under the Network and Internet tab of your phone’s settings.
- Make sure to change both the name and the password of your mobile’s Hotspot settings to match that of your Roku device’s old network settings. (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT)
- Turn on your Roku device. Roku should connect automatically to that network.
- Then connect your second mobile device to the same Hotspot.
- Open the Roku mobile app on the second mobile device (not on the one that is used for Hotspot).
- Once within the Roku app, use the Remote function by clicking the icon, then change the Wi-Fi settings per the steps in the previous subsection as indicated on the instructions above (step 6 and onward).
If Wi-Fi or Roku Device Has Been Reset
If the Wi-Fi on your Roku device has been reset or if you don’t know the name and the password of the old Wi-Fi, you will not be able to use the above instruction. However, there is a way around that case as well. Though, keep in mind that the process will be slightly trickier.
What you will need to do to make this workaround work, is to borrow a Roku Remote.
Once you have borrowed another Roku remote, you will need to pair it with your Roku device. To do so, you need to press the pairing button, which is located at the bottom of the remote (just above the battery cap), for at least 5 seconds. Keep your eyes on an indicator light, which will show if the pairing was successful.
Once the remote has been successfully connected, you may use it as your original remote. Since the remote is borrowed, you need to set things up so you can return it and then use your Roku app as a remote.
To do so, use the remote to navigate to the Network Settings (as in the ‘How To Connect Roku To Wi-Fi Without Remote If Your Version of Roku Has an Ethernet Port’ section (step 6) to change or set up your Wi-Fi connection. Once the connection is set up, you can use your mobile device (with the Roku app installed) as a remote as long as the devices are connected to the same network.
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Wrapping Things Up
Losing or facing a failure of your Roku remote is definitely not a pleasant experience. However, luckily for you, there are several workarounds, which we’ve covered above, that can help you fix a problem in no time.
In case you only have a single Wi-Fi network in your home and your Roku nor that Wi-Fi router hasn’t been turned off or reset since the remote has been lost or stopped functioning, you can get things back on track with maximum ease. All you need to do is install the Roku app on your phone, connect the phone to that same network, and use it as a remote. Yes, it is that simple.
In case there are various networks available or if your Roku device or your Wi-Fi router has been turned off or reset meanwhile, you will need to use one set of the instructions given above. Just keep calm, follow the steps, and you will be able to navigate your Roku device using your mobile phone in combination with the Roku app in no time.
Enjoy your Roku streaming content!