Roku is a popular and versatile streaming device for watching your favorite TV shows, movies, and series. One of the best Roku streaming devices lets you enjoy your favorite content whenever you want. But what if you lose the remote that came with your Roku? In this guide, we’ll show you how to connect your Roku streaming device to your Wi-Fi network without a remote using the Roku app, which you can download to your smartphone or tablet. We will explain how to do this.
What happens if I lose my Roku remote after a factory reset?
Source: Roku
If you recently factory reset your Roku, you’ll need a new remote to connect to your Wi-Fi network. You can also reconnect your Roku to your existing network using a dedicated app. The app’s remote control feature lets you manage your Roku wirelessly without using the included physical remote. This feature is only available if Roku was previously connected to your current Wi-Fi network. The following sections describe two ways to reconnect your Roku to your home Wi-Fi network.
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The most common Roku problems and how to solve them
Nothing should come between you and your favorite shows.
Change Roku Wi-Fi settings using an Ethernet connection
If your Roku stops connecting to your Wi-Fi network and you can’t find your remote, an Ethernet cable can help. Not all Roku devices have an Ethernet port. If so, choose this method to keep things simple. After you connect the cable to your access point, you may need to unplug and plug your Roku back in before it recognizes your network. You can then use the remote control feature in the Roku app to manage apps and update Wi-Fi settings without a remote. You can then return to using it over Wi-Fi.
Use a temporary Wi-Fi mobile hotspot as a workaround
If your Roku doesn’t have an Ethernet port and you can’t find the remote, you may still be able to get it back up and running on your Wi-Fi network. The process is a bit unintrusive and requires multiple devices and a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. Your only option other than buying a new remote. The idea is to trick Roku into connecting to your mobile hotspot using the same Wi-Fi credentials he had when it was working. You can then control your device wirelessly using the Roku app’s remote features.
You can also use a mobile hotspot to connect your Roku to another Wi-Fi network outside your home. Useful if you lose your remote control while traveling. You can now use your device through the Roku app. It’s also helpful if you recently found an older Roku device and know the Wi-Fi name and password. As long as your mobile hotspot matches your original Wi-Fi credentials, you can bring it online instead of factory resetting it.
The mobile hotspot method must meet the following requirements:
- A Roku device that was previously set up on your Wi-Fi network.
- Roku devices that support the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band.
- Wireless smartphone plan compatible with mobile Wi-Fi spots.
- Two separate mobile devices (Android or iOS).
- The Roku app must be installed on a non-hotspot mobile device.
Set up a mobile hotspot and install the Roku app
Once you meet the requirements, connect Roku to your home Wi-Fi network without using the remote. One device must use a mobile hotspot and the other device must have a separate Roku app installed.
To connect Roku to Wi-Fi without a remote, follow these steps:
- Turn on the mobile hotspot feature on your first device. For Android devices, please visit: setting > network and internet > Hotspot and tethering. On iPhone, go to: setting > mobile phone > personal hotspot or setting > personal hotspot On newer versions of iOS.
- Set your mobile hotspot’s network name and password to match the last Wi-Fi network you used on Roku.
- Download the Roku app on your second non-hotspot device. You can download the app from the Google Play Store for Android devices and from the App Store for iOS devices.
- Open the Roku app on your second device.
- Tap. Continue Click the button to get started.
- Tap Next or skip Click to move to the next screen.
- choose Nexor skip Get sign-in options for your account.
- Tap. Sign in button to log in with your Roku account, or Continue as guest.
- Reset your Roku by unplugging it for a few minutes and then plugging it back in.
- Roku will automatically reconnect to your mobile hotspot.
- use remote Click the tab in the Roku app to update your network settings from your mobile hotspot to your home Wi-Fi network.
If you lose your remote, you can still use your Roku
Using a dedicated remote with your Roku is the easiest way to connect to your home Wi-Fi network, but it’s not the only option. If you misplace your remote, the next best option besides a direct wired connection is to use a temporary mobile Wi-Fi network. When mobile hotspot is active, you can remotely control your Roku and update your Wi-Fi settings from an app on another device. If you meet all the requirements, you can bring your Roku back to life in a pinch, even without a remote control.