You can stream audio and video from the internet using your Roku® streaming player or Roku TV. You’ll need a strong link from your Roku system to your home network, as well as from your home network to the internet, for this to work. This article includes instructions for checking that these links are in good working order, as well as tips for troubleshooting any issues that might arise.
When you connect your Roku player or Roku TV to your home network for streaming, you must do so in the same way as you connect your computer or mobile device. Simply type in the name of your wireless network and the right password. A wireless link is formed between your Roku computer and your home access point or router* as a result of this action. Your internet service provider, or ISP, will then give you access to the internet through a broadband service offered by your router (usually your cable or phone company). If your Roku streaming system has an Ethernet port, you can also use an Ethernet or wired network cable to connect to your router.
You may be unable to set up your Roku system if it is unable to connect to your home router or obtain internet access via the router. If your device’s network or internet link is lost after it has been set up, you may be unable to activate channels that need an internet connection, or you may encounter streaming interruptions.
Check Connection on your Roku device
- On your Roku computer, go to the Settings menu and check your link.
- To perform a two-part test, go to Settings > Network > Check link. The first section checks for a link to your home network and assesses the signal’s consistency. The second aspect determines if you are linked to the internet and the speed of that link.
- If the wireless signal strength or internet speed is low, on-screen instructions will be given to assist you in resolving the issue.
The Check link choice will not appear if your Roku system is not connected to your network. Only the option to Set up a Link will be available. Before you can test the link, you must first set up your Roku system on your network.
Resolving Connectivity issues
- Enter your wireless network’s right name. Your wireless network link will fail if you choose the incorrect wireless network name. If you’re not sure if your Roku system is linked to the right network, ask for assistance in locating your wireless network name.
- Make sure you type the password correctly. Try re-entering your wireless password if you think you know it but it isn’t working. It’s easy to type your password incorrectly, and keep in mind that network passwords are case sensitive. To enter a capital letter, press the shift button on the Roku on-screen keyboard’s – Check the tips for finding your wireless network if you don’t know the right password.
- Check to see if your router is up and running. Connect to your home network with your machine or mobile device and try accessing the internet by going to a public website like www.roku.com. If you can access the internet from another computer, your router is functioning properly and you can proceed to the next level. If you can’t get online, try restarting your router (see phase 5b below) before contacting your ISP.
- Increase the frequency of the wireless signal. If your password is right and other devices can access the router, but your Roku computer still can’t connect to your wireless network, the issue is most likely the wireless signal power. The wireless signal weakens the farther your Roku system is from your router and the further barriers between your router and your Roku device (such as walls and cabinets).
- Reboot both your Roku and your router.
- Go to Settings > System > System restart to restart your Roku player. Go to Settings > System > Power > System restart to restart your Roku TV. You can also disconnect the Roku system from the power source for a few moments before reconnecting it.
- Check with your ISP or router provider for guidance on how to restart your router. In some cases, you may easily unplug it and plug it back in, while in others, you can need to click the device’s reset button. Both devices will take a few minutes to fully restart.
- If your Roku computer was previously linked to your router, it should reconnect automatically. Complete the network setup process if it is not reconnecting or if you are setting up your Roku system for the first time.
Prominent Roku Error Codes and Suggestible Actions
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009 Error code.
Try the third step: This code indicates that your Roku computer is connected to the router but cannot access the internet. If there is no relation, contact your ISP for assistance. If Error 009 persists despite your computer’s internet connection, restart the Roku system (see step 5b above).
012 Error code.
This is a particular Ethernet-related issue. Make sure your Roku computer and router are both securely linked with an Ethernet cable. If necessary, test with a second Ethernet cable. If the cable is in good working order, try restarting your Roku system and router using phase 5 above.
013 Error code.
This is a particular Ethernet-related issue. Try the third step: Check to see if your router is up and running. Restart your Roku computer if you can connect to the internet from another device (see step 5a above). Try disconnecting and reconnecting the Ethernet cable if you can’t connect to the internet from another laptop. If the problem persists, contact your ISP before resetting your router (see phase 5b above).
14 Error code.
Begin with the first step: A failure to link to the wireless network has occurred.
14.10 or 14.11 Error code.
Experiment with move 5: Restart the router as well as the Roku player.
14.20 Error code.
Check that the signal intensity is sufficient in phase 4 above. It’s possible that your Roku computer is too far away from the router. Restart the router and Roku computer, as described in step 5 above.
14.30 Error code.
Experiment with move 5: Both the router and the Roku system should be restarted.
14.40 or 14.41 Error code.
Steps 1 and 2 are worth a shot: These are triggered by a network password that is wrong. Make sure you’ve chosen the right network and entered your password correctly. If the problem persists, go to phase 5 above.
14.50 Error code.
Experiment with move 5: Both the router and the Roku system should be restarted.
14.62 or 14.64 error code.
Stage 4 (above): Make sure the signal intensity is sufficient. It’s possible that your Roku computer is too far away from the router. Phase 5 is an option. Restart the router as well as the Roku player.
016 Error code.
When you try to open a channel but the network or internet connection is lost, this happens. To access the network settings on your Roku computer, select Set up link and follow the on-screen instructions. The wireless signal might be too weak if this behavior continues. Phase 4 is a good starting point. Make sure the signal intensity is sufficient. It’s possible that your Roku computer is too far away from the router.
017 Error code.
When your Roku computer senses a weak wireless signal, this code appears. Try pushing your Roku computer and router closer to each other by following the on-screen instructions. Steps 4 and 5 are worth a shot.
018 Error code.
When your Roku system senses slow internet speeds, this code appears. Check with your Internet service provider to see what speed link you have. You should think about upgrading to a faster link.
Final Thoughts
Wireless connection to your router is available on all Roku streaming devices. Some Roku streaming devices have an Ethernet port that connects through a cable. Ethernet can provide a quicker and more secure link if connecting the cable from your router to the Roku system is convenient. Attach a regular Ethernet cable from one of your router’s available ports to the port on the back of your Roku unit. If you are close enough to your router to obtain a strong signal, a wireless link will also produce excellent results.