How to connect roku tv to phone without remote

Do you want to connect your Roku TV to a new Wi-Fi connection? Luckily, almost all Roku models are Wi-Fi-ready. But it gets a bit rocky if you don’t have a remote. 

The good thing is that Roku has an app you can use, like an e-remote. So switching from one wireless connection to another is easy. But enrolling in a new network can be an issue. 

So here are easy steps on how to connect your Roku to a new Wi-Fi network without a remote. Ready? Let’s jump right in. 

To begin setting up your Roku TV, make sure you have downloaded the app on your smartphone, and it’s free for iPhone and Android devices. 

Once you have the app, follow the process below: 

1. ​Use your mobile phone to open the Roku app. Then tap Devices at the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Wait for a few seconds until your Roku device appears on the app. Restart your mobile device or the TV if it doesn’t appear within 2 minutes. 
3. Tap the Roku device once you see it on the app. Your phone will now function as a virtual remote.
4. Tap the remote icon and go to Settings.
5. Choose Network. 
6. Choose and tap Set Up Connection. Let the device search for nearby Wi-Fi connections you want to connect to. 
7. Tap and select the Wi-Fi network you want, then enter the Wi-Fi password. 

When your Roku connects to the new wireless network, the virtual remote on your phone will automatically disconnect. But the good news is that you can still keep using it as a virtual remote as long as you’d like. 

The app might have more features than regular remote controls. And with regular updates, you might find some interesting features every now and then.

The Bottomline

Whether you just bought a new Roku device or trying to reconnect to the internet, your smartphones are there to the rescue. 

We hope the method we shared with you helps to solve this issue. If the steps didn’t work, maybe it’s time to consider getting a replacement remote. Or you can also contact customer support for further help and assistance. 

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What to Know

• Download the Roku app and use the Remote function.
• Go to Settings > Network > Set up connection and the on-screen instructions will step you through getting it working.

If you find your Roku isn't connecting to your Wi-Fi network, and you also can't seem to find your remote, you might feel completely lost on what to do. However, there is a solution. As long as you have a smartphone, you control your Roku by downloading the Roku app.

How Do I Connect My Roku to Wi-Fi Without a Remote?

Roku has an app on both the iOS App Store and Android Google Play that allows you to use your smartphone as a remote. This way, you can still use your Roku device to connect to Wi-Fi.

1. Download and open the Roku app.

   Roku for Android

   Roku for iOS

2. In the bottom middle of the screen in the menu, tap on Remote.

3. Make sure the remote is connected to the correct Roku device. You should see the name of the Roku at the top, with a green dot if it's connected.

4. Tap on the Home icon, then use the directional arrow pad on the app to navigate to Settings > Network > Set up connection on your Roku.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your Wi-Fi connection.

How Do I Find My Roku IP Address Without Wi-Fi or a Remote?

First, you should know if your Roku isn't connected to a Wi-Fi network, it won't have an IP address. Once you can get your Roku connected to Wi-Fi without a remote using the steps above, you can then find the IP address.

1. Using the Roku app, go to Remote and tap on the Home button.

2. Use the arrow pad to navigate to Settings > Network > About.

3. You should see the name of the network your Roku is connected to, then underneath the network name, you'll see the IP address.

Can You Connect Roku Directly To Router?

If you're not having luck connecting your Roku wirelessly to your network, you may want to opt for a wired connection. However, this is only possible if you have certain Roku devices, such as the Roku Ultra, as only some of them have an Ethernet cable port.

To see if you can connect your Roku with an Ethernet cable, look on the back of the device for a port labeled Ethernet. If you see this, use an Ethernet cable and connect the Roku to your router.

If you have a Roku Streambar, you can also buy a USB Ethernet adapter and hook it up to your router that way. A Roku TV may also have an Ethernet port, so check the back of the TV if you have one.

After connecting a Roku device to your router, do the following:

1. Navigate to the Home screen on your Roku.

2. Go to Settings > Network > Set up connection.

3. Select Wired connection.

4. The Roku should automatically detect your network.

FAQ

• Why does my Roku not stay connected to Wi-Fi?

  If your Roku keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi, DCHP may have been disabled on your router or there may be a signal strength problem. To fix the issue, check your router settings and make sure DCHP is enabled. If that doesn't work, try restarting your Roku TV or TV and Roku device. If Wi-Fi signal strength is the problem, consider a Wi-Fi extender.

• How do I pair a Roku remote?

  To pair a Roku remote, figure out if you have an IR remote, Point Anywhere Standard, or Enhanced Remote. For an IR remote, insert the batteries and you're good to go; no pairing is required. For other Roku remotes, insert the batteries and wait for the Roku TV or device to detect the remote and automatically pair.

• How do I reset a Roku remote?

  If you need to reset your Roku remote, remove the remote's batteries and disconnect the Roku from power. Reconnect the Roku to power; when the home screen displays, reinsert the remote's batteries. Press and hold the remote's pairing button for three to five seconds. Within about 30 seconds, the remote will be reset and re-paired with the Roku TV or device.

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