Lost my roku tv remote and not connected to wifi

You need a mobile hotspot and the Roku app

Updated on April 25, 2022

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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Losing a Roku remote isn’t the end of the world. If it’s connected to the same network as your smartphone, you can easily use the Roku mobile app and turn your phone into a Roku remote.

Lost my roku tv remote and not connected to wifi

However, what happens when you move house or you change your network provider and don’t have a Roku remote? You won’t be able to connect to a new network, so you can’t link it to your phone.

Still, there’s a workaround for this, too, if it isn’t a simple or quick process. But if you’re left without any choice, keep reading this article.

Step One: Prepare Everything That You Need

Before you start the process, you should first prepare everything. You’re going to need two different mobile phones – one will act as a hotspot for your Roku device, while you’ll turn the other one into a Roku remote.

Of course, it’s vital to know your Roku’s wireless network name (aka SSID) and password. Furthermore, you’ll need to install the Roku mobile app (Android or iOS) on both smartphones so you can set everything up.

In the end, make sure that your wireless service plan includes hotspot access before you proceed. If you need to use your mobile data instead, there’s a chance you’ll be charged a higher bill at the end of the month.

Step Two: Connect Roku to Wi-Fi Using Mobile Hotspot

The first thing that you need to do is make a hotspot on one of your phones. If you know your Roku’s SSID, the process shouldn’t be difficult:

  1. Go to the Settings app on your smartphone.
    Lost my roku tv remote and not connected to wifi
  2. Locate the Mobile Hotspot menu in the Wi-Fi settings. The actual location depends on the operating system, but it can also differ depending on the version.
  3. Enable mobile hotspot.
  4. Enter the SSID of your Roku under the Wi-Fi name (SSID) section.
    Lost my roku tv remote and not connected to wifi
  5. Enter the password for that connection.
  6. Select Save.

Check if you’ve done everything correctly, and then activate your mobile hotspot.

Step Three: Turning Your Mobile Phone Into a Remote Control

If your Roku mobile app and your Roku device are on the same network, you can use the remote feature to navigate the player. Use your mobile phone to connect to the wireless hotspot that you’ve created (in the previous section), and do the following:

  1. Open the Roku app on the other phone.
  2. Now, select the Remote button at the bottom of the screen.
    Lost my roku tv remote and not connected to wifi
  3. Wait for the remote screen to appear.

The remote displayed on the app should be a carbon copy of your physical Roku remote control. Try and tap the arrow keys to see whether your Roku player will register the movements.

Lost my roku tv remote and not connected to wifi

Step Four: Adjust Wi-Fi Settings Using Another Phone

If you’re able to navigate the Roku player, changing the wireless settings on your Roku shouldn’t be a problem. If you’ve made a hotspot with the same DDSN and password with one mobile device and used another smartphone to connect to it, everything else is easy.

  1. Use your Roku mobile app to turn your other (non-hotspot) phone into a remote.
  2. Tap the Home screen on the app remote.
  3. Highlight the Settings menu and press OK on the app remote
    Lost my roku tv remote and not connected to wifi
  4. Now, proceed to the Network menu.
  5. Connect your Roku to the desired wireless network.
  6. Then, disable the mobile hotspot on your phone.
  7. Connect one of the phones to the same Wi-Fi that you’ve connected your Roku to.
  8. Launch the Roku app on your phone.
  9. Now, use your phone as would the remote.

If everything goes well, your Roku player should register the app remote as a regular Roku remote. As long as they remain connected to the same Wi-Fi network, your phone can act as a remote.

Simpler Way – Get a Remote

Even a simple process, such as changing wireless settings on your Roku, can turn into quite a frustrating experience if you don’t have a remote.

Every time you want to change the connection, you’ll need to reconnect both your Roku and your smartphone so that you can navigate it without a proper remote. The best way to avoid this is to contact your nearest tech store or Roku customer support and try to get a replacement remote.

Do you use your Roku mobile app as a remote control? Do you think it renders the Roku remote useless? Share your opinion in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

Disclaimer: Some pages on this site may include an affiliate link. This does not effect our editorial in any way.

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How do I connect my Roku TV to Wi

Open the Roku app on your smartphone and tap the Remote icon at the bottom of the screen..
Using the app remote, navigate through your Roku and select Settings > Network..
From the network settings menu, select Set up connection > Wireless..
Choose the new network you want to connect to and type in the password..

How can I control my Roku without remote not connecting to Wi

Even without the physical remote, you can use your phone to connect your Roku device to your Wi-Fi network. To do this, download the Roku remote app for Android or iOS. When the app starts the first time, it will walk you through its different options—including how to use it as a Roku remote replacement.

How can I connect my TV to Wi

To connect your TV to WiFi without a remote, connect a USB keyboard and mouse to the TV and use the mouse to go to the TV's WiFi settings to connect to your WiFi network.

Can I connect my phone to my Roku TV without Wi

Use screen mirroring with an internet-less router To enable screen mirroring: Step 1: Select the Settings tab on your Roku home screen, head over to System > Screen mirroring. Step 2: Now on your Android device, select the native screen mirroring service that's built-in to your phone.