Guide to Connect Roku to WiFi Without Remote [Updated]

The last few decades witnessed the emergence of the “information age” and the third industrial revolution.

Paving the way for multi-functional gadgets like smartwatches, smartphones and computers quicker, compact, and ever more powerful than before, wireless devices played an indisputable role in connecting millions to the Internet by anyone, anywhere.

So, if you’re planning to binge watch on a weekend, you’ll definitely want to get the best connectivity for your streaming devices.

However, imagine your Roku isn’t connecting to your Wi-Fi network, and your remote is nowhere to be found. Feel completely lost on what to do?

There’s a solution to connect your Roku to wifi without a remote. Let’s get started. . .

Table of Contents

Prerequisites to Connect Roku to Wifi Without Remote

To get your Roku streaming device connected to wifi without a remote, there are two essential pre-requisites for this smart alternative to work:

You will need two mobile phones.
You will also need to know the name and password of the WiFi network saved on your Roku device.

Once you’ve confirmed both, let’s get started with the process to connect Roku to WiFi without a remote.

To understand how the process works; you will use one of the two mobile phones as a mobile hotspot, while the other will operate as a make-do remote.

You will first set up the mobile hotspot and then use the remote to connect your Roku to WiFi without a remote. The entire process is broken down into three steps below:

Step 1. Set up the Mobile Hotspot

First things first; before proceeding to turn your mobile phone into a mobile hotspot, you must ensure that your wireless service offer includes mobile hotspot access.

Note this is a crucial step since all mobile phone plans don’t accommodate this feature.

If your mobile plan excludes this feature, you might have to pay additional charges to set up the mobile hotspot.

With the above confirmed, follow these quick steps below:

First, navigate to the ‘Settings’ section of your mobile and tap to turn on the mobile hotspot option.
Now tap on ‘Set up Mobile Hotspot.’ This may vary according to different Android models.
A pop-up message regarding mobile data usage will be displayed on-screen. Tap OK to proceed.
Enter the network name (SSID) and password of the Wi-Fi network that your Roku device has saved beforehand. You may also be prompted to enter other wi fi network information. Fill them in accordingly.
Upon saving your new settings, a new mobile hotspot has been created.
Finally, tap on OK to activate the mobile hotspot.

Completing the first step, you’re only halfway across the process to connect Roku to WiFi without a remote. Let’s move ahead to the next half.

Step 2. Set up the Roku Remote

To get started with the second half of the process, keep aside your first mobile phone with the hotspot active, and move over to follow the steps below:

This is the most crucial step as you ensure that your second mobile device is connected to the newly established mobile hotspot. Note you will be unable to use the Roku mobile app as a substitute for your remote unless both the device and the second phone are connected to the same network.
Next, download the Roku application from the Play Store. Once done, launch the App.
Now scroll down the screen to the bottom, and tap the remote icon.
A remote will appear on-screen, its layout quite similar to the hardware remote. You can use it exactly like you have used the physical remote.

Note, to use swipes instead of your traditional buttons on the App’s remote layout, simply head over to the settings menu of the remote and change the settings.

Also Read: Watch Local Channels on Your Roku device

Step 3- Connecting Roku to WiFi without Remote (Final Step)

We have finally reached the third and final step to connect Roku to Wifi without a physical remote. All you have to do to complete the procedure is follow the steps below:

Using your virtual Roku remote via the Roku App, navigate the Roku device connected to a smart TV or Roku TV.
Launch to change the Network settings window. Now connect your Roku device to the WiFi network with which you wish to use the Roku device or Roku TV.
Now, cross your finger and pause for a moment before connecting your device to the nearest WiFi network available.
Turn off the mobile hotspot option of the first phone.

With that, your Roku device is successfully connected to WiFi without a remote; and that too, a new WiFi network!

Now, take a back seat, relax, and fiddle with the Roku app with your virtual remote. Navigate and explore the Roku device or Roku TV remote just like you would do with your regular remote.

Note, while the Roku mobile app is in use, it automatically disconnects after 5 minutes of inactivity. For this reason, we recommended that you use the optimized battery option when using the app. This will drain the battery much less quickly.

Food. . .Water. . .Shelter. . .Clothing and Wifi. . .

Technology has also made our lives super simpler, quicker, safer, and smarter with innovations paving in any minute.

Therefore, wireless connections play an inevitable role as they will go a long way towards improving your streaming experience.

Be it a high-definition picture quality with fewer buffers, or just making it simpler for multiple family members to watch what they want at the same time, a wireless network is the need of the hour.

Besides, streaming isn’t limited to one device or room of the house. isn’t it?

While you may have a smart TV in the living room, and another in the bedroom, what if you want to watch something on your laptop or tablet in the kitchen?

No matter what you’re or what you’re watching it on you’ll experience the best streaming when your Wi-Fi setup is at its best with your streaming device.

But losing for a streaming device like Roku often makes you mad. This is because technically you can’t connect to your WiFi without the remote. Isn’t it?

But who says you cannot stream your favourite movies, music and more without your remote? Follow the 3 above Set up and you’re all set to connect Roku to WiFi without a regular remote.

Liked reading our post? Don’t forget to leave your valuable feedback in the comments section below.

FAQs

Still, got some additional queries to clarify about how to connect Roku to WiFi without a regular remote? Here are a couple of frequently asked questions we have solved for your convenience.

Q. How do I find My Roku IP Address without Wi-Fi or a Remote?

To find your Roku IP Address, first get your Roku connected to a Wi-Fi network without a remote using the steps previously mentioned. You can now use the Roku app to navigate to Remote and tap on the Home button. Now using the arrow pad go to Settings > Network > About. Here, you’ll find the name of the network your Roku is connected to, and the IP address underneath the network name.

Q. Can I Connect Roku Directly to Router?

If you’re unable to connect your Roku device wirelessly to your network, you can opt for a wired alternative.

However, this is only possible if you have a Roku Ultra, as only a few of them have an Ethernet cable port labelled Ethernet on the backside of the device. If you find this, connect the Roku to your router using an Ethernet cable.

A Roku TV may also have an Ethernet port, check the back of the TV to confirm one. After connecting a Roku device to your router, go to your Roku Home screen and then Settings > Network > Set up connection. Select the Wired connection and Roku should automatically detect your network.

Q. My Roku doesn’t stay connected to Wi-Fi. What’s going on?

If your Roku keeps disconnecting from Wi-Fi, DHCP may have been disabled on your router or there may be an issue with the signal strength.

To fix this, check your router settings and confirm that DHCP is enabled. Still, not working? Try restarting your Roku TV or smart TV or the Roku device. Consider a Wi-Fi extender if the signal strength is a problem.

Q. How do I reset my Roku remote?

To reset your Roku remote, first, detach the remote’s batteries and disconnect the Roku from power.

Now reconnect the Roku to power and 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, your Roku remote will be reset and re-paired with the Roku TV or device.

Q. Is it possible to connect Roku to a 5GHz WiFi?

Connecting to a 5GHz WiFi depends on the Roku model you are using. A few older models including the current Roku Express are limited to 2.4GHz. But if you’re buying any Roku models in 2022, the product will be a dual band supporting both 2.4GHz and 5GHz respectively.

Note, while you may prefer 5GHz for its speed, compared to a 2.4GHz it has a shorter range.