How to Connect Your Roku to Wi-Fi Without a Remote

You want to do is sit back and watch something funny on your Roku. But there’s a problem: your Roku isn’t connected to Wi-Fi, and to make things worse, the remote is missing. Don’t worry—you still have a few ways to fix this and get back to streaming.

1. Use the Roku Mobile App

The easiest way to control your Roku without a remote is by using the free Roku mobile app, available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

1. Install the Roku app on your phone.
2. Make sure your phone and Roku are on the same Wi-Fi network.
3. Open the Roku app, log in, and tap Devices.
4. Select your Roku device, then choose Remote.
5. Go to Settings > Network > Set up connection > Wireless.
6. Pick your Wi-Fi network, enter the password, and connect.

Once connected, you can keep using your phone as a virtual remote.

2. Connect With an Ethernet Cable

If your Roku has an Ethernet port (not all models do), you can use a wired connection first and then set up Wi-Fi:

1. Plug an Ethernet cable from your router to your Roku.
2. Open the Roku app on your phone and connect to your Roku.
3. Tap Remote > Settings > Network > Set up connection > Wired.
4. Once connected, switch to Wireless and enter your Wi-Fi details.
5. Remove the Ethernet cable if you prefer Wi-Fi.

3. Recreate Your Old Wi-Fi With a Mobile Hotspot

If you don’t have Ethernet, you can try a workaround using two smartphones:

1. On the first phone, create a hotspot with the exact same Wi-Fi name and password your Roku was last connected to.
2. On the second phone, connect to that hotspot and open the Roku app.
3. The Roku should automatically connect to the hotspot when it restarts.
4. In the Roku app, go to Remote > Settings > Network > Wireless and connect to your new Wi-Fi network.

When it’s done, you can turn off the hotspot.

4. Use a Browser Extension

If your Roku is already connected to Wi-Fi, you can also use a Chrome or Edge extension like Remoku.

1. Make sure your computer and Roku are on the same Wi-Fi network.
2. Open the extension to use a virtual remote.
3. Go to Settings > Network > Set up connection > Wireless and connect to the new Wi-Fi.

5. Update the Roku App

If the Roku app doesn’t work properly, make sure it’s updated to the latest version from the Play Store or App Store.

Conclusion

These tricks only work if your Roku is already connected to some network or has an Ethernet port. If it’s completely offline and your model doesn’t support Ethernet, you’ll need a replacement remote to get it back online.