Roku App Not Connecting To Device? (Fix Issues ASAP)

Roku app not connecting to device, and you’re wondering why? Look no further and read!

The Roku app is an excellent way to gain advantage of many features and control your Roku TV solely by using the app, but we understand many issues could arise.

So, in this guide, we’ll help you resolve any potential problem preventing your Roku application from connecting to your TV.

To fix when the Roku app is not connecting to your streaming player, you must connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi and reinstall the application.

Let’s unwrap the solution!

Roku App Not Connecting to Device – 9 Quick Solutions

Follow the steps consecutively!

1. Use the Same Wi-Fi and Network

It’s imperative for both your mobile device (with the Roku app) and your Roku TV to be on the same network.

This doesn’t mean you need to use Wi-Fi for both devices, this works even when your Roku is connected to Ethernet, but they must be connected to the same router/modem.

Here’s how to connect Roku TV to Wi-Fi or via Ethernet:

Press the “Home” button and go to “Settings.”
Go to the “Network” and “Set up Connection.”
Then select “Wired” or “Wireless” connection.
If you choose “Wireless,” select the Wi-Fi SSID.
Then, type the password to connect to the Wi-Fi.

Note: If you select “Wired,” your Roku must be connected to the router/modem via an Ethernet cable, and the connection will be established automatically.

Need an Internet Optimization?

So, if your internet is terrible or fluctuating, this is an entirely different issue you’re facing, and the Roku app won’t be able to connect.

So here are a few quick steps to optimize your internet:

Power cycle your router modem for ∿60 seconds.
Switch from the 5 GHz Wi-Fi to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.
Verify that your Roku and modem are close enough.

Pro Tip: Test your internet connection speed and consistency when standing beside the router!

2. Adjust Roku’s “Control By Mode”

When your Roku device not connecting to app, you may be using an incorrect networking mode.

If you don’t see your Roku player when you enter the “Devices” tab, it means that the device is not visible on your network.

This can happen even when you’re connected to the same Wi-Fi or router, caused by incorrectly selecting “Control By Mode” in your Roku TV’s network settings.

If you’re unaware of where to find this setting, here’s a complete tutorial:

From your Roku’s home screen, go to “Settings.”
Go to “System” → “Advanced System Settings.”
With the remote, go to “Control by mobile apps.”
Enter the “Network Access” and correct the mode.

“Default” is for users who want to connect the Roku app to their player and enjoy features like a Wi-Fi remote (recommended).
“Permissive” is for users who want to use a public network to connect with their third-party apps and control Roku (optional).
“Disable” is for users who want to block access from third-party apps, meaning that this may be causing the issue (not recommended).

Note: When your Roku “Control By Mode” is set to “Default,” your Roku player should appear on the discovery menu of the Roku app.

3. Power Cycle Phone and Roku TV

If your Roku app is still not connecting to the Roku TV, you may be facing a bug with the system that can be quickly resolved by performing a power cycle.

This method will not erase anything from your Roku TV or app but will refresh the system of the Roku player and hopefully solve most of your problems.

To power cycle your Roku, unplug the streaming player from the power supply (outlet or USB) for 60 seconds.

In the meantime, power off and on your mobile and attempt to reconnect again.

If this didn’t help, continue reading!

4. Clear the Roku TV/App Cache Data

The Roku app is not discovering your Roku streaming player because of missing or corrupt files/data within the application’s directory.

Luckily, there is a way to clear the cache data for both the Roku app on your mobile and the entire Roku streaming player.

Warning: This method will sing you out from your accounts!

How to Clear the Roku App Cache?

On your Android, go to the “Settings.”
Enter the “Apps” or “Applications” tab.
Locate and select “The Roku TV” app.
Go to “Storage” and then “Clear cache.”

Note: If you’re using an iPhone, you can’t clear the cache, so reinstall the app later in the guide!

How to Clear the Roku TV’s Cache?

To clear the Roku TV’s cache data, use the remote and press:

Home button five times.
The Up button one time.
The Rewind, two times.
Fast-forward two times.

Note: You need to press these buttons consecutively and quickly!

5. Update Your Roku TV and Phone

If the Roku app still refuses to display the Roku TV on the “Discovery” screen, you may be trying to connect the outdated app to the updated Roku TV or vice versa.

Hence, you must update both instances involved in the connection: your mobile phone and Roku TV’s firmware version.

How to Update the Roku TV?

To update Roku TV, go to “Settings” → “System” → “System Update” → “Check Now.”

How to Update Your Phone?

To update Android, go to “Settings” → “System” → “System Updates” → “Download and Install.”

To update iOS, go to “Settings” → “General” → “Software Update.”

Tip: When your devices are updated, restart your Roku TV and try to connect to the Roku app!

6. Reinstall Your Roku Application

When the Roku remote app not connecting to device, your mobile application may be “broken.”

This means that data files could be missing, something went wrong during the installations, or a system bug is preventing the connection.

The most effective method to deal with any sort of app issue is clear reinstallation, which takes less than 60 seconds.

App Reinstallation on Android?

First, open the Google Play Store.
Then, press on your Profile icon.
Select “Manage apps & devices.”
Find and “Uninstall” the Roku app.
After 30 seconds, press “Install.”

App Reinstallation on Apple?

Tap and hold the Roku TV’s app icon.
Release whenever the options appear.
Select the “Remove This App” option.
Find the “Roku TV” app in the App Store.
Tap the Cloud+Arrow button to download.

Reminder: When the app is installed, you must sign in to your Roku account.

7. Deactivate Enabled VPN Services

One of the hidden reasons your mobile Roku app can’t discover the Roku player is an enabled VPN service on your network.

The VPN (Virtual Private Network) is software that masks the machine’s IP address and makes other computers believe the IP address (location) is different.

This is what can prevent the Roku app and Roku player from communicating, so if there are any apps with a “VPN” in their names, uninstall them from your phone.

Android phones have an in-built VPN, which you can find in the “Connections,” “Network & Internet,” or “Connection & Sharing” menus.

Typically, there is a toggle that deactivates the VPN feature and unblocks your connection attempts.

Note: The VPN can also be a browser extension enabled on one of your computers!

8. Switch to an Ethernet Connection

The reason why the Roku app can’t communicate with the Roku player could be due to your Wi-Fi connection because there are many wireless limitations.

If the signal reaching your Roku or mobile is slow, fluctuating, or inconsistent, you may be unable to connect the app to the TV.

So, the solution is to switch to a wired connection, which is an Ethernet cable connecting your modem to the TV physically.

You need to use the “LAN” output port on your modem/router and connect the other end of the cable to the “Ethernet” port on your Roku TV or streaming player.

Reminder: Refer to the steps from solution #1 to set up a wired connection on Roku!

9. Factory Reset the Roku Streamer

At last, when nothing else helps, you can always factory reset your Roku streaming player and test whether the app will connect when the environment is clean.

However, the factory reset method will erase everything from your Roku TV, including Wi-Fi, system data, and settings.

Tip: Backup any settings you want to recover after the reset!

Here’s how to factory reset your Roku in easy steps:

First, navigate to the “Settings” of the Roku TV player.
Enter “System,” then “Advanced System Settings.”
Choose “Factory Reset” and “Factory Reset Everything.”

Note: When the reset is over, you must reconnect your Roku to the internet and sign into your account to re-attempt the application pairing.

Quick Recap:

Hence, when the Roku app not connecting to device, you only need to ensure that both units are on the same Wi-Fi and update the equipment.

Additionally, you must deactivate the VPN from your network, reinstall the app, and reset your Roku.

Finn Wheatley

Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.