How to Connect Roku to Wifi Without a Remote

Did you lose your remote? And now you don’t know how to connect Roku to Wifi without a remote?

Roku Player is a great streaming device that provides 24/7 entertainment. The thing is that it needs the remote to be used. Without the remote, your Roku Player is useless. Because you need the remote to operate the Roku player.

Even connecting Roku to a new Wifi network is quite hard to do if you don’t have the remote.

However, there is always a way out for every problem. Including this one.

All you need to do is to get the Roku remote app and install it on your smartphone. This way, you will be able to control your Roku player via your phone. And connecting to a new Wifi network becomes possible now.

In this post, we will share with you how to connect a Roku player to Wifi without a remote.

Let’s dive right in!

How to Connect Roku to Wifi Without a Remote — Roku remote (Source: Cnet)

Get a Roku Remote App

Roku Player without a remote is useless. You cannot change the channel, access Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, and even connect to the Wifi.

But it’s not the end of the world.

There is a solution to this problem. You can download the Roku app on your mobile phone. Then, you can simply turn your phone into a Roku remote. It’s as handy as the original one.

The Roku remote app is able to do similar things to the original remote, like controlling your Roku player. It even does beyond that, such as:

Private listening: just plug the headset to your phone and you will be able to listen to the movie audio from there.
Cast videos, photos, and music from your phone to your TV.
Watch the Roku channel from your phone.
Use voice search: just speak the movie you want to watch.
and many more.

More importantly, this Roku remote app is available for free.

Click the following links to directly go to the official download page:

How to Use Roku Remote App

Click the link above to download and install the Roku remote app on your device.
Complete the installation by following the on-screen instructions.
Go to the bottom of your screen and press Devices > OK.
Select your Roku player > Remote.

Now, you can control your Roku player using your mobile phone.

Please keep in mind that your phone and Roku player has to be connected to the same Wifi network. If you are at a hotel or other places where you don’t have access to the Wifi network, you can’t use this method.

Basically, the Roku player can only remember one Wifi network. It will automatically connect to the last wifi network it knows once you turn it on.

If you want your Roku player to connect to a new Wifi network, you have to forget the last network and connect it to the new one. Or, you can set up the new network to have a similar name and password as the previous network that your Roku player remembers.

However, this method should be done using the Roku remote.

But, what if you lost your Roku remote? How do you connect your Roku player to the Wifi network without a remote?

In the section below, you will learn how to connect your Roku device to a wifi network without a remote.

ALSO CHECK: Looking for a Roku Remote Replacement? Check These 5 Cheap Alternatives

How to Connect Roku to Wifi without a Remote

It’s quite annoying to lose your Roku remote because it means you cannot control your Roku Player. But thanks to the Roku remote app that can work as the original one.

To put it simply, you can use the Roku remote app to replace your lost one.

However, you will need two devices to make this method works. One device should be able to create a hotspot and the second one should have the Roku remote app installed. To create a hotspot, you can use a mobile Wifi, or simply a smartphone.

Once everything is set up, you can do the following instructions:

1. Create a hotspot.

You can use your smartphone or mobile wifi to create a new hotspot. You can go to Settings to set up the portable hotspot.

As you know, the Roku player can only remember one wifi network. So, you need to set up the new hotspot with a similar name and password to the last network your Roku device was connected to.

For example, if previously your Roku player was connected to a network with the name: “FLOOR 1” and the password was “H4ppy Monday”, your new hotspot should have been named “FLOOR 1” and the password should be “H4ppy Monday”.

By providing a hotspot with the same name and password, your Roku device will be able to connect to the new hotspot without any problem.

However, if you forget the information about the previously connected network, you can reset your Roku player. But this will erase all information store on your device.

2. Connect your second device to the network.

Grab your second device and connect it to the new hotspot you just created. You will use this device as the remote.

3. Get the Roku remote app on the second device.

Download and install the Roku remote app on your second device. You can click the links above to go directly to the installation page. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.

4. Connect your Roku remote app with your Roku device.

Open the Roku remote you just installed and tap on Devices at the bottom. Then, choose the Roku device that appears on your screen.

After that, choose Remote on the app. This way, you should be able to control your TV using the remote.

5. Go to Settings in your Roku device.

Once you have connected the remote app to your Roku player, you can start to set it up to connect the new Wifi network.

To do this, press the Home button on the remote app. Use the arrow keys to navigate.

6. Select Network > Set up connection > Wireless > OK.

Your Roku player will start scanning the available networks. Select the network you want to connect to.

If your desire network is not showing up, you can select “Scan again to see all networks”.

7. Enter the Wifi password > Connect

Type the wifi password so that your Roku player is able to connect to the wifi network. Then, tap Connect.

Conclusions

That’s how to connect Roku to Wifi without a remote.

If you find any problem, you can review the guide above step-by-step once again.

For queries, contact Support

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Ardian Nugroho

I’ve been writing about tech since 2014. I found it fascinating to see the development of technology. My focus mostly is on app reviews, tips & tricks, and troubleshooting.