Roku Ultra Not Connecting To WiFi? (Try This Quick Fix!)

We understand the frustration when your Roku Ultra not connecting to WiFi, even when your Wi-Fi seems to be working, leaving you unaware why it happens.

Well, the reason your Roku fails to connect is due to router problems, Wi-Fi band error, high bandwidth usage, or network settings fault.

This guide covers simple and reliable solutions to help restore the connection of your Roku!

How to Fix When the Roku Ultra Is Not Connecting to WiFi?

Note: Have you tried moving the Roku Ultra physically closer to the network router?

1. Soft Reset the Roku Ultra Streaming Player

If your Roku Ultra fails to connect, the first thing to try is a soft reset of your streaming player to resolve potential software glitches without erasing any of the content.

Well, this simple process may sound basic, but it refreshes the system of the device and instantly resolves temporary bugs.

• On your Roku Ultra, go to Settings → System → Power → System Restart, select Restart, and wait for a few seconds until the player reboots.

Now, open an application to check whether the Roku is connected, and if not, head to Settings → Network → Wireless (Wi-Fi) → Set up new Wi-Fi connection and follow the instructions. 

2. Connect Roku Ultra to a Different Wi-Fi Band

The problem may be with either of your network router’s Wi-Fi bands, and since the Roku Ultra is compatible with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, you can easily switch your connection.

Sometimes, especially when your Roku Ultra is away from the router, connecting it to the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band may be unreliable, due to the great distance.

2.1 How to Switch Roku to a Different Wi-Fi Band:

Navigate to Settings → Network → Wireless (Wi-Fi) even if you are already connected and select Set up new Wi-Fi connection on your Roku Ultra.

Then, switch from the current 5 GHz to the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi to test whether your player will connect.

Note: The SSID of the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz typically contains “5” or “2.4”, respectively, so you can identify it more easily when connecting. 

2.2 How to Test Roku on a Mobile Hotspot:

First, activate the mobile hotspot on your phone, check the SSID and password, then follow the instructions in step 2.1 to reconnect the Roku Ultra.

Keep your smartphone close to your Roku Ultra and check if the connection is successful. 

Note: If the Roku Ultra connects with your smartphone, then the issue is with the network!

3. Power Cycle the Network Router or Modem

If the Roku Ultra is still not connecting to the Wi-Fi, performing a power cycle on your network router or modem can resolve underlying network glitches.

This simple step can restore stable internet access for your Roku, so it’s worth a try.

• Unplug your router or modem from the power source.
• Wait for about 30 seconds to ensure a full discharge.
• Reconnect the power cable and check the Roku Ultra.

Then, proceed with a test of the Roku Ultra Wi-Fi connection by attempting to access any of the installed channels that require an active connection.

Well, if the fault persists, resetting the Roku Ultra network settings might help…

4. Reset the Roku Ultra Network Settings

If the Roku Ultra is not connecting to the internet even after the router power cycle, then the issue is almost certainly with the Roku Ultra player itself. 

The process of resetting the network settings reverts all network data of the Roku Ultra and allows an initial setup of the player’s Wi-Fi configuration.

Here’s how to reset the Roku Ultra network settings easily:

• Press Home on your Roku remote to access the main menu.
• Navigate to Settings and select Advanced system settings.
• Choose Network connection reset, then Reset connection.
• Now, wait until all of the Roku Ultra network settings are reset.

After resetting, reconnect your Roku Ultra to Wi-Fi and test internet access by streaming.

Follow the instructions in solution #1 and solution #2 to connect your Roku Ultra to the Wi-Fi network. 

5. Update the Roku Ultra Offline via USB

You can manually update the Roku Ultra without connecting to the internet by using a USB flash drive.

This process involves downloading the update file, then transferring it to a formatted USB drive, and connecting the drive to the Roku Ultra, so the player can scan and install the system.

Step #1: Download the Update File

On a computer, visit tvupdate.roku.com, select your Roku model from the drop-down, and enter the model number, found in the Settings → System → System update → I can’t connect.

Download the update.roku file to your PC desktop, then find the file in the Downloads folder.

Step #2: Prepare and Transfer to USB:

Insert a USB 2.0 flash drive (256MB or larger) into your computer, format it to FAT32 (or FAT16 if under 2GB) using Disk Management on PC or Disk Utility on Mac.

Copy the update.roku file to the USB’s top-level directory and eject the USB. You can now plug it into your Roku Ultra.

Step #3: Install the Update on Roku Ultra:

Press the Home button on your Roku remote, go to Settings → System → System update → I can’t connect, and follow the prompts to detect the USB file.

Now, note the 12-digit code displayed and then enter the code on tvupdate.roku.com to get a 6-digit confirmation code.

The final step is to input this code on your Roku Ultra, and wait until the update starts on itself, after 30–40 seconds.

After the update is complete, attempt to reconnect the Roku to both Wi-Fi bands of your router and check if the issue is resolved.

6. Adjust the Router Channel Settings

Perhaps, interference from nearby Wi-Fi networks on the 2.4 GHz band might be disrupting the connection of your Roku Ultra.

Hence, changing the router channel via the web GUI can reduce interference and allow the Roku to connect with your home Wi-Fi network.

Tip: Try to access your router through http://192.168.0.1/.

Here’s how to adjust the router channel:

• Sign in using “admin/admin” or “admin/password” details.
• Navigate to wireless settings and locate the Channels tab.
• Now, check the current 2.4 GHz channel your router is using.
• Switch the router to an alternative channel, such as 1, 6, or 11.
• Save the changes and reconnect your Roku Ultra to the Wi-Fi.

Note: Attempt to connect the Roku Ultra after testing the router on each channel individually. 

7. Connect the Roku Ultra Over Ethernet (4850/4800X/LT 4801)

So, if the Roku Ultra keeps failing to connect wirelessly, we recommend switching to a wired connection to test if the streaming player itself has a functionality problem.

All you need is a lengthy Ethernet cable that will reach the LAN port of your wireless router and the Roku Ultra.

• Locate the LAN port on the back of the Roku Ultra and connect it with one of the yellow ports on your network router or modem.

Now, go to Settings → Network → Wired (Ethernet) → Set up new Ethernet connection on your Roku Ultra and follow the instructions. 

Note: Only the Roku Ultra 4850, 4800X, and LT 4801 models have a built-in LAN port for a direct Ethernet connection with the network router or modem!

8. Reset the Roku Ultra to Default Settings

So, if all else has failed and the Roku Ultra is not connecting to WiFi after all the steps you have attempted, a factory reset is one of the last effective solutions you can try. 

This procedure erases all options from your Roku, so proceed only if you’re prepared to lose all settings, information, and channels on the player.

Here’s how to perform a factory reset on the Roku Ultra;

• Press the Home button on your Roku remote to access the menu.
• Go to Settings, then select System → Advanced system settings.
• Choose Factory reset and follow the on-screen prompts to initiate.

Note: Do not interact with the Roku before the factory reset is finalized!