Roku Won’t Connect to WiFi after Reset (Disable Network Pings!)

Have you ever been in a situation where your Roku, which usually works like a charm, suddenly can’t connect to WiFi? That’s the exact problem I faced a while back. I was trying to fix a small glitch by resetting my Roku, but then, out of the blue, it wouldn’t connect to the internet at all. All I saw was this super annoying message saying it was disconnected. Pretty frustrating, right?

I tried almost every method I could think of to get my internet connection back. I felt like I was doing everything right, but it was as if I had hit an invisible wall. Nothing was working!

But I wasn’t about to let this beat me. I turned into a kind of detective, searching for clues. I explored online forums and went through Roku’s support documents, looking for any answer that could help. And you know what? I finally cracked it! I figured out what was causing the trouble with my Roku’s connection and, more importantly, I found the solution.

Now, let’s dive deeper into the article and explore this fix in more detail:

How To Fix Roku Won’t Connect to WiFi After Reset:

#1 Turning Off Network Pings

The first trick to try is disabling network pings. This is done through the Platform Secret Screen. Here’s how to reach it:

1. On your remote, press HOME 5 times, FAST FORWARD once, PLAY once, REWIND once, PLAY once, and FAST FORWARD once.
2. This sequence will open the Platform Secret Screen on your TV.
3. In this screen, go to the System Operations Menu and press OK.
4. Then, navigate to Network Menu > Disable network pings.
5. Press Home on your remote.

After doing this, check if your Roku is connected to WiFi. If it’s still not working, try toggling the network pings off and on a few times.

#2 Enable “Fast TV Start”

If you get a “WiFi disconnected” message, especially after turning your Roku off and on, enabling “Fast TV Start” can help.

1. Press HOME on your Roku remote.
2. Scroll down to SETTINGS, then to SYSTEM, and select POWER.
3. Make sure Fast TV Start is enabled.

This keeps your Roku in a “sleep” mode rather than completely powering down, maintaining its internet connection.

#3 Unplug TV and Roku Device

Unplugging your TV and Roku device often fixes connection issues. Here’s what to do:

1. Unplug your TV from the wall for 60 seconds.
2. For Roku TV owners, skip the next step. Otherwise, unplug your Roku device.
3. Press and hold the power button on your TV for 15 seconds to drain residual power.
4. After a minute, plug in your Roku device, then your TV.

This should help your Roku connect to WiFi.

#4 Reset Roku

If all else fails, try resetting your Roku. This is quick and easy:

1. Press HOME on your Roku remote to open the main menu.
2. Press HOME 5 times, then UP once, REWIND twice, and FAST FORWARD twice.
3. Your Roku will reboot, which takes about a minute. Once the home menu stabilizes, try using your Roku.

Check for a WiFi connection after the reset.

#5 Check Your Roku’s Connection

If your Roku still isn’t connecting to WiFi, the next step is to check the connection directly on the device.

1. Press Home on your Roku remote.
2. Scroll to Settings > Network > Check connection.
3. This prompts your Roku to test its connection.

If it’s successful, you’ll see a message that says, “Connection check was successful”. If not, don’t worry, there’s another step to try.

#6 Reset Your Network Connection

Since the connection check didn’t solve the issue, the next move is to reset your network connection.

1. Press Home on your Roku remote.
2. Go to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Network connection reset > Reset connection.
3. This will remove all your wired and wireless connections from your Roku and restart your TV.

When your TV turns back on, you’ll need to reconnect to your WiFi:

1. Press Home, then navigate to Settings > Network > Set up connection > Wireless.
2. Choose your network from the list and enter your password.

By resetting and re-establishing your network connection, you’re giving your Roku a fresh start, which can often resolve connection issues.

#7 Test Your Internet Speed

The next step is to check your internet speed. A weak WiFi signal might be the reason your Roku isn’t connecting.

1. Roku recommends a minimum of 3.0 Mbps for standard definition (SD) content and up to 9.0 Mbps for high definition (HD).
2. To test your speed, take your smartphone, stand near your Roku, and visit speedtest.net.
3. If you have a dual-band router, connect to the 5.0 GHz network for better speeds.

Ideally, you want speeds of at least 25Mbps. Although 3Mbps is the minimum, it’s quite slow by modern standards. If your speed test results are low, consider contacting your Internet Service Provider for a faster plan, moving your router closer to your Roku, or using a wired Ethernet connection for better stability and speed.

#8 Reset Your Router

If you’re still facing issues, resetting your WiFi router is a good step:

1. Unplug your router from the wall and wait 60 seconds.
2. After a minute, plug it back in.
3. Give your router a few minutes to reboot and reconnect.

Once your router is back up, check if your Roku connects to the WiFi.

#9 Contact Roku Support

In rare cases, you might still have trouble connecting your Roku to WiFi. If that’s the case, it’s time to reach out for professional help:

1. Contact Roku customer support.
2. Their technical support team is equipped to handle such issues and should be able to assist you.

Following these steps should help solve most Roku connection issues. If you’ve tried all these methods and your Roku still won’t connect, getting in touch with Roku’s support team is your best bet. They have the expertise to diagnose and solve more complex or unusual problems.

Conclusion: Getting Your Roku Back Online

After going through a range of troubleshooting steps, your Roku should be ready to connect to WiFi once again. Here’s a recap of what to try:

1. Disable Network Pings: This simple tweak can often get things moving.
2. Enable “Fast TV Start”: Keeps your Roku in a ready-to-connect state.
3. Unplug Your TV and Roku Device: A classic ‘turn it off and on again’ approach that works wonders.
4. Reset Your Roku: A quick reset can clear up a range of issues.
5. Check Roku Connection: Directly test the connection from the Roku settings.
6. Reset Network Connection: A fresh start for your Roku’s network settings.
7. Test Your Internet Speeds: Ensure your WiFi is fast enough for streaming.
8. Reset Your Router: Sometimes the issue is with the router, not the Roku.

If you’ve tried all these methods, I’m confident that one of them will solve your problem and get your Roku connected to your WiFi network again.

However, in the unlikely event that these steps don’t work, don’t hesitate to reach out to Roku support. They’re the experts and can offer additional help and guidance. Remember, technology can be tricky, but there’s almost always a solution!