The basic steps to connect a Bluetooth speaker
To connect a Bluetooth speaker to your Roku TV, you need to put the speaker in pairing mode, then find it in your TV's Bluetooth settings and select it. The whole process usually takes under two minutes. Your Roku remote controls this — you do not need a separate app or computer.
Start by turning on your Bluetooth speaker and pressing its pairing button (usually marked with a Bluetooth symbol or labeled "Pair"). The speaker will enter pairing mode, often shown by a flashing light. Then on your Roku TV, press the Home button on your remote, go to Settings, select Remotes & Devices, choose Bluetooth Devices, and select Search for Devices. Your speaker should appear in the list within 10 to 15 seconds.
Once you see your speaker's name, select it with your remote. The TV will confirm the connection, and you should hear a tone from the speaker. After that, any audio from your TV — whether from apps, streaming services, or the built-in speaker — will play through the Bluetooth speaker instead of the TV's built-in speakers.
Key Takeaways
- Put your Bluetooth speaker in pairing mode by pressing its pairing button, then search for it in your Roku TV's Bluetooth settings under Remotes & Devices.
- The connection happens through your Roku remote and takes no more than two minutes from start to finish.
- Once connected, all TV audio routes to the Bluetooth speaker automatically, and the connection stays active until you disconnect it.
- If your speaker does not appear in the search, restart both devices and try again, as pairing mode times out after a few minutes.
- You can connect multiple speakers one at a time, but only one will play audio at any given moment.
What to do if your speaker does not show up
If your speaker does not appear during the search, the most common reason is that pairing mode timed out. Bluetooth pairing mode usually lasts only three to five minutes, so if you waited too long between pressing the pairing button and starting the search on your TV, the speaker will have stopped listening. Press the pairing button again and immediately start the search on your Roku.
If the speaker still does not appear, restart both devices. Turn off the speaker completely, then turn off your Roku TV (unplug it for 10 seconds if possible), and turn both back on. Put the speaker in pairing mode again and search immediately. This clears any temporary connection problems that prevent the devices from finding each other.
Some older Bluetooth speakers use an older standard that newer Roku TVs do not support. If you have tried restarting and the speaker still will not appear, check the speaker's manual or the manufacturer's website to confirm it supports Bluetooth 4.0 or later. Roku TVs from 2016 onward support most standard Bluetooth speakers, but very old or budget models sometimes use incompatible versions.
How to disconnect or switch speakers
To stop using a Bluetooth speaker, go back to Settings, select Remotes & Devices, choose Bluetooth Devices, find your speaker in the list, and select Disconnect. The TV will immediately switch audio back to its built-in speakers. You do not have to do anything on the speaker itself.
If you want to connect a different speaker, you can disconnect the current one and search for a new device using the same steps. You do not need to "forget" the old speaker — Roku will simply connect to whichever one you select during the search. If you later want to reconnect to a speaker you have used before, it will pair much faster because the TV remembers it.
Why audio might not play through your speaker after connecting
If your speaker is connected but you hear nothing, check whether your TV's volume is muted or set to zero. Press the Volume Up button on your remote a few times to confirm. Some Roku TVs also have a separate audio output setting — go to Settings, select Audio, and make sure External Speaker is selected rather than TV Speaker.
If the speaker is connected and volume is up but you still hear nothing, the speaker itself may be muted or have its own volume turned down. Check the speaker's physical buttons or app (if it has one) to confirm its volume is not at zero. Some speakers also have a separate input selector — make sure it is set to Bluetooth rather than aux or USB.
Restart the speaker by turning it off and back on, then check the connection again in your Roku settings to confirm it still shows as connected. If it disconnected during the restart, put it back in pairing mode and reconnect.
Connecting a soundbar instead of a speaker
Soundbars connect the same way as regular Bluetooth speakers — put it in pairing mode, search for it in your Roku's Bluetooth settings, and select it. The process is identical. However, many soundbars also support HDMI or optical audio cables, which can provide a more stable connection than Bluetooth and sometimes better sound quality.
If your soundbar has an HDMI port labeled ARC (Audio Return Channel) or eARC, you can plug it directly into that port on your TV instead of using Bluetooth. This sends audio through the cable rather than wirelessly. Check your soundbar's manual to see which connection method it recommends — some soundbars work better over HDMI, while others are designed primarily for Bluetooth.
Optical audio cables are another wired option if your soundbar and TV both have optical ports (they look like small square holes with a red or black cover). Wired connections are generally more reliable than Bluetooth, especially if you have other wireless devices nearby that might cause interference.
Bluetooth range and interference issues
Bluetooth speakers work best when they are within 30 feet of your Roku TV and in the same room. If your speaker is in another room or very far from the TV, the connection may drop or the audio may cut out. Move the speaker closer to the TV to test whether distance is the problem.
Other wireless devices can interfere with Bluetooth — particularly Wi-Fi routers, cordless phones, and microwaves. If you notice the audio cutting out or becoming choppy, try moving your Bluetooth speaker away from these devices or moving them away from your TV. Turning off Wi-Fi on devices you are not actively using can also reduce interference.
If interference is a persistent problem, a wired connection (HDMI, optical, or a 3.5mm aux cable) will be more reliable than Bluetooth. Most soundbars and many larger speakers support at least one wired option.
Using your phone or tablet to control what plays
Once your Bluetooth speaker is connected to your Roku TV, the speaker plays whatever audio comes from the TV itself. You cannot use your phone to send audio directly to the speaker through the Roku connection — the speaker only receives audio from the TV.
However, if your Bluetooth speaker supports connecting to multiple devices at once, you can pair it with both your Roku TV and your phone separately. Then you can switch which device is sending audio by using the speaker's controls or its app. Check your speaker's manual to see whether it supports multi-device pairing.
Alternatively, some speakers have a separate Bluetooth input button that lets you switch between paired devices. Press that button to toggle between your TV and your phone without disconnecting either one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I connect multiple Bluetooth speakers to my Roku TV at the same time?
You can pair multiple speakers to your TV, but only one will play audio at a time. To switch which speaker is active, go to Settings, Remotes & Devices, Bluetooth Devices, and select a different speaker. The previous one will disconnect automatically.
Will my Bluetooth speaker work with all Roku TV models?
Most Bluetooth speakers work with Roku TVs from 2016 onward. Older Roku models may not have Bluetooth, so check your TV's settings to confirm. If you do not see a Bluetooth option in Remotes & Devices, your TV does not support it.
Do I need to pair my speaker every time I turn on my TV?
No. Once you pair a speaker, the TV remembers it. The next time you turn on the TV, the speaker will reconnect automatically if it is powered on and in range. You only need to pair manually the first time or if you want to connect a different speaker.
What if my speaker keeps disconnecting?
Move the speaker closer to your TV and away from other wireless devices like routers or cordless phones. If disconnections continue, restart both devices and reconnect. Persistent problems may indicate the speaker's battery is low or the Bluetooth antenna is failing.
Can I use a Bluetooth speaker with my Roku if I also have a soundbar?
You can connect either a speaker or a soundbar, but not both at the same time. If you have both devices, you will need to disconnect one before connecting the other. Some people use a soundbar for TV audio and a separate Bluetooth speaker for music from their phone.