The Roku app and TV must be on the same network
The most common reason the Roku app won't connect to your TV is that your phone and your Roku device are not on the same WiFi network. The app communicates with your TV over your home network, so if one is on your main WiFi and the other is on a guest network, or if one lost connection, they cannot find each other.
Before you try anything else, check which network your phone is connected to. Open your phone's WiFi settings and look at the network name you are currently on. Then walk to your TV and check the network name in your Roku's network settings — you will find this under Settings > Network on the TV itself. They must match exactly.
Key Takeaways
- Your phone and Roku TV must be connected to the same WiFi network for the app to work — check both devices' network settings to confirm.
- Restart both your phone and your Roku TV by powering them completely off for 30 seconds, then turning them back on.
- If your Roku TV is more than a few years old, the app may not support it — check your TV's model number against Roku's compatibility list.
- Forgetting and re-adding your WiFi network on the Roku TV often fixes connection problems that a simple restart does not solve.
- If the app still will not connect after these steps, restart your WiFi router by unplugging it for 30 seconds.
Restart your phone and your Roku TV completely
A restart clears temporary connection problems that prevent the app from finding your TV. This works more often than you might expect because both devices cache network information, and that cache sometimes becomes corrupted.
On your phone, hold down the power button until the shutdown menu appears, then slide to power off completely. Wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. On your Roku TV, go to Settings > System > Power and select Restart. Wait for the TV to fully boot up — you will see the Roku logo and then the home screen. Now open the Roku app on your phone and try to connect.
Forget and reconnect to your WiFi network on the Roku TV
If a restart did not work, the Roku TV's memory of your WiFi network may be corrupted. Removing the network and adding it again forces the TV to re-authenticate and often solves stubborn connection problems.
On your TV remote, go to Settings > Network > WiFi. You will see your current network listed. Select it and choose Forget. The TV will disconnect. Now select Set up connection, find your network name in the list, enter your WiFi password, and let the TV reconnect. Once it shows "Connected," open the Roku app on your phone again.
Check that your Roku TV model is supported by the app
Older Roku TV models — typically those made before 2016 — may not be compatible with the current version of the Roku app. If your TV is several years old and you have tried restarting and reconnecting to WiFi without success, this may be the reason.
Find your TV's model number on a sticker on the back or bottom of the set. Visit Roku's official website and search for your model number in their support section. Look for a compatibility note that says whether the app works with your TV. If your model is listed as unsupported, the app will not connect no matter what you do. In that case, you can still control your TV using the physical remote or a universal remote app.
Restart your WiFi router
Sometimes the problem is not your phone or TV, but your router. If both devices are on the same network and have restarted, but the app still will not connect, your router may need to reset its connection table.
Unplug your WiFi router from power. Wait 30 seconds — this is important, as it gives the router time to fully discharge. Plug it back in and wait for all the lights to stop blinking and stabilize. This usually takes two to three minutes. Once the router is fully back online, try opening the Roku app again.
Make sure you are using the official Roku app
There are several apps with "Roku" in the name in app stores, and some of them are not the official Roku remote app. If you installed the wrong one, it will not connect to your TV.
On iPhone, the official app is called Roku and is published by Roku, Inc. On Android, it is also called Roku and published by Roku, Inc. If you are unsure whether you have the right one, delete the app and reinstall it from the App Store or Google Play Store. Search for "Roku" and look for the one with the Roku logo and the publisher name "Roku, Inc." — that is the official version.
Check your phone's app permissions
The Roku app needs permission to access your phone's local network in order to find your TV. If you denied this permission when you first installed the app, or if your phone's operating system revoked it, the app cannot connect.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Local Network and make sure the Roku app is toggled on. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Roku > Permissions and make sure "Nearby devices" or "Local network" is enabled. The exact name varies by Android version. Once you have granted permission, close the app completely and reopen it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the app connect sometimes but not other times?
This usually means your phone is dropping off your WiFi network or your router is losing track of your Roku TV. Try moving your phone closer to the router, or move the router closer to your TV. Interference from other devices on the 2.4 GHz band can also cause intermittent connection problems — if your router supports 5 GHz, try connecting your Roku TV to that band instead.
Can I control my Roku TV without the app?
Yes. You can use the physical remote that came with your TV, or you can download a universal remote app from your phone's app store. Some universal remotes work with Roku devices without needing to connect to the same network. However, the official Roku app offers more features than a basic remote, so fixing the connection is usually worth the effort.
What if I forgot my WiFi password?
You will need to reset your WiFi password through your router's admin page or your internet provider's website. If you do not remember how to access those, contact your internet provider — they can help you reset the password. Once you have the new password, go to your Roku TV's network settings and reconnect using the new password.
Does the Roku app work on all phones?
The Roku app works on iPhones running iOS 12 or later and Android phones running Android 5.0 or later. If your phone is older than that, it may not support the current version of the app. Check your phone's settings to see what version of iOS or Android you are running, and compare it to the app store listing for the Roku app.
Will a factory reset on my Roku TV fix the connection problem?
A factory reset will erase all your settings and sign you out of your Roku account, so try the steps in this guide first. If nothing else works, you can perform a factory reset by going to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset, but be prepared to set up your TV again from scratch and reconnect to WiFi.