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Roku’s streaming add-ons are a popular way of changing up the interface on a TV, since they’re affordable, simple, and offer all the media apps you could possibly want. That simplicity extends to connecting to your TV — here’s how to set up Roku for the first time.
Read more: Roku buyer’s guide
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To set up a Roku streaming device, first, connect it to your TV via one of its HDMI ports, then to power (a wall outlet or one of your TV’s USB ports, depending on the device). If you haven’t already done so, switch your TV to the correct input, then insert batteries into your Roku remote. You’ll be greeted with the Roku setup interface, which will guide you through choosing a language, connecting to Wi-Fi or Ethernet, setting up your voice remote, and creating a Roku account.
How to set up Roku
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The first thing to do, naturally, is get everything physically connected. Details may vary based on the exact device, but the general process goes like this:
- Connect your Roku device to HDMI on your TV. Streaming Sticks can be plugged in directly, but otherwise, you’ll need a dedicated HDMI cable. If your Streaming Stick doesn’t fit, Roku is willing to ship a free HDMI extender to help out.
- Plug your device into a power source using the supplied cable. A wall outlet is always preferred, but Streaming Sticks can alternately use one of your TV’s USB ports as long as you know it’s powered.
- Turn on your TV, and switch it to the correct input. You’ll know everything is good so far if you see the Roku logo on-screen.
- Insert batteries into your Roku remote if you haven’t already done so.
Software and internet setup
If you’re hooking up a Roku device for the first time, your TV should now be displaying a setup wizard, i.e., the software interface that will configure essential settings. Here’s what to expect:
- First, you’ll be asked to choose a language. Use your Roku remote to select one and hit the OK button.
- The next step involves connecting to the internet so your device can stream. There are two options: Wired involves connecting an Ethernet cable from your Roku device to your Wi-Fi router, in which case you should do that first before tapping OK. Otherwise, select Wireless.
- For Wireless setup, choose your Wi-Fi network’s name from the displayed list, then use the on-screen keyboard to enter your password. This network ID should be the same one your phone connects to, especially if you occasionally want to use the Roku mobile app instead of your remote. Try Scan again to see all networks if your Wi-Fi doesn’t show up immediately.
- Once you’re able to click Connect, your Roku device will connect to the internet, download the latest software update, then reboot to install it.
- Back in the setup process, choose Check remote settings to automatically configure a Roku remote for your TV’s power and volume settings.
- You’ll be prompted to create or log into a Roku account. Assuming you’re creating one, you’ll need to enter a valid email address (no spoofs!) then switch your phone or a computer to open a link in an activation email. If you can’t find the message, it may have landed in a spam folder.
That’s it for the basics of how to set up Roku streamers. From here, you’ll want to select Streaming Channels to download apps, and Settings to change preferences, but your Roku device is officially up and running.
One specific thing you should consider doing after the fact — go to Settings > Display type, and check that your device is using the best resolution and HDR settings your TV is capable of. If it’s not, you may have to try connecting to a different HDMI port, particularly since some TVs limit HDR (high dynamic range) to single HDMI inputs.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I set up my Roku without a remote?
A: You can’t, unfortunately, at least not when setting it up for the first time. The Roku app does offer remote control functions, but it can only detect and control devices on the same network — if you haven’t previously connected your device to your router (via Ethernet or Wi-Fi), the Roku app won’t be able to see it.
If a Roku device is already configured, though, you can use the Roku app to switch it to a new Wi-Fi network. Create a hotspot on your phone with the same name and password as your old network, and your streaming device should connect to your phone automatically. From there, use the app remote to navigate to Settings > Network > Set up connection and enter the new network information.
Q: How do I set up my Roku voice remote if I’ve already completed the initial device install?
