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How To Connect Roku Stick To WiFi Without Remote

Kevin Pocock
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Reviewed By: Kevin Pocock

How To Connect Roku Stick To WiFi Without Remote
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Table of Contents

TV remotes are often lost. No matter how aware you are about their whereabouts, they somehow manage to escape us. 

When there is no TV remote it often feels like we can't do anything. It can be even worse if you need the remote control to set up a network connection on your device. 

Roku sticks are a great option if you want a TV that can stream your favorite TV shows easily. Although, it needs a remote to set up the WiFi on the Roku stick.

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Here are the simple instructions to help you connect your Roku stick to WiFi without a remote.

1

Essential Requirements

Before connecting your Roku stick to the WiFi, there are some essential requirements.

Two mobile phones are needed as one will be used as a mobile hotspot and the other one will be used as a remote.

Along with this requirement, it is important that you know the name and password of the WiFi that is already saved on your Roku stick.

The other requirement is that your Roku stick needs to be connected to a WiFi connection already for this to work. It is not possible to connect your Roku stick to the WiFi without a remote with no WiFi connection already established.

Step

1

Set Up A Hotspot

The first step to connecting a Roku stick to the WiFi network is setting up a mobile hotspot. Although, you can skip this step if the phone you are using is connected to the same WiFi network already established on your Roku Stick.

The first thing you need to do is go to the ‘Settings' menu. The mobile hotspot is usually under an option titled ‘Connections'.

After this, there should be the option to ‘Set up Mobile Hotspot'. This option should be clicked and you should turn on the mobile hotspot.

If the phone is already connected to the same WiFi network as your Roku device was, then your hotspot will be ready. If not, you will need to enter the password to the WiFi and the network name into your phone.

Step

2

Turn Your Mobile Phone Into A Remote

Now that you have established a hotspot you can set that phone aside.

The first step to take is to connect this new phone to your mobile hotspot. This ensures that both the phone and the Roku stick are connected to the same network.

Next you want to download the Roku remote app onto your mobile device. This can be downloaded from the Play Store or the App store on your phone. Once this has downloaded, open the app.

After you have opened the app, click on the ‘Device' tab. In order for this method to work, you need to connect the phone to the Roku stick. Click on the device you are trying to control and it should be connected.

Then click on the ‘Remote' tab to use this phone as a remote control.

Step

3

Connect Roku Stick To WiFi

Now, open the network settings page and click on ‘Set up connection'. It will search for the available networks and you can choose the one you want to connect to.

Keep in mind that when you connect to that network, the remote app on the phone will disconnect. To get the app working, just connect your phone to the new WiFi connection your Roku stick is connected to.

Final Thoughts

Unfortunately, there is no way to connect a Roku stick to the WiFi without a remote, if the Roku stick is not already connected to a WiFi network. In this case, you would need to get a new remote. 

However, you can use your mobile phone as a remote to change the WiFi connection.

About the Author

Kevin Pocock

Kevin has a broad interest and enthusiasm for consumer electronics, PCs, and all things consumer tech. And more than 17 years experience in tech journalism.