How to Fix Roku App Not Finding Roku Device

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

If you do not see your Roku device on the discovery screen, the app cannot connect to your Roku device for some reason. This guide will provide some troubleshooting steps that may resolve this issue.

Roku app attempting to discover devices.

2. External Controls

  1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
Home button on Roku remote.
  1. This will bring up the Home screen.
Roku home screen.
  1. Scroll up or down and highlight Settings.
Settings option highlighted in Roku menu.
  1. Go right, then scroll up or down and highlight System.
System option highlighted on Roku settings.
  1. Go right, then scroll up or down and highlight Advanced system settings.
Advanced system settings option highlighted in Roku settings.
  1. Go right, then scroll up or down and highlight Control by mobile apps. On some devices this option may show up as External controls.
Control by mobile apps option highlighted in Roku settings.
  1. Go right and highlight Network access.
Network access option highlighted in Roku settings.
  1. Make sure this option is set to Default and has a checkmark next to its name. This option can also be set to Permissive but it is typically used with an advanced network configuration.

3. Private IP Addresses

An IP address is a unique identifier for a device connected to a network. It is made up of four groups of numbers separated by periods and each number has to be within the 1 to 255 range, such as 192.168.1.15. Devices connected to a network use IP addresses to identify and communicate with each other.

There are two types of IP addresses that devices can have assigned to them:

  • Public - assigned to devices connected to the global network, the internet.
  • Private - assigned to devices connected to personal or organizational networks, which in turn can use a gateway device with a public IP address assigned to access the internet.

Devices on your home network, should be assigned private IP addresses that fall within one of the following ranges:

StartEnd10.0.0.010.255.255.255172.16.0.0172.32.255.255192.168.0.0192.168.255.255

4. Check Network Details

  1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
Home button on Roku remote.
  1. This will bring up the Home screen.
Roku home screen.
  1. Scroll up or down and highlight Settings.
Settings option highlighted in Roku menu.
  1. Then go right to Network.
Network option highlighted in Roku settings.
  1. Go right again to About.
About option highlighted in Roku network settings.
  1. Here, you should see the network details such as:
  2. Network name
  3. Connection status
  4. Connection type
  5. IP address
  6. MAC address
  7. Download speed
  8. Wireless channel
  9. Signal strength (wireless only)

  10. If you're concerned with the quality of your Roku devices internet connection you may want to check the following details:
  11. For a wireless connection:
  12. Signal strength: A measure of the strength of the wireless signal from your router.
  13. Internet download speed: A measure of the speed of your internet connection. The date of the connection check is also reported.
  14. For a wired connection only the Internet download speed will appear.

  15. Excellent or Good results likely mean the connection is functioning without issue. However, a Fair or Poor connection can lead to playback issues or other unpredictable behavior.

5. Introduction

Anyone who uses a device that connects to the internet may encounter a situation where their device becomes disconnected or experiences an issue related to that connection. Checking the status of your network connection is a common practice that can help:

  • Determine what Wi-Fi connection you are currently using.
  • Determine what your device's current connection status is.
  • Make sure that your device is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network.
  • Make sure all of your devices are connected to the same network in order to be able to communicate with one another.

6. Ensure Same Network as Device

In order for a mobile app to discover and control a networked device, the mobile device running the app needs to be connected to the same home network:

  • If the networked device is using a Wi-Fi (wireless) connection, the mobile device needs to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Mobile device controlling a wirelesss device.
  • If the networked device is using an Ethernet (wired) connection, the mobile device needs to be connected to the Wi-Fi network that is being broadcast by the same router or gateway.
Mobile device controlling a wired device.

7. Check Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

To check if your Android mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:

  1. Open Settings on your phone or tablet.
Android Settings.
  1. Select Wi-Fi.
Settings with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  1. Make sure Wi-Fi is turned On, then select the Wi-Fi network that says Connected under it.
Wi-Fi settings with Wi-Fi On switch and connected network highlighted.
  1. Here, you'll see the basics of your Wi-Fi connection, with the Wi-Fi network name at the top, and other information such as Signal Strength, Link Speed and the Frequency you're connected at and the Security type of the network.
Wi-Fi Properties.

More Details

  1. To see more information about your connection, select Cancel.
  2. Select the Settings gear in the top right corner.
Wi-Fi Settings with settings gear highlighted.
  1. Here, you'll see a variety of information related to your connection at the bottom, such as the MAC (Media Access Control) address and IP addresses your Android device has been given.
Configure Wi-Fi with MAC and IP address info highlighted.

8. Additional Information

To better assist you, please answer this question.

9. Close Running Applications

  1. Tap on the App Drawer button.
Home screen with the App Drawer button highlighted

  1. The App Drawer may be located on either the bottom left or bottom right as either an onscreen button or a physical button. If you're unsure which button it is, please refer to the user manual of your android device.
  2. Either tap the X or swipe to close an app.
App Drayer screen with arrows indicating to swipe to the right on an app to close it

10. Restart

  1. Hold down the power button on your Android device.
    Depending on the manufacturer and model of Android device you have, the location of the power button will vary.
  2. A prompt will appear on-screen. Select Restart.
Power prompt with Restart highlighted.

If the menu does not pop up, continue to hold the power button, and your Android device will shut off.

  • If you had to shut down your Android device, wait 30 seconds before turning your device back on.

11. Restart

  1. Press the Home button on your Roku TV remote.
  2. Scroll up or down and select Settings.
Roku TV menu with Settings option highlighted.
  1. Press the right arrow button and select System.
Roku TV menu with System option highlighted.
  1. Press the right arrow button and select Power.
  2. Press the right arrow button and select System Restart.
Roku TV menu with Restart option highlighted.
  1. Press the right arrow button and select Restart.
  2. Press the OK button to confirm.

12. Check Network Details

  1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
Home button on Roku remote.
  1. This will bring up the Home screen.
Roku home screen.
  1. Scroll up or down and highlight Settings.
Settings option highlighted in Roku menu.
  1. Then go right to Network.
Network option highlighted in Roku settings.
  1. Go right again to About.
About option highlighted in Roku network settings.
  1. Here, you should see the network details such as:
  2. Network name
  3. Connection status
  4. Connection type
  5. IP address
  6. MAC address
  7. Download speed
  8. Wireless channel
  9. Signal strength (wireless only)

  10. If you're concerned with the quality of your Roku devices internet connection you may want to check the following details:
  11. For a wireless connection:
  12. Signal strength: A measure of the strength of the wireless signal from your router.
  13. Internet download speed: A measure of the speed of your internet connection. The date of the connection check is also reported.
  14. For a wired connection only the Internet download speed will appear.

  15. Excellent or Good results likely mean the connection is functioning without issue. However, a Fair or Poor connection can lead to playback issues or other unpredictable behavior.

13. Connect Manually

  1. Launch the Roku App on your mobile device.
Roku App.

  1. If you're launching it for the first time and your Roku device is not discovered, tap Connect Manually.
Connect Manually option highlighted on Roku app first launch.
  1. Type in your Roku devices IP address and tap Connect.
IP address entry field and Connect option highlighted in Roku app.
  1. If you've used the Roku app before and you want to connect to your Roku device manually, tap Settings in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Settings option highlighted in Roku app.
  1. Tap Switch Roku Device in Settings.
Switch Roku Device option highlighted in Roku app settings.
  1. Then tap Connect Manually on the Roku Devices screen.
Connect Manually option highlighted on Roku Devices in mobile app.

14. What's next?

15. Connect Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (Smartphone or Tablet) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be similar across all Android devices and generations.

  1. From the main screen of your Android device, tap on the Apps button.
Home screen with Apps button highlighted.
  1. Then look for and tap on Settings.
Apps page with Settings icon highlighted.
  1. Go to Wi-Fi.
Settings page with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  1. Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
Wi-Fi settings with toggle highlighted with arrow pointing to toggle and list of available networks.
  1. Your Android device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The Wi-Fi network name will show Connected underneath and the Wi-Fi symbol will fill up in the top right corner of the screen.
Wi-Fi settings page with arrows pointing to connected Wi-Fi network and Wi-Fi symbol in the status bar.
  1. If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock next to the Wi-Fi symbol, which also means the connection is secure. Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Connect.
Secure and unsecure Wi-Fi symbols shown.

Wi-Fi settings page with arrow pointing to field to type in your security key and another arrow pointing to Connect.
  1. If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the More option which looks like three dots positioned vertically, on the top right corner of the screen, then tap Add network.
Wi-Fi settings page with arrow pointing to the Menu icon.

Wi-Fi settings page with Menu open and Add Network is highlighted.
  1. Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Save if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security and select the security type. Type in the password, then tap Save.
Wi-Fi settings page with arrow pointing to a manually typed network name and another arrow pointing to the security type dialog box.

Wi-Fi settings page with an arrow pointing to the security key typed in and another arrow pointing to save.

At this point your Android device should be connected to Wi-Fi.

As an alternate way you can also try the following method:

  1. Swipe downwards from the top side of the screen.
Home scree with arrow indicating to swipe your finger down from top of the screen.
  1. Look for the Wi-Fi symbol in the drop down menu and tap on the word below it. If you're not connected to any network, it will say Wi-Fi. If you're already connected to a network, it will show its name.
Quick Menu options with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  1. Make sure the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On / Off switch to the On position then wait for the network list to populate and tap on the Wi-Fi network that you want to connect to.
Wi-Fi quick settings with arrow pointing to highlighted toggle and another arrow pointing to the list of available wifi networks.

16. Check Wi-Fi

Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.

To check if your iOS mobile device is connected to Wi-Fi:

  1. From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
iOS Settings icon.
  1. With Settings open, look for the Wi-Fi field. This field will display the current Wi-Fi status on the right hand side:
  • Off - the Wi-Fi antenna is currently disabled.
  • Not Connected - Wi-Fi is turned on, but your device is not currently connected to a network.
  • Wi-Fi network name - Wi-Fi is turned on, and the network name displayed is the network your device is currently connected to.
iOS Settings menu with Wi-Fi highlighted.
  • You can also tap on the Wi-Fi field and make sure the Wi-Fi switch is in the On position. The switch should be green in color and will display the network that you are currently connected to directly beneath it with a check mark to the left.
  • iOS Wi-Fi menu highlighting the Wi-Fi switch and the currently connected network.

  • 17. Additional Information

    To better assist you, please answer this question.

    18. Close Running Applications

    1. Double press the Home button rapidly.
    iOS device home button.
    1. You will now see a list of apps that are currently open. Swipe up on any of the apps to close them.
    Recent programs screen with arrows indicating to swipe up on an app

    19. Restart

    Powering off an iPhone.
    1. Hold down the lock/power button.
    2. Slide to power off when prompted.
    3. Wait until the phone is off.
    4. Hold down the lock/power button until you see the Apple logo.

    20. Connect to Wi-Fi

    Depending on what device (iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch) and which generation you have, the menu theme and options might look slightly different on your screen. However, the steps should be the same across all iOS devices and generations.

    1. From the main screen of your device, look for and open Settings.
    Home screen with setting icon highlighted.
    1. After that, go to Wi-Fi. You will see that this option also shows one of three statuses to the right:
    2. Off - the Wi-Fi feature is disabled
    3. Not Connected - there is no Wi-Fi connection establishe
    4. the Wi-Fi connections name - there is a Wi-Fi connection already established.
    iPhone settings screen with the Wi-Fi option highlighted.
    1. Make sure that the Wi-Fi feature is enabled by flipping the On/Off switch to the green position. Locate and tap the Wi-Fi networks name that you wish to connect to from the list.
    iPhone Wi-Fi menu with the switch set to the on position and a list of available networks underneath.
    1. Your iOS device will automatically connect to the network if there is no security enabled, or you have connected to it in the past. The checkmark and Wi-Fi symbol indicate you are connected.
    iPhone Wi-Fi menu highlighting the Wi-Fi connection icon across the top and a check mark to the left of the Wi-Fi network name the device is currently connected to.
    1. If the Wi-Fi network requires a password, then you will see a small padlock to the right of its name, which also means the connection is secure.
    iPhone Wi-Fi menu highlighting the small padlock to the right of each Wi-Fi network name.
    1. Tapping on a secured Wi-Fi networks name will prompt you to enter the password. Passwords are always case sensitive. Type it in using the on screen keyboard then tap Join on the bottom right corner. If tapping it does nothing, then it means the password you typed in is too short.
    iPhone prompting the user to enter their Wi-Fi password.
    1. If the Wi-Fi network you are trying to connect to is hidden, then tap the Other... option.
    iPhone Wi-Fi menu highlighting the Other option.
    1. Enter the Wi-Fi networks name using the on screen keyboard and tap Join at the bottom right if no password is required to connect. If a password is needed to connect to the Wi-Fi network then tap on Security.
    iPhone other network menu where the user is being prompted to enter their Wi-Fi network name and select a security type.
    1. Choose the type of security the Wi-Fi network has by tapping on it.
    iPhone security menu displaying all selectable security types for your Wi-Fi network.
    1. Finally, type in the required Wi-Fi password and tap Join at the bottom right corner to connect.
    iPhone other network menu displaying the user being prompted to type in their Wi-Fi network password.

    At this point your iOS device should be connected to Wi-Fi.

    21. What's next?