How to Connect a Roku to a TV

This is an article that shows you how to install, set up and activate Roku – a streaming device on HD TVs.

Table of Contents

Install Roku

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Determine the Roku type. There are two main types of Roku, and both require your TV to have at least one HDMI port:

Roku Player — Box form and multiple cables.
Roku Stick — USB type and includes at least one power cable.

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Connect the Roku to the TV’s HDMI port. All HD televisions have at least one HDMI port; The HDMI port has a trapezoidal shape and is usually located on the back of the TV (some TVs have an HDMI port on the side wall). Depending on the type of Roku, the process will be slightly different: ^{[1] X Research Source}

Roku Player — Attach one end of the HDMI cable to the back of the Roku Player box, and then attach the other end to the HDMI port on the back or side of the television.
Roku Stick — Attach the HDMI connector on the Roku Stick to the HDMI port on the back or side of the TV.
Most HD TVs have multiple HDMI ports.
If your TV does not have an HDMI port, you cannot attach the Roku Stick to the TV; however, you can purchase an HDMI to component converter if your TV has those ports (such as red, white, and yellow ports).

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Note the number on the HDMI port. For TVs with multiple HDMI ports, you’ll see a number next to the port that was used to connect the Roku.

This number is also noted as “HDMI 1″, HDMI 2.” It is possible that the HDMI ports on your TV are only noted with numbers (such as “1”, “2”).

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Connect the Roku to a power source. Both the Roku Player and the Roku Stick need to be connected to a power source (power outlet):

Roku Player — Attach one end of the power cable included in the product box to the back of the Roku box, and then connect the other end to a power outlet.
Streaming Stick (series 3800 and below) — Attach one end of the cable included in the product box to the back of the Roku device, and then attach the other end to an electrical outlet. If the Roku Stick has a USB power cable and your TV has a USB port, you can attach the USB cable to the Roku Stick and the TV.
Streaming Stick+ (3810 series) — Attach one end of the cable in the product box to the side wall of your Roku device, and then attach the other end to an electrical outlet. If your Roku Stick has a USB power cable and your TV has a USB port, you can attach the USB cable to the Roku Stick and the TV.

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Switch to Roku’s input. Turn on the TV, then press the Input , Video , or Source button on the controller (or TV) and select the HDMI port to which you attached the Roku Stick. This will open the Roku setup screen so you can set up Roku.

Setting up Roku

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Select language. Use the arrow buttons on the Roku controller to scroll through the available languages until you find the language you need, then press OK on the controller.

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Connect to Wi-Fi. You will do the following on the network page:

Scan for networks by selecting Scan again to see all networks and press OK .
Browse available Wi-Fi networks until you find yours.
Select the network connection by highlighting its name and press OK .
Enter the password for the network connection using the on-screen keyboard.
Press OK when asked.
When you connect the Roku Player, you can also attach an Ethernet cable to the Roku box instead of using Wi-Fi.

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Allow Roku to update as needed. Once the Roku is connected to the Internet, you will be asked to download the latest software updates. This process may take about half an hour (or longer, depending on internet speed); so please be patient.

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Confirm screen setup. If you use Roku Player, the device will immediately identify and apply the best setting for your HD TV. ^{[2] X Research Source}

With the Roku Streaming Stick, you will select Set display type and allow the installation to run.
With Roku Streaming Stick+, you will choose Auto detect display type . You can select OK, go to automatic when asked.
You can change the screen setup once the Roku has been set up by opening Settings , selecting Display type , and selecting the TV setup you want.

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Set up your Roku controller so you can control your TV to your liking. If you want to use the Roku controller to change the TV’s volume and other options, select Check remote settings when prompted and follow the on-screen instructions.

You can also select Skip to move on to the Roku activation step.

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Wait for the activation code to display. When you see an activation code with 5 characters displayed on the screen, you can activate Roku.

Activate Roku

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Identify the Roku activation code. You need to enter the 5-character code displayed on the screen to activate Roku.

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Open the Roku page. Go to https://my.roku.com/link using your computer’s web browser.

While you can also do this on your smartphone browser, it’s faster on a computer.

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Enter activation code. You’ll enter a 5-character code in the data entry field in the center of the page.

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Click Submit . It’s the blue button below the data entry field.

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Create a Roku account. Fill in your email address, password and other necessary information in the data input fields displayed on the screen. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You will be asked to create a PIN for your account. This is the information you’ll use to sign in to your Roku TV if you choose to password protect it.
If you already have a Roku account, you’ll select Log in , then enter your email address and password to log in.

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Add a payment method. Enter the payment information you want (such as a credit card or Paypal) when asked.

You won’t be charged for entering a payment method, but it’s the method you’ll use to pay for some Roku content (such as service fees).
If you use a Roku account that already has a payment method, skip this step.

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Complete the steps shown on the screen. After adding a payment method, you will be asked to confirm your account’s email address; Either way, once the activation process is complete, you can use Roku on your TV.

Advice

If you’re using someone else’s Roku (or if you want to set up your old Roku for a new TV), you can reset the device by plugging it into a power source and using a paperclip to push the “Reset” button. ) is hidden.
You can add an app like Hulu to your Roku controller by visiting the Channel Store on your Roku.

Warning

Most Roku devices can only be used on HD TVs. If your TV does not have an HDMI port, you cannot use the Roku series of devices.

Steps

Install Roku

Setting up Roku

Activate Roku

Advice

Warning

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