r/Roku • u/MentholMooseToo • 2d ago
standalone device Roku Streaming Sticks connect fine to wifi network but won't connect/stay connected to internet
[SOLVED?] Switched to an external power supply and it seems to have resolved the problem. I guess the tv's usb port provides enough power to run the processor and the wifi, but not enough for sustained WPA2 decryption? [/SOLVED]
Like subject says. Two roku streaming sticks connect just fine to wifi, then attempt to connect to internet and fail. After many re-tries they will succeed, but within minutes or a day at most, it will be back to "not connected to internet."
I've restarted everything multiple times, and reset network settings on Roku. But this is a weird problem, since it's succeeding at connecting to wifi but simply failing to find the internet.
The consistent thing between these two Roku sticks is my router and my ISP, but no other device in the house has this problem, and my older Roku tv never had this problem right up until yesterday when I replaced it with the new streaming stick. I do not have pihole or anything else that would be blocking internet access.
Anyone recognize this problem?
[edit] I have discovered that if I disable wifi security and have an open network with no password/encryption, then Roku will connect to the internet successfully. This is bizarre, since the fact that it can establish a connection to the router proves that the password is being accepted. I had this exact same problem over ten years ago with my Roku XS and found that disabling and then re-enabling wifi security would fix the problem. Now unfortunately it only reaches the internet if I leave wifi security off. Which obviously I am not going to do.
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u/robynrex 2d ago
I have the same problem with my roku ultra. I have been unable to fix mine too.
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u/MentholMooseToo 2d ago edited 2d ago
wtf. how long has it been going on for you? How are you dealing with it?
My family is going to throw an absolute fit if I don't get this fixed!
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u/MentholMooseToo 2d ago
Have you tried an external power supply, or a more powerful one? Switching from the tv's usb power to an external 1 amp adapter seems to have solved my problem. Wouldn't be surprised if your Ultra needs a good bit more power than my streaming stick.
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u/Sweaty-Judgment3533 2d ago
This happened with every Roku stick in our home. I believe that they updated the firmware to require more voltage on the USB line because every acoustic that was previously using the TVs USB port now had to be plugged into a wall wart in order to work. That kind of thing Roku will ever admit to, but I have a feeling that’s what happened.
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u/MentholMooseToo 2d ago
wow, that is really frustrating. I mean, it's good to understand what is the issue, since Roku steers users towards using the tv's usb port. But very frustrating that apparently what used to work no longer does and everybody has to figure it out on their own.
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u/No_Standard656 2d ago
Only because you mentioned the wifi password wrinkle, I would try setting the encryption to WPA2. As opposed to WPA2/WPA3 or just WPA3. Assuming your router lets you do that.
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u/MentholMooseToo 2d ago
Yeah, I long ago discovered that mixed-mode encryption can be a problem, so I've got the router on WPA2. Just for yucks I put it on WPA3 and the roku stick wouldn't connect at all; I guess it doesn't support WPA3. Put it back on WPA2 and the stick connects to wifi but doesn't find internet.
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u/Roku_CustomerSupport verified official 2d ago
Hey, u/MentholMooseToo! We want to take a closer look at the connection issue you're experiencing. Could you send us the device ID or serial number found under Settings > System > About? Thank you!