Your Roku will not show a setup screen until the HDMI connection, power source, and TV input match. Current Roku streaming players use HDMI first, then internet setup, then account activation. Start with the kind of Roku you have, then finish the prompts on the TV.
Connect a set-top Roku player by HDMI
For Roku Express, Ultra, and other non-stick players, make the TV connection before you start setup.
- 1.Plug one end of the HDMI cable that came with the Roku player into the Roku device.
- 2.Plug the other end into an open HDMI port on the TV.
- 3.Connect the Roku player to power.
- 4.Turn on the TV with the TV remote.
- 5.Press Input or Source, then choose the matching port, such as HDMI 1 or HDMI 2.
Choose the right HDMI cable and power source
Use a High Speed HDMI Cable for TVs that support 720p or 1080p.
Use a Premium High Speed HDMI Cable for TVs that support 4K Ultra HD or HDR.
Connect the Roku streaming device to power before waiting for the setup screen.
For a Streaming Stick, plug in the USB power cable that came with the device.
Move the USB power cable to a wall outlet when the TV USB port does not supply enough power or a low-power warning appears.
Streaming Stick models do not need an HDMI cable unless you are using an HDMI extender.
Plug in a Roku Streaming Stick
Use this method for Roku Streaming Stick, Roku Streaming Stick Plus, and current or recent stick-style Roku streamers. These models plug directly into HDMI and do not need an HDMI cable.
Plug the stick into an HDMI port on the TV.
Connect the USB power cable.
Turn on the TV with the TV remote.
Press Input or Source, then select the HDMI input where the stick is connected.
If the stick does not physically fit into the HDMI port on the back of the TV, request Roku's free HDMI extender cable.
Fix a blank screen or no signal
The most common HDMI setup mistake is leaving the TV on a different input than the port the Roku is using.
Press Input or Source on the TV remote and select the same HDMI number you used on the back of the TV.
Unplug the Roku from the HDMI port, then firmly connect it to another HDMI port on the TV.
Connect the Roku directly to the TV when an HDMI switch, soundbar, or AV receiver is in the path and video or HDCP problems continue.
On a Roku TV with an external Roku player, press Home and open Settings > Inputs.
Pick the HDMI input used by the Roku player, choose Set up input if it has not been set up, then open HDMI mode.
Choose Auto first, then use Compatibility or Standard if the HDMI mode needs a different setting.
Finish the on-screen Roku setup
Once the Roku picture appears, complete the setup from the TV screen.
- 1.Choose your language.
- 2.Select Wireless, choose your home Wi-Fi network, enter the password, and select Connect.
- 3.Use Ethernet instead when your Roku player has an Ethernet port and you connect it to your router with a cable.
- 4.Wait while the Roku player checks for software updates.
- 5.At the display step, choose Set Display Type and select Automatic so the player matches your TV. To change it after setup, open Settings > Display type.
- 6.Activate the device by entering your email and clicking Activate Device in the Roku email, or by scanning the on-screen QR code and following the phone link.
Re-pair a voice remote during setup
Pairing fixes a Roku setup screen you can see but cannot control with a Roku voice remote.
Hold the pairing button on the back of the remote or inside the battery compartment for about 5 seconds.
If the remote has no pairing button, press and hold Back and Home for 5 seconds, or until the status light flashes.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
To put the Roku into pairing mode later, press Home on a working remote or in the Roku mobile app.
Go to Settings > Remotes & devices > Add devices > Remote > Continue.
Unplug the power cord for at least 5 seconds, then plug it back in when you need the restart pairing path.
Route Roku through a soundbar or receiver
Use this arrangement when your soundbar or AV receiver supports HDMI switching, or when your TV and audio gear use HDMI ARC. Check the soundbar or receiver documentation for HDMI switching support before wiring Roku through it.
For HDMI switching, connect the Roku player to an HDMI input on the soundbar or receiver.
Run a second HDMI cable from the soundbar or receiver's HDMI output to the TV.
If there is no video, confirm the Roku is connected to HDMI input and the TV cable is connected from HDMI output.
For ARC, connect the Roku player directly to the TV with HDMI.
Connect the TV's HDMI ARC port to the soundbar or receiver's HDMI ARC port.
Enable ARC and HDMI-CEC on the TV.
Set up power volume and input switching
Press Home on the Roku remote.
Open Settings > Remotes & devices > Remotes, listed as Devices > Remotes on some Roku menus.
Choose your voice remote, then select Set up remote for TV control.
Follow the on-screen steps.
Temporarily connect the Roku directly to the TV during setup if the Roku normally runs through a soundbar or AV receiver.
Turn on 1-Touch Play under Settings > System > Control other devices (CEC) so the TV switches to Roku when you press most Roku remote buttons.
If the TV switches to the wrong device, turn off 1-Touch Play from the same CEC menu and power cycle the Roku player.
Handle older TVs without HDMI
Current Roku streaming players are built around TVs with HDMI connections. Composite/RCA output belongs to legacy Roku hardware, and third-party HDMI-to-AV converters are outside Roku's current setup path.
If your TV has no HDMI port, connect the current Roku player to a TV that has HDMI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Roku Streaming Stick models need an HDMI cable?
No. Roku Streaming Stick models plug directly into the TV's HDMI port. Use an HDMI extender only when the stick does not physically fit.
Which HDMI cable should I use for 4K or HDR?
Use a Premium High Speed HDMI Cable for a TV that supports 4K Ultra HD or HDR. A High Speed HDMI Cable is enough for 720p and 1080p TVs.
Can I set up Roku with the mobile app instead of the remote?
The Roku mobile app works after the phone and Roku are on the same Wi-Fi network. It cannot replace the physical remote for first-time Wi-Fi setup when the Roku is not already on that network.
Can I connect a current Roku player to a TV without HDMI?
Current Roku streaming players use HDMI. Composite/RCA is for legacy hardware, and HDMI-to-AV converters are outside Roku's current setup path.