How to Connect Roku to TV

This updated guide examines How to Connect Roku to TV and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Part 1of 3:

Installing the Roku

1. Determine your Roku type. There are two main types of Roku, both of which will require your TV to have at least one HDMI port to use:
   • Roku Player — Resembles a box. Comes with several cables.
   • Roku Stick — Resembles a flash drive (memory stick). Comes with at least one power cable.
2. Plug the Roku into your TV's HDMI port. All HDTVs have at least one HDMI port; the HDMI port resembles a trapezoid, and can often be found on the back of the TV (though some TVs have the HDMI port(s) on the side). Depending on your Roku type, this process will vary slightly:^{[1]XResearch source}
   • Roku Player — Plug one end of the HDMI cable into the back of the Roku Player's box, then plug the other end into the HDMI port on the back or side of your TV.
   • Roku Stick — Plug the HDMI connector on the end of your Roku Stick into the HDMI port on the back or side of your TV.
   • Most HDTVs have more than one HDMI port.
   • If your TV doesn't have an HDMI port, you cannot use a Roku Stick with your TV; you may be able to buy an HDMI to Component adapter if your TV has component (e.g., red, white, and yellow) ports.
3. Note the HDMI port's number. On TVs which have more than one HDMI port, you'll see a number next to the port into which you plugged the Roku.
   • This number may be written as "HDMI 1", HDMI 2", and so on. Your TV may also just have the ports labeled with individual numbers (e.g., "1", "2", etc.).
4. Attach the Roku to a power source. Both the Roku Player and the Roku Stick require connection to a power source (e.g., an electrical outlet):
   • Roku Player — Plug one end of the included power cable into the back of the player box, then plug the other end into an electrical outlet.
   • Streaming Stick (model 3800 and down) — Plug one end of the included power cable into the back of the stick, then plug the other end into an electrical outlet. If your Roku Stick has a USB power cable and your TV has a USB port, you can instead plug the USB cable into your Roku Stick and your TV.
   • Streaming Stick+ (model 3810) — Plug one end of the included power cable into the side of the stick, then plug the other end into an electrical outlet. If your Roku Stick has a USB power cable and your TV has a USB port, you can instead plug the USB cable into your Roku Stick and your TV.
5. Switch to the Roku's input. Turn on your TV, then press the Input , Video , or Source button on the remote (or the TV) and select the HDMI slot into which the Roku Stick is inserted. This will open the Roku's setup screen, from which point you can begin setting up your Roku.

Part 2of 3:

Setting up the Roku

1. Select a language. Using your Roku remote's arrow buttons, scroll through the available languages until you find your preferred one, then press OK on the remote.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi. On the network page, do the following:
   • Scan for networks by selecting Scan again to see all networks and pressing OK
   • Scroll through the available Wi-Fi networks until you find yours.
   • Select the network by highlighting it and pressing OK
   • Enter the password for the network by using the on-screen keyboard.
   • Press OK when prompted.
   • If you're connecting a Roku Player, you can also attach an Ethernet cable to the player instead of using Wi-Fi.
3. Allow the Roku to update as needed. Once your Roku is connected to the Internet, you'll be prompted to let it download the latest software. This process can take up to half an hour (or longer, depending on your Internet speed), so be patient.
4. Confirm your display settings. If you're using a Roku player, your Roku will immediately determine the best settings for your HDTV and apply them.^{[2]XResearch source}
   • For a Roku Streaming Stick, you'll select Set display type and allow the setup to run.
   • On a Roku Streaming Stick+, you'll select Auto detect display type here instead. You can then select OK, go to automatic when prompted.
   • You can change the display settings once your Roku is set up by opening Settings , selecting Display type , and selecting your preferred TV settings.
5. Set up your Roku remote to control your TV if you like. If you want to use your Roku remote to change your TV's volume and such, select Check remote settings when prompted and follow any on-screen instructions.
   • You can also select the Skip option to skip ahead to activating your Roku.
6. Wait for the activation code to appear. Once you see a five-character activation code appear on-screen, you can proceed with activating your Roku.

Part 3of 3:

Activating Your Roku

1. Determine your Roku's activation code. You'll need to enter the five-character code which appears on-screen to activate your Roku.
2. Open the Roku website. Go to https://my.roku.com/link in your computer's web browser.
   • While you can also perform this process in a smartphone browser, it will usually be quicker to use a computer.
3. Enter the activation code. In the text box in the middle of the page, type in the five-character code.
4. ClickSubmit. It's a blue button below the text box.
5. Create a Roku account. Fill out the on-screen text fields with your email address, preferred password, and other required information.^{[3]XResearch source}
   • You may be asked to create an account PIN as well. This is what you'll use to log into your Roku TV if you choose to password-protect it.
   • If you already have a Roku account, select the Log in option and enter your email address and password to log in instead.
6. Add a payment method. When prompted, enter your preferred payment information (e.g., a credit card or PayPal).
   • You will not be charged when entering your payment method, but this is the method you'll use to pay for some content (e.g., subscriptions) on your Roku.
   • If you're on a Roku account which already has a payment method, skip this step.
7. Complete any additional on-screen steps. Once you finish adding a payment method, you may be asked to confirm your account's email address; either way, once you've completed the activation process, you will be able to use your Roku on your TV.