How to Set Up Your Roku Player and Connect it to a TV

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With a Roku device, you can watch content from YouTube, Apple TV, Hulu, and more than 40,000 other paid and free channels. But before you can start watching all that content, you’re going to have to set up your Roku device first. Here’s everything you need to know about how to set up any Roku streaming device.

How to Set Up Your Roku

To set up your Roku device, plug it into an HDMI port on your TV and a power outlet. Then follow the on-screen instructions using your remote. Once you are prompted, enter your email address and follow the onscreen instructions to set up your Roku device.

Plug your Roku into your TV’s HDMI port. If you have a streaming box, you will have to use an HDMI cord.
Note: Remember the number of the HDMI port you plugged your Roku into – you will need to know it later.
Then plug your Roku player into a power source. The player should have come with a power cable or a micro USB cable and a wall charger.
Note: If your Roku streaming box has an Ethernet port, you should plug that into your router at this point as well.
Next, turn on your TV and set it to the Roku’s HDMI channel. This channel should correspond to the number next to the HDMI port you plugged your device into earlier. You can change your TV’s HDMI channel by pressing the Input, Video, or Source button on your regular TV remote. You will know you are on the right channel when you see the Roku set up screen.
Note: If you are using a Roku device with a “point anywhere” remote, you will be asked to pair it now. You can do this by opening the battery compartment and pressing the pairing button.
Note: If you are having trouble connecting your Roku remote, check out our guide on how to pair or reset your Roku remote here.
Then select your language in the Roku set up screen. You can scroll with the up and down buttons on your remote and select a language by pressing the OK button.
Choose Wired or Wireless. If you choose Wired, you can skip the next step. You can only choose this if your Roku player is hooked up to your router with an Ethernet cable.
Next, choose your WiFi network, enter the password, and select Connect. If you do not see your WiFi network, scroll down and select Scan again to see all networks.
Note: If you are connecting your Roku player to the internet with an Ethernet cable, you can skip this step.
Enter your WiFi password and select Connect. Use your remote to enter your WiFi password one letter or number at a time.
Note: If you don’t remember your WiFi password, check out our step-by-step guide on how to find and change your WiFi password here.
Then select Auto detect display type. Your Roku will then display information about your TV’s resolution and frame rate.
If the information is correct, select OK, go automatic. Otherwise, you can make your Roku device scan your TV again by selecting I’ve changed something, retry.
Note: If your Roku is not detecting the correct resolution and refresh rate, you can select Cancel. This will let you choose your resolution and refresh rate manually. However, the problem might also be with your HDMI cable.
Next, select Yes, screen looks good. If you select No, I will choose a different setting, or you wait until the timer runs out, you will be able to manually change your settings.
Note: If your Roku device came with a remote that has volume buttons, you will then be asked to check your remote settings. Your TV will play music and ask if you can hear it. Then it will stop playing music and ask if you don’t hear it anymore. This music is fairly quiet, so make sure your TV’s volume is turned up.
Then select Enter Your email address.
Next, use your remote to enter your email address and select Continue.
Once you enter your email address, you will be sent a link. The link will expire in 15 minutes, so make sure to check your email fast.
Note: Make sure to double-check the email address listed on the screen. If you entered the wrong email address, you can press the star (*) button on your remote and then select Edit email.
Then go to your email inbox and open the email from Roku. You can do this from a computer or smartphone. If you don’t see the email, try checking your spam folder.
Next, click the link in your email. The link will be under the text that says Roku Device Activation Link. This will open a new browser window.
Then sign up for a new Roku account and click Continue. If you already have a Roku account, you can skip this step. Otherwise, you will have to enter your first and last name, a password, your date of birth, and your gender. You will also have to click the box to agree to the terms and conditions and click the captcha box to prove you are not a robot. Your password can contain letters, numbers, and symbols, but it must be between 8-16 characters long.
Next, name your device and select its location. You can name your device anything you want. However, make sure to remember the name and location you set up for your Roku device. You will need this information if you plan to control your Roku player with voice commands.
Note: Make sure to check the box next to I have read and agree to the End user License Agreement.
Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to finish setting up your Roku. Your Roku device will try to get you to install channels and sign up for free trials. You can skip each of these steps by scrolling to the bottom of the page and selecting Skip or Continue. You can add any of these channels or sign up for free trials after your Roku device has been set up.