Can You Use a Roku TV/Player Without Internet?

There are over a dozen media streaming services on the market today. One of the most popular ones is Roku, a provider that offers both smart TVs and nifty media adapters to customers across the globe. 

For those hearing about the Roku TV for the first time, you might be asking yourself: “Can you use a Roku TV/player without internet?”

Well, that depends on what features you’re trying to access. If you’re trying to use streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, you’ll definitely need an internet connection to get things running. However, other Roku TV and player functionalities don’t require an internet connection. 

Keep reading to learn more about the Roku TV and player. 

How Does a Roku TV Work?

The Roku TV is a smart TV that comes with Roku pre-installed. 

You can use it to access multiple streaming channels on the internet, including Netflix, Hulu, Apple tv, and Disney+—among others. 

It also has over a dozen models designed by well-known manufacturers, including TCL, PHILIPS, SANYO, Hisense, JVC, HITACHI, RCA, and many others. 

How Does a Roku Player Work?

On the other hand, the Roku player is an external device that you connect to your TV. 

This allows you to access streaming channels online without purchasing a smart TV. 

It has almost all the functionalities of the Roku TV, so it’s truly a great alternative for anyone on a budget but is looking to upgrade their viewing experience at home. 

Can You Use a Roku TV Without Internet? 

Technically speaking, yes. 

The Roku TV works like a regular capable TV wherein you can connect it to devices that contain media, and it will play it for you, regardless of whether you have an internet connection.

So, if you want to watch cable television or connect the Roku TV to a DVD player to watch movies, that’s totally possible. 

You can use the Roku TV as a PC monitor when you’re editing photos or videos that require a large screen. 

You can also use the screen mirroring feature on the Roku TV for work presentations or school reports – all without an internet connection. 

However, if you plan to stream content from platforms like YouTube, Netflix, and PrimeVideo, you will need a strong internet connection. 

The content on these platforms is mostly hosted on the internet. You’ll need a WiFi or ethernet connection to access any of them. 

Can you Use a Roku Player Without Internet?

Unfortunately, you can’t use the Roku player without an internet connection. 

It will turn on when you plug it into a power source. However, if you don’t have an internet connection, you won’t be able to access any type of media streaming service. 

You’ll simply be staring at the Roku Home Screen, which honestly isn’t much fun. 

How to Connect Roku TV/Player to the Internet?

If you want to access the streaming services offered on your Roku TV, you’ll need to connect it to an internet network. 

You can do that via a WiFi connection or an ethernet cable. 

Here’s how you can do both: 

Connect Roku TV/Player to the internet using WiFi

Connecting your Roku TV to the internet using WiFi can be done in five simple steps: 

Step 1: Go to “Settings” and look for “Network.”

Step 2: Click “Set Up Connection” and select “Wireless Connection” from the options.

Step 3: On-screen, you’ll see a list of available networks near you. Click on the appropriate network and wait for the next page to open.

Step 4: Enter the network password and connect. 

Step 5: Wait for a connection confirmation to appear on your screen. 

If you enter all the details correctly, you’ll immediately be connected to your internet network. If not, you’ll have to follow steps three to five. 

Connect Roku TV to the internet using an ethernet cable

Some people choose to connect their Roku TV to the internet via ethernet cable to get a stronger internet connection. If you enjoy watching content in 4K UHD, you might want to do the same. 

To connect your Roku TV to the internet using an ethernet cable, perform the following: 

Step 1: Locate the Roku TV ethernet port, which should be at the back of your Roku TV.

Step 2:  Plug in one end of your ethernet cable to your Roku TV and the other to your internet router.

Step 3: Turn on your Roku TV and navigate to “Settings” then “Network.” 

Step 4: On the next page, look for “Set up connection” and select the “Wired Connection” option.

You should automatically be connected to your internet network, no passwords are necessary. If not, try unplugging and then re-plugging the ethernet cable into the Roku TV ethernet slot. 

Connect the Roku player to the internet using an ethernet cable

Not all Roku players can be connected to an internet network using an ethernet cable. If you have one that has the interface for an ethernet connection, like the Roku Ultra, connecting to the internet should be easy.

Step 1: Take an ethernet cable  and plug one end of it into the internet router and the other into the Roku player ethernet slot.

Step 2: Turn on your tv and Roku player and navigate to “Settings.”

Step 3: Select “Network” and look for the “Set Up Connection” option.

Step 4: Select “Wired” connection on the next page.

You should now be connected to your internet network – congratulations! 

Connect the Roku player to the internet using a third-party ethernet cable

A few Roku devices support third-party ethernet adapters  to access the internet. To use this method, simply connect the adapter to your Roku player. 

Take your ethernet cable and insert one end into the adapter and then the other into your router. 

Next step is to choose a network by going to “Network” then “Set Up Connection.” 

On the next menu, select “Wired” and wait for the process to finish.

You should be all set up to watch your favorite movies and TV series after this. 

Note: Not all Roku players are compatible with third-party adapters. For more details, visit the Roku website.

The Bottom Line

You can use your Roku TV without an internet connection. 

Since it still has the functionalities of a regular TV, you can plug in media devices (e.g., hard drives, flash drives, DVD players) and play content on your Roku TV. 

You can even get a cable connection on your Roku TV if you want. 

The Roku player doesn’t have all the features and functionalities of the Roku TV, so using it without an internet connection is impossible. 

You can turn it on by plugging it into a power source (the TV), but it won’t do anything else, i.e., give you access to media streaming channels. 

You’ll need a strong internet connection if you want to stream content on platforms like Netflix, YouTube, or Prime Video using the Roku TV or the Roku Player. 

You can connect your device to an internet network using WiFi or an ethernet cable.