How to Fix "Low Signal Strength" Error on Roku Ultra

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Your Roku device provides you with access to stream video and music from the internet. For this to work, you need a good network connection from your router to the Roku device. When a poor connection exists, your Roku device will detect low signal strength and you may experience video playback issues.

This guide will provide some troubleshooting steps that may help resolve your issue.

2. Check Network Details

1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
   

1. This will bring up the Home screen.
   

1. Scroll up or down and highlight Settings.
   

1. Then go right to Network.
   

1. Go right again to About.
   

1. Here, you should see the network details such as:
2. Network name
3. Connection status
4. Connection type
5. IP address
6. MAC address
7. Download speed
8. Wireless channel
9. Signal strength (wireless only)
   
   
10. If you're concerned with the quality of your Roku devices internet connection you may want to check the following details:
11. For a wireless connection:
12. Signal strength: A measure of the strength of the wireless signal from your router.
13. Internet download speed: A measure of the speed of your internet connection. The date of the connection check is also reported.
14. For a wired connection only the Internet download speed will appear.
    
    
15. Excellent or Good results likely mean the connection is functioning without issue. However, a Fair or Poor connection can lead to playback issues or other unpredictable behavior.

3. Reduce Wireless Interference

Wireless signal interference can cause performance issues such as slow or intermittent connections and even complete disconnects. This type of interference can be caused by the presence of:

• Electromagnetic fields created by other electronic devices such as: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capable devices, cordless phones, baby monitors, remote controlled toys, microwave ovens, seasonal lighting, or even garage door openers.
• Structural materials in walls, floors, furnishings or other large objects. The potential for structural materials in your home to absorb wireless signal and cause signal loss or undesirable behavior is as follows:
  
  Interference PotentialType of MaterialLowSynthetic material, wood, glassMediumBrick, marble, waterHighConcrete, plasterVery HighMetal

To reduce wireless signal interference caused by other electronic devices:

1. Turn off temporarily any of the above devices and check if the issue persists.
2. If it does, consider moving the affected device or any of the other devices further from the affected device.
3. Alternately, if possible, you can select different wireless channels in the devices' configuration. Consult the devices' manufacturers documentation for details on how to make those changes.

To reduce wireless signal interference caused by other objects or structures:

1. Move the affected device or any obstacles if possible and check if the issue persists.
2. If the device is in a cabinet or closet, consider taking it out.

4. Reduce Network Usage

A busy network can affect connectivity. If other people or unattended devices on your network are streaming video or audio, downloading content, heavily using the internet while you are trying to use it at the same time, your device may have trouble establishing a connection, maintaining a stable connection or may just have slow network performance.

To reduce network usage you may want to turn off or disconnect from the network any devices that may be heavily using up the network.

5. What's next?

6. Range Check

The device needs to be within a reasonable range of the router in order to connect and have the best connection speeds.

• In general, in most homes, you can be up to 30 feet from your router for a decent connection.
• From 30' to 50' away, the speeds will be slower, and may drop occasionally, but it should be usable.
• Greater than 50' away, and the signal will most likely be too weak to overcome interference. The speeds will be slow, and the connection may be sporadic.

The above numbers are approximates only. Optimal range may vary based on router make and model.

7. Relocate Router Check

Your router may need to be relocated to a more centralized location in order to provide better coverage for all your devices.

Good Placement

Bad Placement

8. Relocate Device

Your device may need to be relocated in closer proximity of the router to get a stronger wireless signal.

9. Range Extender

If wireless signal is not reaching your device, and relocating your router or the device itself to be in closer proximity is not possible or doesn't resolve the issue, a great way to boost wireless signal without replacing existing equipment is to acquire and install a range extender. Range extenders work with your existing wireless router as a type of wireless repeater used to expand the reach of wireless signal in your home.

10. Connect Device to Network - Wired

Ethernet Cable

An Ethernet cable can come in many colors and lengths. The end is larger than a phone cable; and has eight small contacts on the bottom, with a clip on the top to make sure it stays locked into the port.

Ethernet Port

An Ethernet port will be on the side or back of your device, and sometimes has lights on the left and right, used to show traffic and link conditions. It is larger than a phone jack.

1. Acquire an Ethernet cable.
2. Take one end of the cable and plug it into your router or modem Ethernet port.
   

1. Plug the other end of the cable into your devices Ethernet port.

11. Connect via Ethernet

1. Press the Home button on your Roku TV Remote.
   

1. This will bring up the Home screen.
   

1. Go upwards or downwards with the remote to highlight Settings.
   

1. Then go to the right to highlight Network and press OK.
   

1. Select Wired then go right and highlight Connect to a wired network then press OK.
   

1. Your wired connection will be set up automatically and ready to use.

12. What's next?