How to use USB to connect your Roku® streaming device to a wired network
To stream your favorite content from the internet, your Roku streaming device must maintain a good connection to your network and the internet. To accomplish this, you can connect it to your wireless network, or if your Roku device supports the feature, you can connect it to your wired network using a compatible third-party Ethernet adapter.
This article provides information about compatible Roku devices and Ethernet adapters, and explains how you can connect your compatible devices to your wired network.
Is my Roku device compatible?
Not all Roku streaming devices support using an Ethernet adapter to connect to your wired network. To help determine if your device is compatible, you need to know the device model. To find this information, go to the home screen on your Roku device and select Settings > System > About. The models below support an external third-party Ethernet adapter.
Device | Model |
|---|---|
Roku Express | 3960 |
Roku Express 4K | 3940 |
Roku Streambar™ | 9102 |
What Ethernet adapters are supported?
When you are looking for an Ethernet adapter that is compatible with your Roku device, use the following guidelines to narrow your search.
- Speed: Streaming high-resolution content (like 4K HDR movies with Dolby Atmos) typically requires no more than 25 Mbps. Look for an adapter that only supports 10/100 Mbps speeds. Adapters that also support 1000 Mbps will not work.
- Chipset: Find an adapter that has an AX8877X or SMSC95XX chipset. This information is typically available with the manufacturer specifications.
- Interface: An adapter with a standard USB connector is needed for your Roku Streambar. An adapter with a micro USB connector is needed for your Roku Express 4K.
The third-party adapters below have been tested and verified with your compatible Roku device.
Roku Express Roku Express 4K | |
Roku Streambar |
How to make the wired connection
Connect an Ethernet adapter to your streaming player
Use the following steps to connect a compatible Ethernet adapter to your Roku Express, Roku Express 4K, or Roku Express 4K.
- Disconnect the USB power cable from the micro USB port on your streaming player
- Plug your Ethernet adapter into the micro USB port on the back of your device
- Insert one end of a network cable into the Ethernet port on your adapter
- Connect the other end of the network cable into your router*
- Connect your Ethernet adapter to a power adapter
- Plug the power adapter into a wall outlet
Tip: Learn what to do if your Roku streaming player will not power on. You are now ready to configure your streaming player for a wired internet connection.
Connect an Ethernet adapter to your Streambar
Use the following steps to connect a compatible Ethernet adapter to your Streambar.
- Plug your Ethernet adapter into the USB port on the back of your Streambar
- Insert one end of a network cable into the Ethernet port on your adapter
- Connect the other end of the network cable into your router*
You are now ready to configure your Streambar for a wired internet connection.
How do I configure my Roku device?
After the physical connection is made, you can configure the network connection during the initial setup of your Roku device or you can do it at any time from the Settings menu.
Initial setup
If you are setting up your Roku device for the first time, you need to use the standard on-screen setup process described in the appropriate setup article below.
Note: If you are connecting your Streambar to a Roku TV™, you may see the on-screen setup process begin automatically after plugging in power and attaching the HDMI® cable. This is not the standard on-screen process described in the articles above. It is the automatic setup process which offers a simple, hands-free approach to configuring your device and linking it to your Roku account, but only with a wireless network connection. To configure your Streambar for a wired network connection, you can choose to complete this automatic setup process and configure the wired connection later from the Settings menu. Or you can cancel the automatic setup process, wait for your Roku TV to return to the home screen, and then switch to the appropriate HDMI input (where you Streambar is connected) and complete the standard on-screen setup process.
Settings menu
If your Roku device is already set up with a wireless network connection, switch your TV to the HDMI input where your Roku device is connected and use the steps below to configure your device from the Settings menu.
- Press the Home button
on your Streambar remote. - Scroll up or down and select Settings.
- Select Network, followed by Set up connection.
- Select Wired.
Where is the input for my Streambar? If you have a Roku Streambar connected to a Roku TV and it was set up using the automatic setup process, the HDMI input tile for your Streambar was hidden. To access the built-in streaming player and connect it to your wired network, you need to first unhide the HDMI input tile using the following steps.
- Follow steps 1 and 2 above to open the Settings menu.
- Select TV inputs, followed by Roku Streambar.
- Select Show input.
- Once the input for your Streambar is visible, use the previous instructions to configure the wired connection.
For additional help, read the dedicated article about connecting a Roku device to your network and the internet.
Why is the Wired option not available?
When a compatible Ethernet adapter is detected, your Roku device automatically adds the Wired option to the network connection type screen. If you do not see this option, make sure you are using a supported adapter based on the guidelines provided earlier in this article.
If your adapter is compatible and you do not see the Wired option, try unplugging your Roku device from the power outlet, and then remove and reattach the Ethernet adapter. When the adapter is firmly connected, power on your Roku device and try again.
*A note on terminology:
To access your network and ultimately the internet, you will typically connect to a device called a router; but it may also be referred to as a wireless router, wireless access point, home gateway or cable modem. In some cases, your internet service provider (ISP) may have provided you with a single integrated device that includes a cable modem and a router, or you may have purchased a stand-alone router from a company such as Linksys, NETGEAR, ASUS, Belkin or D-Link. In this article, the term router is used as a generic term to refer to the network device that your Roku device must connect to access the internet. For more information refer to the documentation provided by your ISP or router manufacturer.
Last updated at 2/13/2026 4:50:40 AM
Was this article helpful?
Related articles
Need more help?
