What to do if your Roku TV has no internet connection?
Roku devices lose most functionality without internet, but you can still watch content using a USB drive, local network, media server, or antenna.
Losing internet access can render a Roku TV or streaming box nearly useless—without a network, you can't open Netflix or other apps. However, there are several ways to keep watching if you prepare in advance.
The humble USB drive
Most smart TVs, including Roku models, have USB ports. Load content onto a USB flash drive and play it using the Roku Media Player app. Important: download this app beforehand while internet is still available, as it cannot be installed offline. Note that USB 3.0 drives may not work in USB 2.0 ports. Roku devices typically support MP4, MOV, M4V, MKV, and WebM formats, but support varies by model.
Local network and NAS
If your Roku device and computer are connected to the same local Wi-Fi network (even without internet), you can stream content from a PC or network-attached storage (NAS). The Roku Media Player recognizes such storage if it is formatted in FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, EXT2, EXT3, exFAT, or HFS+.
Media servers without the internet
Platforms like Plex, Emby, or Jellyfin offer better content organization and automatic format transcoding. If the server is set up and content uploaded before the internet goes out, it works without a connection. Roku has apps for these platforms in its store.
Antenna for local channels
Roku smart TVs can be connected to an antenna to receive free over-the-air channels. Modern antennas range from $15 to $60, support 4K visuals, and often include signal boosters.
