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How to Add Roku to LG Smart TV

How to Add Roku to LG Smart TV

Although most LG smart TVs already feature built-in support for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other streaming apps, Roku is still a leader in streaming video. It offers access to so much more and the newest OS updates have improved the responsiveness of everything.

Therefore, you might still want to use a Roku streaming stick for all your video streaming needs. To access the vast library on Roku, you have to connect it to your LG TV. This is much simpler than you might think.

How Connect a Roku Stick to Your LG TV

  1. Look for an open HDMI port at the back or side panel on your TV.
  2. Plug in the Roku stick directly or use a HDMI cable for more placement and concealment options.
  3. Alternatively – Connect your Roku stick to your home entertainment center that connects to the TV.
  4. Plug your Roku into its power adapter.
  5. Put batteries in your Roku remote.
  6. Turn on your TV and choose the HDMI input used with your Roku streaming device.
  7. If you don’t know it, switch through different HDMI sources until you see the Roku welcome screen.
  8. Pair your Roku remote with your TV.
  9. Choose your desired menu language.
  10. Proceed with the initial Roku setup wizard.
  11. Plug in an Ethernet cable into your Roku device.
  12. Alternative – Select the Create a new wireless network option.
  13. Add the same wireless network your TV is connected to.
    lg smart tv

Installation and Setup Tips and Things You Should Know

Here are some other things that may be unclear to you, depending on what type of Roku device you’re using.

roku

Roku Setup Tip 1

If you want to install your Roku device out of the box but don’t have a Roku account yet, you might want to have your phone or laptop nearby. In order to create and validate a Roku account, you need to do this in a web browser.

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Since Roku OS doesn’t have a web browser, you won’t be able to do this on your TV. Having a Roku account is mandatory if you want to access all features of your Roku device.

Roku Setup Tip 2

If your TV doesn’t have an HDMI port, you should probably look for an older generation Roku player which supports composite video cables. That said, you should also know that old Roku models are much more limited in what they can do.

Roku Setup Tip 3

Don’t forget to connect your Roku device to its AC adapter. Despite their looks, Roku devices don’t draw power through the TV as USB sticks draw power from the motherboard of a computer.

Your Roku device may restart one or more times during the initial setup. It may do so in order to download and install new drivers or to add new channels to its playlist.

Roku Setup Tip 4

Note also that your TV may not save your Roku device’s HDMI port as the default HDMI input after you turn off your TV. You can, however, make your TV launch with Roku if your LG supports a Fast TV Start function.

With that enabled, you may use something like an Echo Dot to issue Alexa a voice command to start your TV and launch your Roku app simultaneously.

Roku Setup Tip 5

Roku TV streaming sticks can be plugged directly into the TV’s HDMI port. However, you’ll require a HDMI cable if you have a Roku streaming player. Those are the round-ish devices that look like smart hubs, devices that also usually feature an Ethernet cable connection.

LG Native Streaming Support vs. Roku

LG smart TVs clearly have only a basic streaming video setup with limited native support for some streaming apps. But, once you add your Roku streaming stick to one, the possibilities increase exponentially.

Are you satisfied with the compatibility between Roku OS and LG smart TVs or do you prefer the functionality and ease of use of dedicated Roku smart TVs? Let us know in the comments section below.

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12 thoughts on “How to Add Roku to LG Smart TV”

CLINTON PARKS says:
all of a sudden mu Roku Remote quit working, changed batteries. Now I’m back to LG. How do I get the LG to stop and get my Roku back on?
Roger says:
My 65″ LG only has one HDMI ports which is in use, what can I do.
joeb says:
If I knew Roku only worked with a stick I would have purchased a different brand of smart tv. Rediculous. other lesser known brands have roku built in.
Shell Temkin says:
I have an LG CX 65″ OlED TV. I use streaming apps. Would the picture quality improve if I used a Roku? Apparently roku OS is updated more frequently and therefore better. That’s what I was told by Internet provider.
Sandra Wagner says:
We bought a new LG TV, hooked up the Roku 4G ultra plus. We can use the Roku remote and all the Roku works but the TV pops a message every time it’s powered off/back on that says “additional settings … accept/decline/block” we have done the settings over and over, message still comes up every day. We tried decline and block. It doesn’t matter what we do–the message is eternal.
Rex says:
Same situation here. So frustrating. Ours is the OLED55B1PUA. I can’t believe we just bought this new TV and are stuck with this message EVERY SINGLE TIME WE TURN ON THE TV instead of it just connecting to Roku. I would have returned the TV but I just assumed once I read the owner’s manual I could figure out how to get rid of it. But there is no getting rid of it. Thanks LG.
Rex says:
I spoke too soon. LG customer service fixed this. Just need to click accept, and then complete the remote control test.
grace says:
Is it stupid to ask if I plug the Roku stick into the HDMI1 then the stick is hidden from view from the eye of the remote? Why?
Elizabeth says:
Thanks for this page, extremely helpful :)
Judith Ann Crouch says:
I AM OLD AND NOT SAVVY ON COMPUTER STUFF WE HAD INTERNET BY SPECTRUM ADDED TO OUR HOME AND HAVE THE ROKU ALL SET UP. MY PROBLEM IS I LOST THE DETAILED DIRECTIONS ON WHAT TO DO TO TURN WHAT ON AND WHEN TO GET STREAMING???
Dennis James says:
How do I get my Roku remote to control the volume on my TV? Everything else works great, only the volume control on my Roku does not work. The TV is an LG flat screen from 2011.
Denise Torrence says:
I have an LG TV 65″, 2015/20l6 model. Trying to get Roku. It comes up on HDMI1 as Simplink. I haven’t been able to download the Roku site. How do I get the Roku Premier to come up?
Nancy Albanese says:
We have a regular j
LGBT TV, it’s not a smart TV, will roku still work?
joseluischavez says:
I think so, what Roku does it give your regular TV the functions of a smart TV, meaning that the Roku device does the “magic”. All your TV needs is an HDMI port

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Nov 20, 2019

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