Can Roku Connect to 5G Networks?

Evan Gower November 14, 2019

When you’re setting up your Roku for the first time, you must connect it to one of the available wireless connections in your home. You might have heard that connecting your Roku to a 5G connection gets better results, but how can you know whether your version of Roku can pick it up?

Moreover, you might’ve heard contrasting theories about the 5G connection, and even completely different explanations. Believe it or not, all of them may be right. Let’s learn more about the two different kinds of ‘5G’ connection and whether your Roku can connect to it.

What Is 5G?

There’s a common misconception when it comes to 5G connection as the term is used for two different things – 5Ghz wireless and 5G cellular. Currently, it’s normal to hear users refer to 5Ghz wireless as ’5G’ since the other connection is still not as widespread. However, as the number of 5G mobile phones grows, the term could create more confusion than now. That’s why we should clear it up.

The G in the ‘5G’ cellular stands for generation. You’ve probably heard about its predecessors – 3G and 4G. The 5G connection is an innovative technology that allows better and easier transfer of data through the air. Its latency should be much lower and the channels should be much wider than the previous ‘generations’. All this is thanks to the superior hardware in newer phones.

If you’re asking whether you can use a hotspot on your 5G mobile phone to connect your Roku – the answer is positive. The generation doesn’t really mean much, other than 3G being really slow and 5G being extremely fast when you’re streaming.

On the other hand, you’re probably asking about the 5GHz wireless connection, which isn’t available for all Roku devices. If so, let’s move on to the next section.

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What Is the 5G(Hz) Connection?

The 5GHz connection is one of the two common wireless connections in your home – the other being 2.4Ghz. It has short range, and as its name says, it works at a 5-gigahertz radio band.

The 2.4GHz band has only three channels, but it’s used by various household devices. For example, your remote control, microwave, and Bluetooth use the same band as the 2.4GHz wireless connection. That’s why getting crowded is a common problem with the 2.4GHz connection.

Due to the aforementioned issues, most manufacturers started making their devices compatible with the 5Ghz wireless. It has plenty of available channels, making the connection smoother and more stable. The only issue is that its range is much shorter than the 2.4GHz.

One of the ways to make the best of both worlds is to get a dual-band router that supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless. This way you can maximize the potential of the devices that can connect to 5GHz, but also use devices that are only compatible with 2.4 (including some Roku devices, too).

The 5GHz has been around for more than a decade and it’s supported by the majority of Wi-Fi devices. However, not all Roku devices support it. If you’re asking whether your Roku device can connect to a 5G(Hz) wireless network, the answer is – maybe. Let’s look at which Roku devices can link with a 5Ghz connection.

Roku Devices That Support 5GHz

Not all Roku devices support 5GHz connection. Currently, only Roku Ultra, Stick, and Stick + can connect to the 5GHz Wi-Fi. Furthermore, older Roku models that support dual-band such as Premiere 4620, 4630, and Premiere-Plus can also pick up the 5GHz. In addition, Roku TV can also support the 5Ghz connection.

However, some newer Roku models such as Premiere 3920 and 3921 from 2018 can’t pick up the 5Ghz connection. Therefore, the time of the device’s release doesn’t necessarily make it certain to support both wireless connections.

The best way to check if your Roku can connect to 5Ghz is to look up the specifications online (or in the package box) and see if it supports dual-band. Also, the general rule is – If your device sees the 5GHz connection, it should connect to it.

If your Roku picks up the 5GHz and displays it on the list of available connections, but you can’t connect to it, you should try out some of the methods to fix the issue – double-check the password, restart your TV or Roku device, or restart the router.

5G(Hz) – Better, but Limited

The 5GHz connection is usually better for your Roku device. It never gets crowded, it’s smoother, faster, and more stable. If you link it with your Roku, you can be sure that you’ll have the best streaming experience without any interruptions or latency issues.

However, the 5GHz connection is limited by range, which means your Roku always has to be close to your wireless router. If you want to place it in another room, there’s a chance that the device won’t pick up the connection. Therefore, neither 2.4GHz or 5GHz connections are perfect.

Do you find a 5GHz connection much better than 2.4GHz? Why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.