There are various reasons, including device issues, internet issues, and software issues, which may be the cause of AirPlay not connecting to Roku devices correctly.
AirPlay allows users to watch and listen to content on a range of devices, with many customisable functions.
This is why many people choose to use AirPlay to mirror content to their Roku devices. However, if you are struggling to set up the connection between your Roku television and Airplay device, there are various troubleshooting solutions you can try.
What is Airplay?
AirPlay is a popular way for people with Apple devices to watch, listen to, and share content between different devices without having to purchase or connect and reconnect wires and adapters every time.
There are also various customisable options when you use AirPlay to watch and share content, like selecting which device in your home can play video and sounds, as well as playing more than one audio through different speakers simultaneously.
AirPlay allows you to mirror audio and visual content on your Apple TV or any other Smart Tv that supports AirPlay 2 and this allows you to watch videos, presentations, streaming services, and more on various devices.
Why won’t Roku set up AirPlay?
Since the AirPlay system allows you to screen mirror and customise so much content on your Roku television, it can be quite frustrating when the connection between your Roku television and AirPlay is faulty and not working as it should.
If you are trying to set up AirPlay with your Roku device for the first time, it is important to first ensure that your device is compatible with Airplay, as no troubleshooting will help if your device is simply not compatible with the AirPlay system.
The AirPlay compatible Roku devices are listed below as:
- RCA Roku TV (select models)
- Roku Express (2017, 2019)
- Roku Express+ (2017, 2019)
- Roku Premiere
- Roku Premiere+
- Roku Streambar
- Roku Streambar Pro
- Roku Streaming Stick
- Roku Streaming Stick+
- Roku Streaming Stick+ Headphone Edition
- Roku Ultra (2019, 2020)
- Roku Ultra LT
- Roku 3 (2013)
However, if your device is compatible, you will know that AirPlay is not working if it does not detect your Roku device, or if your Roku device only plays audio or visuals, but not both.
Unfortunately, there are various reasons why AirPlay may not be working on your Roku device, and you may have to go through several troubleshooting solutions to solve the problem if your Roku device does not want to set up AirPlay.
Fortunately, though, there are also several solutions that you can try yourself to ensure that your Roku device sets up AirPlay correctly. Some of these troubleshooting solutions are:
Troubleshooting | Summary |
Restart your devices | Ensure that your AirPlay device, Roku television, and router or modem have been restarted. |
Check your network | The device you are streaming from and your Roku television need to be connected to the same network. |
Update your software | Ensure that both your Roku and AirPlay devices have been updated. |
Troubleshooting by restarting your devices
Although it might seem tedious, the best solution is often to switch your device off and then switch it back on again. Some of the restarting procedures to try when your Roku device and AirPlay systems will not connect are:
Device | Procedure |
Restart your Roku | In order to restart your Roku device, you need to go to your device settings and select the “System” and then “Power” and “System Restart.” |
Restart your router and modem | Internet connectivity issues could also be causing issues with your Roku-AirPlay connection. Switching off the router and modem and disconnecting them from the power source can help restore the connection between your devices. |
Restart your Apple device | Restarting your Apple device can also help restore the connection between your Roku device and the AirPlay system. |
Troubleshooting by checking your network
A common issue when AirPlay does not detect your Roku device or when your connection is repeatedly interrupted is that your Apple AirPlay and Roku devices are not connected to the same network.
To see which network your Roku television is connected to, you can follow these steps:
- Step 1: Press the “Home” button on your Roku device remote control
- Step 2: Select the “Settings” option
- Step 3: Select the “Network” option
- Step 4: Search for the “About” information under the Network settings
This will display the name of the network you are connected to and you then need to ensure that your Apple device is connected to the same network.
Troubleshooting by updating your devices
Outdated software could also be the cause of connectivity issues between your Roku television and AirPlay system. If the AirPlay code does not detect or allow you to set up AirPlay on your Roku television, you may need to update your device.
You can ensure that your Roku system is updated by going to “Settings” and then the “System Updates” window and checking for any recent updates.