Woman drinking tea while watching Antiques Roadshow on television

How to Set Up a Roku: From Plugging It In to Streaming

October 26, 2026

By Phillip Swann
The TV Answer Man
Follow me on X or Facebook

Table of Contents

TV Answer Man, a friend gave me a Roku before she moved away. plugged it into my TV, made sure there were new batteries in the remote, but now I have no idea what to do next. Can you help explain how to set up a Roku? Thanks. Laurie, Missoula, Montana.

Laurie, Roku is arguably the easiest streaming TV device to use. But if you’ve never used one, or used any streaming device, it can seem quite daunting to get started, right? But TV For Seniors is here to help with a simple step-by-step guide to set up a Roku, from the initial connection to your TV to watching your favorite shows. Laurie, be sure to tackle this one step at a time. Be patient. Be calm. And all will go well.

TV For Seniors Guide to Set Up a Roku

1. Connect the hardware

1. Plug the Roku into an HDMI port on your TV. (The HDMI ports are usually in the back of the TV but sometimes on the side.)

• Streaming sticks plug directly into the HDMI port.

• Box-style players, such as the Roku Ultra, use the included HDMI cable.

TV antenna port close-up — Connect the Roku cable to the HDMI port, usually in the back of the TV.

2. Connect power:

• Use the included USB cable or power adapter.

• You can try a USB port on the TV, but many don’t supply enough power. A wall outlet with the adapter is more reliable.

3. Turn on the TV. Use the TV remote (not the Roku remote yet) and press Input or Source. Select the HDMI port where you plugged in the Roku (HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.). Wait about 10 seconds for the Roku screen to appear.

2. Set up the remote

• Insert batteries (or remove the plastic pull-tab). Sounds like your neighbor already did this for you, Laurie. But make sure the batteries are still working; if they’ve been sitting in the remote for awhile, they may need a replacement.

• Follow the on-screen directions to pair it. (Pairing it means the Roku remote becomes compatible with your TV, allowing it to change channels, turn off the set, etc.) Voice remotes (ones with a microphone button) usually pair automatically or with a short press-and-hold of the pairing button.

3. Complete the on-screen setup

• Choose your language.

• Select Set up for home use.

• Connect the Roku to your Wi-Fi network; pick your network name from the list of options and enter the password (case-sensitive). You can often choose “Show password.”

• Let any software updates finish; they can take a few minutes.

• (Optional) Set up the voice remote to control your TV’s power and volume if offered.

TV remote with clearly labeled HDMI button — Input your Roku user name and password when prompted on screen.

4. Activate your free Roku account

You’ll need a phone or computer for this step. You set up a free Roku account at the Roku.com web site. (If you don’t already have one). Note: Activation is always free. You may be asked for a payment method, but you are only charged if you later buy something. Using the Roku does not require a subscription fee; you only pay if you subscribe to a streaming service.)

Once you do that:

• Enter your email on the Roku screen, or scan the QR code with your phone camera.

• Open the email from Roku and click the activation link.

• When finished, the Roku home screen appears.

First things to do after setup

• Press the Home button on the remote anytime to return to the main screen.

• Add channels (apps):
Press Home and select Streaming Channels (or Channel Store). Then search or browse the apps and select Add Channel when you find one you want to add. Popular free options include The Roku Channel, Tubi, Pluto TV, and YouTube. Paid services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc.) require you to sign in with your existing account after adding the channel.

• Use voice search if available: Press the microphone button on the remote and say what you want (“Netflix,” “weather,” “baseball games,” etc.).

Once you add an app, you’re ready to start watching. Click on the app and it will display its programming options. Click on a show or movie and you’re streaming!! (Remember again, that some apps require subscriptions.)

Laurie, I hope that helps. Happy viewing and stay safe!

Have a question? Send it to The TV Answer Man at swann@tvanswerman.com

The TV Answer Man is veteran journalist Phillip Swann who has covered the TV technology scene for more than three decades. He will answer your questions regarding new devices and services that are changing the way you watch television. See the bio for Phillip Swann here.