How to Fix AirPlay Not Working on Roku

Roku streaming devices and Roku Smart TVs are one of the devices that natively support AirPlay 2. However, the feature may not work sometimes due to various reasons. The issue may be associated with your devices or the WiFi network. Regardless of the nature, you can fix the Airplay not working issue on Roku with simple troubleshooting solutions.

Here, we have explained all the possible causes of Airplay not working on your device and the solutions to bring back the feature to work normally.

This troubleshooting method applies to all Roku TVs irrespective of brands, such as Hisense, Insignia, Onn, Westinghouse, TCL, and more.

Reasons for AirPlay Not Working/Lagging Issue on Roku

Some of the potential reason that has contributed to the AirPlay not working issues are as follows.

• Unstable Internet Connection
• The long-range between the Roku TV and Apple device.
• Outdated software on Roku TV or Apple Device.
• Check whether AirPlay is turned on Roku.
• If you have enabled Fast Start and Bandwidth Saver.
• Using a VPN during AirPlay
• Active Firewall Protection on Mac
• Device incompatibility
• Interruption between devices

Fixes for AirPlay Not Working on Roku

Try the following solutions one by one if you have problems with AirPlay on Roku.

Check the Compatibility of Roku with AirPlay

Listed below are the Roku models that support AirPlay. If your device is not one among them, it possibly answers why AirPlay is not working on your Roku TV. We recommend you upgrade your Roku TV or stick to the latest version for uninterrupted streaming.

Roku TV	Models Axxxx, Cxxxx, CxxGB, and 7xxxx	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Streambar	Model 9102	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Streambar Pro	Model 9101R2	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Smart Soundbar	Model 9101	Roku OS 9.4 or above
onn. Roku Smart Soundbar	Model 9100	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Streaming Stick+	Model 3810 and 3811	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Streaming Stick 4K	Model 3820	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Streaming 4K+	Model 3821	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Express 4K	Model 3940	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Express 4K+	Model 3941	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Premiere	Models 3920 and 4620	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Premiere+	Models 3921 and 4630	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Ultra	Models 4600, 4640, 4660, 4661, 4670, 4800, 4802	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Ultra LT	Models 4662, 4801	Roku OS 9.4 or above
Roku Express	Models 3900, 3930, 3932, 3960	Roku OS 10.0 or above
Roku Express+	Models 3910, 3931	Roku OS 10.0 or above
Roku HD	Model 3932	Roku OS 10.0 or above
Roku TV	Models Dxxxx and 8xxxx	Roku OS 10.0 or above
Roku Streaming Stick	Models 3600, 3800 and 3801	Roku OS 10.0 or above
Roku 2	Models 4205 and 4210	Roku OS 10.0 or above
Roku 3	Models 4200, 4201 and 4230	Roku OS 10.0 or above

Check Whether AirPlay is Enabled

Before you initiate AirPlay, examine whether the devices are connected to the same network. When the devices aren’t connected to the same internet, you can’t AirPlay. Moreover, you must check whether AirPlay is enabled on your Roku TV or streaming device. If not, turn on AirPlay on TCL Roku TV. Hence, it is necessary to check on these things when you are unable to AirPlay on Roku.

Disable VPN

If you are using a VPN on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, you can’t be able to AirPlay to Roku, as the VPN redirects the web traffic, it can be tedious to trace your Roku device. Sometimes, you may notice a black screen when AirPlay not working on your Roku. If you have a connected VPN, disconnect it and try to AirPlay again to the Roku device.

Turn Off Fast TV Start on Roku

Generally, the Fast TV Start on Roku, makes you turn on the device quickly, as the internal boards stay on when the device is off. During this time the invalid cache gets accumulated and makes issues while AirPlay. Hence, we recommend you turn off Fast TV Start to avoid this issue. Head to Settings → System → Power → Fast Start.

Disable Bandwidth Saver

Bandwidth Saver on Roku can be one of the major reasons why AirPlay is not working full-fledged as it causes freezing. The Bandwidth Saver has the ability to reduce the data utilized by Roku. This scenario enables you to AirPlay without stuttering and distortions. We recommend you check and turn off the Bandwidth Saver for a seamless AirPlay experience. Go to Settings → Network → Bandwidth Saver → Off.

Turn Off Firewall Protection on the Mac

This process only applies if you AirPlay to Roku using a Mac device. The Firewall is to protect the Mac from unauthorized programs or services. It could also interrupt the AirPlay functions. So, disabling the Firewall protection could also be a solution.

[1] Select the Apple Menu, and click on the System Settings from the drop-down list.

[2] Go to Network settings and select the Firewall option.

[3] Turn off the Firewall by toggling off the switch.

Improve Signal Strength

The normal functioning of the AirPlay feature depends on the signal strength of the WiFi Network. For transferring data from an iOS device, it is essential to have a stable and high-speed internet connection.

Follow the troubleshooting techniques given below to improve the signal strength in your WiFi network.

• Keep your iOS devices/Mac and TV closer to the router to maximize the signal strength.
• Place your devices in a line of sight to the router by removing the physical obstructions between the router and streaming devices.
• To establish reliable connectivity, employ an Ethernet cable to connect your Roku TV to your router rather than connecting wirelessly.
• Turn off Bluetooth and turn it on once again.
• Reduce interference from other nearby devices by turning off cellular data and Bluetooth.
• Avoid connecting multiple devices to the same network, as it reduces the signal’s bandwidth.
• If you are using a Mac device to AirPlay to Roku TV, then run the Wireless Diagnostics app of macOS to avoid lagging issues.

Update Firmware of Devices

To have an uninterrupted experience, ensure the firmware is up-to-date on both devices. When the device is connected to a stable WiFi network, the device will automatically update. But, sometimes, we might have to do it manually due to internal glitches. Updating the Roku and the Apple devices can also solve the Airplay not working issue on Roku.

On Roku TV

[1] Press the Home button on the Roku remote.

[2] Navigate to Settings → System → System Update options.

[3] Select the Check Now option to see if any latest updates are available.

[4] It will be installed if it has an update, and the device will restart after the update is completed.

On Apple Devices

[1] iPhone/iPad – Go to Settings → General → Software Update. If any update is available, you can proceed further by downloading and installing the same.

[2] Mac – Apple Menu → System Preference → Software Update. Proceed by clicking on Update now to apply any updates available.

FYI: Updating the iPhone will eventually fix the screen mirroring/AirPlay stops when the iPhone locks issue.

Upgrade Router Firmware

If your router firmware is outdated, your devices may receive poor internet, which would also cause video lagging issues. In order to achieve a stable internet connection upgrade your router to the latest firmware by following the steps.

[1] To upgrade router firmware, open a web browser on your Mac and type the router’s IP address on the search bar.

[2] Then, you will be prompted to enter your username and password.

[3] Find the Firmware or Update section, which can be found in the Advanced/ Administration/ Management section.

[4] Now, visit your router manufacturer’s website and find the Firmware update files by searching the router model name.

[5] Then, download the firmware update file for your router model and extract it to move the file to your desktop.

[6] Under the Update section, select the downloaded firmware file by clicking Choose File or Browse.

[7] Then, tap Upgrade to start the upgrading process.

[8] After the upgrading process, restart the router and re-establish the connection.

Restarting the Devices

At times, there are chances for the devices to freeze or lag due to over-usage without rest. In that case, restarting the device removes the temporary glitches that affect the performance of the device.

Roku TV

[1] To restart your Roku device, go to the Settings option followed by System>>Power.

[2] After clicking Power, select the System Restart option.

[3] Proceed by clicking on Restart. It will restart your Roku device after a few seconds.

NOTE: Instead of using the Restart option, you can also try shutting down the device completely and turning it on again after a few seconds of resting.

Apple Devices

[1] If your iPhone model is X or above, press the Power button and either of the volume buttons and hold them for a few seconds. You’ll see a slider option with a Slide to Power Off option on the top, then slide it to the right to turn it off. After your phone gets shut down completely, press and hold the power button to turn it on again. Hold the power button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.

[2] For models below X, press only the Power button and hold it down for a few seconds, and the same slider option will be displayed on the screen. Follow the steps mentioned above to turn it on again.

[3] If you don’t want to carry out the steps above, go to Settings >> General and proceed by selecting Shut Down. To turn on the iPhone back, press the power button until the Apple logo appears.

[4] For Mac, the restarting process is simple. Click on the Apple menu and scroll down to the Restart option from the drop-down list.

Restarting the Modem and Router

Internet connectivity could also be a reason for AirPlay not to work on Roku, so restarting the Modem or Router is also needed.

[1] Simply turn off the Modem/ Router and disconnect it from the Power Supply.

[2] Let it rest for a minute, and plug the Modem back into the power supply.

[3] Wait until the system authenticates the Internet Service Provider.

[4] Now try connecting the Roku and the Apple device to the internet.

[5] Check by connecting AirPlay to Roku and see if the issue is fixed.

Note: Make sure that both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network and are in close proximity to each other.

Reset Network Settings

If there is any issue with your internet connection, you can try resetting the network on your iPhone and Roku. When you perform a network reset, the WiFi and Bluetooth connections will be erased permanently and you need to connect to the internet from scratch.

• iPhone: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.

• Mac: Apple menu→ System Preferences → Network → Press – (Minus) to remove the network → Press + (Plus) to re-add the network.
• Roku: Settings → Advanced System Settings → Network Connection Reset → Reset Connection.

Resetting Roku TV

[1] To factory reset, go to Settings on your Roku device and select System → Advanced System Settings

[2] Select the Factory Reset option. Upon selecting, you’ll be asked to enter the code displayed on the screen. Click OK to begin the factory reset.

Approach Customer Support

AirPlay connectivity issues can be resolved easily with the troubleshooting tips mentioned in this article. However, if the issue continues even after following all the troubleshooting steps, try contacting either Apple support or Roku support.

Frequently Asked Questions