Samsung Smart TV with Roku (Simple Setup!)
These days most smart TV brands are making deals with Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and the like to have these experiences built directly into their TVs.
It’s a great selling point for consumers because they are usually already familiar with/enjoy at least one of these streaming services.
For example, here’s a list of the major TV brands that sell smart TVs with Roku built-in.
Notice whose missing from this list? That’s right, Samsung doesn’t sell a single TV with Roku built-in.
Which means, if you own a Samsung TV, and you want to use Roku with it, you’ll have to find another way…
How to get Roku on your Samsung TV
First, it’s important to understand the difference between “The Roku Channel” and the “The Roku App Store”.
These are really two separate services that are often confused with one another.
What is “The Roku Channel”?
You can think of The Roku Channel as Roku’s own version of Netflix, or Hulu. It’s simply Roku’s streaming service that provides a big library of content (both television and movies).
This app has thousands of free television shows and movies. There are even 150+ live TV channels to choose from.
NOTE: You will have to watch ads! After all, nothing is really ever free…
That said, there are premium subscription offerings within the app that allow you to sign up for other streaming services like Showtime and STARZ, for an additional cost.
One final thing to call out here is that you do not necessarily need a physical Roku device to get access to The Roku Channel. You just need a smart device or your TV and you can usually find it in the app store…
How to add The Roku Channel to your Samsung TV
If you own a Samsung TV, you must be running the following Tizen OS versions in order to add the Roku Channel to your TV:
- v2.3
- v2.4
- v3.0
- v4.0
- v5.0
- v5.5
NOTE: The Roku Channel is only currently available in the US and Canada at this time, regardless of the Tizen OS version your Samsung TV is running!
To add The Roku Channel to your Samsung TV, follow these steps:
- Click on the HOME button on your Samsung remote
- Click down on the page to the menu at the bottom, then click over until you see APPS
- Go to SEARCH at the upper right hand corner and type in “ROKU“
- Select the THE ROKU CHANNEL and then DOWNLOAD
Once installed, you can start to watch free content from the Roku Channel right away! And if you create a free Roku account, you can watch your shows/movies across devices, picking up where you left off.
What is the “Roku App Store”?
The Roku App Store, on the other hand, is similar to the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store – it’s simply Roku’s version of a streaming app store.
You can use the Roku App Store to add apps for your TV like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and even The Roku Channel! Several of these apps cost extra, but others are completely free.
And different apps are added to the Roku App Store all the time, so be on the look out!
How to add The Roku App Store to your Samsung TV
Unfortunately, you cannot get the Roku App Store on your Samsung TV without buying a physical Roku device that plugs into your TV.
Here are the minimum requirements in order to ensure Roku will work with your model Samsung TV:
- Your TV has an HDMI port
- You have a WiFi connection that you can set your Roku up with.
The good news? Every single Samsung TV these days comes with at least one HDMI port, usually more. So really all you need is WiFi.
NOTE: For some reason a lot of people believe that you need a smart TV in order for Roku to work. That’s not true. And even if your Samsung TV is already “smart”, there is still a case to be made for buying a Roku.
Ok now that you know your TV is compatible, let’s buy a Roku device. Here are several options to choose from.
 Roku Express |  Roku Express 4k |  Roku Streaming Stick+ |  Roku Ultra |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picture Quality | HD | HD, 4K, HDR10+ | HD, 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision | HD, 4K, HDR10+, Dolby Vision |
| Connects to TV via | HDMI Cable | Premium HDMI Cable | Built-in HDMI | Premium HDMI Cable |
| Wi-Fi & connectivity | Standard Wi-Fi | Fast Wi-Fi | Fast, long-range Wi-Fi | Best Wi-Fi & Ethernet |
| Check price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Once you’ve selected the Roku device you want, here’s how to set it up:
Step 1. Connect your Roku to an HDMI port on the back of your Samsung TV
Step 2. Connect your Roku device to power using the power adaptor cord and a wall outlet. You might need to use the power cord extender depending how far away your wall outlet is.
Step 3. Turn on your Samsung TV and select the correct input/source channel (press the SOURCE button on your remote).
Step 4. Place two AAA batteries into your Roku remote and it should begin to pair automatically. If it doesn’t, try pairing your Roku remote by pressing and holding the pairing button. (If your Roku remote doesn’t have a pairing button, you can follow these instructions instead).
Step 5. Follow the on-screen setup instructions!
Roku not working on Samsung smart TV
Occasionally Roku won’t work, or will eventually stop working with your Samsung smart TV.
Here are the most common issues you’re likely to experience, with step-by-step instructions on how to address them:
- HDMI no signal on Samsung TV
- Roku won’t connect to WiFi
- Roku starts to lag, or freeze
- Your Samsung TV is not compatible with Roku
- Roku low power, or insufficient power alert
- Roku remote won’t pair and is blinking green
Conclusion
None of Samsung TV’s come with Roku built in, but you can still add The Roku Channel app if your Samsung TV is running Tizen OS v2.3 or higher.
Alternatively, you can buy a separate Roku device if you want access to the entire Roku App Store. All you’ll need is an available HDMI port on your Samsung TV and a WiFi connection!
