Roku error 014 is one of the most common Roku network errors, and it stops your device from streaming anything. According to Roku's own support documentation, error 014 means the device cannot connect to a wireless network. Error 014.30 is a sub-code with a more specific cause: your Roku reached the router but failed to get an IP address from the DHCP server. A closely related code, Roku error 016, points at a weak or lost network connection mid-stream rather than at setup.
Key Takeaways
- Error 014 = cannot connect to the wireless network at all
- Error 014.30 = connected to WiFi but failed to get an IP address (DHCP problem)
- Re-entering your WiFi password fixes the majority of 014 errors
- Router restarts require at least 30 seconds unplugged to fully clear
- Switching from 5GHz to 2.4GHz resolves band-steering conflicts on many routers
If you decide to switch hardware, see our best streaming device comparison.
Quick Answer
Roku error 014 means your device can't connect to your WiFi network. The fastest fix is to re-enter your WiFi password (Settings > Network > Set up connection), then restart your router with a 30-second power cycle. Error 014.30 specifically indicates a DHCP failure, so checking your router's DHCP settings or switching WiFi bands often resolves it.
Error 014 vs. 014.30 - What's the Difference?
These two codes look similar but point to different failure points, which changes which fix you should try first. Error 014 means Roku couldn't connect to the wireless network at all, often a password or signal issue. Error 014.30 means Roku connected to the router successfully but couldn't obtain an IP address, pointing to a DHCP server problem on the router side.
Error 014 - Most common causes:
- Wrong WiFi password entered
- Weak signal or interference
- Router reboot needed
- 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz band conflict
Error 014.30 - Most common causes:
- Router DHCP lease table is full
- DHCP server not running on router
- IP address conflict on the network
- Router needs reboot to clear lease table
Error 014.40 (less common) - DNS server failure. Your Roku got an IP address but can't reach DNS servers to translate domain names. Try a router reboot or manually setting DNS to 8.8.8.8 (Google) in router settings. The same DNS-on-the-router fix is the core of Roku error 003, the software-update failure.
Step-by-Step Fix
Work through these steps in order. Most users fix error 014 at Step 1 or Step 2.
Step 1: Re-enter Your WiFi Password
A wrong password is the single most common cause of error 014. It's easy to have a saved password that worked before but stopped working after a router reset.
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote
- Go to Settings > Network > Set up connection
- Select Wireless
- Choose your WiFi network from the list
- Delete the saved password and type it fresh, character by character
- Select Connect, then Check connection
Watch for capital letters, numbers mistaken for letters (0 vs. O, 1 vs. l), and spaces. If you're unsure of the password, check the label on the back of your router.
Step 2: Restart Your Router (30 Seconds Minimum)
Routers accumulate stale DHCP leases and connection state over time. A full power cycle clears this. Do not just press the router's power button and immediately power it back on.
- Unplug your router's power cable from the wall
- If you have a separate modem, unplug that too
- Wait a full 30 seconds - this is the minimum time for capacitors to discharge and memory to clear
- Plug the modem back in first, wait 60 seconds for it to fully connect
- Plug the router back in and wait another 60 seconds
- On your Roku, go to Settings > Network > Check connection
The 30-second wait is not optional. Routers have capacitors that hold charge. Power-cycling too quickly does not actually reset the connection state.
Step 3: Move Closer to the Router or Check Signal Strength
Roku's built-in network diagnostics show your signal strength. Before assuming a deeper problem, confirm your signal is actually adequate.
- Go to Settings > Network > About
- Look at the Signal strength reading
- If it shows "Fair" or "Poor," distance or interference is your problem
A signal-related 014 error appears even with the correct password. Common interference sources include microwaves, cordless phones, baby monitors, and neighboring WiFi networks all competing on the same channel.
If you can't move the Roku or router closer together, a WiFi range extender placed midway between the two solves this reliably.
Step 4: Switch WiFi Band - 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz
Many modern routers use "band steering," which automatically assigns devices to 2.4GHz or 5GHz. This can cause 014 errors when the router assigns Roku to the 5GHz band and the signal is marginal at that distance.
- Go to Settings > Network > Set up connection > Wireless
- Look for two network names from your router (often labeled with "2G" or "5G" at the end)
- If you only see one name, your router combines both bands under one SSID
Which band to choose:
- 2.4GHz - longer range, better wall penetration, slower speeds (fine for streaming)
- 5GHz - shorter range, faster speeds, better in crowded WiFi environments
Try 2.4GHz if you're getting inconsistent connections or error 014 on a device that's more than 20 feet from the router. Switch to 5GHz if you're close to the router and experiencing slow buffering after connecting.
Roku streaming devices require only 3-5 Mbps for HD streaming and 15-25 Mbps for 4K. The bandwidth advantage of 5GHz rarely matters for streaming, but the range disadvantage frequently causes error 014 in larger homes.
Step 5: Check DHCP Settings on Your Router
Error 014.30 specifically points here. Your router's DHCP server assigns IP addresses to all devices on your network. If the lease table is full or DHCP is misconfigured, Roku can't get an address.
- Log into your router admin panel (typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 in your browser)
- Default login credentials are often on the router label
- Find the DHCP settings section (usually under "LAN" or "Network")
- Check that DHCP is enabled
- Verify the IP address range allows enough addresses for all your devices
- Look for any DHCP lease table showing if addresses are exhausted
A common fix: increase the DHCP range from something like 192.168.1.100-150 to 192.168.1.100-250 to give more addresses to your devices.
Step 6: Factory Reset Roku Network Settings Only
This step resets only the network configuration, not your channels or account. It's less drastic than a full factory reset.
- Press the Home button five times
- Press Up once
- Press Rewind twice
- Press Fast Forward twice
Alternatively, navigate to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Network connection reset > Reset connection. After this resets, set up your WiFi connection fresh from scratch.
Step 7: Full Roku Factory Reset (Last Resort)
A full factory reset wipes all channels, settings, and account information. Only try this after all previous steps have failed.
- Go to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset
- Enter the 4-digit code shown on screen
- Select Start factory reset
- After the reset, sign back into your Roku account and re-add your channels
FAQ
What does Roku error 014 mean?
Error 014 means your Roku device cannot connect to your wireless network. The most common causes are an incorrect WiFi password, weak signal, or a router that needs restarting. Re-entering your WiFi password and power-cycling your router with a 30-second wait fixes most 014 errors.
What is the difference between error 014 and error 014.30?
Error 014 is a general failure to connect to the wireless network. Error 014.30 is more specific: your Roku connected to the router but failed to receive an IP address from the DHCP server. Error 014.30 often points to the router's DHCP configuration rather than the WiFi password or signal.
Why does Roku error 014 keep coming back?
Recurring error 014 usually points to signal instability (weak WiFi reaching the Roku) or a router that needs attention. Check signal strength in Settings > Network > About. If signal is "Fair" or "Poor," a WiFi extender eliminates the recurring problem. Also confirm your router firmware is current, as outdated router firmware causes intermittent DHCP failures. If the device keeps dropping no matter what, it may be worth comparing it against the current best Roku streaming devices.
Can I fix Roku error 014 without a factory reset?
Yes. Most 014 errors resolve through Steps 1-4: re-entering the WiFi password, restarting the router for 30 seconds, checking signal strength, and switching WiFi bands. A factory reset is rarely needed and should be a last resort, since it removes all your channels and account settings.
Does Roku error 014 mean my Roku is broken?
No. Error 014 is almost always a network or configuration issue, not a hardware failure. If your Roku connects fine on a mobile hotspot but fails on your home WiFi, the problem is your home network setup, not the device itself. For a full hardware comparison, see our best streaming device guide.