Can’t cast to your Roku? It’s not broken, you just need to do this

Ever sat on the couch with friends and scrolled through TikToks together? It’s a blast that often results in lots of hooting and hollering, but also a few sore necks and strained eyes. Phones are personal devices when it comes to most viewing sessions, but they’re the gadgets that keep us connected to others from afar.

But when you’re connected in-person and just want to share some content with a crowd — like swiping through a wedding album or scrolling through saved Instagram Reels, that calls for a much bigger screen. That’s where casting or screen mirroring comes in, which lets you display exactly what you’re doing on your phone on a TV. My Roku TV’s 55-inch display sure beats my iPhone’s 6.1-inch one when I’m trying to show my mom pictures from Norway.

However, like with almost all technological processes, you might hit a few obstacles that prevent screen mirroring from working. No matter how easy your Roku device tries to make it, there are a few reasons why you might not be able to cast your phone or other device onto your Roku.

You’re trying to use Google Cast or Chromecast Protocol

It doesn’t seem like Roku loves Google

Apple devices use AirPlay to cast, and Samsung devices use Smart View — both are supported by Roku and among the most popular casting methods. But if you’re using an Android device and running into problems casting, it isn’t a coincidence. Roku doesn’t support Google Cast or Chromecast, which is the native protocol used by most Android phones and devices.

Tough luck, isn’t it? Well, there are a few workarounds. You can use Miracast (which sends content directly through Wi-Fi faster than Bluetooth) or an app-launching cast, which lets you go through particular mobile apps, such as YouTube or Netflix. It’s app-to-Roku casting rather than phone-to-Roku casting. It isn’t a universal casting protocol, but it gets your YouTube video up on the big screen.

You have a Roku that doesn’t support screen mirroring

Just a few exceptions

Almost all newer Roku devices and TVs have screen mirroring support. But ‘almost’ doesn’t mean ‘all,’ and there are a few exceptions to the list. If you have one of these devices, per Roku itself, you might be out of casting luck:

• Roku Express: Screen mirroring works on models 3960, 3930, and 3900, but not on model 3700.
• Roku Express+: Screen mirroring works on models 3931 and 3910, but not on model 3710. On model 3910, screen mirroring is only supported on the HDMI output, and not on the composite, or A/V output.

Your device and Roku aren’t on the same Wi-Fi network

Back to basics

Much like you don’t appreciate clear breathing until your nose is stuffy, you don’t appreciate good Wi-Fi until it’s down. A smooth, wireless connection creates an invisible communication web around your home, from your smart alarm clock to your phone. Your devices talk to each other over the network and are always transferring data — which is necessary for casting and mirroring.

If your phone isn’t connected to the same Wi-Fi signal that your Roku device is, both devices will have trouble discovering the other. When they’re on the same local network (LAN), they can find each other. Plus, each device will receive its own IP address when they’re on the same network to make that process easier. Once connected, that’s when they can start sharing and transferring data.

You haven’t enabled mirroring in your Roku’s settings

Covering all bases

Sometimes, all it takes is removing the most basic hurdle: fixing your system’s settings. To make sure screen mirroring is enabled in your device’s settings, follow these steps:

1. Select Settings from your Roku home page.
2. Scroll down to System.
3. Select Screen mirroring.
4. Under Screen mirroring mode, select between Prompt and Always allow. If you choose Never allow, you will not be able to cast your device onto the Roku.

Once you make sure you’ve avoided all the mistakes above, you should be able to cast whatever you’d like from your device to your Roku device. Your friends’ eyes (and your personal space bubble) will thank you.