How to Install VPN on Roku – Complete Setup
How to install VPN on Roku? Roku streaming sticks and boxes give you access to an almost unlimited library of TV channels. That is if you live in USA. Roku users in Australia, Canada, Germany, France, or even UK don’t have access to a lot of channels. That’s why it is important to setup VPN on Roku to boost your streaming experience. Unlike Apple TV, FireStick, and other streaming devices, the Roku neither allows you to install VPN nor Smart DNS on it. However, there are 3 workarounds that actually allow you to enable a VPN connection on a Roku. All of them are explained in detail in this guide.
How to Install VPN on Roku – Complete Setup Guide
Content Index
Best VPN for Roku
Below you can find our list of best Roku VPNs in 2017. ExpressVPN tops the list due to the fact it offers DNS codes that can be directly configured on your your router. They also support unblocking American Netflix.
Last Updated Yesterday| Rank | VPN Provider | Link |
|---|---|---|
 |  |
|
 |  | Visit BulletVPN
|
 |  | |
4 |  |
How to Install VPN on Roku
Due to the fact non of the Roku models have a VPN client, you cannot directly install a VPN app on it. Neither can you configure Smart DNS proxies on a Roku. Nonetheless, there are 3 alternatives ways you can use to bypass these limitations.
- Setup VPN on your router.
- Setup VPN on your PC/Mac and use it as a WiFi Hotspot.
- Use a VPN service that offers Smart DNS proxy service.
How to Setup VPN on Roku via Router
If you setup VPN on your router, all the devices you connect to that router, including your Roku, will share its VPN connection. Keep in mind that not all routers are VPN-ready. You will need a DD-WRT or Tomato based router to install VPN. Take a look at this guide.
Using this method means you have to purchase a new router. However, in the long run, a VPN router will save you both effort and money. Not to mention the fact that setting up virtual routers on PC or Mac might cause you a headache or two.
How to Install VPN on Roku – Virtual Router Method
In this case, you basically download and install the VPN app on your PC or Mac. You then connect to a VPN server through the app. Finally you have to turn your PC/Mac into a virtual router and connect your Roku to it.
How to Share Mac VPN Connection with Roku
- On your Mac, go to the System Preferences menu, then click on Sharing.
- In the Sharing menu, select Internet Sharing from the left panel. The Internet Sharing options will appear on the right side of the screen. Set the following settings:
- Share your connection from: [the L2TP VPN connection you just created]
- To computers using: check the box for Wi-Fi
- Select Wi-Fi Options and enter the following details:
- Network Name: [choose a network name]
- Channel: [leave as default]
- Security: WPA2 Personal
- Password: [choose a password]
- Verify: [re-enter your password]
- Then click OK.
- On the Sharing menu, check the box next to Internet Sharing. You will see a prompt asking you to turn on Internet sharing.
- Click Start.
- When Internet Sharing has been activated, a green light will appear next to the text: “Internet Sharing: On”.
- Now, turn on your Roku.
- From the Roku Home screen, select Settings > Network > Wireless (Wi-Fi) > Set up new Wi-Fi connection.
- Connect to the WiFi network you have created on your Mac.
How to Share PC VPN Connection with Roku
Follow the steps below before launching the VPN connection on your PC.
- On your PC, type Windows + S to launch the search bar,
- Then type cmd to bring up Command Prompt. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
- Type the following:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=NETWORKNAME key=PASSWORD - Name your virtual router by setting the following values:
- ssid=[choose a name for your network]
- key=[choose a password for your network]
- Hit Enter.
- You will then see the following message:
- The hosted network mode has been set to allow.
- The SSID of the hosted network has been successfully changed.
- The user key passphrase of the hosted network has been successfully changed.
- To start your virtual router, type the following in the command prompt:
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
- Hit Enter.
- If the virtual router starts successfully, you will see a message that says, “The hosted network started.”
- Now go to “Open Network and Sharing Center” by right-clicking your WiFi icon from the right bottom corner of your screen.
- Go to “Change adapter settings”.
- Right-click on the VPN connection you’ve created previously and go to “Properties”.
- Go to “Sharing” tab.
- Check on the checkbox next to “Allow Other Network User to connect through this computer’s Internet connection”.
- Check on the checkbox next to “Allow other network users to control or disable the shared Internet connection”.
- Under “Home Network Connection” select the connection you’ve just created.
- Click OK.
- Now, turn on your Roku.
- From the Roku Home screen, select Settings > Network > Wireless (Wi-Fi) > Set up new Wi-Fi connection.
- Connect to the WiFi network you have created on your Windows PC.
How to Install VPN on Roku – Smart DNS Proxy Alternative Method
If all of the steps above seem to complicated for you, you can use Smart DNS proxies instead. In this case, you can directly configure Smart DNS on your router without the need to change settings on PC or Mac. You just have to make sure that the VPN service you are using actually offers its users a Smart DNS proxy service. A good example would be ExpressVPN. Alternatively, you can try out Unlocator. They aren’t a VPN service per se, but a Smart DNS proxy service that offers a free 7-day trial.
While most routers allow you to change DNS settings, some of them do not. In general, Linksys, TP-Link, Cisco, Asus, D-Link routers all support manual DNS configuration. If you own a modem supported to you by your ISP, you will probably not be able to change DNS on it.
In that case, you can purchase a secondary router that allows you to change DNS. Then, connect that secondary router’s WAN port to your modem’s LAN port using an Ethernet cable.
Finally, connect the Roku to the secondary router.
How to Create an American Roku Account
In order to get American apps on your Roku, you have to create an American Roku account. You can then install HBO GO, Showtime, NBC Sports, ESPN, ABC Go, and all other American channels on your Roku. Follow the guide below after you have setup VPN or Smart DNS on your PC, Mac, or router. In case you already have a US Roku account, there’s no need to create a new one.
- First, connect to an American VPN server.
- Head over to https://my.roku.com/index and choose ‘Create account’.
- Next, fill in the required information and then click ‘Continue’.
- Choose a Pin and click ‘Continue’.
- On the next page, you have to payment options: Paypal or Credit Card.
- Choose Paypal if you already own a Paypal account since your Paypal country does not affect your Roku account.
- Use a valid US address to create your American Roku account. You can use California as your state and 90210 as your zip code.
- If you choose Credit card as your payment option, you have to use your own street address that is associated with your credit card.
- Then, you need to convert the postal code into a valid zip code.
- Keep note of the City associated with the new zip as it is required for the Roku account setup.
- To create a valid zip code, take the digits from your postcode. The postal code M1Z4L3 becomes 143. Add zeros to the end if you have less than 5 digits in your postal code. So the 143 becomes ZIP 14300.
- Now that you have finalized your Roku account, reset your Roku streaming device to factory settings.
- From the Roku home screen, select settings > factory reset, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Finally, use the newly created American Roku account on your Roku device.
How to Create UK Roku Account
In order to get UK apps on your Roku, you have to create an British Roku account. This will allow you to add BBC iPlayer, Now TV, Channel 4, My5, and ITV to your Roku. Follow the guide below after you have setup VPN or Smart DNS on your PC, Mac, or router.
- First, connect to an UK VPN server.
- Head over to https://my.roku.com/index and choose ‘Create account’.
- Next, fill in the required information and then click ‘Continue’.
- Choose a Pin and click ‘Continue’.
- On the next page, you have to payment options: Paypal or Credit Card.
- Choose Paypal if you already own a Paypal account since your Paypal country does not affect your Roku account.
- Use a fake UK address when signing up and use the postcode W11 2BQ
- Now that you have finalized your Roku account, reset your Roku streaming device to factory settings.
- From the Roku home screen, select settings > factory reset, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Finally, use the newly created UK Roku account on your Roku device.
How to Install VPN on Roku – Conclusion
From setting up VPN, to creating a US Roku account, getting access to American channels on a Roku takes a bit of effort. Rest assured, it will all be worth it in the end. In case you run into any issues while installing VPN on Roku, leave a comment below and I will do my best to help you out.
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About The Author
Charles
Streaming gadgets geek. Interested in every little thing there is to know about bypassing regional restrictions. An avid believer in the right to protect online privacy. Charles has also reviewed plenty of VPN service providers and knows how to separate the good apples from the bad ones.
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Hi,
I am getting the message “the hosted network couldn’t be started. The group or resources is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation.”
Hello George. Where are you exactly getting that error message?
am seeing that message in multiple discussions here. all with no answer.
Hi and thanks for the info you have here. I realize that I’m going to have to go either the PC method or buy an additional router. I’m unclear if I have to physically attach my roku box to the router?
If I go the PC route and configure the virtual router how will roku recognize the VPN connection? It appears that with either method the software is separate so how do you get the roku to use express VPN if I can’t use it from the list of channels roku offers?
Canadian Netflix is crap and I need something with more variety. Thanks for your help
Jllz
In case you set up a virtual router on your PC, you then connect the Roku to it via WiFi instead of connecting it to your router.
Hello, I have a Linksys 1900ACS router used strictly for Express VPN. I have a ROKU Stick Plus and everytime there is power outage, My ROKU will not recognize the Express VPN 5GHz Network. I’ve been in chat tech support with Express VPN and they cannot figure it out. After countless reboots from my ISP modem and Linksys router, it still won’t detect the Linksys router with Express VPN. Tech support have requested screenshots of my 5 Ghz Linksys settings and they got back to me later saying I should change my SSID name. The default SSD name is “Linksys07729a” but I added an “a” to that 5 GHz network to not match the 2.4 GHz, which is disabled. The network was detected after I went to the “Manage Devices” in the Express VPN firmware settings and selected the button to “All devices connected to this router should be protected by ExpressVPN” The other option is, “Let me select which devices should be protected”. This option gives me a list of the IP addresses with a specific device, such as laptops, media streamers and Android devices detected. My ROKU was selected as “media streamer” with the correct IP address matching in the ROKU settings. Now Express VPN tech returned my querie and advised me to change my SSID name from the “Linksys07729a” to a different SSID name. Does this make sense and would that help any? I am afraid to do this SSID name change, reboot everything again and risk the intense frustration of my ROKU not detecting my Express VPN network again and being back to square one. Have you heard of this problem with other ROKU Streaming Stick users? My Roku will always detect my ISP modem network, but I find it strange that my Linksys Express VPN 5 Ghz network is very sketchy with this ROKU Streaming Stick Plus. Hopes this all makes some sense to you. It’s just very frustrating and there has to be a setting that will make my ROKU detect my VPN 5 Ghz network in the event the power is disrupted. Thank you, Rob
I have a roku and a nordvpn router in mexico…I set it up in USA and it worked until recently for PlayStationvue but now the IP address on roku is the local address …though when I check the router on my iPad it is looking like in Phoenix …I have wiped out the setting and resigned into my router but still not changing??!! What to do??
Hello Elizabeth. The IP address you’re seeing on your Roku probably is its private IP address assigned to it by your router and not the public IP address you get when connecting to the VPN server.
Hi! After step 6 on section ‘HOW TO SHARE PC VPN CONNECTION WITH ROKU’, I got a message on my command prompt that says ‘The group or resource is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation.’
Any idea how to fix this?
Thx in advance!
Hi, I am located in the US and I’d like to have access to FR TV through my Roku. However, I already use it extensively to watch US TV and I don’t necessarily want to reset my roku every day. What’s my best option: buy another roku and set it up with the VPN (I got ExpressVPN) ? thanks in advance!!
Hi, We have a VPN now which we connect to UK TV via HDMI from pc to tv. We also have Roku, if I set up Roku with a UK VPN is that the only think that would be on there meaning would I lose all my other channels on Roku.
Hi Jean. In order to get UK channels on your Roku, you need VPN as well as a UK Roku account. Once you register the UK Roku account on your Roku, you will lose all the channels you had previously installed on it.
so would I have to purchase another roku, 1 for UK and 1 for US
There is an app on US Roku called UKTV. It’s not perfect but it works for us. Think it’s $2.99 a month on the Roku store otherwise yes i think you need 2 Rokus, one for Uk channels and one for US
Hi. Can the VPN I have on my Android smart phone/tablet be used if I create a mobile hotspot with my phone and set my Roko to use that hotspot?
Hi Andrew. Yes, that should work. Keep in mind that you will only be able to use your mobile Internet connection in that case. As far as I am aware, there’s no way to create a hotspot while connected to your WiFi network.
If my Roku Ultra is connected to my router via a network cable(hardwired) and I’m running my VPN on my desktop am I correct in assuming that my Roku is also connected to my VPN? (New to using a VPN.)
No, in that case only your desktop is connected to your VPN.
What are the steps for the DNS ..I USE Ipvanish..I think they have a DNS..Where would I found out there proxy info??
This did not work for me. The first error I encountered on my Windows 7 PC was that the Wlan autoconfig service was not running. I found out how to change that to running and started it. I entered my SSID network name and key at the command prompt, but when I went to run it I receive the error message: “the hosted network couldn’t be started. The group or resources is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation.” I think I’m going to bite the bullet andbuy a VPN router. Thank you for trying.
Hello. I have a Windows 7 PC that is connected by ethernet cable to a two what already exists on the two wire router 2wire router from my phone company. And I have a Roku express that as a wireless connection to my PC and cabled to my television. I am using playon software on my PC to stream programs to my television. Since I installed NordVPN, I am constantly getting disconnected Roku messages on my television in the Roku screen saying there is no playon PC found. The diagnostics tell me that it is seeing the IP address of the home network as well as the IP address for the VPN. How does this impact what your instructions are, if I am running playon software in addition to the rest of the PC setup? And I am confused by your instructions to name an SSID and a password when I already have an SSID on the router and a password on that router. Is what you are instructing to setup in addition to what already exists on the 2wire router? Thank you so much!
Thanks for the extensive detailed instructions to set up my PC as a virtual router to connect to Roku. In the beginning of your instructions to type in Windows + S to launch the search bar, I don’t know where to type that in. Can you add that bit of information?
Sincerely, SteveE
Hi Steve. What Windows OS are you using?
Hi Charles,
After I submitted my question I was able to figure it out
so now everything is set upmand running .
Thanks for your help
SteveE
That’s great to hear.
Thank you for this. Excellent info. Being a Brit in the US that used a couple of free streaming apps for UK TV on my US Roku, (not always reliable), I now have a 2nd Roku with my TV that is set for UK TV apps as I logged in via a VPN ext in Chrome (UK based). We really appreciate you putting this article together and setting up a UK Roku account was the easiest way.