Airplay Not Working on Roku? Try these fixes

Roku Airplay will not work due to network issues or as a result of the corrupt firmware of the router. Try resetting the router as it will clear out any networking or firmware issues and thus will resolve the issue.

Before starting the troubleshooting process, make sure the Airplay is supported on your Roku device or TV.

1. Disable VPN on the Casting Device (if applicable)

Airplay cannot be used on a Roku device if the casting device, such as an iPhone, is connected to a VPN. This is because the VPN redirects web traffic, making it impossible for Airplay to locate the Roku device or cast to it.

To resolve this, simply disable the VPN on the casting device if it’s enabled.

If you are using an app, use that app to disable the VPN. To disable the VPN on an iPhone:

Navigate to Settings >General > VPN.
Disable VPN and check if Roku is Airplaying.

Disable VPN in iPhone Settings

2. Check Network Connection in Roku

The network modules of the Roku device will not be able to communicate with Airplay if the there is any network inconsistency or misconfiguration.

In this case, checking the network connection in the Roku settings will overwrite the invalid cache and solve the problem.

Head to Settings > Network.

Open Network in the Roku Device Settings
Select Check Connection and check if the Roku Airplay is working correctly.

Check Connection in the Roku Network Settings

3. Restart Roku and Other Devices

This issue can occur due to an error in the operational memory of Roku or related devices such as a phone, router, TV, etc. Restarting these devices will reinitiate their related modules with the default state and will thus solve the problem.

Go to Roku Settings > System > Power > System Restart.
Select Restart and upon restart, open the Apple Airplay and HomeKit Settings

Restart the Roku Device Through the Power Menu
Enable the setting (if disabled) and check if Airplay is operating correctly.
If this didn’t work, power off all the related devices (Roku, phone, TV, router, etc.,) and unplug their power cables from their sources. Also, remove the Roku stick from the TV.

Unplug Your Router from the Power Source
Wait for 10 minutes and power on the devices after connecting back the power cables.
Insert back the Roku stick to the TV (if applicable) and check if the Airplay issue is resolved.
If this didn’t work, check if leaving the devices unplugged overnight solves the problem.

4. Re-Enable Airplay on the Roku Device

If you find that Airplay is not functioning on your Roku device, it could be because the components associated with Airplay are in an error state, and as a result, they’re not compatible with the device you’re trying to cast from.

A potential solution for this issue is to disable and then re-enable Airplay on your Roku device. This action will essentially refresh the Airplay components, potentially resolving the problem.

On your Roku device, go to Settings > Apple Airplay and HomeKit > Airplay.

Open Apple Airplay and HomeKit in the Roku Settings
Disable Airplay and restart the Roku device through the power menu.

Enable Airplay in the Roku Device Settings
Enable Airplay and check if it is working on Roku.

5. Re-Enable Device Connect on the Roku Device

If you’re experiencing problems with Airplay on your Roku device, it may be due to the Device Connect feature. This feature, which not all Roku devices have, manages the settings and protocols that allow your Roku to accept a casting connection from another device on the same local network.

If any of these settings or protocols become invalid or corrupt, this could disrupt Airplay functionality. A potential solution to this issue is to disable and then re-enable the Device Connect feature on your Roku. This process can effectively reset the feature, potentially fixing any issues and allowing Airplay to work properly again.

On your Roku, navigate to Settings > System > Advance Settings > Device Connect.

Open Advanced System Settings on the Roku Device
Disable Device Connect and restart the Roku device.

Open Device Connect in the Roku’s Advanced System Settings
Upon restart, enable the Device Connect and check if Airplay is operating correctly with Roku.

Enable and Disable Device Connect in the Roku Device Settings

6. Update the Firmware of the Roku Device

The Roku device with outdated firmware will not support the latest networking protocols used by your device and will cause the problem. Moreover, a bug in the outdated firmware of the Roku device can also cause problems. In any case, updating the firmware of the Roku device will clear the problem.

Steer to Roku Settings > System > System Update.

Open System in the Roku Device Settings
Click on Check Now and install the update (if shown).

Open System Update in the Roku Device Settings
Restart the Roku device through the device’s power menu and see if the Roku Airplay is functioning properly.

Check for System Updates on the Roku Device
If this didn’t work, check if updating the firmware of your TV resolves the issue.

7. Enable Local Network Access to the Roku App

The casting device won’t be able to cast content to the Roku device by using Airplay if the Local Network Access of the Roku app is disabled on your Apple device. The issue will occur even if you are not casting through the app but have it installed on your Apple device for another purpose (such as a remote to the Roku device).

To solve this, enable the Local Network Access of the Roku app. To enable Local Network Access to the Roku app on an iPhone:

Go to iPhone Settings > Roku > Local Network Access.

Open Local Network Access in the iPhone Privacy Settings
Enable Local Network Access and restart the phone. See if the Airplay problem is solved.

8. Reset the Paired Devices in Roku Settings

If the pairing between your casting device and Roku is no longer valid, communication between the devices will be disrupted, causing the problem. To fix this, reset the Paired Devices in the Roku device’s settings, which will renew the pairing profiles and resolve the issue.

Navigate to Roku Settings > Apple Airplay and HomeKit > Require Code.

Open Require Code in Roku Device’s Airplay Settings
Select Reset Paired Devices and restart the Roku device.
Enable Airplay on Roku and check if it is operating correctly.

9. Delete the Roku Device from your Apple Account

If Airplay isn’t working with your Roku, it might be due to an older Roku device that’s still associated with your Apple account. This could cause some interference, as the device you’re trying to cast from can try to connect with the old Roku device that’s no longer in use. To address this, you would need to remove the outdated Roku device from your Apple account.

Navigate to Settings > Apple ID.
Locate and remove the Roku device.

Open Your Apple ID in the iPhone Settings
Restart your devices and go to Roku Settings > Apple Airplay and HomeKit.
Enable Airplay and see if the Roku Airplay is working normally.

Tip: If the issue is occurring with a particular app, check if reinstalling that app clears the problem.

10. Disable Fast Start in the Roku’s Device Settings

Fast Start keeps the main board of the Roku device powered on even when the device is turned off. Due to this, an invalid cache entry causing the Airplay issue will persist after multiple restarts as the cache will fail to reset. To resolve this, disable Fast Start on your Roku device.

Navigate to Roku Settings > System > Power > Fast Start.

Disable Fast TV Start in the Roku TV Settings
Disable Fast Start and restart the device. See if the Roku Airplay is working.

11. Update the OS of the Casting Device to the Latest Release

You will experience this issue if the OS of the casting device is outdated. An outdated device will fail to support protocols required by the Roku device to display Airplay content. You can fix this by updating the operating system of the casting device to the latest release.

For Android devices, follow similar steps and update the software from its main settings.

Back up the iPhone, fully charge it, and connect it to a Wi-Fi network.
Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update.

Open Software Update in the iPhone Settings
Install updates (if available) and restart your devices (phone, TV, router, etc.). See if the Airplay is working on Roku.
If this didn’t work, check if updating the firmware of your router solves the problem.

12. Disable Bandwidth Saver on the Roku Device

Bandwidth Saver feature on a Roku device is used to keep the Internet data used by the device under check. This feature disables Internet access of Roku after 4 hours if the device is not in use. A bug is reported in the Bandwidth Saver feature of Roku that disables the device’s data access and thus will stop its network communications. This will cause Roku Airplay not to function at all.

In this case, disabling Bandwidth Saver on the Roku device will solve the problem.

Go to Roku Settings > Network > Bandwidth Saver.
Select off and restart the devices.

Disable Bandwidth Saver in the Roku Device’s Network Settings
Afterward, check if the Airplay is working properly with Roku.

13. Disable the Auto Power Saving Feature

The Auto Power Saving feature on your Roku device is designed to help conserve energy when it’s not being used. However, sometimes, this feature can disrupt Airplay. It might shut down a network module that’s crucial for Airplay to function properly, causing issues.

This could be the case, particularly if you’re able to use Airplay on your Roku only for about 15 to 20 minutes. To fix this, you might need to adjust the Auto Power Saving settings on your Roku device.

Navigate to Roku Settings > System > Power > Auto Power Savings.
Disable Auto Power Savings on the Roku Device
Uncheck Reduce Power After 20 Minutes of Interaction and restart the devices. See if the problem is solved.

14. Change the Display Quality of the Roku Device

Sometimes, the issue with Airplay on Roku can be due to a mismatch between the display resolution of your device and the output resolution of the Roku device.

For example, if your device is set to 1080p and the Roku is outputting in 4K, this difference in quality might cause problems. To fix this, you can try adjusting the Roku’s output resolution to match the display resolution of your device. This way, both devices will be synchronized.

Navigate to Roku Settings > Display Type.
Select 1080P and check if the Airplay problem is solved.

Change Display Type in the Roku Device Settings
If this didn’t work, check if changing the Roku’s Display Type to 4K clears the problem.
If this didn’t work as well, try other Display Types one by one and check if that resolves the issue.
If the issue persists, check if you can mirror (not cast) from your Apple device to the Roku device.

15. Try Another Network or Network Type

Sometimes, the root cause of Airplay issues on Roku can be traced back to the router. Certain routers, particularly those found in large-scale enterprise networks or university settings, might not natively support the Airplay protocol.

If this is the case, one way to work around this issue is by trying a different network, such as using a mobile hotspot from a different phone. This way, you’re bypassing the potential incompatibility with the original network. Just remember, if you’re planning to use the hotspot option, it’s best to use a phone other than the one you’re trying to connect via Airplay.

If the problem is occurring on Wi-Fi, check if hard-wiring the devices or vice versa (if possible) solves the problem.
If the issue persists and you have a mesh-type network, connect the devices directly to the router and switch off any other APs. Check if the Roku Airplay is functioning properly.
If this didn’t work, disconnect the devices from the current network and connect to another network (such as a phone’s hotspot). See if the Airplay problem is solved.

Enable Hotspot on the Android Phone

16. Disable the Guest Network of the Router

A guest network on a router allows guests to use the Internet without accessing the main network’s devices. You can encounter the Airplay issue if one of the devices (TV, phone, Roku, etc.,) is connecting to the Guest Network, while others are connecting to the main network.

Additionally, some routers will switch to more strict network protocols when Guest Network is enabled on the router and will cut off the local network communication on the main network. In this scenario, disabling Guest Network on the router will solve the problem.

Here is how to disable the Guest Wi-Fi on a TP-Link router:

Steer to the router’s admin portal in a web browser and go to Settings > Guest Network.
Uncheck Guest Network, In the case of a dual-band router, you may need to uncheck Guest Network (2.4GHz) and Guest Network (5GHz).

Disable Guest Wi-Fi in the Router Settings
Apply the changes and restart the devices. Check if the Airplay is working on the Roku device.

17. Enable UPnP in the Router Settings

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a set of networking protocols that allows devices on the same local network to discover and interact with each other. This service is crucial for devices like your Roku to communicate effectively with other devices.

If your Airplay is having issues with Roku, it might be because the UPnP service has been disabled on your router. Enabling this service in your router’s settings should rectify the problem and get your Airplay functioning properly again.

To enable the UPnP feature on a TP-Link router:

Navigate to the router’s admin portal in a web browser and go to Settings > Advanced > NAT Forwarding < UPnP.
Enable UPnP and apply the changes.
Enable UPnP in the Router’s Settings
Restart the devices and check if the Airplay feature is working properly on Roku.

18. Disable the Router’s AP Isolation Feature

AP Isolation, sometimes referred to as ‘Privacy Separator’ or ‘Communication Between Wi-Fi Devices’, is a feature found on some routers. This feature is designed to prevent devices on the same network from communicating with each other.

This can cause issues when trying to use services like Roku, which rely on devices being able to ‘talk’ to each other over the network. If your Roku is having trouble, it could be because AP Isolation has been enabled on your router.

Here, disabling the router’s AP Isolation feature will resolve the issue. To do so on a TP-Link router.

Log into your router’s management portal using a web browser.
Navigate to Settings > Advanced > Wireless > Advanced Settings.
Select the network band such as 2.4 GHz (if a dual-band router) and disable AP Isolation. For a dual-band router, disable AP Isolation for the 5 GHz bands.

Disable AP Isolation on a TP-Link Router
Apply the changes and restart the devices (router, phone, TV, etc.,). See if Roku’s Airplay problem is solved.

19. Change the Router’s Security Authentication

Apple devices tend to have more advanced technology compared to other devices, including Roku. If the router supports WPA3 authentication and is using a mix of WPA3 and WPA2, the Apple device will connect using WPA3 while Roku will prefer WPA2. This authentication mismatch will result in the Airplay issue.

In such a case, changing the router’s authentication to WPA2 will resolve the issue. To disable WPA3 on an Asus router:

Log into the management portal of your router through a browser.
Go to Settings > Advanced Settings > Wireless > Authentication Method.
Select WPA/WPA2 Personal and save the changes made.

Select the Authentication Method Other Than WPA3 on an Asus Router
Restart the devices (Roku, router, phone, etc.,), and check if the Airplay is working normally.

20. Reset the Network Settings of the Devices

Outdated network configurations on your devices will prevent the Airplay modules from completing their operation and cause problems like the one we are discussing. To resolve this, resetting the network settings on the devices will do the trick as the network modules will be refreshed.

Before resetting, remember to save the network configurations (like Wi-Fi credentials) that will be required later. As an example, we will show you how to reset the network settings on a Roku device and an iPhone. If you’re using a Roku stick with a TV, you will also need to reset the network settings on the TV.

On Roku, go to Settings > Advanced System Settings > Network Connection Reset.

Perform a Network Connection Reset on the Roku Device
Select Reset Connection and restart the Roku device.
Connect the Roku to your network and open the Airplay Settings on Roku.
Enable Airplay and check if the issue is resolved.
If this didn’t work, go to iPhone Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.

Reset the Network Settings of the iPhone
Reset the network settings and restart the phone.
Reconnect the phone with the Wi-Fi and see if Roku Airplay is operating properly.

21. Enable only the 2.4GHz Band of the Router

Roku and other local network streaming devices often do not work with the 5 GHz bands on routers. If Roku is connected to a 2.4GHz band on a dual-band router, but the casting device (such as an iPhone) is connected to the 5GHz band, the two devices will not be able to communicate, leading to the issue being discussed.

To solve this, disable the 5GHz band and enable the 2.4GHz band on the router as both devices will connect to the same Wi-Fi band. To enable the 2.4GHz band on a Virgin Media router:

Log into the router’s management portal by using a web browser and go to Settings > Advanced Settings > Wireless Signal
Select Enable 2.4GHz and click on Disable 5 GHz.

Enable 2.4GHz Band on the Router and Disable 5GHz Band
Save the changes and connect the devices to the 2.4GHz network. Check if Roku Airplay has started to work.
If this didn’t work, use a Wi-Fi analyzer app to find the best channel for your router. Set the Wi-Fi to that channel and check if the issue is resolved.

If you are in requirement to use 5GHz, then you may split the SSID of 5GHz from 2.4GHz. Connect the casting device and Roku to the 2.4GHz whereas, other devices can make full use of the 5GHz capabilities.

22. Reset the Router to the Factory Defaults

If the latest firmware update did not apply properly on the router modules handling Airplay, the router will fail to pass the network traffic using that protocol. In such a case, resetting the router to its factory default state will solve the problem.

Make sure to back up any necessary information needed for setting up the router again.

Locate the Reset button of your router. It can be on a pinhole button on the back or bottom of the router.
Press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds. For some routers, you may need to hold the button till the router restarts.

Press the Reset Button on the Router
Release the button and once the router is properly powered on, configure it as per the OEM instructions. Make sure to disable AP Isolation and disable the 5GHz band (if applicable).
Connect your devices (such as phone, TV, Roku stick, etc.) to the new network and then if the Airplay is working properly on Roku.

23. Reset the Roku Device to the Factory Defaults

If none of the above methods work, you can move forward and try resetting the Roku device to its default settings. You should try this before moving on to resetting the TV device to its defaults.

You will be logged out of the Roku device once you factory reset it. Make sure to have your credentials at hand.

Go to Roku Settings > System > Advanced System Settings.
Select Factory Reset. In the case of a Roku TV, you may use the option of Factory Reset Everything.

Factory Reset the Roku Device
Confirm to reset Roku and wait till the process completes.
Once done, set up the device as per your requirements and check if the Airplay problem is solved.

24. Reset the TV to the Factory Defaults

Next, we will try resetting the TV to factory settings. This will rule out any improperly applied update or firmware. As in the previous case, make sure to have your credentials at hand as they will be reset.

Navigate to Settings > General > Reset.
Select Reset and Update or Reset.

Open Reset in the General Settings of the Apple TV
Wait till the process completes and once done, set up the TV as per your requirements. Check if Airplay is working properly on Roku.

Reset and Update the Apple TV to the Factory Defaults

25. Reset the Casting Device to the Factory Defaults

If resetting both the router & the TV doesn’t work, the last step is to reset your mobile device. Before resetting, make sure the phone’s data is backed up and its battery is fully charged. To reset an iPhone:

Navigate to Settings > General > Reset.
Select Erase All Content and Settings.

Erase All Content and Settings on the iPhone to Reset it to the Factory Defaults
Confirm to erase the iPhone and wait till the process completes.
Once done, set up the iPhone as a new one (without restoring), and hopefully, this will make the Airplay work on Roku.