How To Fix TCL Roku TV Activation Issue?

Are you facing a TCL Roku activation issue or a random pop-up? 

The Roku system requires you to activate the TV by linking an email and inserting a private code.

However, three things might happen: you can’t receive the code, your TV won’t activate, or it is already activated, but a glitch says it is not.

Fixing TCL Roku TV activation issue will require managing numerous connectivity settings to keep your TV’s Wi-Fi stable. Next clear the cache and perform a hard reset.

Below are all the solutions you can use!

How To Fix TCL Roku TV Activation Issue? – Check 8 Solutions!

Solution #1: Assess Network Issues

One reason your TCL Roku TV is not activating is due to network issues.

Thus, it’s a good idea to focus on the network. The first thing you will do includes a total power cycle of the devices involved.

The correct order for maximum efficiency is this:

1. Power down the TV.
2. Restart the router.
3. Wait a minute or two.
4. Power up the TV again.

Next, the TV should get a good connection to the network in a way that bypasses the activation screen.

Refresh The Connectivity

Moreover, it might be necessary to start over the connection between your Roku TV and the router. A small glitch could potentially disrupt the connection.

Follow these steps:

1. Go to Roku’s Settings.
2. Navigate to the “Network” section.
3. Find the Wi-Fi network linked to the TV.
4. Delete its data.
5. Reboot both the TV and the router.
6. Return to Network settings.
7. Set up the Wi-Fi network again.

Be Aware Of Frequency

Most routers in recent years have been fabricated in the dual-band standard.

That means their Wi-Fi signal presents two frequencies. Many devices can connect to both frequencies, including your smart TV.

However, each frequency has pros and cons, so you must be aware of the network your TV is connected to.

• 5GHz: Offers excellent speed but limited range. When your TV uses a lot of data (4K streaming), you must opt for it.
• 2.4GHz: Sacrifices speed for coverage, suitable for various uses. Its range is greater than 5GHz, so you might want to use it when the TV is too far from the router.

Note: Choose 5GHz for cloud gaming apps, as they require more data than 2.4GHz can handle.

Solution #2: Signal Strength Check

As already discussed, the Roku activation issue might be caused by a problem in the connection to the router.

Perhaps there is a connection, but it is weak, or there is a glitch.

Fortunately, the Roku system has a built-in tool that allows you to determine whether the connection is weak.

1. Press the remote’s Home button
2. Access Settings.
3. Choose “Network.”
4. Go to “About.”
5. Check “Signal strength” and “Internet download speed.”

The “About” page offers a comprehensive connection analysis.

A strong connection shows good or excellent signal strength and a download speed of at least 20MB/s.

How To Fix Signal Vulnerability

If signal strength appears weak, this could explain why your TV can’t communicate to the Roku server for activation.

Fixing it involves:

• Trying different Wi-Fi frequencies, as explained in #1.
• Changing the Wi-Fi channel if there’s congestion (see Method #6).
• Disconnect some of your smart devices from the Wi-Fi.

Solution #3: Wired Ethernet Connection

If your router and TV are close yet signal issues persist, using an Ethernet cable is a practical solution.

Although it works over longer distances, cable placement might clash with aesthetics.

If you’ve never dealt with Ethernet cables, here is the drill:

1. Connect the Ethernet cable to the router’s LAN port.
2. Plug the other end into the TV’s Ethernet port.
3. Press the Roku remote’s Home button.
4. Access Settings.
5. Choose “Network.”
6. Initiate “Set up connection.”
7. Select “Wired“.

Most systems quickly recognize wired connections. Following the steps above restores stability and connectivity via a non-Wi-Fi method. 

Note: You should analyze the wired connection through the methods in #3. If the connection is still weak, the problem might be the TV itself. In that case, you'd want to call TCL.

Solution #4: System Reboot

You have received the roku.com link activation code, but your TV doesn’t activate, right? The culprit of the activation issue could be a small hardware or software issue.

Sometimes, the system cannot start correctly, meaning some functions will get stuck.

Fixing that could be very simple: reboot the device. 

1. Unplug the TV while it is on.
2. Wait one minute.
3. Reconnect the power.
4. Power on the TV.

The method just described is usually called “cold boot.” It intends to discharge the hardware of electricity that might cause glitches.

Internal Reboot

Suppose the issue persists after a cold boot and you have access to the Roku TV’s menus.

In that case, you can perform an internal system restart/reboot:

1. Press the “Home” button on the remote.
2. Access “System.”
3. Go to “System Restart.”
4. Execute “Restart” to refresh the system state.

Solution #5: Change Wireless Channels

Like your TV receives radio waves, your router also utilizes different channels to transmit data. The 5GHz frequency has up to 20 channels, while 2.4GHz has up to 11.

You must ensure that your router is not using the same channels as your neighbors.

Otherwise, that results in a crowded environment where data transmission is compromised.

How To Check That?

Here is the easiest way to check if your area is using the same channels as your router:

1. Install NetSpot software on a MacBook or Windows PC.
2. Open the software.
3. Scan for active channels.
4. Take note of frequently used nearby channels.

You must check if your neighbors are using the same channels as you. If that’s the case, proceed to the next section.

Adjust The Channel Configuration

Customizing channels involves accessing the router’s interface and choosing an underutilized channel:

1. Open your web browser.
2. Enter the router’s IP address.
3. Access “Wireless settings.”
4. Choose “Channels” for the affected frequency.
5. Select a channel with less neighbor activity.

If a completely unused channel is available, switching to it might eliminate interference.

Afterward, return to your Roku TV and check if the activation issue disappears.

Solution #6: Clear The TV Cache

Suppose that the activation issue screen sometimes pops up while navigating the TV or using apps.

In that case, we could assume that the issue is related to glitched data.

Solving that is easy as long as you have your remote controller at hand’s reach.

1. Press the TV remote’s Home button.
2. Highlight “Home” in the TV interface.
3. Press “Home” five times.
4. Then press “Up.”
5. Double press “Rewind.”
6. Double press “Fast forward.”
7. Afterward, reboot the TV and check if the issue shows up again. 

Note: The cache-clearing strategy is helpful because it eliminates corrupted data gathered by the TV. 

The option can be good even if the TV is brand new because it will force the system to eliminate some glitches without resetting it right away.

Solution #7: Update Firmware

Have you postponed an update? Neglecting TV firmware updates can lead to connectivity issues.

Outdated firmware might hinder the Roku system’s connection and functionality.

That could easily explain why you are receiving the nonsense activation issue on your screen. 

So do the following:

1. Access TV settings.
2. Go to the “System” menu.
3. Choose “System Update.”
4. Select “Check Now.”

If an update is available, install it promptly.

Download A USB Update

Perhaps you can’t update it via the network. Instead, you need to install the update through USB.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open a browser and go to the Roku site.
2. Find the section concerning firmware updates.
3. Enter the correct brand (TCL).
4. Inform the Roku model number and serial number (these are available on your TV: Settings>System>About).
5. Download the software.

How To Install It

Once you have downloaded the correct file, you must do the following:

1. Plug a flash drive into your PC’s USB port.
2. Copy the update.roku file to the flash drive.
3. Plug the USB drive into your TV.
4. Disconnect the TV from the network.
5. Go to the “Settings.”
6. Select “System.”
7. Choose “System update.”
8. Choose “I can’t connect.”

Solution #8: Factory Reset

Okay, suppose you can navigate your TV’s menus and try everything, but the issue keeps happening.

Or you are stuck only in the settings menu without the possibility of accessing apps without the activation notice popping up.

Then you have to reset your TV’s system:

1. Find TV settings
2. Access “Device preferences.”
3. Choose “Reset.”
4. Confirm “Factory data reset.”
5. Proceed with “Erase everything.”

After the TV reboots, try setting up the Wi-Fi again so you can activate the TV.

If issues persist, hardware-related problems might be present, requiring consultation with TCL support.

Quick Recap

The TCL Roku activation issue can be assessed through the network or software configurations.

It usually means the data isn’t going to the Roku servers. After everything is configured tightly, the problem must be gone.

You might want to check other Roku guides to clear all your doubts!