Roku Error Code 038 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Roku error 038 means the device cannot establish or maintain a connection to the internet. Your Roku can see the Wi-Fi network but the connection to the internet itself is failing. Restarting your router and checking your internet service usually resolves this quickly.

Affected Models

Roku Streaming Stick 4K
Roku Ultra
Roku Express 4K+
Roku Streambar
Roku TV (all models)

Common Causes

Your internet service is temporarily down or experiencing an outage in your area
Your Wi-Fi router is connected to the local network but has lost its connection to the internet
The Roku device's IP address has a conflict with another device on the network
Your router's DNS settings are preventing the Roku from reaching Roku's servers
A firewall or content filtering setting on the router is blocking Roku's connection

How to Fix It

Check if other devices in your home (phone, laptop, smart TV) can access the internet over Wi-Fi.

If no devices can reach the internet, the issue is with your internet service or router — not the Roku specifically.
Restart your router and modem: unplug both from power, wait 30 seconds, plug the modem in first, wait 60 seconds, then plug in the router.

Router reboots are the single most effective fix for error 038. Most internet connectivity issues resolve with a fresh router restart.
On the Roku, go to Settings > Network > Check Connection to see if the Roku shows a valid IP address after the router restarts.

A valid IP address like 192.168.x.x means the Roku joined the network. If it shows 0.0.0.0, the router is not assigning an address.
Change the Roku's DNS settings: Settings > Network > Set up Connection > Wireless > Custom. When you reach DNS settings, enter 8.8.8.8 for primary and 8.8.4.4 for secondary.

Google's public DNS servers are fast and reliable. This step helps when your ISP's DNS server is the source of the issue.
If the error persists, perform a Roku system restart: Settings > System > System Restart.

A Roku restart is different from just unplugging it — it properly clears the network state and reconnects from scratch.

When to Call a Professional

Error 038 is always a network configuration issue — no professional service is needed for the Roku itself. If restarting your router does not restore internet access, contact your internet service provider to check for outages.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Roku show error 038 but my phone works fine on the same Wi-Fi?

Your phone may have connected to the 5 GHz band, which your router keeps working, while the Roku is on the 2.4 GHz band, which may have an issue. Also, different devices receive different IP addresses — your phone may have a working one while the Roku has an address conflict. Restarting the router forces fresh address assignments to all devices.

Does Roku support 5 GHz Wi-Fi?

Many Roku models support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Check your specific Roku model's specifications on roku.com. If your router broadcasts separate network names for each band, try connecting the Roku to the 5 GHz network for a potentially faster, less congested connection.

Can I use Roku with a wired Ethernet connection to avoid error 038?

The Roku Ultra and some Roku TV models have an Ethernet port for a wired connection. A wired connection is more stable than Wi-Fi and eliminates most network connectivity errors. If your Roku model does not have an Ethernet port, a USB-to-Ethernet adapter compatible with Roku may work on some models.