Streaming your favorite TV shows…
Playing your favorite video games…
Those are usually 2 different sides of a coin.
Ever wondered how to combine them?
For instance, connecting your Xbox to Roku TV.
Let me tell you, there are various simple ways to do it…
Read on to discover:
- 5 easy steps to connect your Xbox to a Roku.
- How to connect an Xbox to Roku TV without an HDMI port.
- Must-know settings on Roku TV to get the best gaming experience for your Xbox.
- Why there’s HDMI IN and HDMI OUT on the Xbox (and why they matter when you connect to Roku TV).
- And so much more…
How to connect Xbox to Roku TV? 5 steps
First, we need to outline the differences between a Roku TV and a Roku external media player. An example of the latter is the Roku Streaming Stick 4K.
Now, A Roku TV is a smart TV with Roku streaming already built in.
On the other hand, there’s the Roku Streaming Stick 4K (or other external Roku media player). For this, you need to connect it separately with your TV.
That aside, the Xbox is easy to connect to a Roku TV via an HDMI cable.
You plug the HDMI cable into the Xbox. Then, the other end goes into the HDMI port from the Roku TV.
Easy does it.
But connecting an external Roku media player to the Xbox and a TV?
Well, that goes a bit differently.
No worries, I’ll explain how to do it properly in 5 easy steps:
#1: Look for the HDMI IN and HDMI OUT
On the back of the Xbox console, you’ll find all the ports.
Now, look for HDMI IN and HDMI OUT.
“Why are there 2 different HDMI ports?”
The HDMI IN is for incoming audio and video signals.
For example, the signals are coming from a Roku media player and then send it to the Xbox.
And the HDMI OUT is for sending out signals.
For example, the video and audio signals from the Xbox get sent to a Roku smart TV.
After locating the necessary ports, proceed to…
#2: Connect the external Roku media player to the HDMI IN port
Connect your external Roku media player to the HDMI IN port.
If you have a Roku Streaming 4K Stick, then you can plug it in directly into the HDMI IN.
But if you have a Roku Express 4K…
You’ll need to connect your Roku to a power source and the HDMI IN by using an HDMI cable.
Note: Read the included manual from the Roku device for the correct setup.
#3: Connect the Xbox to the TV
Step 1: For this, use an HDMI cable from your Xbox to the TV.
Step 2: Locate the HDMI OUT port from the Xbox and plug the HDMI cable into it.
Step 3: Then plug the other end into an HDMI port from the TV.
Read next: Does Roku Work On Any TV?
#4: Power on the devices
Then power on your TV and Xbox. If needed, turn your external Roku device on as well.
If you powered up everything and you don’t see anything on your TV screen yet…
You might have to…
#5: Select the correct input
You might be staring at the wrong input of the TV…
That’s why you can’t see anything yet.
But just press the input button from your remote control and select the correct input.
If that didn’t help, it’s possible you’re not using the right HDMI cables.
Now, Xbox and Roku include the right HDMI cables with their products…
But if you lost them or they’re broken, then you can replace them.
After that, try it out again.
You see, with a bit of tossing and turning…
It’s possible to use your Roku TV or Roku device together with your Xbox.
And you might be wondering now…
Does It Work on all Xbox Consoles?
Your Xbox will work on all of the Roku TVs that have HDMI. However, it won’t work on all Xbox consoles if you have a Roku streaming device.
Roku TV
All of the Roku TVs have HDMI ports….
So, it’s easy to connect an Xbox to a Roku TV via an HDMI cable.
External Roku media player
But, with an external Roku media player, it’s not possible on all the Xbox consoles.
For example, the Xbox Series has only 1 HDMI OUT port. Which means it can only send out audio and video signals. Moreover, it’s used to connect with your TV.
As a result, it can’t receive audio and video signals. That’s because there’s no HDMI IN port available.
And that’s exactly what’s needed for an external Roku device. To send out video and audio signals.
The same goes for the Xbox 360, the earliest versions don’t even have an HDMI port.
So, for these versions, it’s not possible to connect with an external Roku media player.
How to connect Xbox to Roku TV without HDMI
To connect Xbox to Roku TV without HDMI look for the A/V connection.
An A/V connection stands for Audio/Visual connection and this was the way to go before there was HDMI.
Most likely your Xbox has an A/V connection. Moreover, most of the modern TV’s still have it as well.
So, look for the A/V connection on your Xbox and TV and connect both of them via an A/V cable.
Here’s a very helpful video on how to connect your Xbox 360 to the TV using the A/V connection:
But, if your TV doesn’t have an A/V connection…
Or you rather want to use the HDMI port from the TV…
Then you can use an AV to HDMI converter.
With that, problem solved.
Further reading: 3 Ways To Connect Roku To TV Without HDMI
Why isn’t my Xbox showing up on Roku TV?
Your Xbox is not showing on your Roku TV because you are looking at the wrong TV input.
Try to change the TV’s input with the remote control.
Here’s how to do it on a Roku TV in 4 steps:
- Press the Home button from the remote control.
- Go to Settings.
- Then select TV inputs.
- Choose the correct input.
Still no luck?
Then you might use the wrong HDMI cable.
Every Xbox is supplied with the correct HDMI cables.
Meaning, that these supplied HDMI cables are tested and approved by Xbox.
So, if you’re using a different one and you don’t see the Xbox showing up on your Roku TV…
You might be using the wrong HDMI cable.
With that, try a different one and see if it works better.
Is Roku TV good for gaming?
Roku TVs are good for gaming. They even have the option to activate Game Mode. This will improve your gaming experience.
Really? Where can I activate Game Mode on my Roku TV?
It’s easy by taking these 5 simple steps:
- Go to the input where you connected your Xbox.
- Press the Start button on your Roku remote.
- Select Picture Settings.
- Highlight Game Mode.
- Turn it On.
Then try it out.
If that didn’t work…
Then you can activate Variable Refresh Rate or FreeSync.
What are those, you ask?
First is the Variable Refresh Rate, which is a very cool feature on Roku TVs. It helps to reduce input latency and stuttering during your gameplay.
And FreeSync is created by AMD. And it’s similar to the Variable Refresh Rate. Plus, it’s also compatible with Roku TVs that support 8K UltraHD.
Note: Not all the Roku TVs have these 2 features. Check out the TV’s manual if your Roku TV has it.
Wanna know how to activate these 2 cool features? Take these 5 simple steps:
- Push the Home button from your Roku TV remote.
- Go to Settings.
- Go to TV inputs.
- Select the HDMI port where your Xbox is connected.
- Select and turn on the Variable Refresh Rate or FreeSync.
Bonus: Playing games with your Roku remote control
You don’t necessarily need an Xbox to play games.
You can also do it with the Roku remote control via a Roku device or Roku TV.
Simply use the buttons from the Roku remote control to control the game.
Now, truth be told, it’s not the same experience as with an Xbox…
Regardless, it’s fun enough to play on a lazy Sunday with a friend or family member.
To do that, take these 5 simple steps:
- Press the Home button from the Roku remote control.
- Go to Streaming Channels.
- Select Games.
- Search for a game and then select Add Channel to install the game.
- When it’s installed it’ll appear on the Home screen.
Then try it out.
Warning: Keep in mind that for some games you’ll need to pay.
Can you play Xbox on Roku TV without Internet?
You can play the Xbox on Roku TV without Internet.
You can download games, store them on your Xbox, and play them offline.
The same goes for games that you have as a game disc. They’re playable offline after you’ve installed them.
You can even set your Xbox offline.
For example for offline playing or if you simply don’t want to be connected to the Xbox service.
Here’s how to do it with these simple steps:
- Push the Xbox button.
- Go to Profile & System.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Go to General.
- Then select Network Settings.
- Select Offline.
And done.
The same steps you can take to go back online.
But, for some types of gaming like multiplayer or cloud gaming, keep in mind…
You’ll need to have an active internet connection.