Getting Roku in Jersey to recognise UK Channels
Recently I picked up a Roku Streaming Stick to add SmartTv channels (netflix, iplayer, 4oD, ITVplayer,etc) to my rather dumb bedroom TV. It seemed like the best option as the TV is currently wall-mounted and there are no shelves/power sockets nearby that are free. This meant that an AppleTV was out of the running, as was the full Roku players. The Chromecast looked interesting but not having any Android devices, I decided on the Roku Streaming Stick.
It wasn’t the smoothest of setups. Firstly I couldn’t get an authentication code to be generated. Then after solving that issue, (I’d assume) due to being in Jersey, Channel Islands, none of the UK channels appeared which defeated the point of getting one! After some initial troubleshooting, it wasn’t apparent whether it recognised location based on GeoIP or the billing details of the account so I got in touch with Roku Support. The response was quick and managed to fix the issue. So it seems to be determined via which account setup page you use, which in turn would be decided by GeoIP on the computer you setup your account.
I’ve included the steps they provided me with for anyone else that has this issue.
- Unlink the Roku player from your existing account.
- Deactivate your Roku account.
- Please visit the following link through different browser window and tab:-
https://owner.roku.com/signup-nocc/gb
When you get the payment information page, scroll down the page to the bottom and click on ‘Skip, I’ll add later’. - Once you have completed the account creation.
Go to ‘Roku Home Screen’ on TV and click on ‘Channel Store’ >> ‘Get Started’.
You will get a new activation code on TV screen. - Go to your Roku account through your PC.
Click on My Account (at the top right corner).
Scroll down the page to the bottom, click on ‘Link a Device’. - Enter the link activation code displaying on TV screen.
Click on Submit. - Choose/Check your favourite channels and click on ‘continue’.
EDIT – Apparently step 3 may no longer work. Will update this tutuorial if anyone manages to find another workaround…
thanks for the tip. It worked beautifully
Tried – failed. There is no option to ‘Skip, I’ll add it later’ Guess they must’ve changed that then…
Your link just redirects to https://my.roku.com/index. Waiting to see what Roku support turn up with but I’m not hopeful – hey ho.
Robin
(Alderney, Channel Islands)
Sorry it didn’t work for you Robin. Hopefully Roku Support will be able to help out – they were pretty decent when I spoke to them.
you just need a UK VPN now to get roku working 🙂
Roku support very unhelpful, re-insisting that geographic restrictions from content providers meant their hands were tied; I pointed them to forums that state they can and do help people get around this and they then said they’d help however they then cut the connection and I have been unable to get an online support session to work since… They did give me the current NO CREDIT CARD signup link though: https://my.roku.com/signup/nocc
Would love to know if anyone else gets a workaround without resorting to a VPN…
Sorted… Had same issues,ev was about to send it back then had a brainwave. Entered Jersey details but re registered using ‘tunnellbear’… So re set your Roku, factory reset. then download ‘tunnelbear’ This allows you to mask your IP address and set it to a UK address. Once you have set up and registered all should work OK. Enjoy.