On the covered Roku streaming device, 013 means Roku's Wi-Fi page lists 013, with 012, under “Ethernet cable issues”. First, unplug the Ethernet cable, wait 10 seconds and plug it back in. Then: Roku's steps: try a different Ethernet cable, or use Wi-Fi instead.
Differential
Likely causes of “Roku streaming device code 013”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The Roku has an Ethernet cable issue
What separates it 013 shows on a Roku connected by cable
How to confirm Unplug the Ethernet cable, wait 10 seconds and plug it back in
- 2
A bad or loose Ethernet cable
What separates it The cable is loose or damaged
How to confirm Try a different Ethernet cable
- 3
A router port that is not working
What separates it The port is dead
How to confirm Try another router port
- 4
The router is offline
What separates it Other devices cannot get online
How to confirm Restart the router
- 5
An Ethernet connection is not needed
What separates it Wi-Fi is available
How to confirm Use Wi-Fi instead
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- That the code is 013
- Which cable and port are used
- Whether other wired devices work
- The Roku model
Try in this order
0 of 11 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleUnplug the Ethernet cable, wait 10 seconds and plug it back in.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleRoku's steps: try a different Ethernet cable, or use Wi-Fi instead.
Unplug the Ethernet cable
ReversiblePull it out at both ends.
Wait 10 seconds
ReversibleRoku says to wait 10 seconds before reconnecting.
Plug it back in
ReversibleMake sure it clicks at both ends.
Try a different cable
ReversibleIf the error stays, swap the cable.
Use Wi-Fi instead
ReversibleRoku offers Wi-Fi as an alternative.
Restart the router
ReversibleUnplug it for 30 seconds.
Test the cable on another device
ReversiblePlug the same cable into a laptop or another device and see whether it gets online, which tells you whether the cable or the Roku is at fault.
Try a different router port
ReversibleMove the cable to another port on the router, in case the first one has failed.
Restart the router if every port fails
ReversibleUnplug the router for 30 seconds and plug it back in, so that the ports reset.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The code on this page
- Error 013, an Ethernet cable issue.
- Parts involved
- The cable, the port and the router.
- Roku's guidance
- Try a different cable or use Wi-Fi.
- Why a wired connection fails differently
- An Ethernet connection either works or it does not, and there is no signal strength to weaken. Error 013 therefore points at the cable, the ports at either end or the router, which makes it easier to track down than a Wi-Fi fault.
- Wi-Fi as a stopgap
- Roku's own advice is that you can use Wi-Fi instead if you cannot sort out the cable. Switch the Roku to Wi-Fi in Settings, Network and set it up as a wireless connection, and you can return to the cable later when you have a spare one to test.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Roku's steps are to try a different Ethernet cable, or use Wi-Fi instead
- !If both fail, contact Roku support
- !Test the internet on another device
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does 013 mean on a Roku streaming device?+
Roku's Wi-Fi page lists 013, with 012, under “Ethernet cable issues”.
How do I fix it?+
Try another Ethernet cable, or use Wi-Fi.
Is the Roku faulty?+
Usually not.
What does 012 mean?+
It is listed with 013.
Can the router cause it?+
Yes.
Is 012 the same as 013?+
Roku lists the two together under Ethernet cable issues, and the same steps apply to both.
Which cable should I use?+
A standard Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable of modest length works well.