The Roku Streambar is a soundbar with a built-in 4K Roku streaming player, and screen mirroring to it, from an Android phone or a Windows PC with Miracast, or from an Apple device with AirPlay, depends on settings on both devices and on the network. Start with the Streambar's settings. On the Roku home screen, open Settings, System, Screen mirroring and check the Screen mirroring mode: Prompt asks you to accept a connection each time, Always allow lets paired devices connect without asking, and Never blocks it.
The checks in more detail
If it is set to Never, mirroring will fail, so choose Prompt. For Apple devices, open Settings, Apple AirPlay and HomeKit and make sure AirPlay is on, and check the AirPlay requires code setting, since a code on the screen must be entered on the iPhone. Then the other device. On Android, use the Cast or Smart View feature in the quick settings, pick the Roku and accept the prompt on the screen; Miracast works over a direct Wi-Fi link, so the phone needs Wi-Fi on though not necessarily on the same network.
On Windows, press the Windows and K keys and choose the Roku. On an iPhone or Mac, tap Screen Mirroring in Control Center or the menu bar and choose the Streambar, entering the code. The devices should be on the same Wi-Fi network for AirPlay; a guest network or a different band with client isolation will stop it. Move the phone close to the Streambar. If the picture lags or drops, the Wi-Fi is busy, so keep the Streambar and the phone near the router and use 5 GHz if possible.
Restart the Streambar by unplugging it for a minute, and update it in Settings, System, System update. Restart the phone or PC. Some apps block mirroring of protected content, so a black screen with sound in a streaming app is the app's own protection and not a fault. If mirroring never works, reset the screen mirroring devices list in the Roku settings and pair again. Contact Roku support with the model and the device you are mirroring from.
Differential
Likely causes of “Roku Streambar will not AirPlay, Cast or screen mirror”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Screen mirroring mode set to Never
What separates it The Streambar refuses connections
How to confirm Set it to Prompt or Always allow
- 2
AirPlay off or a code needed
What separates it The iPhone cannot connect
How to confirm Turn on AirPlay and enter the code
- 3
Devices on different networks
What separates it AirPlay does not find the Streambar
How to confirm Join both to the same Wi-Fi
- 4
A busy or distant Wi-Fi
What separates it Lag and dropouts
How to confirm Move closer and use 5 GHz
- 5
Protected content
What separates it A black screen in a streaming app
How to confirm This is the app's protection
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The device mirroring from
- The screen mirroring mode
- Whether both are on the same network
- The app that shows black
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedOpen Screen mirroring settings
ReversibleOn the Streambar.
Set the mode to Prompt
ReversibleOr Always allow.
Turn on AirPlay
ReversibleFor Apple devices.
Join the same Wi-Fi
ReversibleOr stay close for Miracast.
Restart the devices
ReversibleAnd update.
Reset the device list
ReversibleAnd pair again.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Miracast and AirPlay
- Both are supported.
- Mode
- Prompt is the safest choice.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If mirroring never works after a reset of the device list, contact Roku with the model
- !Check the app's protection
- !Update the Streambar
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I mirror to the Streambar?+
Use Cast, Smart View, Miracast or AirPlay.
Why is mirroring blocked?+
The mode may be set to Never.
Why a black screen in some apps?+
Protected content is blocked.
Do I need the same network?+
For AirPlay, yes.