The Digital Living Network Alliance is a feature that allows the user to share and access their media files (i.e., videos, audios, pictures) between DLNA-enabled devices. It provides an easy way to stream the videos you have stored on your Windows PC/Laptop through your big TV screen. To that point, it’s a quick method to share your entire media library from your computer on your other streaming devices. Luckily your Roku device comes with DLNA streaming support. If you wish to know how to use DLNA on Roku, read on for its step-by-step guide below.
Related: How to stream DS Video on Roku
How to Watch Local Video Files via DLNA on Roku
Connect your Roku device and Windows PC/Laptop under the same Wi-Fi network and then follow the below procedure to stream local video files via DLNA on Roku,
1. First of all, you’ll need to install Roku Media Player Channel on your Roku device
- Click the “Home button” on your Roku remote,
- Navigate to the “Streaming Channels” option.
- Then, select “Search Channels.”
- Enter Roku Media Player and search for the app.
- Choose the Roku Media Player from the search result.
- Click on Add Channel to install Roku Media Player to your Roku TV.
2. Turn your PC/Laptop into a DLNA server.
1. On your Windows PC, click on the Action Center icon from the lower right corner.
2. Click on the All Settings option and select Network & Internet.
3. Select the Ethernet or Wi-Fi option.
4. Next, click on the Network and Sharing Center option.
5. Click on the Media Streaming options.
6. Next, select the Turn on media streaming button.
7. On the Next window, enter the name of your media library and select the OK button.
3. Watch local video files on Roku.
Open the Roku Media Player channel on your Roku device; you can quickly search and play any local video files that you’ve added to your Windows PC/Laptop.
NOTE: You must ensure that your Windows PC and Roku device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Otherwise, you can’t stream local videos from your PC to Roku TV.
Related: How to watch IPTV on Roku
Alternative Methods
Other than the DLNA option, there are also some other options to watch your personal media files on Roku. Let’s check out!
Plug-In a USB Drive for playing media files
Some Roku devices come with USB drive supports. So if your Roku device has this feature, in a sense, you can make use of it to easily play the video files stored on your USB drive. To do that, just follow the below steps,
1. Connect your USB device.
Make sure your USB drive is formatted with any one of the file systems like HFS+, EXT3, EXT2, NTFS, FAT32, and FAT16. And then connect it to the USB port on your Roku device.
2. Search for video files on your USB drive
1. Open the Roku Media Player app on your Roku device.
2. Select the Video tab.
3. On the next screen, ensure that there is an icon for your USB drive highlighted.
4. Once you ensure that, click on the Asterisk button on your Roku remote to display all the video files that you’ve stored on your USB drive.
[Note – If needed, use the Scan option on this screen to fetch the video files on a USB drive.]
Mirror your Windows screen
Play any video files on your Windows PC/Laptop, then head to Action Center > Project > connect to wireless display and select your Roku device. Once connected, that video content you’ve played on your Windows will get mirrored on your Roku device screen. [Note – This method only works on Windows 10, 11, and 12]
Related – How to get Plex on Roku.
Plex is a popular media server by which you can get instant access to all your personal media collection on your Roku device.
FAQs
DLNA Media Server on Roku allows us to discover nearby DLNA-supported devices and by which we can stream videos from local Windows PC/Laptop on your Roku TV screen.
DLNA player is not an application. Instead, it’s a built-in feature with your Roku streaming devices.
Check the Wi-Fi network connection between your Roku and Windows devices. And ensure that your W-Fi network is properly configured on your Roku TV.