Roku Problems: Common Roku Problems and How to Fix Them

Rokus are amazing media-streaming devices. They are priced right, they encourage virtually every streaming support we could consider (and then some), plus they have one of the most peculiar and easy-to-use consumer interfaces out there. Occasionally however, your Roku device does not do exactly what you expect it to perform, or it just does nothing in any respect.

When it is a problem with the distant, the Roku device , or even a sneaky hidden gotcha such as a program compatibility difficulty, Roku problems can be bothersome when they pop up. The fantastic thing is that 99 percent of the time, there is a simple fix. Following is a listing of the most frequent Roku issues and how to fix these problems.

How to fix Roku problems:

How to resume, upgrade, and reset your Roku

Many Roku issues can be quickly solved with a resume, a software upgrade, or even in worst-case situations, a factory reset. Prior to continuing to some additional troubleshooting steps, try those first.

How to restart your Roku

Press the Home button in your Roku remote.
Scroll up or down and choose Settings.
Select System.
Select System Restart.
Utilize the distant’s directional pad right arrow button to highlight the Restart button and then press OK.
Your Roku apparatus will restart.

Occasionally, Roku apparatus will just freeze , and the distant seems to be entirely unresponsive. While this occurs, you may frequently restart the device without having the onscreen menus. To do this, follow along with button-press order in your Roku remote exactly:

Press that the Home button twice.
Press that the Up arrow one time.
Press that the Rewind button twice.
Press that the Quick Forward button twice.
After a couple of moments of finishing this arrangement, your Roku must restart.

How to upgrade Roku software

If a restart does not help, your software might be the issue. Roku software upgrades normally occur automatically in the background, with no requirement for you to do it. But now then, this procedure does not work. If you are experiencing difficulties, it is almost always a fantastic idea to confirm the status of your Roku software before continuing.

Press that the Home button in your Roku remote.
Scroll up or down and pick Settings.
Select System.
Select System Update.
- This display can show you the present software and build variant, and the time and date it had been inserted for your Roku.
Select Check Today to manually check for updates.
When an upgrade on your software or your installed stations can be obtained, it is going to be downloaded and installed automatically and your Roku will reboot. It is extremely important that this method is allowed to finish without interruption.

How to factory reset your Roku

A factory reset is your thermonuclear alternative for repairing problems. As its name implies it yields your Roku to exactly the identical condition it was in if you pulled it from the box. This usually means that all your settings for example downloaded stations and network preferences will soon be wiped out. Therefore, we propose keeping this one on your pocket for if everything else fails.

Press that the Home button in your Roku remote.
Scroll up or down and choose Settings.
Select System.
Select Advanced program configurations.
Select Factory reset.
Select Factory reset every thing and follow the onscreen instructions.

The above instructions assume that your Roku remains responsive and offers you the choice of working with the onscreen menus. When it does not, change to plan B using the reset button on your apparatus.

On some Roku goods, such as the Roku Streaming Stick and Streaming Stick+, the reset button could be pushed together with your finger. On set-top devices such as the Roku Ultra, it is normally a recessed button which needs a paperclip or other small, pointed object to press.

When you’ve discovered it, ensure that your Roku device is powered on, then press and hold the reset button firmly for approximately ten seconds. The indicator light will blink rapidly on many Roku apparatus once the factory reset is complete.

Roku remote management issues

Roku devices include two distinct sorts of remote controls. 1 form is the infrared (IR) remote and another is an improved”point-anywhere” remote. Prior to trying to correct issues with your own Roku distant, you need to find out which one you have.

Remove the battery cover from the back of the remote. Just under where the batteries sityou might come across a little button. If you do, you have got an improved”point-anywhere” remote. If you do not, yours is an IR remote.

For IR remotes

IR remotes will need in order to”see” that the Roku device they control. Virtually all issues with IR remotes stem out of the distant not having that guide line-of-sight for a Roku device. The majority of the time, IR signals can bounce off walls and ceilings to achieve their goal, but then, if your Roku device is trapped behind another thing, these IR signs will not create it.

When seated where you generally watch TV, even if you’re able to see the whole front of your Roku apparatus, you need to be OK. If you can not, proceed the Roku till possible. Never put a Roku device which uses an IR remote supporting your TV or within a cupboard.

The remote’s batteries may also be the issue. When the remote works well sometimes, but not all of the time, consider pulling out the batteries and substituting them. That might correct an issue with a bad relationship.

Weak IR signs can be an additional issue. Think about a IR remote as a flashlight that shines a light which you can not see. When the batteries are older, that light will probably be too feeble. When the batteries are extremely depleted, then the remote may not react to button presses in any way. Consider replacing the batteries with fresh ones.

For improved”point-anywhere” remotes

These remotes are somewhat more complicated, therefore there are numerous methods to troubleshoot their performance. The very first step would be to try out the identical battery tips as previously — eliminate and replace themsimply install new ones.

If this will not help, the next step is to restart either the Roku device as well as the remote:

Remove the power cable in the Roku device.
Remove the bolts in the remote.
Twist the Roku device back , and wait for it to finish booting up — you need to see the home display.
Reinsert the batteries to the remote and wait approximately 30 minutes. The remote must now react to button presses.

If the restart process does not fix your issue, You Might Need to re-pair the distant to your Roku:

Remove the power cable in the Roku device.
Remove the bolts in the remote.
Twist the Roku device back , and wait for it to finish booting up — you need to see the home display.
Reinsert the batteries to the remote, but do not replace the battery cover nonetheless.
Press and hold the matching button in the battery compartment of the remote for 3 seconds or till you find the pairing mild onto the distant start to flash. Based upon your remote, the matching mild may be beside the matching button, or onto the surface of this distant, near the base end. If the light doesn’t flash, then try again. If the light does not flash, consider replacing the batteries.
Wait for 30 minutes while the distant establishes a link with your Roku device.
You should then find the distant pairing conversation in your TV display.

In rare cases, wireless signal interference may cause difficulties with improved remotes. Should you have a Roku Streaming Stick or Streaming Stick+ plus they are plugged in an HDMI port on the back panel of your TV, an HDMI extender cable might help transfer the Stick from the primary body of this TV, thereby decreasing any disturbance the TV may be inducing. Should you have a Roku Streaming Stick, Roku will ship you these cables for free.

Additionally, it is possible that there is just a lot of congestion on the 2.4GHz frequency used by the remote to communicate with all the Roku. 1 method to address this issue is to change your Wi-Fi router into another radio station.

Another remedy would be to change your Roku to a router’s 5GHz system when it’s one.

Roku Wi-Fi issues

If you are experiencing degraded audio or video quality, general slowness of your Roku when reacting to orders, or you also see”not linked” at the upper right corner of your house display, you are likely dealing with Wi-Fi troubles.

Assessing Wi-Fi signal power is your very best place to get started. Check the status of your own Wi-Fi signal power by visiting Settings > Network. Assuming you are really connected to Wi-Fi, the signal power is going to be recorded as Excellent, Good, Fair, or Poor. When it’s reasonable or even Poor, you need to make an effort and enhance it.

Evidently, shifting your TV will not be a choice frequently, but you may still benefit from shifting the Roku itself. Consider repositioning it and see whether it helps. Roku Sticks are somewhat harder to reposition since they are usually plugged into the TV, however an HDMI extender cable may supply you with the excess drama you want to reposition them. Should you have a Roku Streaming Stick, Roku will ship you these cables for free.

When moving your Roku is from this question, think about transferring your Wi-Fi router, or correcting its outside antennas if it’s any. Even smallish adjustments to your router may have a large effect on how wireless signals move on your residence.

In case your Roku device has an Ethernet jack and you are ready to link it to an Ethernet cable, then this is a simple method to check if it is your Wi-Fi that is to blame.

A”not connected” message in your home display suggests that you are either completely outside your Wi-Fi system’s scope, or, you have entered the incorrect Wi-Fi password to your router. If your telephone, tabletcomputer, or notebook is connected through Wi-Fi — at the exact same general location as the Roku — which indicates a problem with the password. Assess your Roku’s network preferences and try again.

If you visit Error code 009, it usually means your Roku is connected to a router, but it can not get to the web. In case your other Wi-Fi apparatus are working normally, restart your Roku. If the other devices can not connect , try rebooting your router and modem, then restart your apparatus. If it fails, you need to contact your ISP.

Roku audio issues

Sound problems on the Roku, such as no sound, twisted sound, or audio dropouts, may be brought on by software settings or issues with your hardware or wires based on the complexity of your installation.

Before attempting any of these alternatives, we suggest you turn off your Roku and linked devices, unplug the power, wait 10 seconds then plug it back in and power your equipment on again. It seems absurd, but you would be amazed how many issues — such as sound problems — that can mend.

No sound in any way? Check your links and chosen inputs

(In case your Roku is a stick-style apparatus connected directly to a TV, you can bypass this part.)

Check to be certain that your HDMI, optical, or part wires are securely inserted to your Roku on the 1 end, along with your A/V receiver, HDMI switcher, or soundbar, on the opposite end.
Be sure all your parts are powered .
Verify that you have chosen the appropriate input your A/V receiver, HDMI switcher, or soundbar.
Check to find out whether your music part’s mute function is on (if it’s, turn it off).
Adjust the volume level in your audio part lower and higher to determine whether that makes any difference.

However no sound? Assess your Roku’s audio preferences

In case your Roku is linked to a A/V receiver or soundbar with a optical (TOSLink) cable, then try the following:

Press that the Home button in your Roku remote.
Scroll up or down and choose Settings.
Select Audio.
Establish HDMI and S/PDIF into Dolby D (Dolby Digital).

In case your Roku is linked to a A/V receiver, soundbar, or even TV through HDMI, attempt the following:

Press that the Home button in your Roku remote.
Scroll up or down and choose Settings.
Select Audio.
Establish Audio style to Stereo.
Establish HDMI into PCM-Stereo.

However no sound? Change your wires

It is fairly uncommon, but sometimes, your HDMI, optical, or part wires could be faulty. In case none of the measures so far have assisted, consider switching your cable out (s) with some other group. This may be frustrating in the event that you do not have an excess set useful, but the fantastic thing is that all 3 kinds are cheap and you may locate them in your community merchant or online.

Selective audio

At times, you will hear sound on some types of articles but maybe others. This is generally a compatibility issue with the audio format(s) you are trying to play along with the sound format(s) your connected equipment can support. If it occurs, try the exact same process as above for HDMI devices and in case you are using a optical (TOSLink) cable, then place HDMI and S/PDIF into PCM-Stereo.

You are anticipating surround sound but you are just getting stereo

Ordinarily your Roku can establish the capabilities of your TV, A/V receiver, or soundbar mechanically, but it needs assistance. If you are watching surround audio content that is presented in Dolby 5.1 or Dolby Atmos, however you can only listen to stereo sound:

Press Home in your remote controller.
Scroll down or up to Settings.
Select Audio.
Your Own HDMI (or HDMI and S/PDIF on Roku players using an optical connector) will probably be put to Auto Detect. Pick the option that matches the abilities of your TV, A/V receiver, or soundbar.
Channels may have their own discrete music preferences. By way of instance, Netflix may ask that you choose English (5.1) beneath Audio and Subtitles.

Garbled or twisted audio

We have seen reports, especially linked to this Roku Ultra, but maybe on other versions too, of garbled or distorted audio. A repair that seems to function in this instance, would be to start playback of the video that is desired, then:

Press that the Star or Asterisk (*) button.
Scroll into Volume Mode.
Select OFF by scrolling .

Sound and video are out of sync

Some customers have reported that their video and audio eliminate sync when enjoying content. Though somewhat counterintuitive, a fix that seems to work involves tweaking the movie refresh properties:

Press that the Home button in your Roku remote.
Scroll up or down and choose Settings.
Select System and select Advanced system configurations.
Select Advanced screen preferences.
Select Auto-adjust screen refresh speed and select Disabled.

Remember that while it has been proven to fix sound sync problems, it may also introduce some undesirable video issues like picture jerkiness. If it occurs, change Auto-adjust back to Enabled.

Roku video issues

Issues involving video quality such as loading, stuttering, or degraded detail can usually be traced straight back to a network link. Before going on, visit our section Wi-Fi issues . If your Wi-Fi link is secure, it is possible your internet program does not provide adequate bandwidth to the content you are trying to flow.

Roku urges a minimum download speed of 3.0 Mbps for standard definition as well as 9.0 Mbps for HD content. 4K HDR content will demand up to 25 Mbps. You can assess your real download rate here.

If your program provides the essential rate for the content you are trying to see, check to find out if anybody else in your house is utilizing high bandwidth software on your other apparatus. You might also need to look at your router’s management settings to find out whether there are some unknown apparatus using your link.

Manually correct your bitrate

If you have tried everything to address your own buffering issues and are prepared to throw in the towel, then here is yet another trick that may help.

Ordinarily your Roku will pick the ideal bitrate to use mechanically — one which matches with your network connection rate — however on rare events, placing this manually requires to take place. You do this via a hidden settings display:

In Your Roku distant, media Home five occasions.
Press reverse scan three occasions.
Press forward scan twice.
In the Bit Rate Override screen that’s displayed, select Manual choice.
Select a decrease bitrate and see if this solves the issue. Otherwise, repeat this arrangement and pick a lower bitrate.

Roku HDMI issues

Some Roku issues relate to using HDMI cables. When two or more devices connect via HDMI, they need to set a”handshake.” Broadly , once recognized, that handshake proceeds to govern the relationship without any difficulty. However, now and then the handshake does not occur when the apparatus link, or the handshake becomes disrupted.

While this occurs, it can cause many different issues from black displays to broadcasting video, to HDCP error messages. As with many troubles, a trusted fix is to force down everything, remove and reinsert the HDMI cable endings into every device, and then restart.

HDCP mistakes

HDCP mistakes that are not solved this manner might be an indication of another issue. HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection, also it is a means of preventing people from copying pictures and shows they flow on devices such as a Roku. But unless every device on your HDMI chain affirms exactly the exact same degree of HDCP, the video signal can not get through and you’re going to see an HDCP mistake.

As an example, if you are using a Roku Streaming Sticka Roku Ultra to flow 4K content from Netflix, then all your devices should support HDCP 2.2. But should you have some old A/V receiver or soundbar involving your Roku along with your 4K TV, then it might not be HDCP 2.2 compatible.

To test to find out whether this is the issue, try linking your Roku straight to your TV. If the issue goes away, that is a fantastic indication your middle device is not HDCP 2.2-compliant. Your decision at this time would be to adhere to non-4K material (just 4K demands HDCP 2.2), find a way to skip your A/V receiver or soundbar for movie (maybe using the HDMI ARC link in your TV), or update that centre apparatus.

Replacing cables

Even though rare, sometimes the HDMI cables themselves are the issue. If you are watching streaming movie, or no movie at all — or maybe video using”sparkles” — those can all indicate possibly faulty wires.

Before purchasing new cables, consider swapping your Roku’s HDMI cable using another HDMI cable you’ve got, as an evaluation. It is very unlikely both of your wires have difficulties, so if a person works, you know that you need to replace the one which does not.

There’s 1 situation where you might have to substitute a perfectly good HDMI cable. 4K HDR signals utilize a good deal of bandwidth much more than HD. Older HDMI cables may lack the essential bandwidth to transport all that information reliably between apparatus, particularly over longer distances such as 10 ft or longer.

If you guess this applies to a own situation, you probably should purchase a new, Premium High-Speed HDMI cable. But do not worry — they are relatively cheap and you can purchase them almost everywhere. Have a look at our whole HDMI cable purchasing guide.

Roku hardware issues

Roku apparatus are often highly reliable, but below are two scenarios where the hardware itself may experience difficulties.

Overheating

In case your Roku device sits on top of additional equipment or is situated in a poorly ventilated area, it may overheat. Should this happen, you are going to see an onscreen warning message appear in the top right corner of the display. Some Roku devices such as the Ultra and Roku Express have a front LED which can turn solid red when they overheat.

If your device overheats, instantly turn it off, then unplug the power and disconnect all wires. Wait at least 10 minutes prior to reconnecting it and hammering up it. If you find the sound red light or warning message , repeat this procedure. If it happens, you need to contact Roku since it might indicate a more severe issue with your apparatus.

Insufficient power

In case your Roku device is powered by USB — e.g. Streaming Sticks, and Roku Express — there is a chance it is not getting enough electricity.

This normally occurs when folks plug in their USB power cable to an available USB port on their TV or their A/V receiver. Regrettably, not all of USB ports deliver the exact same quantity of electricity, and a few are not meant to supply power in any way.

The very best approach to fix the”inadequate power” onscreen warning (or flashing red LED on front of Roku Express or Express+) would be to plug the USB cable to the USB power adapter that shipped with your device.

This adapter is intended to supply the total amount of electricity your Roku needs. If, after shifting into the enclosed adapter, then you still receive the inadequate power caution, you ought to try plugging the adapter to another power outlet. If you are using a power strip or a extension cable, consider plugging the adapter into a wall socket.

Roku app issues

The Roku program for iOS and Android is a must-have add-on to your cell phone. It can function as a substitute remote control, and you’ll be able to add/remove stations, use the personal listening feature, and throw videos and photographs from the mobile to your TV.

However, not one of these things will operate if the app can not find your Roku apparatus.

Your Wi-Fi system is probably at the center of the issue, so before going , consult the Wi-Fi issues section. If this does not help, here are a couple of things that you may try.

Make Certain your telephone and Roku are on Precisely the Same network

Some Wi-Fi routers allow you to produce a guest network that’s physically separated from your typical Wi-Fi system. It is possible your telephone or your Roku are utilizing these two distinct networks. If this is so they won’t find each other. Ensure both devices are using the specific same Wi-Fi system.

Most Wi-Fi routers produce two distinct networks for every Wi-Fi frequency band (2.4GHz and 5GHz). Though it should not matter whether your telephone and Roku are employing different frequencies (both groups share the identical subnet in your router devices can talk to one another), to be totally certain, put both your telephone and your Roku on exactly the exact same Wi-Fi frequency group.

Assess your Roku’s network accessibility

It is possible that community access to a Roku has already been disabled. Here is how to assess and fix:

Press that the Home button in your Roku remote.
Select Settings then System followed closely by Advanced program configurations.
Select External Control after which Network Access.
Make Certain Default or Permissive is chosen.
“Default” must work, but otherwise, try”Permissive.”

Still can not find your device? Consider linking manually

Within the Roku program, in the base of the device detection display (or inside the three-dots menu), tap Connect and input the IP address of your Roku device. You may get the IP address by visiting Settings > Network > Around in your Roku device.
Restart your Roku apparatus and make sure it’s linked to the proper wireless network.
Restart the Roku mobile program.
- On iOS apparatus with a house buttondouble click the Home button and then swipe on the Roku program to shut it. When it is closed, tap the Roku program icon to start.
- On iOS apparatus with no house button, swipe from the base of the display and slide your finger or thumb into the right in a continuous movement. Swipe via the listing of available programs until you locate the Roku program and then swipe on the program to shut it. When it is closed, tap the Roku program icon to relaunch.
- On Android apparatus, press on the Recents button and then swipe on the Roku program to shut it. When it is closed, tap the Roku program icon to relaunch