Have a Roku or Roku Streaming Stick 4K that’s giving you problems? We explain how to fix the most common Roku issues in minutes — no tech support needed.
Roku devices are reliable and fairly inexpensive, but that doesn’t mean they’re invincible. Maybe you’ve noticed that your Roku device hasn’t been working as fast lately, or you’ve encountered a glitch or two with some of your favorite apps. In this guide, we’ll break down how to fix the majority of your Roku problems, as well as diagnose some quick fixes for other problems you’re likely to encounter while using a Roku TV or other Roku device.
Most problems on a Roku, especially those that involve freezing or operating glitches, can be solved through one of the following:
Restarting your Roku
Updating your Roku
Factory resetting your Roku
If you already know how to do these operations, you can proceed with them, or check our more specific fixes further below. Otherwise, keep reading for a step-by-step method of completeing each one.Restart your Roku device
Many Roku problems can be quickly solved by a restart. Here’s how to get that done:
Step 1: Scroll up or down and select Settings.
Step 2: Select System and then Power.
Step 3: Depending on your device, you may not see a Power selection. If you instead see System restart, select that instead.
Step 4: Use the remote’s directional pad to highlight the Restart button and press OK. Your Roku device will now restart.Restart your frozen Roku
Sometimes, your Roku streaming device will simply freeze up, and the remote appears to be completely unresponsive. When this happens, you can often restart the device without needing the on-screen menus. To do this, follow this button-press sequence on your Roku remote precisely:
Step 1: Press the Home button five times.
Step 2: Press the Up arrow one time.
Step 3: Press the Rewind button two times.
Step 4: Press the Fast Forward button two times.
Step 5: After a few seconds of completing this sequence, your Roku should restart.
And if your Roku won’t even respond to these commands, a third option would be to completely disconnect the device from power. Unplug, wait about 10 seconds, and then reconnect the power cable. Once your Roku restarts, grab your remote to check if your device is responding to button prompts again.Update your Roku
If a restart doesn’t help, your software may be the problem. Roku software updates usually happen automatically in the background, without any need for you to take action. But now and then, this process doesn’t work and it’s a good idea to check and update your Roku OS manually. If you’re experiencing problems, it’s always a good idea to check the status of your Roku software before moving on.
Step 1: Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
Step 2: Scroll up or down and select Settings, then System, then System update.
Step 3: This screen will show you the current software and build version and the date and time it was added to your Roku. Select Check now to manually check for updates.
Step 4: If an update for your software or your installed channels is available, it will be downloaded and installed automatically and your Roku will reboot. It’s very important that this process is allowed to complete without interruptionFactory reset your Roku
A factory reset is a thermonuclear option for fixing problems. As the name suggests, it returns your Roku device to the same state it was in when you pulled it out of the box. This means that all of your settings including downloaded channels and network preferences will be wiped out. As such, we suggest keeping this one in your back pocket for when everything else fails.
Step 1: Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
Step 2: Scroll up or down and select Settings, then System, and Advanced system settings.
Step 3: Select Factory reset, Factory reset everything, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
The above steps assume your Roku is still responsive and gives you the option of using the on-screen menus. If it doesn’t, switch to plan B by using the physical reset button on your device (see below).Use the physical buttons to factory reset
On some Roku products, like the Streaming Stick+ 4K, the reset button can be pushed with your finger. On set-top devices like the Roku Ultra, it’s usually a recessed button that requires a paperclip or other small, pointed object to press.
Once you’ve found it, make sure your Roku device is powered on, then press and hold the Reset button firmly for about 10 seconds. The indicator light will blink rapidly on most Roku devices when the factory reset is complete.How to fix Roku remote control problems
Roku devices come with two different kinds of remote controls. One kind is what Roku calls a “Roku simple remote” — it uses an infrared (IR) light to send commands and it might have direct line-of-site to your Roku device.
The second kind is the “Roku voice remote,” which can be identified by the presence of either a microphone or magnifying glass button on it (simple remotes do not have this). Voice remotes are enhanced “point-anywhere” devices that use a wireless connection to send commands, and it doesn’t need to be pointed at your Roku device at all.
Before you try to fix problems with your Roku remote, you should figure out which one you have.
Alternatively, you can always try downloading the Roku Remote app from the iOS or Google Play store. The app allows your phone to function as a Roku remote and might provide a solution if your remote is damaged beyond repair.How to solve issues with the Roku simple remote
IR remotes need to be able to “see” the Roku device they control. Almost all problems with IR remotes stem from the remote not having a direct line of sight to your Roku device. Most of the time, IR signals can bounce off walls and ceilings to reach their target, but even then, if your Roku device is stuck behind another object, those IR signals won’t make it.
Step 1: When seated wherever you normally watch TV, if you can see the entire front side of your Roku device, you should be fine. If you can’t, move the Roku until you can. Never place a Roku device that uses an IR remote behind your TV or inside a cabinet.
Step 2: The remote’s batteries also can be a problem. If the remote works well sometimes, but not all the time, try pulling the batteries out and replacing them. That might fix a problem with a poor connection.
Step 3: Weak IR signals can be another problem. Think of an IR remote as a flashlight that shines a light that you can’t see. If the batteries are old, that light will be too weak. If the batteries are really depleted, the remote might not respond to button presses at all. Try replacing the batteries with new ones.How to solve issues with Roku voice remotes
These remotes are a bit more sophisticated, so there are several ways to troubleshoot their operation. The first step is to try the same battery tricks as above — remove and replace them, or simply install new ones. You may also wish to pair and reset your Roku remote.
However, the latest Rechargeable Voice Remote Pro that comes with the Roku Ultra and Streaming Stick 4K+ do not have removable batteries, for this one you should make sure it’s fully charged and that your Roku is running the latest OS (see above).
For standard voice remotes with batteries, if removing or replacing them doesn’t help, the next step is to restart both the Roku device and the remote:
Step 1: Remove the power cable from the Roku device.
Step 2: Remove the batteries from the remote.
Step 3: Plug the Roku device back in, and wait for it to finish booting up — you should see the home screen.
Step 4: Reinsert the batteries into the remote and wait about 30 seconds. The remote should now respond to button presses.How to re-pair your Roku voice remote
If the restart procedure above doesn’t fix your problem, you may need to pair the remote again to your Roku:
Step 1: Remove the power cable from the Roku device and remove the batteries from the remote. If you have a Roku Rechargeable Voice Remote Pro, read on.
Step 2: Plug the Roku device back in, and wait for it to finish booting up — you should see the home screen. Then, reinsert the batteries into the remote (rechargeable remotes excluded), but don’t replace the battery cover yet.
Step 3: Press and hold the pairing button inside the battery compartment (or in the case of the Rechargeable Voice Remote Pro, it can be found on the back at the bottom) for three seconds or until you see the pairing light on the remote begin to flash.
