

The question “how to turn off Roku” may seem trivial at first glance, but it is a topic worth exploring in depth. Many users find that simply pressing the power button on the Roku remote does not always yield the expected results. This post delves into the various methods for powering off different Roku streaming devices, providing you with a thorough understanding of your options.
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How to Turn Off Roku Devices?
Roku has established itself as a leading brand in the streaming device industry, offering a wide range of products that cater to various user needs. Known for their user-friendly interface, extensive app support, and affordability, Roku devices have become a household favorite.
The Roku streaming family is huge, including many models such as Roku Ultra, Roku Express, Roku Premiere, Roku Stick, Roku 4, and Roku TV. People prefer these Roku products but have questions about how to properly turn them off, which this post aims to address with detailed tutorials:
- How to turn off Roku Stick?
- How to turn off Roku TV?
- How to turn off Roku Express?
How to Turn Off Roku Streaming Players?

The Roku Voice Remote some Roku streaming players have is designed with a power button, but the button is used to turn off the TV instead of these Roku devices. For example, a user on Reddit shared the experience with the Roku Stream Stick 4K, stating that the power button on the remote was intended to turn off the TV, not the Roku device:
I bought a Stream Stick 4K to use with a projector on the patio. The remote is paired and every function works except for the power button. I chatted with support and they told me the power button isn’t intended to control the Roku but is for the TV.
Roku streaming players are designed to be always on, ensuring they are updated with new software and allow for quick boot times. However, this can lead to confusion when users attempt to turn off their devices.
Although these Roku devices are designed to be always on in a low-power standby mode, ready to quickly resume streaming, they can be powered off by cutting the power cord.
If you plug a Roku Express into a wall outlet, unplug the device, and it turns off. if you power a Roku device through a USB port of a TV, turning off your TV will turn off it too. When you turn off your Roku device, it won’t be able to connect to the internet and download updates until it is powered back on. This is an important consideration for maintaining the latest software and features.
How to Turn Off Roku 4?

Roku 4 is a specific model of Roku streaming player, released in 2015. It gives you more power management compared to other Roku streaming players:
Step 1. Press the Home button on the Roku remote to access the homepage.
Step 2. Navigate to Settings > System > Power > Power off. This lets you turn off Roku 4 right away.
If you have no Roku remote for some reason, you can still get to the settings menu by using a Roku remote app. The app works to turn your smartphone into a multifunctional Roku remote via the same Wi-Fi network connection.

Download Remote for Roku TV
Step 1. When the Roku device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network, launch the remote app on your smartphone.
Step 2. Tap the top bar to set up a connection to your Roku device by following the on-screen instructions.

Step 3. Once connected, tap the buttons on the remote app’s interface to reach the Power off option.
How to Turn Off Roku TV?
Roku TV also gives you more control, and there are many methods available to turn off Roku TVs. Here three common methods are included to turn off the Roku streaming device effortlessly.
Press the Power Button
How to power off Roku TV? The first way to power off Roku TV unsurprisingly is to press the power button on the remote or the TV.

The power button is always on the top of the Roku remote, and once you press the button, the TV turns off, but the Roku system itself may remain in a low-power state, allowing for quick boot times and updates.

If you prefer to use the physical power button on the TV, its location may vary depending on the brand. On Roku TVs made by manufacturers like TCL, Hisense, or Onn, the power button can usually be found on the bottom, back, or side of the TV.
Well, how to turn off Roku without power button and remote? If your Roku TV is mounted on the wall, it will be difficult to reach the physical power button. Or if you prefer a digital method, you can try one of the following ways to turn off the Roku TV.
Set the Power Option
Alternatively, you can power off your Roku TV by choosing the power button from the settings menu. Here’s the how-to process:
Step 1. Press the Home button on the Roku remote and head to Settings > System > Power > Auto power savings.

Step 3. There are two options available, and choose the one you need.
- Reduce power after 15 minutes: it will put the TV into a low-power mode after 15 minutes spent idle.
- Turn off after 4 hours: it will turn the TV off after four hours spent idle.

Unplug the Roku TV
Unplugging the power cable from the power outlet is one of the ways to turn off Roku TV. But note that this is generally not recommended as there are some considerations:
- Abrupt power loss: Unexpected disconnections may be difficult for TVs designed to remain powered on to handle, which could result in software errors or require reauthorization of streaming apps when powered back on.
- Thermal cycling: Frequent unplugging and re-plugging can cause thermal cycles, which may stress internal parts over time.
Certainly, unplugging Roku TV can be done if necessary. If the TV is unresponsive or experiencing issues that cannot be resolved normally, unplugging may be necessary as a last resort to reset the TV. It may be worth investigating the underlying issues causing unresponsiveness if you find yourself needing to unplug the TV frequently.
How to Exit Roku and Go Back to TV?
Turning off Roku might be necessary for several reasons. Some Roku users may want to reduce overall electricity consumption, although Roku devices generally use an almost negligible amount of power, while other Roku users may switch to regular TV programming, decluttering their viewing experience.
How to switch from Roku to TV? The switching process is straightforward:
Step 1. When the TV remote is pointed or paired to the TV, press the Input or Source button on the TV remote, which will typically bring up a list of all available input sources on your TV screen.

Step 2. Browse the list, highlight the input corresponding to your regular TV source (like TV/Antenna for over-the-air channels), and press the OK button to confirm the input switch.
By following these steps, you can seamlessly transition from Roku back to watching regular TV. If you encounter any issues, refer to your TV’s user manual for specific instructions, or ensure that all devices (such as your cable box or antenna) are powered on and properly connected.
Wrapping Up
While Roku devices are designed to remain in standby mode for convenience and updates, knowing how to power them down completely can help you save energy and maintain your devices better. To turn off Roku TV or Roku 4, you can go to the Settings menu and choose the Power option; as for other Roku streaming players, cutting their power cables from the power source will turn off them.
If you have any further questions about Roku devices or need assistance with specific issues, feel free to reach out or consult the Roku support website for additional resources. Happy streaming!
How to Turn Off Roku FAQ
Q: Where is the power off button on Roku TV?
Roku TVs have a physical power button located on the back or underside of the TV. It may be placed on the left side, right side, or directly underneath the TV.
Q: Can Roku TV turn off by itself?
Yes, Roku TV can turn off automatically under certain conditions:
- You can set a sleep timer on the TV to automatically turn off after a specified period. To do so, on the homepage, go to Settings > System > Time > Sleep timer and choose a time interval (half hour, 1 hour, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, or 3 hours).
- You can enable the Auto power savings option from the Settings menu, which allows the TV to automatically turn off after a period of inactivity.
Q: What happens if I unplug my Roku TV?
Unplugging your Roku TV can turn off the TV immediately, which may troubleshoot minor issues such as freezing or unresponsiveness but also cause some bad effects if the TV is dealing with tasks. The effects include:
- Loss of unsaved data: any unsaved settings or paused content will be lost.
- Settings and data retention: most settings, preferences, and account information will be retained, as these are stored in the cloud with your Roku account.
- Pended software update: if a software update was in process, it would be interrupted. The update will either resume or restart the next time the TV is powered on.
Generally, unplugging the TV is not recommended unless it is in special cases, such as freezing or unresponsiveness. It’s better to press the power button to turn off your Roku TV.
Q: Does Roku need to stay plugged in?
Roku streaming players are designed to be always on, ensuring they can periodically receive software updates to improve performance, add new features, and enhance security. In other words, keeping Roku plugged in ensures it can download and install these updates as they become available.
You can also unplug your Roku device if it suffers some issues, like freezing or unresponsive.