Roku Not Working in 2024: Roku Troubleshooting Guide

We understand how frustrating it can be when a Roku streaming device is not working. To help Roku users out, we’ve put together some Roku troubleshooting tips for common Roku not working issues, like no signal, no picture, video not playing, or unresponsive remote control. If you’re also dealing with this problem, don’t worry—just follow our guide to get your Roku up and running again.

Why Is My Roku Not Working

When Roku stops working, there could be several potential causes to consider, including an incorrect input source, insufficient power supply, a malfunctioning Roku remote, poor network connection, outdated Roku OS version, or even glitches in your TV settings. By systematically checking these factors, you should be able to pinpoint why your Roku isn’t working and resolve the problem.

How to Fix Roku Not Working

Here are some troubleshooting tips for your Roku device not working, from changing the HDMI input to checking the remote and even performing a factory reset. These actions don’t require any technical knowledge, and step-by-step tutorials are outlined below.

Fix 1. Check the Input Source

When your set-top Roku stopped working no signal, start by checking if there’s an issue with the input source on your TV, ensuring it’s set to the correct HDMI port. For example, if you plug your Roku device into the HDMI 1 port on your TV, then you need to select HDMI 1 as the input source in your TV input menu.

Does the Roku screen appear? If it doesn’t, check if the HDMI cable is intact and tightly connected to your TV and streaming device. If there is a different HDMI port available on your TV, test your Roku with this port, and choose the corresponding option in the input menu.

Fix 2. Change the Power Supply

To make things easier, many Roku users choose to connect the Roku’s power cable to the TV’s USB port. However, not all TVs have USB ports that provide the same level of power—some offer less power than others, and a few aren’t designed to supply power at all.

This can result in the Roku device not receiving sufficient power, which is usually signaled by a red LED or an on-screen warning message. If your Roku gives a red LED, please unplug it from the USB port on your TV, then plug it into the wall outlet for sufficient power supply.

Fix 3. Check Roku Services

When you run into Roku TV not working, you may have to check if Roku services go down, although this is not common. Websites like Downdetector track real-time outages for various services, including Roku. You can check their Roku page to see if there’s an ongoing issue in your area or globally. If Roku services are down, you have to wait for the outage to be resolved.

Fix 4. Restart Roku

A common tip for fixing Roku Stick not working is to restart the device. Therefore, restart your Roku to solve your Roku problems. Two methods are provided here to help you deal with different cases.

• Restart Roku from the Roku settings:

Step 1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote control.

Step 2. Go to Settings > System > Power > System Restart > Restart.

Step 3. Wait.

• Restart Roku with the remote (if Roku is frozen or stuck on the black screen)

Step 1. Press the Home button on the remote five times.

Step 2. Press the Up button once.

Step 3. Press the Rewind button twice.

Step 4. Press the Fast Forward button twice.

Fix 5. Disconnect All Cables

What to do if my Roku Stick is not working? Check the cables. Disconnect and then reconnect all cables, including the power cable, HDMI cable, and any other connected devices. Once you’ve connected everything, restart your Roku device.

Fix 6. Cool Down Roku

A red LED on Roku also signifies that the device is overheating. Roku overheating is also accompanied by an on-screen warning. If you see the red light or the warning, turn off your Roku or unplug it immediately. Let it cool down for at least 10 minutes (or longer, if needed) until it returns to a normal temperature.

Roku devices can overheat easily if placed on top of your TV, in a cramped space, or near other heat sources. To prevent this, make sure your Roku has plenty of ventilation and is placed in an open area.

Fix 7. Check the Remote

Is your Roku not working with remote? You have to see if the remote is the root cause. Most Roku prompts ship with IR remotes, but newer units like Roku Stick 4K have Wi-Fi models. The two models ask for different checking procedures.

If you have an IR remote, it requires a direct line of sight to your Roku streaming device. So, ensure there are no obstacles between yourself and your streaming device, and don’t forget to clean the IR emitter and receiver. Then, you may need to replace the batteries with two fresh ones for a stronger connection.

If you have a Wi-Fi remote, ensure its battery level is over 15% whether you replace its batteries or charge it. Then, reset your Roku remote and re-pair it if necessary:

Step 1. Unplug your Roku streaming device.

Step 2. Remove the batteries from your Roku remote and wait for about 10 seconds.

Step 3. Replug your Roku streaming device. When the Roku screen appears, insert the batteries back.

Step 4. Press the Pairing button or Back and Home buttons for five seconds.

Step 5. Wait for your Roku streaming device to detect the remote and finish the pairing automatically.

If your Roku streaming device is still not working with your remote, the remote may fail. You can use a virtual Roku remote alternative temporarily and control your Roku effortlessly.

Fix 8. Check the Network Connection

If you want to return your Roku device to your primary, personal account, you can sign out Guest Mode. You can do this at any time. After signing out, all your account information and details will be deleted. Follow the steps below to learn how to sign out:

If your Roku gives an excellent or good result, it means that the connection is functioning without issue, and Roku connected but not working may need to be fixed with the next solution. However, if your Roku has a poor connection, you may need to try improving it. A poor connection can result in playback issues or other unpredictable behavior.

How to improve the connection? You can try restarting your router. Furthermore, you can enable 5GHz wireless on your router:

Step 1. Get the address for your router’s control control, which can be found on the device itself.

Step 2. Type your IP address into your browser and enter your admin and password.

Step 3. Once logged in, enable 5 GHz.

Step 4. Go back to your Roku home screen, go to Settings > Network > Set up connection > Wireless.

Step 5. Find your 5 GHz network and connect to it.

Note: If possible, you can use an Ethernet cable—a wired connection is stronger and more reliable than a wireless connection.

Fix 9. Enable CEC on Your TV

Is your Roku not working on TV with the error message saying no signal? In this case, the official tip is to enable CEC on your TV. CEC allows your TV to automatically switch to the correct HDMI input when the Roku device is powered on. If CEC is disabled, your TV may not automatically detect that the Roku is sending a signal, leaving you with a “no signal” message on the screen.

Moreover, enabling CEC can improve communication between your Roku and TV and let your Roku control basic TV functions, like turning the TV on and off and adjusting the volume. So, enable CEC on your TV for a smooth viewing experience, and here’s how to enable CEC on TV:

Step 1. Go to your TV settings menu.

Step 2. Look for settings related to CEC, HDMI Control, or something similar. Different TV manufacturers give different names to the feature. It is often labeled as Anynet+ on Samsung, Bravia Sync on Sony, or Simplink on LG.

Step 3. Enable the CEC feature and save the settings.

Fix 10. Disable Auto Power Saving on Roku

Another official tip for Roku troubleshooting no pictures is to disable Auto Power Saving on Roku. Auto Power Saving is a feature designed to help reduce energy consumption when your Roku device is not in use. However, every coin has two sides—the feature causes the Roku to stop sending a signal to the TV, resulting in a “no signal” or “no picture” effect on the screen.

Therefore, check if the feature is enabled on your Roku:

Step 1. Press the Home button on the remote control.

Step 2. Go to Settings > System > Power.

Step 3. Under the Power settings, look for Auto Power Saving.

Step 4. If it is enabled, toggle it off.

Fix 11. Update Roku OS

As mentioned above, the Roku box not working might be caused by outdated firmware. So, check if your malfunctioning Roku device is running the latest Roku OS version. Press the Home button on the remote control, go to Settings > System > Software update > Check now. Then, your Roku device will start checking for available updates and updating the system automatically.

Fix 12. Factory Reset Roku

The last tip for Roku troubleshooting is meant to factory reset the device. A factory reset is often used as the last resort as it can destroy all settings and data on an electronic device. If there is no important data on your Roku device, perform a factory reset now:

Step 1. Press the Home button on the remote control.

Step 2. Choose Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset.

Step 3. Confirm to reset your Roku and enter your PIN.

If you can’t access the Settings menu due to your Roku not turning on, locate the Reset button on your Roku TV. Then, press and hold the button for about 12 seconds.

Conclusion

This Roku troubleshooting guide could be helpful when your Roku is not working due to improper settings or glitches. If you can’t get Roku to work with the solutions above, there might be internal hardware failure. You can contact Roku Support for further assistance. Don’t forget to send your Roku model number and what you have tried to them, then they could help you diagnose your issues quickly.

Roku Not Working FAQ

Q: Why would Roku suddenly stop working?

Roku may stop working due to a poor network connection, a software glitch, or hardware issues like a faulty HDMI port or power supply. Restarting the device or checking the cables can often resolve this.

Q: Why won’t my Roku TV load anything?

If your Roku TV won’t load, it could be due to a poor internet connection, an outdated software version, or a temporary system issue. Try restarting your router and Roku TV to fix the problem.

Q: Why is my Roku not letting me open apps?

If apps won’t open on Roku, it could be due to a network problem, outdated software, or corrupted app data. Try restarting Roku, updating the software, or reinstalling problematic apps.

Q: Do Roku devices go bad?

Yes, Roku devices can eventually wear out due to age, overheating, or hardware failure. Common issues include unresponsive remotes, HDMI problems, or frequent crashes.