The Roku is a great video streaming solution, but some users have experienced problems where it freezes up from time to time or reboots itself. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue.
1. Update Software
Ensure you have the latest and greatest software for your device.
- Press “Home“, then go to “Settings” > “System” > “System updated” > “Check Now“.
2. Restart
Sometimes a good restart is all you need.
- Unplug the power from the rear of the device, then wait about a minute before plugging the Roku back in.
3. Replace HDMI Cable
Some HDMI cables may cause problems. Try a different HDMI cable. If you have more than one HDMI port on your TV, you may also want to try the other port. It may seem strange, but it actually works in some cases, especially if you have a Vizio TV.
4. Factory Reset
Try starting fresh by performing a factory reset on the Roku. You can perform a factory reset one of two ways.
Factory Reset Option 1
- Press “Home“, then go to “Settings” > “System” > “Advanced system settings” > “Factory reset” > “Factory reset everything“.
Factory Reset Option 2
- Press and hold the reset button on the back or bottom of the Roku box for about 20 seconds.
5. Contact Support
If none of the above steps solved your freezing and reboot problems, you may want to contact Roku for support.
- Call 855-766-2988. Support is available 24/7
Cynthia luttrell says
None of the fixes you have suggested so far have worked on my new express+, I am no longer a Roku fan and am sorry I recommended it to others, I just have to remember to hit the ok button every couple hours to avoid the program being interrupted and putting me back to the app I was watching.
Lianne says
Can’t even get through factory reset without my Roku stick
crashing and resetting! Every time it starts to “update” apps, it crashes half way through! Sooo annoying. Must of visited roku.com/link dozens of times! I only did the reset due to it crashing all the time! ROKU PLEASE ADVISE AND SORT THIS PROBLEM OUT!!! 😕
ROY EIGHMEY says
For those of you with the old Roku 2, I was also having freeze issues. Roku did a system update about a month ago and the Roku 2 had issues after that, so you may want to consider replacing that model with a newer one. I bought the 4k ultra model and it has frozen up and restarted a few times also but I think I need to upgrade my hdmi cable, since it is the same one I was using on my Roku 2 model. Hope this helps.
Patricia says
My roku express+ keeps going black and then goes back to the home screen while I am trying to watch a movie or video! How do I solve this problem?
Chris Lynn says
Make sure the Roku is not being blocked by firewalls and security settings of your router. I use the Disney Circle, and it was blocking some channels and freeze/reboot on others. After setting Roku as an unmanaged device, all problems resolved.
David says
Let’s face it. Fire TV is more expensive and well worth the extra money. YouTube Tv I now has a proper app on fire. Problem solved
Huff says
Phone number for Roku Support is outdated. Cannot find a number for them anywhere. My Roku 2 keeps freezing and restarting by itself. I have tried restart and factory reset and it still isn’t fixed.
Carol says
Our Insignia Smart TV is almost 2 years old. Since new it has constantly rebooted itself, primarily while watching Sling TV. We can usually watch other channels/apps with no problems. It is So damn irritating! Plus I feel like money is being wasted every month on apps that don’t function properly. Is there truly a fix? I have spent countless hours each month with various tech support persons trying to alleviate the issue, but no one seems capable of completing the task to my satisfaction….i.e. It stops turning off randomly. It is now happening about every 5 mins. Irritating! About to try other services.
Ms Polly Smith says
My Roku tv constantly jumps off of a movie every 5-10 min,sometimes a little longer back to the home screen, can’t watch a movie all the way through,what causes this & how do i fix it had it since April of this year,
Stuart Revercomb says
Our Roku TV did fine with an Xfinity box but as soon as we cut the cord and tried to use it as a streaming TV it does nothing but re-boot over and over every 15 minutes. Worthless. Can’t believe a major system like this would leave so many customers hanging. Selling my Roku stock (which sure has done well this year – somehow) and tossing my TV today.
robert tallent says
to fix all problems with roku tvs dont buy i have a 55 rca roku tv watching a show or movie it gos to the home screen on its own first roku tv i had i hate it my lg smart tv is better for me.
Ethel says
Getting sick and tired Roku slow loading, reloading all day long. Had Roku TV for about a year and cannot watch picture without loading several times throughout a movie. Thought I would be able to watch free movies, not so because can’t enjoy movie. No more Roku for me.
Mark Moore says
I agree with Count Vondreck. There is a design problem with the Roku stick. I have the Plus version. (Model 3810X). It’s *brand new*, it’s plugged directly in (no cable issue), directly powered w supplied wall-wart, and fully up to date (version 9.1.0 build 4111-50).
It reboots all the time (at least once a day), and it tends to loose sync between audio and video before it barfs on its shirt.
Does anyone from Roku know what’s going on??
Count Vondreck says
The Roku stick has a problem with freezing etc, you don’t want to admit there is a design problem. Look how many have this freezing and crashing of this device. Fix it!
I hate the stick.
Gary says
I have this problem. In my variation, playback freezes about the same time every evening. I wonder if Roku is sending out a re-start signal to clear up some operating issue. I don’t use the box except in the evening so, it may be restarting at other times during the day; I wouldn’t know that. I only have been watching the Criterion channel, too, so I don’t know if it happens with other channels. Seems unlikely that a cable causes restarts at the same time every day.
Becky says
Problems with Roku loading itself — LOADING……… in the middle of shows. I did everything reset Roku, reset my network and everything. However, I know it is not my network because I am on the computer with no issues it is Roku. Researching other devices because I have no idea what else it could be. I would like to watch a movie or a show without it interrupting and loading issues.
Seems I am not the only one with these issues.
Hannah says
Our roku less than 2 months old. Constantly rebooting itself. What’s up Roku? System up to date. Manual reset. Plus factory reset and still constantly rebooting itself several times daily.
Not happy at all!
Natasha Laster says
I did all the requirements it said to do if my roku keeps freezing. I only have the original video to hdmi cords and even bought a new one. Is there anything else I can do?
Barbara says
I’m so frustrated that I can barely breathe!! My Roku is horrible, it freezes kicks me off and the picture quality looks like a 60’s home video. I thought this was the answer to getting rid of cable, but I’m ready to toss this out!
Neil says
Have a ROKU 4 about a year old. Never had this freeze problem until a month ago Locks up. Spins have to reset. 8 to 10 times a day. Done all the trouble shooting with out any results. Seems to me to be a roku problem.
Nathan Swann says
Not only did my Roku device SUDDENLY start rebooting, it also started showing the “low power” which suddenly started all at once. This is the result of our economic leaders discovering the “planned obsolescence” principle, which means that rather than making good, long lasting products, companies now build products with a sort of “shit to bed” expectancy so that we’ll all go out and purchase replacements.
ROKU should take responsibility for their lousy product, another company should move in and take their customers, and we can all sit back and watch – TV – and then their bankruptcy.
Fallon says
I’ve had my Roku for a long time and it didn’t give me any problems until recently. I can barely get through one episode of Princess Jellyfish without it rebooting now.
Jennifer says
My Roku is an older 2 version because of the tv I have, I am paying for Philo and Netflix etc. And I used to only get booted off once every few days, now especially today, it has done it 15 times so far. Any idea on how to fix it? I’ve tried all above steps except calling support because I disabled it and it said 15 to 20 min wait time. I’m on pre paid mins and couldn’t do it. Isn’t there a chat help line somewhere?
Bob Stanton says
My Hisence Roku TV keeps jumping out of what ever I am watching when I am going thru channels, it goes to Sling TV and wants me to download it, I did download it and it goes to Sling TV now. I did a complete reset twice, I think it is in their latest software download.
Bryan says
Same issue as many other people. My roku freezes up and has to be restarted in order to work again, Very frustrating. Can’t even contact roku, their line is busy every time I call.
Dolores C Nieto says
I have a TCl roku tv worked fine and now it’s like frozen no sound no volume can’t get
Anything on the screen in. Order to change things you need to get into it like settings canto that
Crystal says
Purchased roku tcl tv back around Christmas 2017. It hasn’t given us any problem until we connected to the internet and did the update. Now it reboots every day. Freezes, shuts off, then shows the 1st red screen, goes black again, then the red screen again THEN I can resume my streaming.
Koman says
I’ve tried all the listed except calling support on every Roku device I’ve ever owned.
I have come to speculation that it is more likely a design flaw in the operating system on the Roku.
Anthony Kirkland says
I been having trouble with Roku express YouTube video keep buffering
Michael Bryner says
I believe that the company needs a fix and new update because seems like all their devices do this. Google shows massive amount of people with these devices no matter what size or model has the reboot issue. I have not seen a new update for almost a year now. Mine it the 32 inch from Walmart that was on sale around October 2017 for 135 dollars.
Stephanie says
It does not work! Ours freezes and boots us off several times a day! Super frustraiting when your in the middle of a work out too!
julie Inman says
My Roku reboots it self several times a day on many different channels. I did find that unplugging and waitin for 5 minutes did help for like an hour! My Roku didnt do this when I first got it. I beleive it’s something in their programming. My Roku spends more time rebooting itself than streaming!
A says
Did all the trouble shooting recommendations more than once and it still does it………almost daily!
Joe says
Roku Premeire+ started doing it in less than a month of owning it. Reboots at random. No rhyme or reason for reboot. Factory resets and reboots don’t help. Something is wrong with the unit.
Frank says
No. It worked last month but this is my third cable and Factory reset does nothing except me have to re enter all my passwords and waste my fucking time. I even changed back to original background and disable screensavers. This is bs. Just starts doing it after a year with no problems. And I’m not buying a fourth cable. It ain’t the cable. It ain’t needing a reset. It’s just a flaw and they better email me a workaround BESIDES THE ABOVE or I’ll quit using their crap
Viertel says
@Kathy
….it’s a *FACTORY RESET*. What did you think was going to happen?
Heather says
Yes it sure did work! Thank you, i have a roku 2 and a VIZIO TV and it kept kicking me out of tv apps a and would only play certain tv apps. I did the reset button on back of the roku for 20 sec and unplugged all thr cords. And then I switched HDMI cord and it worked!
kathy says
A warning about what effects a Factory Reset has would be helpful here for option 4.