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
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.