Roku is the perfect choice for anyone who wants unlimited access to movies and TV shows. Of course, it’s not much fun if it doesn’t work. Sometimes Roku will not turn on, or you continually get notified the power is low.
If Roku power is low, use only the power cord and adapter that came with Roku. Using the USB port will not provide enough power for the Roku device. Also, make sure the network connection is strong and stable.
Any issues with the Roku are inconvenient because we find out there’s a problem when we’re trying to relax. If you are experiencing issues with the Roku not powering on or not having enough power, this article will help you to fix those problems.
Roku Won’t Power On
The biggest frustration with Roku is when it will not turn on. It’s hard to diagnose the issue and then troubleshoot anything if it doesn’t turn on. We’ve got you covered, though.
Roku won’t power on if the power adapter or USB cables are loose or in the wrong port. An update that is missing or if old data from a previous update is lingering will prevent the Roku from operating correctly.
Updates are crucial to every electronic device. This is how they receive the latest information to perform better and receive more enhanced security features. If an update is old, the outdated data lingering in the software will affect how it operates.
Roku should automatically update on its own but it is not uncommon for updates to be slow in installing or, in the case of a power outage, to be interrupted. You can update Roku by following these steps.
Step 1: Using the Roku remote, press the Home button.
Step 2: Go to Settings.
Step 3: Go to System Settings.
Step 4: Go to System Update.
Step 5: Select Choose Now.
If you are not able to access the Home page of Roku, there are three other options you can try. One is resetting Roku by pressing a sequence of buttons on the remote. The other is by factory resetting Roku. And finally, you can reset Roku by pressing the reset button, if your Roku device has one.
Remote Reset
This reset requires you to press a specific sequence of buttons on the remote. The sequence seems silly to follow but it is actually a method of communication between the remote and Roku’s software. It will take a few minutes, but it is minutes well spent.
Step 1: Press the Home button 5 times.
Step 2: Press the Up button 1 time.
Step 3: Press the Rewind button 2 times.
Step 4: Press the Fast Forward button 2 times.
Factory Reset
A factory reset of Roku should be only done as a last resort. Performing a factory reset will remove all information that you have saved within Roku.
All of your saved personal preferences and channels will be erased. Roku will be wiped clean and returned to its original factory default settings, just as when you purchased it.
While this type of reset is intimidating to some, it is the most efficient if other steps have not worked. Removing all saved preferences and data will also force any pending updates and clear out any bugs with the hardware.
If this is something you want to try, the steps outlined below will help you do a factory reset.
Step 1: Using the Roku remote, press the Home button.
Step 2: Go to Settings.
Step 3: Select System.
Step 4: Select Advanced System Settings.
Step 5: Select Factory Reset.
Step 6: Follow any on-screen instructions to complete the reset.
Reset Button
This step was not mentioned earlier because not all Roku TVs or streaming devices have one. This button will, essentially, be similar to the factory reset mentioned above. Everything you have saved will be deleted and Roku will reset to its original factory default settings.
Locate the Reset button either on the Roku TV or streaming device or stick. Press and hold the button for 30 seconds. The power indicator light on the Roku device will start flashing when the reset is complete. Once the light starts flashing, release the reset button.
Roku Keeps Saying Low Power
When you are sitting in your favorite chair, watching your favorite movie, you don’t want to see a pop-up box saying “Low Power”. You quickly inspect the power cord and it’s plugged in. What could the problem be?
Roku will keep saying low power if you are using a USB cable to connect the Roku to the TV. Disconnect the Roku from the USB port on the back of your TV. Reconnect the USB to the Roku adapter and plug the Roku into a wall outlet.
Roku streaming devices and sticks, on average, only use a small amount of energy but if they are not correctly connected or you are not using the correct charging port, you will receive a low power warning or see a blinking red light.
The reason why the USB port is the culprit is that it can only produce so much wattage. The problem comes in when Roku requires 4.5 watts while streaming but the USB port on the TV only provides 2.5 watts.
If the power supply is too low, you will also experience Roku constantly crashing. One way to get around this problem is to use the power cord and adapter that come with Roku.
Connecting the Roku adapter to a wall outlet also means Roku does not need to power up every time the TV is turned on. Roku will already be on and will run faster because it is not connected to the TV for power.
Roku No Power Light
The power indicator light is how we know Roku has power. It might seem like a little thing for the light to not work but it could be indicative of something that requires our attention.
If Roku has no power light, this means there is insufficient power being supplied to the TV or streaming device. If using an older USB cable, the cable may not be strong enough to support the power exchange needed.
Power Cords
Determining if the power cords are the reason why there is no power light on the Roku is pretty easy to identify. The cords will be physically damaged or even unplugged.
Power Adapters
The power adapter is what transmits the electrical signals to the Roku TV or streaming device. If the power adapter is not working, there will be no power light.
Before you consider buying a new adapter, make sure the current one you have is tightly attached. A loose connection will prevent those electrical signals from turning the power indicator light on.
Power Outlet
Connect Roku to another power outlet and see if the light comes on. If Roku is connected to a power strip, unplug Roku from the power strip and plug it directly into a wall outlet. The power strip may be causing a reduced supply in power.
Roku Error Insufficient Power
You have taken all the steps mentioned above because of the Low Power warning but now you are being notified that there is insufficient power. Don’t stress. Here’s why this is happening.
If you receive a Roku error insufficient power message, the problem lies with the USB connection. USB ports only provide a small amount of power to the cable. Different USB ports supply different amounts of power. Try using a different port to see if another one works better.
Many people use Power Extensions and HDMI cables to pair their TV and Roku device together. This may seem like a good idea but these extension cables can actually cause the Roku device to overheat.
Roku Won’t Work After Power Outage
Power outages are tough on our electronic devices. The surge in returning power can cause the Roku to freeze. Information that was being transmitted before the outage is lingering while new information is trying to come in. The result is a Roku that won’t work.
The first place to troubleshoot is the internet connection. Make sure both the router and modem have power restored. Once they are powered on, make sure Roku has a network connection.
You can check Roku’s network by following the steps outlined below.
Step 1: Go to the Roku Home Page.
Step 2: Go to Settings.
Step 3: Select System.
Step 4: Select Advanced System Settings.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on January 31, 2022.
Step 5: Select Network Connection Reset.
Step 6: Select Reset Connection. This will remove all your current Wi-Fi connection information.
Step 7: Go back to Settings and select Network.
Step 8: Select Set Up A New Connection.
Step 9: Follow the on-screen instructions to sign back into your network.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on January 31, 2022.
If Roku won’t work after a power outage, turn off the Roku TV or streaming device and disconnect from its power source. Let the TV or device rest for at least 30 seconds. After 30 seconds, plug the Roku TV or device back in.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on January 31, 2022.