After months or years of consistent use, your Roku device might send you a “running out of storage” notification. And, unless you create additional space, you won’t be able to install new channels on your device. Fortunately, freeing up storage capacity is very easy.
If your Roku device doesn’t have enough space or memory, you can easily add more with a MicroSD card. Or, you can try upgrading the device, as the storage problem could stem from a program error. If nothing else works, a factory reset can clear all available space on your Roku.
This article will address why your Roku is low on storage and memory and how to resolve each possible cause. We’ll also discuss how to add more storage to your Roku device by deleting channels you don’t use and installing an additional MicroSD card.
Roku Saying Not Enough Space
Generally, when your Roku claims “insufficient space,” you’ve exhausted the device’s default memory. In certain instances, though, this is a legitimate system bug that you can fix with little to no effort. If you want to narrow down the reason, forcing a restart is a great first step!
To use the remote to reboot your Roku device:
- Push the Home button.
- Press the Home key five times.
- Push the up arrow once.
- Push the rewind key twice.
- Press the fast forward switch twice.
Forcefully rebooting the Roku system can resolve any temporary storage issues that are preventing apps from launching. If the problem continues, proceed to the next phase in troubleshooting; it wasn’t just a bug!
Roku Not Enough Memory
Another frequent error message on Roku devices is insufficient memory to install additional channels or run an app. In this scenario, it’s best to disable all channels that display the alert. After that, factory reset your device using the measures below.
- To begin, click the Home button.
- Choose the channels you want to delete using the navigation buttons.
- Press the Star button on your remote.
- Pick Remove channel and select Yes when prompted.
- Wait for the apps to uninstall fully.
- Press the Home button on your controller.
- Pick Settings by scrolling up or down.
- Select System.
- Select Advanced System Settings.
- Press the Factory Reset option.
Or, you can reboot your Roku by pressing the reset button on the back or bottom. On specific devices, there’s a switch, while others have a pinhole button. For pinhole versions, you’ll need to stick a pointed tool into the hole to trigger the button.
Hold down the reset button firmly for approximately ten seconds. When the factory reset process is complete, the Roku system may rapidly blink.
Once the interface resets, re-add the channels and check to see if you fixed the problem.
How Much Space Is on a Roku?
Due to the variety of Roku models, their storage capacities vary greatly. Generally, your Roku will have between 256MB and 2GB of memory. The following list summarizes the storage capacities of popular Roku models:
- Roku Ultra 4640: 1GB
- Roku Streaming Stick: 1GB
- Roku Ultra 4670: 2GB
- Roku Ultra 4800: 2GB
However, this number isn’t equal to how many channels and apps your device can store. Roku’s later versions have improved restrictions on the number of platforms that you may add.
How To Check Storage Space on Roku
To check storage on a Roku TV, navigate to ‘Settings’ from the home screen. Select ‘System’, then ‘About’. This section displays the Roku TV’s total storage capacity and the amount used. For a more detailed breakdown, use a third-party Roku app or check the specific channel’s storage usage under ‘Manage Storage’ in the ‘System’ settings.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on May 18, 2021.
It’s important to note that Roku TVs do not typically provide a detailed breakdown of storage usage by each app or channel directly on the device. To get a more detailed view of how your storage is being used, you may need to download a third-party Roku application designed for this purpose. Additionally, some Roku TVs include a ‘Manage Storage’ option under the ‘System’ settings, where you can check the storage usage of individual channels and remove channels you no longer need to free up space. Keep in mind that the availability of these features can vary based on the Roku model and software version.
How Do I Free Up Space on My Roku?
There are four primary ways to increase the available storage on your Roku device:
- Update the Roku unit.
- Factory reset your device.
- Clear your device’s cache.
- Delete channels and other applications.
Update the Roku Unit
The simplest approach is to update the device. Certain versions experience memory glitches. However, Roku upgrades can address any technical problems and free up some storage in your unit. Here’s a guide explaining how to update a Roku device:
- Push the Home button.
- Navigate to the Settings section.
- Select System.
- Choose System Update.
- Click Check Now with your controller.
By default, the Roku player automatically scans for software changes. But you might have an uncertified channel on your device. If you do, the system may not search for newer updates, which may cause storage issues.
However, if this doesn’t improve the device’s memory, you may have simply depleted your system’s storage. Uninstalling a few programs should do the trick.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 18, 2021.
Clear the Roku Unit’s Cache
The Roku temporarily stores data in memory for quicker access. After several hours of use, this data will consume an immense amount of space on your device.
To clear the Roku’s cache, press the following buttons on the remote:
- Press Home 5 times.
- Push the Up button once.
- Hit the Rewind key twice.
- Press Fast Forward twice.
Then, the screen will go blank for a few moments before the player restarts.
Delete Channels You Don’t Use
One method for creating more storage on a Roku device is to delete channels. Before doing so, go through all of the channels and determine which ones you need.
After that, follow the steps below to uninstall a channel from Roku.
- Navigate to the Roku Home page.
- Choose My Channels.
- Navigate to the channel you want to delete.
- On the remote, press the asterisk.
- Select the Remove Channel option.
- Select OK.
How To Add Memory to Roku
By adding a MicroSD card, you can increase the amount of internal memory available for channel and game installation on your Roku device. Roku suggests using a Class 2 or higher MicroSD card with a minimum of 2GB capacity for optimal performance.
You’ll need to insert the MicroSD card into the player’s back panel to supply the extra memory. When it locks into position, you should hear a click.
To fit the SD chip on specific models, you’ll have to detach the HDMI cable from the back of the Roku player. You can then reattach the cable to the device once you fit the card.
After installing the card, perform the following steps to format it:
- When the dialog “MicroSD card found” appears, choose Format. This move will purge the microcard of all existing records and data.
- Choose to Continue and begin the formatting process.
- Once the formatting completes, select OK.
It’s also worth noting that you cannot transfer channels stored on the micro SD card between Roku players. Did you move a used card to another Roku player? If so, the system will reformat the MicroSD, and you have to reinstall the previous channels.
Other Tips for Operating Your Roku Device
Once the storage is clear, it’s essential to hold onto an adequate amount of space while also enjoying your unit. The tips below will guarantee both:
- Store additional programs on a USB drive.
- Consider using the primary storage available for the most often utilized apps.
- Pay attention to the apps that you download. Uncertified channels can harm your unit and experience; avoid them.
- Before extending the storage, perform a test on the SD card. On occasion, malicious software is hidden on cards, which may corrupt your unit once fitted. You can test the card on a separate device that you don’t use regularly.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 18, 2021.