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Roku Signal Problem (How to Troubleshoot)

Roku is a really well known device used for streaming and using apps on your TV. An issue that can occur with your Roku is that the screen won’t display anything, and instead it will say ‘No signal’ with an HDMI icon. Here’s how to troubleshoot this problem to get your Roku to work again, and to stop this from happening.

As a general rule, you should check the HDMI cable is in working condition by trying another HDMI cable, reset your TV, and reset your Roku. After that try your Roku on a different device if you have one, check for a Roku system update, and do a network connection reset.

Couple watching TV

Each of these steps is a bit tricky without further explanation, but swapping out the HDMI cable for a spare one you have is pretty self-explanatory. In this article I will cover how to perform each of these steps to fix either the HDMI signal or the network (WiFi/ethernet) signal on your Roku device.

Roku Signal Problem (How to Troubleshoot)

Electronic devices often require a few troubleshooting steps to get to the bottom of what the issue is. Sometimes you can try the first one and it fixes the problem straight away, other times you need to try a few steps until the problem is fixed. Here’s the steps to take to troubleshoot your Roku device when you’re getting a no signal error, or are having a signal problem.

There are a few steps to take, start by checking that the HDMI cable from your Roku to your TV is plugged in correctly, and try a different HDMI cable. If it’s still having a signal issue, restart your TV, and your Roku. Then do a network connection reset, and check for a Roku system update.

I’ve included detailed steps for how to do each of these steps below. Each step can fix the problem, so after doing each step, see if the signal problem is still happening. And if not move on to the next step.

1. Check the HDMI cable is plugged in and try a different cable

One of the most common issues that has a very good chance of fixing this error is if the HDMI cable has come a bit loose, or has become faulty. The HDMI cable plugs in from your Roku device to your TV. It’s possible it was bumped and it’s slightly loose, or the cable has failed and you need a new one.

To make sure your HDMI cable is working properly and plugged in, unplug it on both ends. Before plugging it in, inspect both ends to see if there is any visible damage to the connections. After that plug it in again, making sure it’s plugged in all the way on both ends.

After that, see if the signal problem persists and if it does use a different HDMI cable and swap it out for your existing one. If you don’t have a spare HDMI cable laying around, take one of your other devices if you have one. Swap the HDMI cable you’re currently using for another one.

Skip trying a different cable and come back to it later after trying the steps below. Rather than running out to the store or ordering a new one because it’s very likely one of the other fixes below will solve the issue.

2. Restart your Roku device and TV

A very effective method for fixing issues on electronic devices is to restart them. It’s surprising how well this works to solve any issues. Therefore, this is one of the first steps you should do when you’re having a signal issue on your Roku.

Disconnect the power to your Roku device by unplugging it at the wall outlet. It’s also possible your Roku is powered by being plugged into the USB port on your TV. If that’s the case pull the USB cable out to disconnect power to your Roku device.

After disconnecting the power give it about 1 minute, then plug it back into the power and power it back on using the power button. Also, it can just power up by itself. After that test it out to see if the signal error is fixed, if not then also restart your TV.

Restarting a TV is done in the same way by disconnecting the power. Turn your TV off, to put it in standby mode. Then unplug it from the wall. Then wait, for about a minute, plug it back in, and power it on again.

3. Make sure your TV is set to the right HDMI channel

Most TVs have more than one HDMI port at the back. These are labeled HDMI1, HDMI2, and the numbers increase based on how many HDMI ports there are. For your TV to display the signal from your Roku it needs to currently be on the HDMI port that your Roku is plugged into.

For example, if your Roku is plugged into the HDMI1 port, your TV will need to be on the HDMI1 channel for it to display the Roku signal. Otherwise, you can get a no signal error. The easiest way to check is to cycle through the different HDMI ports using the remote for your TV.

The button on your remote to do that is usually ‘source’ which is located near the top of the remote. Alternatively, you can see what HDMI port your Roku is plugged into by taking a look at the back of your TV. The HDMI port it’s plugged into will be labeled HDMI 1, 2, or 3.

Make sure the channel your TV is on is the same as the channel your Roku is plugged into. This is a very easy mistake to make but will completely stop your TV from showing the signal from your Roku.

4. Factory reset the network connection in the settings on your Roku

It’s common for network connections to have a glitch. If you delete the network and then add it again it can completely restart the connection. This will cause the network to work perfectly again.

However, this step only works if you have a signal from your Roku device. For example, you can see the menu on your Roku device and navigate around the different apps. If you have no signal at all, then skip to the next step.

Otherwise, to delete the connection and re add it go to the ‘Settings’ on your Roku device. Then select:

  1. System
  2. Advanced system settings
  3. Network connection reset

5. Plug the Roku power cable into the wall outlet not the USB on your TV

There are a few different kinds of USB ports on TVs. They provide different amounts of power. A Roku device needs a certain amount of power to work properly.

A Roku can also be plugged into the USB port on your TV to give it power rather than the wall outlet. It’s possible your Roku is being powered by being plugged into the USB port on your TV rather than the wall outlet. Check and see how your Roku is getting power – whether it’s plugged into the wall outlet or not.

If it’s instead plugged into a USB slot on your TV and isn’t plugged into the wall outlet at all then plug it into the wall outlet instead.

6. Check for a pending software update for your Roku and your TV

There are periodic updates that come out every so often on a Roku, and on TVs. If the software on your TV or your Roku is out of date, it can conflict with the other and cause an issue with the internal components.

Such as the HDMI port. Therefore, you should check both to see if there is a pending update.

To do that on a Roku device go to the Settings on your Roku device. Then select System > System update > and then check now.

This will check if there is any update and then notify you so you can install it. Otherwise, it will say that the current operating system is the latest version.

Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on May 2, 2022.

To update the software on your TV does differ by model. But, it will always be in the Settings, and under something like ‘System’, if you’re having a hard time finding it then do a Google search to see how to do it for your specific brand of TV.

7. Restart your Internet router

Internet routers, also sometimes called WiFi routers, are notorious for freezing or having an error and needing to be restarted. Luckily, it’s very easy to do. Simply unplug your internet router from the wall outlet, or pull out the power cable at the back of your router.

Wait for about a minute or so and then plug it back in. It takes about 5 to 10 minutes for an internet router to turn on, and reconnect to the internet. Then see if your Roku is now working properly.

7. Try your Roku device on a different TV if you have one

It’s possible your TV has a glitch that is stopping your Roku from working. TVs have an internal computer, and like other electronic devices that can freeze. Restarting is a good fix to try which we did previously.

But if you have another display device that has an HDMI port such as another TV, or another computer monitor, then try plugging your Roku device into that and see if it works. If it does then you know for sure it’s an issue with your TV. Therefore, you should do a factory reset on your TV as explained in the next step.

8. Factory reset your TV

This is a bit of an extreme measure and it will revert your TV back to the default settings. It can be an issue if you use your TV as a Smart TV AND use your Roku device. For example, you might have some apps on your TV that you’ve installed and frequently use.

You will need to download these again after doing a factory reset. You can also have specific contrast and brightness settings that you’ve set. After doing a factory reset you will need to adjust these again.

The option to do a factory reset on your TV is typically hidden in the settings so that it’s not accidentally selected. To see how to do it, it’s best to do a Google search for your specific make and model of TV.

Roku No Signal

Flatscreen tv in the living room

A Roku plugs into the HDMI port, connects to the internet, and plugs into a wall outlet. If you’re getting a no signal error it’s always because there’s an issue with the internet or with the HDMI port. To solve the issue where your Roku device has no signal follow the instructions in the summary below.

Overall, begin by checking the HDMI cable is plugged in on both ends all the way. After that, ensure you’re on the right HDMI channel on your TV, then check for a system update on your Roku TV, and restart your Roku and your TV.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on May 2, 2022.

These are the main steps that are very likely to solve the issues. Each of these steps has been explained in step by step detail at the start of this article. After these steps there are also additional steps that also can solve this issue.

Scroll to the top of this article and start with ‘step 1. Check the HDMI cable is plugged in and try a different cable.’ And do each step after that one by one until you’ve got the signal working from your Roku.

Roku Poor/Weak WiFi Signal Strength

Man watching TV

The WiFi strength of your Roku device is important for streaming video seamlessly and without the video from stopping and starting, also known as buffering. The WiFi signal can have an issue and you need to take a few steps to make sure it’s as strong as it needs to be. Here’s what to do to make sure your Roku WiFi signal is as strong as possible.

As a general rule, start by restarting your WiFi modem by turning it on and off again and waiting for 5 minutes. After that check if the WiFi signal strength is strong. If not, do a network connection reset in the settings on your Roku. Following that restart your Roku, and your TV.

I explained how to do a network reset near the start of this article. Scroll to the top of this article and look for step ‘4. Factory reset the network connection in the settings on your Roku.’

But, before doing that do step 2 above which explains how to restart your Roku device and your TV. If it still has a poor signal you may also need to try positioning your Wi-Fi modem closer to your Roku device. This may require getting a longer ethernet cable so that your Wi-Fi modem can reach further.

Roku No Cable Signal on HDMI

Flatscreen tv in the living room

The HDMI cable sends the video and audio signal from your Roku device to your TV. If you’re getting no cable signal from your Roku to your TV it can be caused by a few issues not related to the actual HDMI cable. Therefore, there are few troubleshooting steps to take to fix this issue, here’s what they are.

Overall, your HDMI cable is faulty or is not plugged in all the way on both ends. It’s also possible your TV is set to the wrong HDMI channel, for example it’s on HDMI1 but your Roku HDMI cable is plugged into HDMI2. Inspect the cable, and try a different cable, then do the steps below.

Each of these troubleshooting steps have been explained in step by step detail at the top of this article. Go to the top of this article, and start with step 1. Then work your way through each of the steps until you’ve got a signal on your TV/projector/monitor from your Roku device.

Roku Keeps Losing Signal

Confused man watching tv

There are two types of signal that your TV and Roku need to work, the HDMI connection from your Roku to your TV, and the internet connection from your WiFi router to your Roku device. If either of these have an issue or aren’t working properly and cause a loss of signal this is what causes it, and how to fix it.

In general, the major causes are the HDMI cable is faulty or not plugged correctly into the Roku and the TV. Inspect the HDMI cable and try a different HDMI cable if you have one. If it’s still losing signal then restart your Roku device, your TV, and check for a system update on your Roku and TV.

How to Fix/Improve Signal on Roku

Confused man watching tv

A Roku device sends an HDMI signal over the HDMI cable to your TV. It also requires a strong internet connection either over WiFi or an ethernet cable. If either connection is weak it will stop your Roku working properly. To fix and improve the signal on your Roku, follow the steps below.

As a general rule, the proximity of your Roku to your WiFi router is the major cause of a poor/weak signal. A WiFi booster device or a longer ethernet cable can be installed so that you can position your WiFi router closer to your Roku.

But, in general, a longer ethernet cable is cheaper and more reliable.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on May 2, 2022.

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