Hulu is one of many streaming channels available on a Roku streaming device. Unfortunately, this channel is not immune to its problems and Roku users around the world have found it difficult to find solutions. If you are struggling with your own Hulu problems on a Roku device, this article contains many solutions that you can try.
Hulu may not work on Roku if your device in incompatible, WiFi is poor, firmware is out of date, the servers are down, the cache is full, or you’re signed in to multiple devices/ multiple profiles. If the sound or display does not work, it is usually Roku’s ‘Audio Mode’ or resolution settings.
I will explain these issues in much more detail below and have provided solutions to each of them. You can also find which Roku devices support the Hulu channel, in case yours is not listed.
Roku Hulu Not Working
Below are a number of general troubleshooting tips that tend to fix most issues with Hulu on a Roku device. Some issues are quite specific and may have a different solution, which you can find further down. If you’re unsure why Hulu isn’t working, try these tips first.
Reinstall the Hulu Channel
Reinstalling the Hulu channel serves many purposes. When you delete the Hulu channel and restart your Roku device, the cache will be cleared. I will discuss this in more detail below.
In addition to this, the latest Hulu firmware will be installed, fixing any bugs in the previous firmware. To correctly reinstall the Hulu channel, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Press the ‘Home’ button on your Roku remote.
Step 2: Highlight the Hulu channel.
Step 3: Press the ‘Options’ (*) button on the Roku remote.
Step 4: Select ‘Remove Channel’.
Step 5: Restart your Roku device (see below).
Step 6: Once the Roku has rebooted, select ‘Streaming Channels’ from the home screen.
Step 7: Open the ‘Channel Store’.
Step 8: Find and select the Hulu channel.
Step 9: Select ‘Add Channel’.
Restart Your Roku and Hulu Channel
The only way to restart the Hulu channel on your Roku device is by pressing the ‘Home’ button while the channel is open, and then selecting it again from the home screen. This may be all it takes to reload the channel correctly if it experienced a small start-up error.
You can also restart the Roku device through the Roku settings. This pathway is outlined below.
Settings > System > System Restart
Update Your Roku and Hulu Channel
You Hulu channel will be updated at the same time as your Roku device. The system update simultaneously searches for updates for all channels and installs them. This process occurs automatically once every day.
However, if you want to be certain that you are running the newest Hulu firmware, you can reinstall the channel instead. Otherwise, to perform a system update manually, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Press the ‘Home’ button on your Roku remote.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘Settings > System > System Update’.
Step 3: Select ‘Check Now’.
Perform a Hard Reset
Performing a hard reset on your Roku involves draining all residual power from the device. This will clear any unnecessary data from the Roku, including any temporary error codes.
This is a trusted and effective troubleshooting method because it does not erase any personal data or downloaded content. If you would like to perform a hard reset, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Unplug your Roku from your TV and from its power supply.
Step 2: Wait for 10 minutes while any residual power is discharged.
Step 3: Plug your Roku back into the TV and the power supply.
Step 4: Turn the Roku on.
Perform a Factory Reset
Performing a factory reset is incredibly effective. This reset will undo any changes you have made since purchasing the Roku device, returning it to the same condition it came in.
This means that all your downloaded content and saved preferences will be erased. For this reason, this should only be done as a last resort. Follow the steps below to perform a factory reset.
Step 1: Press the ‘Home’ button on your Roku remote.
Step 2: Navigate to ‘Settings > System > Advanced System Settings > Factory Reset’.
Step 3: Follow the prompts to enter the code provided and confirm the factory reset.
Step 4: Wait for the Roku to fully reboot.
Roku Hulu Login/Sign-in/Sign-out Problems
Hulu Keeps Logging Out
If you are consistently being logged out of your Hulu account on the Roku, it may be due to multiple profiles. If you are able to, try deleting all other profiles except the main one that you use. This should prevent the system from becoming confused.
In addition to this, users with multiple Roku devices may experience the same problem because the system assumes you are logged into the same device twice. However, this only seems to be an issue if both devices share the same name in the Roku app.
By changing the name of one of the devices, the system is able to identify that you are using a different device. Sometimes there may be an error when you attempt to do this, but proceed with your normal email address and it should let you continue.
Can’t Login to Hulu
If you are having trouble signing into your account, there are several troubleshooting tips to work through. First, make sure your user email address and password is correct by trying to log in on another device. Keep in mind that the password is case sensitive.
Next, you might need to check if your account subscription has expired or is on hold. It may be as simple as updating your billing details.
The other possibility is that your Roku is unable to connect to the Hulu servers. This could stem from issues with your own network, or the Hulu servers may be down.
You can check the status of the Hulu servers by calling Hulu support or by checking websites such as Down Detector. If you suspect your network is the issue, you can find a number of troubleshooting tips below.
Roku Hulu Not Loading/Opening
The Hulu app will not load or open if there are issues with your internet connection. Alternatively, you could try the troubleshooting methods above, but here you will find several ways to get your internet working again.
Internet Speed Test
The first thing you should do is check the speed of your internet, as well as the signal strength. This can be done through the Roku’s network settings, outlined below.
Settings > Network > Check Connection
Once you select ‘Check Connection’, the Roku will begin testing your internet. This will simply tell you if the internet is connected or not. If you want to learn the details, you will need to then select ‘About’ in the same network settings.
The ‘About’ section will provide you with the network details from the most recent check, including your signal strength and download speed. For the best results, your signal should be listed as ‘Excellent’. The ideal download speeds for Hulu are listed below.
· Standard Definition: 1.5MB/s
· High Definition (720p): 3MB/s
· High Definition (1080p): 6MB/s
· 4K or Ultra HD: 16MB/s
If you have poor internet connection or your download speed is not fast enough, you will find that Hulu may not load/open, videos will freeze or won’t play, you could have a blank screen, the Roku cannot connect to Hulu or you can’t even download the Hulu channel. If this is the case, you may want to consider the troubleshooting methods below.
Restarting the Modem and Router
Restarting the modem and router may be all that you need to get your internet up and running again. To do this in the correct sequence, follow the steps below.
Step 1: Unplug both the modem and router (if you have one) from their power source.
Step 2: Wait for at least one minute.
Step 3: Plug the modem back into the power and wait for it to reboot.
Step 4: Plug the router back into the power once the modem has fully rebooted.
Step 5: Wait for the router to fully reboot before testing the internet connection again.
Move the Modem or Router Closer
You may be experiencing problems in the first place if your modem or router is too far away from your Roku device. Ideally, they should be within 30 feet of one another. If you cannot move them any close, you may need to consider a WiFi booster.
A WiFi booster is a device that can plug into any wall outlet in your home. This is positioned between the Roku device and your modem/router to pick up the signal and extend it further. You can also use this to combat the WiFi interruptions mentioned below.
Check for WiFi Interruptions
There are many objects or signals in the home that can affect your internet without you even realising. Ideally, there should be none of the following things present in the home.
Realistically, we cannot remove all of these, so the best we can do is keep them to a minimum. The first type of signal interruptions come from other transmitting devices, listed below.
· Bluetooth devices, such as headphones.
· Other WiFi networks in the home or neighbourhood.
· Baby monitors or other radio devices.
· Microwaves
There are also objects within the home that do not transmit, but partially block the WiFi signal. The most common materials are listed below.
· Thick timber or concrete walls.
· Aquariums or other large bodies on water
· Hydronic heating systems
Keep in mind that your TV will act as another WiFi disruption. It is best to position your Roku beside or in front on the TV in an open area, instead of tucked behind it. This ensures that the TV will not get in the way of the WiFi signal to your Roku.
It is not possible to position the Roku Streaming Stick anywhere besides where the HDMI ports are. This situates this particular Roku device behind the TV. However, you can use a HDMI extender if you believe this is affecting your internet connection.
Use an Ethernet Connection
Another option for you is to user an Ethernet connection instead. Ethernet is wired internet, making it the most reliable and the fastest internet available on your network. If your Roku does not have an Ethernet port, you will need to find a USB adaptor to convert the USB port to an Ethernet port.
Once you have connected the Ethernet cable, you will need to change your Roku’s network settings. This simply involves selecting ‘Connect to a Wired Connection’, which you can find in the settings below.
Settings > Network > Set Up the Connection > Connect to a Wired Connection
Reduce Video Quality on Hulu
If you find your internet is too slow on the speed test and you have tried all the troubleshooting tips, you can choose to lower the streaming quality within the Hulu channel. This will make the videos appear poor quality, but will allow content to load faster than before.
You can adjust the quality of the video you are watching by pressing the ‘Settings’ (cog) button and selecting ‘Quality’. Try using the lowest quality and work your way up until you know you are streaming the highest quality for your internet. You can use the requirements outlined above as a guide.
Hulu Keeps Freezing/Crashing on Roku
The Hulu channel will keep freezing or crashing for a number of reasons. There could be firmware bugs or system errors that can be cleared by updating or resetting your Roku and Hulu. However, there are two likely reasons for your Hulu channel freezing or crashing.
If Hulu is freezing, this is most likely due to your internet connection. You can find troubleshooting methods to fix this above, including testing your internet speed. The stream will freeze when the buffer cannot download fast enough to stay ahead of the playback.
If Hulu constantly crashes, this is more likely due to the cache being too full. A cache is a temporary data storage that allows the channel to load faster the next time you use it. Too much data in the cache, or having outdated data, can cause the channel to crash.
This could also be cause by software errors or firmware bugs, but an overloaded cache is the most common. Unfortunately, you cannot directly clear the cache. However, you can still reinstall the Hulu channel, which is detailed at the beginning of the article, to achieve the same thing.
Roku Hulu Sound/Audio/Volume Not Working
General troubleshooting for your Roku device’s audio or volume not working can be found below. This should be the first few things to check.
· The volume is turned up on your TV, Roku or external speaker.
· The TV, Roku or speaker is not muted.
· The speaker (if any) is turned on and plugged in correctly.
The issue may also be caused by your Roku device. Make sure that the HDMI cable connecting the Roku to your TV is secure and not faulty. You ca test this by using it with a different device. You should also try different HDMI ports in the TV.
The other option is that your audio settings are not set correctly. Follow the pathway below to change the sound mode to ‘Stereo’. This is the most basic audio mode and is more likely to work than using the ‘Automatic’ function.
Settings > Audio > Sound Mode > Stereo
Roku Won’t Play Hulu
If your Roku won’t play Hulu, this is likely another internet connection problem. However, you can also try the basic troubleshooting methods at the beginning of this article.
Alternatively, some users have had success by logging out of their Hulu account and logging back in again. This is a simple process, and can be done by opening the ‘Account’ menu and selecting ‘Log Out’.
Roku Hulu Black/Blank Screen/No Picture
If you have a blank screen in the Hulu channel, it may still be loading. Failing to load suggests issues with your internet connection or the Hulu servers. However, you should also check that the HDMI cable for your Roku device is secure and not faulty, similar to if the sound had stopped working.
You can also try a different resolution for your TV, as some resolutions may be incompatible with the Roku device. This feature can usually be found in the ‘Display’ settings on your TV.
This is known as the ‘Display Type’ on the Roku, but you may not be able to reach these settings if the screen is blank. If the entire TV is plank, there is also the possibility that hardware has malfunctioned.
Hulu App Not Showing Up/Available/Found on Roku
Hulu will not show up on your Roku device if you have issues with your internet, the Hulu servers are down, or you have a Roku device that does not support the Hulu channel. Below is a list of all Roku devices that support the current updated Hulu channel.
· Roku Ultra
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on July 1, 2021.
· Roku Premiere and Premiere+
· Roku Express and Express+
· Roku 3 and 4
· Roku 2 (model 4210X)
· Roku Streaming Stick (model 3500X or later)
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on July 1, 2021.
· Roku TV
· 4k Roku TV
Hulu Not Connecting on Roku
Hulu will not connect on Roku if you have no internet connection or the signal is poor. You can find the troubleshooting methods for this above, under ‘Roku Hulu Not Loading/Opening’.
If Hulu is not connecting on Roku try troubleshooting the network connection through the device network settings. Also give restarting your modem and router. Moving your router to a better location for improved signal strength also helps.
Roku Hulu Won’t Download or Install
Again, if Hulu won’t download or install, this reflects an issue with your internet connection. This is similar to the issue mentioned above. However, it is also worth checking that you have enough space to install Hulu on your Roku device.
Roku devices will have anywhere between 256MB and 1GB (1,000MB) of space available for channels, depending on your model. The device will tell you if you don’t have enough space available. To clear space, try deleting another channel you don’t use.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on July 1, 2021.