Why Does My Roku Keep Restarting

If you’re a Roku user, you may have experienced the frustrating issue of your device constantly restarting. This problem can be caused by a variety of things, some more common than others. Luckily most of the causes are easy to address.

Roku devices can fail into a repeat-restart loop for lots of reasons, but the most common are overheating, automatic update issues, or glitches in a specific app or channel. Start by restarting the device, relocating it if it’s hot, and trying to run a normal software update to fix the issue.

Don’t let a constantly restarting Roku device ruin your streaming experience. With our expert tips and tricks, you can troubleshoot the issue and get back to enjoying your favorite shows and movies in (practically) no time. Let’s get started!

Top Three Roku-Restart Causes And How To Fix

Roku with remote

If your Roku Ultra (on Amazon) or other Roku device (streaming stick, TV) keeps restarting, don’t worry. Here are the three most common causes of this problem and how to address each of them them.

There’s a good chance this is all you need to get back to watching content. Later in the article, we’ll explore more obscure issues like network settings and power supply failures..

3 Most Common Roku-Restart Causes

There are a few other issues you may encounter after you clear this error, such as a blinking green light on the device or remote, or the sound not working. Your Roku may start turning off unexpectedly, for instance. Have a look at our other guides on Roku if you end up with those issues, but for now, let’s get back to clearing the restart loop!

Overheating

One of the most common reasons why your Roku keeps restarting is because it’s overheating. When the device gets too hot, it will automatically shut down and restart to cool down. Then, it can turn back on only to get hot and turn off again in an endless loop.

To fix this issue, make sure your Roku is properly ventilated and clean any dust off of it. You can also try moving it to a cooler location or using a fan to cool it down. In 3 steps:

  1. Unplug your Roku from the power source and let it cool down for at least 10-15 minutes.
  2. Check the unit over for any dust film preventing cooling.
  3. Ensure that your Roku is placed in a well-ventilated area and not in an enclosed space. And don’t put it directly on the carpet it you can avoid it.
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Automatic Update Issues

Another common cause of Roku restarting is automatic update issues. Sometimes, an update can cause a restart loop because it’s failed, or because there is actually a new update causing multiple restarts. To fix this issue, you can either disable automatic updates and/or perform a software update.

Here’s how to address automatic update issues, and you’ll see the normal software update path along the way:

  1. Disable automatic updates by going to Settings > System > System Update > Automatic Software Updates and selecting “Off”.
  2. Perform a factory reset by going to Settings > System > Advanced System Settings > Factory Reset and following the on-screen instructions.
  3. After performing a factory reset, you will need to set up your Roku again and reinstall any apps or channels.

Glitches In A Specific App or Channel

Lastly, glitches in an app or channel can cause your Roku to restart. This can happen if there’s a bug in the app or channel that’s causing issues with the Roku software. To fix it, you can remove and reinstall the app or channel. Here’s how to address glitches in an app or channel:

  1. Go to the Home screen and navigate to the app or channel that’s causing the issue.
  2. Press the * button on your remote and select “Remove Channel”.
  3. After removing the app or channel, restart your Roku and reinstall the app or channel from the Roku Channel Store.

And note that, as we’ve looked at before on this blog, a Roku device is only intended to last 4-5 years, with Roku TVs lasting about a max of 8 years, so at some point seeing this type of behavior, from random glitches to other types of issues, it’s going to start to ramp up and may indicate it’s time to replace your device.

More Obscure Roku Power-Cycle Issues

Hopefully by this point you’re back up and running, but if you’ve tried these solutions and your Roku still keeps restarting, don’t worry: we’ll now turn our attention to some more rare causes that you can consider troubleshooting.

Network Settings (Bandwidth Saver)

If you’re using the Roku Bandwidth Saver feature, it may be causing your device to restart. The Bandwidth Saver reduces the quality of your video stream to save bandwidth, but it can also cause issues with your device. Specifically, it will trigger restarts based on data usage in a way that can cause repeated restarts.

To turn off the Bandwidth Saver, go to Settings > Network > Bandwidth Saver and turn it off. This should resolve any issues you’re experiencing with your Roku restarting.

Pro Tip: Place your Smart TV and/or Roku Device on a different, less-crowded wireless band, like 5GHz if available, if you’re having streaming issues. Note that for mirroring, you’re phone will need to be on the other network as well.

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If that note on 5GHz wireless bands gets you thinking, have a look at this guide on how to think about your available wireless networks and how to manage them in your home theater.

Power Supply Issues

If your Roku device is not receiving enough power, it may restart frequently. Make sure you’re using the power supply that came with your device and that it’s plugged into a functional wall outlet.

Avoid using off-brand USB power adapters or power banks, as they may not provide enough power to your device or, indeed, may supply too much power.

HDMI Cable Failure

If your HDMI cable is damaged or not working properly, it can cause your Roku to restart. Try using a different HDMI cable or plugging your Roku into a different HDMI port on your TV. If this doesn’t work, you may need to replace your HDMI cable.

Remote Control Failures

Like anything, the remotes for these devices can fail. Maybe yours has a blinking green light or other issue after you get your device back connected. Just know that you need to make sure the remote is in good health, along with the Roku device you’re trying to control!

Roku-Repeat-Restart Issue Brute-Force Troubleshooting List

Roku TV Menu

If you’re anything like us, you may want a simple way to review these troubleshooting steps or simply prioritize getting through them, so, here’s a more listy brute-force approach to troubleshooting this issue. After this, we’ll talk about the big one: simply factory resetting the Roku device and starting from scratch.

  1. Is your Roku device overheating?
    • Yes: Clean and relocate the device to a location with better airflow and let it cool. If the issue persists, go to step 2.
    • No: Go to step 2.
  2. Are there any automatic update issues?
    • Yes: Disable automatic updates and/or perform a software update. If the issue persists, go to step 3.
    • No: Go to step 3.
  3. Are there glitches in a specific app or channel?
    • Yes: Remove and reinstall the app or channel. If the issue persists, go to step 4.
    • No: Go to step 4.
  4. Are there network settings or Bandwidth Saver issues?
    • Yes: Turn off Bandwidth Saver. If the issue persists, go to step 5.
    • No: Go to step 5.
  5. Are there any power supply issues?
    • Yes: Check the power supply and ensure you’re using the one that came with your device. If the issue persists, go to step 6.
    • No: Go to step 6.
  6. Is there an HDMI cable failure?
    • Yes: Replace or change the HDMI cable. If the issue persists, go to step 7.
    • No: Proceed to the final solution.

The Nuclear Option: Factory Resetting Roku Device

If none of the previous solutions work, a factory reset may be necessary. This will erase all data from the device and restore it to its default settings. It is important to note that this process cannot be undone, and all channels, settings, and preferences will be lost (but you can download and log back into them on the other side).

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To perform a factory reset, go to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. Once the reset is complete, the device will restart and prompt you to set it up again as if it were new.

Before performing a factory reset, it is recommended to try other troubleshooting methods and to back up any important data. If the device is still under warranty, contact Roku support for assistance before attempting a factory reset.

And after the reset, if you perform one, note that reconnecting to Wi-Fi is the next most likely issue you’ll encounter, and you can check out out guide on that here.

Contacting Support

If you have tried all the troubleshooting steps and your Roku device still keeps restarting, it may be time to contact Roku support. We recommend reaching out to Roku support if:

  • Your Roku device is still under warranty
  • You have tried all the recommended troubleshooting steps
  • And you have exhausted all other resources for technical assistance

When you contact Roku support, you will need to provide the following information:

  • The model of your Roku device
  • The serial number of your Roku device
  • A detailed description of the issue you are experiencing

You can reach out to Roku support via phone, email, or live chat. To find contact information for Roku support, visit the Roku support website.

How To Prevent These Issues

As experts in this domain, we recommend taking a few simple steps to prevent your Roku device from failing into a repeated auto-restart loop like this:

Proper Placement and Ventilation: Choosing the right location for your Roku device is key to preventing overheating and other issues that can cause it to restart. Make sure to place your Roku on a flat surface with adequate airflow and away from other heat-emitting devices.

Keeping Software Up-to-Date: Regular updates are important for maintaining the health of your Roku device. To check for updates, go to Settings > System > System update. If there is an update available, click on “Check now” and follow the prompts to install it.

By following these simple steps, you can prevent your Roku device from restarting and enjoy uninterrupted streaming.

Stream On

Now that you’ve fixed the issue, you can go back to streaming your favorite shows and movies on your Roku device. Make sure to keep your device up to date with the latest software updates, which Roku releases periodically to fix bugs just like this. Set a reminder in your phone to update all your devices (including your Roku) at least quarterly.

If you’re experiencing any other issues with your Roku device, you can always contact Roku support for assistance. They have a team of experts ready to help you with any issues you may encounter. Additionally, you can check out the Roku Community forums for helpful tips and advice from other Roku users.

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