If you're a Roku user, you might have experienced the frustrating issue of your device constantly restarting. This problem could be caused by a variety of things, some more common than others. Luckily most of the causes are easy to address.
Roku devices can fall 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 Solutions
If your Roku Ultra (on Amazon) or other Roku device keeps restarting, don't worry. Here are the three most common causes of this problem and how to address each of 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.
| Cause | How to Address | Time to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Overheating | Clean and relocate the device to a location with better airflow and let cool. | 10-15 minutes |
| Automatic Update Issues | Disable automatic updates and/or perform a software update | 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Glitches In An App or Channel | Remove and reinstall the app or channel | 5-10 minutes |
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!
Roku Overheating
One of the most common reasons for Roku restarting is 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:
- Unplug your Roku from the power source and let it cool down for at least 10-15 minutes.
- Check the unit over for any dust film preventing cooling.
- 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 if you can avoid it.
Roku Restarting After Update: Automatic Update Issues
Another common cause of Roku restarting is automatic update issues. Sometimes, an update could 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:
- Disable automatic updates by going to Settings > System > System Update > Automatic Software Updates and selecting “Off”.
- Perform a factory reset by going to Settings > System > Advanced System Settings > Factory Reset and following the on-screen instructions.
- 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:
- Go to the Home screen and navigate to the app or channel that's causing the issue.
- Press the * button on your Roku remote and select “Remove Channel”.
- 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 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. However, if you've tried these solutions and your Roku still keeps restarting, don't worry: we'll now turn our attention to some 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 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.
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 Television. 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 issues after you get your device back connected. You can try resetting it – you need to make sure the remote is in good health, along with the Roku device you're trying to control!
Roku Resetting to Home Screen: Error Due to Full Memory
When your Roku acts up due to full memory, a quick way to fix Roku is to clear the cache. If a simple restart doesn't do the trick, try this: press Home (5 times), Up, Rewind (2 times), Fast Forward (2 times) on your remote, and wait 15-30 seconds for your Roku to restart and clear the cache.
Roku-Repeat-Restart Issue Brute-Force Troubleshooting List
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 Reset On 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 and it cannot be undone.
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.
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 our 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 it best to reach 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 Roku Restart 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.
