How to Reset a Roku Box, Streaming Stick, or TV

Roku streaming devices are a gateway to a universe of viewing content, but sometimes the gate may not open and let you in with the ease you would like.

If you're having trouble with your Roku device, you have three main options to get your Roku back on track:

System Restart
Factory Reset – Soft Method
Factory Reset – Hard Method

How to System Restart Roku

This is analogous to the restart feature on your PC; a system restart turns your Roku device off and back on. This may, or may not correct any problems. Since Roku streaming sticks and boxes don't have an on/off switch, except for the Roku 4 and Roku TVs, this is the only way to do a system restart.

You can also unplug the Roku's power cord and plug it back in again, but the system restart option allows you to stay on your couch.

Using your Roku's remote control, you can execute a system restart using the following steps:

From the Home Screen go to System.
Scroll down and click System Restart.
Select Restart.
Wait a few minutes for Roku to turn off and on, then show your home page.
Check to see if the features you were having trouble with now work properly.
If your Roku is frozen, you can perform a system restart by following these steps using your remote:
1. Press the Home button 5 times.
2. Press the Up arrow once.
3. Press the Rewind button twice.
4. Press the Fast Forward button twice.
5. The restart will begin, though it may take a few seconds.
You're done.

System restart doesn't change any settings, alter your app/content library, or delete your account information, but may correct a minor issue you were having trouble with, such as a freeze.

Roku Streaming Stick (TL), Ultra (TR), Roku TV (BL), Express (BR).

How to Factory Reset Roku – Soft Method

Before using this option, it's important to note the following changes will occur on your Roku device:

Personal preferences are erased.
Your Roku device is unlinked from your Roku account.
Roku is reset to how it was out of the box, meaning you'll have to go through the initial setup process again.

To execute a factory reset using the soft method, follow these steps:

Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
Scroll up or down and select Settings.
Select System.
Select Advanced System Settings.
Select Factory Reset.

Roku Settings Menu Factory Reset Selection.
Confirm you want to continue the factory reset and enter the special code provided.

Roku Factory Reset Code Entry Page.
The factory reset should begin.

How to Factory Reset Roku– Hard Method

If a system restart and soft factory reset don't do the job, or your Roku TV, box, or stick isn't responding to your remote commands, your final choice is to execute a hardware factory reset.

Find the reset button on your Roku TV, streaming stick, or box.

Roku Reset Buttons on Streaming Stick, Box, and TV. Roku
Press and hold the reset button. Roku recommends doing so for about 20 seconds.
When the factory reset is complete, the power indicator light on the Roku device will blink rapidly. Release the reset button.

If you have a Roku TV and it doesn't have a reset button:

Press the Mute and Power buttons on the TV.
While holding the aforementioned buttons, unplug the TV's power cord and plug it back in.
Release the buttons when the TV's startup screen comes back.
Proceed through Guided Setup to re-enter your account and settings information.

Network Connection Reset

If you are having problems with maintaining a Wi-Fi connection, you can do a Wi-Fi network connection reset without changing the rest of your Roku settings.

Here are the steps:

From the Home Page go to Settings.
Select System.
Select Advanced System Settings.
Select Network Connection Reset.

Roku Network Connection Reset.
Select Reset Connection, which removes all current Wi-Fi connection info.
Go to Settings > Network > Set up a new connection and re-enter your Wi-Fi account information.

Reset Roku Remote Control

If your Roku remote isn't working with your Roku device either before or after the restart or factory reset, unplug/replug the Roku device and re-install the batteries in the remote.

If that doesn't work, check to see if your remote has a Link/Pairing button.

Press the Link/Pairing button. Make sure your Roku device is on and see if you can re-establish the link.

If your remote does not have a link button, it means it's a standard IR remote that requires clear line-of-sight connection with your Roku device and there's no reset possible from the remote. In this case, check the batteries and make sure there are no obstructions between the remote and your Roku device.