It can be challenging to decide whether or not you should reset your Roku TV when you encounter major issues, such as a TV that remains frozen. If you need to reset your Roku TV, this article is for you.
Resetting your Roku TV is a relatively simple process that requires you to go into the TV’s settings. If you cannot navigate the screen, Roku TVs have a Reset button on the back or bottom of your TV. It may also be a pinhole that requires a paperclip to activate.
Let’s talk about why you may need to reset your Roku TV and for what reasons you may need to. We’ll also talk about some other solutions you can try before going into a factory reset. Let’s get started.
Resetting Your Roku TV
Resetting your TV means that you are doing a factory reset. This method erases all the data on your TV. It will be as if you are starting fresh with a brand new TV, so it’s essential to think ahead before going through this process.
After we discuss the process of resetting your Roku TV, we’ll go into some other things you can do before jumping to this, so check out the sections below first if you aren’t sure if you need to rest your Roku TV.
There are two primary ways to reset your Roku TV. One way is going through the navigation, which may be a little more complicated but is the proper way to go about it.
If that isn’t an option, the other way is to utilize the reset button on the back or bottom of the TV. This feature is sometimes a tactile button that you can push. Other times it is a pinhole, which requires a straightened safety pin to push it in.
Either method will do pretty much the same thing. Let’s walk through the process of each one.
How To Reset Your Roku TV
Resetting using the physical button looks different depending on your Roku TV type. As we discussed, it may be an actual button or a pinhole. In any case, let’s discuss what you’ll need to do.
You’ll want to start by powering up your Roku TV—which will ensure the factory reset can take place.
Once locating the button, you’ll need to press and hold it for about ten seconds. Once you have completed the factory reset, an indicator light will blink rapidly on your device.
If resetting with a pinhole, you’ll need to find a paperclip and straighten it, after which you’ll insert it into the pinhole. You’ll still need to hold it for about ten seconds and wait for the indicator light to indicate the factory reset.
Now that we know how to factory reset your Roku TV, let’s talk about some reasons you may need to and some reasons you may not need to yet.
How To Reset Your Roku TV Through Menu Settings
Performing a factory reset through the menu requires a few different steps, but it should be relatively easy to navigate. Here’s what to do.
- Start by pressing the HOME button on your Roku remote.
- Scroll down and select SETTINGS on the left-hand side of your menu.
- Select SYSTEM.
- Go into your advanced settings by selecting ADVANCED SYSTEM SETTINGS.
- Select FACTORY RESET.
- Select FACTORY RESET EVERYTHING when given the option to your Roku TV.
You should continue following the instructions until the factory reset is complete.
Reasons Why You Need To Reset Your Roku TV
Now that we’ve discussed many of the common problems Roku TVs face and how you can fix them, let’s discuss some issues that would require a factory reset.
When the Roku TV Is Completely Unresponsive
There’s unresponsive, and there’s unresponsive. All TVs sometimes become unresponsive, but this typically lasts only a few seconds. When you’ve tried for the past hour to get your TV working again, and it’s frozen, it’s time for a factory reset.
Usually, this happens when the TV is overloaded with information or too many apps open simultaneously. While the Roku TV will often correct it on its own, you may need to implement other things if it gets to the extreme.
When the Roku TV Only Shows Black
If your Roku TV shows a black screen—this is another time you’d probably want to do a factory reset. Of course, in this situation and where the TV is unresponsive, you’d need to use the physical button to reset your TV.
When the TV has only shown the “black screen of death,” there’s usually no other option but a factory reset. At this point, you’ve probably already done all you can.
A factory reset doesn’t always work in this case, but it certainly can’t hurt the situation. Once your TV has gotten to this point, there isn’t much you can do that will damage the device further.
If you own a Fire TV, here is an excellent article on how to deal with black screen issues.
When You’re Selling the Roku TV
This situation is not a problem, per se, but it’s a reason to factory reset the TV.
When it’s time to sell your Roku TV because you’ve recently upgraded, it’s best to do a factory reset so that the TV comes to the next person as “brand new,” or as new as it can be in this situation.
You also want to avoid other people accessing your sensitive information, such as passwords and emails stored on the TV. Not to mention all your app data, such as browsing history.
When Not To Reset Your Roku TV
All technology suffers from issues at times, and in these situations, it may be prudent to wait to perform a factory reset if the Roku TV isn’t completely frozen. If it can still operate to some degree or another, it’s a good idea to wait and try some other options first. Let’s discuss some of these.
When the Screen Is Frozen
Screen freezes happen all the time with electronics. This issue could happen because the device becomes overloaded with information or has a bug. It may also be due to the TV needing to be updated.
It may seem like an emergency when the screen freezes, but luckily there’s another solution, at least regarding Roku TVs. Check out the helpful fix below before launching a factory reset.
How To Fix
- Press the HOME button five times.
- Press the UP ARROW one time.
- Press the REWIND button two times.
- Press the FAST FORWARD button two times.
From here, your Roku TV should restart. If it doesn’t, you can try this sequence a second time by unplugging it for about ten seconds and then plugging it in again.
When the Roku TV Needs To Be Updated
It’s tempting to go straight to a factory reset when your Roku TV is frequently pausing and freezing, but usually, this is due to the software needing an update. Software updates are like food for your TV. They need them, and frequently.
How To Fix
The excellent news, updating Roku software isn’t too hard to do; follow the steps below.
- Press the HOME button on your remote.
- Scroll to select SETTINGS.
- Select SYSTEM.
- Select SYSTEM UPDATE.
- Select CHECK NOW so that the system checks for updates.
The TV should download and install automatically if a new update is available. You should avoid interrupting this process for any reason. If it’s interrupted, it could worsen your TV.
Once installed, the Roku TV will restart, and your TV should be working perfectly if the problem is that the TV needs a software update.
When the Roku Remote Isn’t Working Correctly
We all get super frustrated when our remote stops working. Roku remotes come in all different types, but the Roku TV remote can be exceptionally demanding because it is an infrared remote rather than a WiFi remote, which allows you to point anywhere.
If your remote isn’t working, it can lead you to believe that the TV isn’t working, but that’s not always the case. It can sometimes be hard to figure out the problem, but one of the more common indicators that the problem is the remote over the TV is that the TV appears to be completely unresponsive. The pictures may be changing, but you don’t have any control.
Here are some steps you can take instead of jumping into a factory reset.
How To Fix
- Remove the batteries from your Roku remote.
- Unplug your Roku TV for about ten seconds.
- Plug your TV back in.
- Place the batteries back into the remote.
The remote should take about thirty seconds to reconnect to your Roku TV. If it doesn’t reconnect, it may not be a problem with your remote at all.
When the Roku TV Overheats
Electronics overheat all the time. Usually, your device overheats when placed in a location without proper ventilation. This issue is relatively common in TVs because they are often set against walls inadvertently, mainly if they are larger.
Alternatively, you may have placed objects around the TV—clogging the ventilation system. Let’s talk about what you can do instead of resetting when your Roku TV is overheating.
How To Fix
The best thing to do in this situation is to give your TV space. Unplug it, remove the items around it, and wait for about ten or fifteen minutes.
You may also need to pull your TV out if it’s leaning against the wall.
Gizmo Geek Guide posted this on January 22, 2023 as the original owner of this article.
When the Roku Isn’t Connecting to the WiFi
Roku TVs, like anything else, can become disconnected from the WiFi. Whether this is the fault of the internet itself or the TV remains unknown, but in any case, it happens often enough to be on this list.
When the Roku TV lacks a WiFi connection, you may notice that the TV works well and then slows or freezes. It will often buffer when streaming.
This issue could be due to faulty internet reception or signal fluctuations.
Here are a few different options to fix this problem.
How To Fix
Relocate Your TV
The first thing I recommend is relocating your TV or internet modem. Moving the internet modem will probably be significantly more manageable, but there are times when this isn’t the case. Whichever you choose to rearrange, the goal is to get these two items closer together.
Gizmo Geek Guide uploaded this as an original article on January 22, 2023.
Moving them closer means the signal doesn’t have to reach as far, and it will likely work significantly better afterward.
Connect via Ethernet
Another thing you could do is connect your Roku TV to the internet via a wired connection. This method will fix any connectivity issues quickly. The line will be more stable, less likely to experience reception problems, and eliminate the need to reset your Roku TV.
Try the Mesh System
If you have a large house and the signal isn’t reaching the Roku TV, you could also try using what is known as a mesh system. In a mesh network, you broadcast the main router to multiple other nodes running throughout your home. This option allows the internet to be spread farther without interrupting doors, floors, and walls.
Overall, any of these things should fix the internet connectivity problems.
When the Roku TV Is Experiencing Audio Problems
A few things can cause audio distortion, dropouts, or a complete lack of audio. Still, most commonly, it happens because of various software settings or problems with the internal hardware of the TV.
We don’t often think of it, but electronics are relatively complex to the amateur mind, and quite a few things can go wrong.
Don’t be disappointed, though! Audio problems aren’t as bad as they seem at first glance.
How To Fix
One of the best things to do when your Roku audio isn’t working—is to unplug the power, wait around ten seconds, and then plug it back in and power it back on. While this may sound like a simple fix, more often than not, it solves problems.
Final Thoughts
Resetting your Roku TV to factory defaults is necessary for specific situations, but it isn’t as essential as you think. There are a ton of different things that you can do instead of factory resetting.
Doing a factory reset isn’t necessarily bad, but it does erase all the data on your TV and can make it challenging to get back to where you were before your factory reset. It requires logging into all your apps and setting up the customization.
It’s best to pay attention to when it needs to be reset and act accordingly.
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Gizmo Geek Guide published this original article on January 22, 2023.