When I went to bed last night, all the apps on my Roku ran well. However, this morning, the main ones I used (Disney+, YouTube TV, and Netflix) were missing. More channels dropped off during the day, so I tried to figure out the cause and how to fix it.
Roku TV apps disappeared because of slow and laggy internet, app glitches, backdated firmware, or an overloaded cache. Some apps may also be uncertified. Easy fixes include clearing the cache, rebooting your tv, updating the TV software, and ensuring you have a stable internet connection.
Roku apps disappearing is nothing new, as you may have noticed in the Roku community discussions. However, some fixes are easy, and you don’t need a professional. I’ll discuss possible causes and solutions for disappearing Roku TV apps.
Reasons Why Your Roku TV Apps Disappeared
It’s best to consider several likely causes to fix the problem of your lost Roku TV apps. Let’s explore these common causes of this often aggravating issue:
Slow and Laggy Internet Is Behind Your Disappearing Apps
When you have slow internet, it may fail to load the apps on your Roku properly. So, when you don’t see them, it is easy to assume that they have disappeared when they have not loaded due to a poor internet connection. It is best to give the apps some time before you decide they are gone for good.
Your Roku TV Has Outdated Firmware
Most android apps are updated twice or thrice a week. If you miss any updates, the bugs in the older versions may keep the apps from running correctly. This issue is the most common reason apps disappear in Roku TV and other smart TVs. The problem is with the apps, and not necessarily your Roku TV.
An App Overload Is Making Your TV Apps Disappear
There is such a thing as running too many apps. With each passing day, developers introduce new apps, and with the wide variety of choices—you find yourself installing as many apps as you’d like. However, if Roku is inbuilt into your TV, you can only run a limited number of apps effectively.
To date, approximately 30,781 apps are available for download on Roku TV. An average of 15 apps are published on Roku daily. Despite this large number of available apps, you can only have a limited number, depending on your TV.
If you have too many apps, even when the TV has sufficient space, they’ll overwhelm the system.
Your Roku TV Has an Overloaded Cache
Smart TVs have limited memory, although some have more storage than others. You may be okay with the cache if your TV has a large memory. If your TV has a smaller memory space, you are already crowding it with apps.
However, having unnecessary data (cache) makes things worse. It makes your TV sluggish, and the apps will start crashing.
Your Roku TV Is Frozen
Sometimes the apps disappear because your Roku device has frozen. This issue sometimes happens when the Roku remote sends multiple inputs simultaneously. It is also possible that the software is outdated or the Roku device is overheating. Give the system time to determine whether freezing is behind your missing apps.
Easy Ways To Fix Your Roku TV Apps Disappearing
Now that you know the typical culprits behind your Roku apps disappearing, here are several ways for you to fix these issues:
How To Fix Slow and Laggy Internet
You should first confirm the status of your internet connection.
- Go to settings.
- Click on network.
- Check the information “about the network.” Ideally, the signal strength should be good or excellent. If you have a poor signal, this could be the problem. The status should also say “connected.”
- If everything seems fine with the network information, scroll down and check the connection. Ensure you have both check marks for wireless connection and internet connection.
If you have a poor signal, you need to reset the router.
Gizmo Geek Guide posted this on January 30, 2023 as the original owner of this article.
- Unplug it from the wall or extension cable.
- Wait for 30 seconds.
- Plug it in and wait for the internet to connect.
- Check the connection and confirm that it is good to excellent.
Check if the apps have reappeared. If not, you’ll need to find out if something else is causing the problem.
How To Fix Outdated Firmware
You first need to find out if there are pending updates for the apps that keep disappearing.
- Tap on the home button using your remote
- Scroll to the problematic app, and click ok. If you can, go through the apps to ensure they are all up to date.
- Click on updates.
- If there are any pending updates, click on them and update the software.
The alternative is to go to the in-app settings and reset it. You’ll also get the latest version this way.
If the app is updated but still has issues, you should consider deleting and reinstalling it. This method will also solve the problem and ensure you get the latest version.
How To Fix Too Many Apps
You’ll need to decide which apps to keep and which ones to remove. If you go through the apps on your Roku TV, you only use a limited number. You should keep those and remove those you hardly ever open.
You can then restart your TV to see if the apps are loading much faster. If the issue persists, you’ll need to dig deeper to find other possible reasons why the apps keep disappearing.
4. How To Fix an Overloaded Cache
If the cache is the reason for the disappearing apps on your Roku TV, you should clear it. You can clear the cache on Roku TV by following these steps.
- Press the home icon button on your remote control.
- Scroll to network.
- Click on internet memory or cache.
- Clear the cache or internet memory.
I have also discussed why Fire TV stick apps disappear. The causes and fixes are similar to Roku apps. If your Fire TV stick has the same challenges, you can attempt the suggested solutions.
5. How To Fix Frozen Roku
Resetting your Roku is one way to correct the glitch causing your apps to disappear.
- Unplug the Roku from the power source.
- Wait for 30 seconds.
- Plug it back in.
If you are using a Roku streaming stick, remove it from your TV. Please wait for a few seconds and put it back in. In cases where you have an inbuilt Roku in the TV, you’ll need to reset your TV. Follow the same procedure as when you are resetting the Roku device.
Gizmo Geek Guide uploaded this as an original article on January 30, 2023.
Conclusion
Roku TV apps disappear for various reasons. You can quickly go through the possible causes without the help of a professional. Unless the problem persists or if there are specific apps with a problem, the above reasons and fixes will get your Roku TV apps running correctly.
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Gizmo Geek Guide published this original article on January 30, 2023.