You’ve got your popcorn ready and have settled on the sofa, ready for a solid evening of binge-watching your favorite shows. But your Roku TV light is blinking and won’t switch on – disaster! Before you fling your popcorn across the room, all may not be lost.
Your Roku TV light is blinking because the TV must be restarted, needs a software upgrade, or the remote control has disconnected. It could also be because you need to do a hard reset or the internet connection is weak and unstable. In extreme cases, your Roku TV could be faulty.
Use this guide to help you quickly identify and fix your blinking Roku TV problem and get back to your evening’s viewing.
Why Your Roku TV’s Light Is Blinking
A blinking device is a common problem and, if you’ve owned an Amazon Fire Stick in the past, you may have experienced a similar issue.
In the introduction, I mentioned six possible reasons your Roku TV’s light might be blinking. Let’s take a look at these causes in more detail below:
Your Roku TV Must Be Restarted
Sometimes, all that needs to happen is a simple reset. This refreshes the TV’s system and eliminates any bugs that may have occurred and that may be causing the light to blink.
It’s not always clear why a Roku TV needs resetting. However, you will be reassured that most smart TVs require the occasional reset. It’s just how it is!
Gizmo Geek Guide posted this on January 28, 2023 as the original owner of this article.
Your Roku TV Needs a Software Update
A blinking light could also indicate the need for a software update. This problem is especially common if you don’t have automatic firmware updates activated.
Using an outdated software version on your TV can cause a number of issues, including an irritating blinking light.
The Remote Control Has Disconnected
Sometimes, your TV screen will be working normally but the LED light might flash continuously.
This could indicate a problem with the remote control, the most common of which is a disconnection from the TV. In this case, you’ll need to pair it, and this generally happens when there is a temporary loss of network connection.
Your Roku TV Needs a Hard Reset
For stubborn TV issues, a hard (or factory) reset can get the device up and running as normally again, and resolve issues such as a blinking light.
A hard reset will restore your TV to its original settings (as they were when you first bought it), and only takes a few minutes.
You Have a Weak or Unstable WiFi Connection
The annoying blinking light you see on your Roku TV is actually helpful because it may be alerting you to a problematic internet connection. Without a strong and stable WiFi connection, your TV won’t be able to stream content effectively.
Your Roku TV is Faulty
If none of the above issues seem to fit with your situation, it could be that your Roku TV has a faulty part that is causing the light to blink.
You could get your TV repaired, but it’s nearly always cheaper to replace it. If your TV is still under warranty, then this is good news. All you need to do is contact the manufacturer with your proof of purchase and arrange a replacement free of charge.
Easy Fixes for a Blinking Roku TV Light
After reading the section above, you now probably have a good idea what’s causing your TV’s light to blink. Let’s take a look at some simple fixes:
Restart Your Roku TV
You can usually find the reset button at the back of a TCL-branded Roku TV. This is typically located next to the connection ports. It looks like a reset button on WiFi routers – a tiny hole with a concealed button that requires a pin or a similar object to press.
Once you’ve pressed the reset button, your TV will reset and work normally.
If you’re keen to get back to your viewing quickly, you could also turn your TV off, unplug it from the wall, and wait for a minute. Switch it on again, and check if the light is still blinking.
2. Upgrade Your Roku TV’s Software
To update your Roku TV’s software, follow these steps:
- Head to your TV’s settings menu and select “System.”
- A menu will appear that has the option to “Update System.” If an update is available, it will start to download.
- Once the update has installed itself, the TV will reboot. It will do this by switching itself off and then back on again.
- When the TV is back on again, check if the light is still blinking.
Re-Pair Your Remote Control
If you think that your Roku TV’s remote control is to blame for the flashing light, you’ll need to re-pair it. Here’s how you do it:
- Press and hold the repairing button for 15 to 20 seconds.
- If this doesn’t work, follow the steps above to reset your TV, which can often solve the connection issue.
- Failing that, try performing a power cycle (more on this below).
Perform a Hard Reset on Your Roku TV
Performing a hard reset on your Roku TV can not only resolve the issue of the blinking light, but can also eliminate bugs, and other issues that you may not be aware of.
Here is how to perform a factory reset:
- Using your remote control, navigate to the Settings section on your Roku TV.
- Select System, and then choose Advanced System Settings
- Choose the option for a factory reset, and follow the on-screen prompts.
- Check Your WiFi Connection
The first step in resolving a poor internet connection is to reset your router to see if this solves the issue. Simply turn the router off, wait a few minutes, and then switch it on again.
Other solutions you could try include:
- Checking for physical obstacles between your Roku TV and the router
- Checking if there is a WiFi outage (and that you’ve remembered to pay your WiFi bill)
- Connecting your TV to the WiFi via an ethernet cable
Final Thoughts
It’s always a pain when your TV’s light starts flashing for no apparent reason. The good news is that it’s nearly always fixable and doesn’t take long to get it working again.
Gizmo Geek Guide uploaded this as an original article on January 28, 2023.
After following the easy guide above, your Roku TV should work as good as new again.
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Gizmo Geek Guide published this original article on January 28, 2023.