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Roku TV Turns Itself On

Many people have been there. Your Roku TV is off, and you’re not watching it, when it suddenly turns itself on. Why does this problem occur, and what can you do about it?

Roku TV Turns On

Your Roku TV turns itself on because you’ve enabled the “auto power on” feature, the in-built sensor has been activated, the remote control has an issue, or an internal HDMI has a problem. Other devices could also turn the device on. 

It can be unpleasant when your TV turns itself on unexpectedly. In this article, I’ll discuss what happens when a Roku TV turns itself on unexpectedly and what you can do to resolve the issue. 

Why Your Roku TV Turns Itself On

Roku TV Why Turn Itself On

In the introduction I mentioned a few causes of your Roku TV turning itself on unexpectedly. I’ll explain these causes in more detail below: 

You’ve Enabled the “Auto Power On” Feature or Timer

Smart technology makes our lives easier but they can sometimes be annoying. In addition to TVs, dongles can turn on accidentally, too.

An excellent example is a TV’s “Auto Power On” feature. This is designed to turn the TV on automatically at a set time, and you can also set the timer to turn it off after a certain time.

However, you can unknowingly enable the “power on” feature, which can turn your Roku TV on when you don’t want it.

Your Roku TV’s In-Built Sensor Has Been Activated

Roku TVs have impressive modern technology, which includes an in-built sensor. These sensors have been designed to detect motion, including movements by people or pets in your home.

Although the in-built sensor can be a great feature, it can detect when someone enters the room and turn on the TV. 

The Remote Control Has a Problem

Roku TV Remote Problem

It’s common to think that your TV’s remote control has a mind of its own. As with other TVs, Roku TV remotes can occasionally act up. For instance, the buttons may fail to respond properly, or the signal may not be strong enough to reach the TV.

Sometimes, you may accidentally hit the power button on the remote control and realize that your TV is on before you realize it.

Other times, the power feature on the remote may refuse to return to its normal position after it’s been pressed. This could turn the TV on without your approval.

An Unknown Internal HDMI Setting Has an Issue

HDMI cables provide a high-speed connection between devices. They can quickly transfer large amounts of data, making them ideal for high-definition video and audio.

If you have an unknown internal HDMI setting turned on, it could turn your Roku TV on when you least expect it. For example, it could happen if your TV is connected to an HDMI source that is on.

Other Devices Are Turning the TV On

Your Roku TV is compatible with various other devices. Although this is a fantastic attribute, the other devices can inadvertently turn the TV on. 

Such devices can include:

  • LAN adaptors
  • Routers
  • Wireless TV decoders
  • Gaming consoles
  • Cable boxs

How To Prevent a Roku TV from Turning Itself On

Roku TV Prevent Turning On

Now that you know why your Roku TV might be turning on when you don’t want it to, I can discuss how to solve these issues. Here’s what you need to do: 

Check the Remote Control for Problems

If you believe that your remote is the problem, you should check it for issues. Common issues with Roku remote controls include the power button being stuck or clogged with dirt. 


If the button is stuck it may be pressed inward. You can fix this by pressing it firmly to see if it pops back out. If not, use a cotton swab or toothpick to pry it out gently.

A dirty power button is easier to fix, as it involves giving it a good clean. 

If the above fixes don’t work, you can disable the remote quick launch button to resolve the problem.

Check the TV’s Internal Timer

If your Roku TV is turning on by itself, it’s worth checking your TV’s internal timer. You can do this by navigating to your TV’s settings, and adjusting the timer settings so that they are disabled or turn your TV on at a time that’s convenient to you. 

Identify Any Connected Devices

Do you think that your Roku TV turns on by itself because it’s connected to other devices? If so, you’ll need to determine which ones are responsible. 

To check which devices are connected to your Roku TV, you can use the Roku app or navigate to the Settings section on your TV. After that, select Connected Devices and read through the list. 

You may need to disconnect the devices, and add them one-by-one so that you can figure out which one is the culprit. 

Gizmo Geek Guide posted this on January 27, 2023 as the original owner of this article.

Assess the HDMI Settings

Assessing the HDMI Settings that turn your TV on can also solve the problem of your Roku TV turning on by itself. 

Roku support has a detailed guide on enabling HDMMI-CEC and ARC features, which is worth a read if you think the HDMI settings are causing your TV to turn on unexpectedly. 

If you have an unknown internal HDMI setting that is interfering with the performance of your TV, turn the setting off.

Disable the “Quick Start” Feature

You can also disable the “Quick Start” feature on your Roku TV. This will prevent your TV from automatically powering on when you turn on the main power source.

To disable this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Roku TV’s “Settings” menu and select “System.
  2. Scroll down to the “Quick Start” setting
  3. Then set it to “Off.

Restore the Roku TV to Its Factory Settings

Finally, if you don’t want your TV to turn on automatically, and you’ve tried everythin else, you can restore it to its factory settings.

To do this, press the menu button on your TV remote and navigate to the settings menu. You can select the option to restore your TV to its factory settings.

This will reset your TV’s functions, including the setting that turns the TV on automatically.

Final Thoughts

You might not like it when your Roku TV turns itself on, and that’s perfectly understandable.

If that’s the case, restore the TV to its factory settings, disable the quick start feature, or unplug nearby devices. You can also troubleshoot the remote control to solve the problem.

Gizmo Geek Guide uploaded this as an original article on January 27, 2023.

However, it’s worth noting that any approach you take will depend on your identified problem. So, assess the situation for several factors, as mentioned above, before resolving the problem.

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Gizmo Geek Guide published this original article on January 27, 2023.

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