How to reset your Roku streaming device if it's not functioning properly

• You can reset your Roku streaming device with a simple restart or a more permanent factory reset.
• To restart a Roku, go to the Settings menu, unplug the power cord, or use your remote.
• To factory reset a Roku, you can use Settings or find the reset button on the back of your device.

If your Roku streaming device is experiencing glitches or not performing the way it's supposed to, you can reset it in a few different ways.

First, you should try restarting your Roku, as this soft reset does not erase any of your settings or log you out of your channels. In many cases, this will fix channels or apps that are repeatedly freezing or crashing.

Then, if the problem persists, you can perform a factory reset, which is a more holistic solution that restores your device to its original settings.

Note: While restarting your Roku will not affect your settings or data, performing a factory reset will erase any personalization, remove all downloaded channel apps, and unlink the device from your Roku account.

Here's how to restart your Roku, or perform a factory reset.

How to restart a Roku device

You can restart your Roku from the Settings menu, or do a forced reboot by pressing a series of buttons on your Roku remote or unplugging the Roku power cord.

To restart your Roku from Settings:

1. From the "Home" menu, scroll down to the "Settings" menu.

2. Select the "Settings" menu by pressing "OK" on the remote.

3. Scroll down to select the "System" option. Press "OK" on your remote to open the menu.

4. Scroll down to the "System restart" option and press "OK" on your remote.

5. Select "Restart." Your device will shut off, then turn on again. You will see the bouncing Roku logo while the device is booting up.

Note: Older Roku devices (first and second generation) may not include a "System restart" option in the Settings menu. However, all newer Roku devices have an option to restart through the Settings menu.

To reboot your Roku if it's frozen:

If your Roku encounters a more serious glitch, it may freeze and block you from navigating the menus. In that case, you'll need to press a series of buttons on your remote control to trigger a reboot.

1. Press the "Home" button five times.

2. Press the "Up" arrow once.

3. Press the "Rewind" button twice.

4. Press the "Fast Forward" button two times.

5. After pressing the buttons in this order, your Roku will eventually turn off. After a few seconds, you should see the bouncing Roku logo, and your home screen will return soon after.

Quick tip: To reset your Roku, you can also unplug the power cord for about two minutes, then plug it in again. This method is called a forced reboot.

If you find you need to restart your device often for it to function properly, you could be experiencing issues with one of your installed channel apps, or the device itself. You can try deleting and re-installing any newly installed channel apps. Contact Roku support if you continually experience issues with your device.

How to factory reset a Roku device

When you factory reset your Roku, it will be set back to its original state. There are two methods to reset your Roku: selecting the reset option in the Settings menu, or pressing the reset button on the back of the device.

To factory reset your Roku from Settings:

1. Use the "Home" button on your Roku remote to jump to the home screen.

2. Navigate to the Settings menu by scrolling up or down until you find it.

3. Press "Ok" on your Roku remote to select "Settings."

4. Choose "System" from the available menu items.

5. Choose "Advanced system settings."

6. Select "Factory reset" from the available menu items.

7. When prompted, choose "Factory reset everything" and follow the reset wizard's on-screen instructions.

To factory reset your Roku with the hardware reset button or pinhole reset:

Every Roku device comes with a hardware reset option. Newer devices will have a hardware reset button, while older devices will have a pinhole for resetting.

1. Locate the reset option on the outside of your Roku device. It will either be a tactile button or a pinhole button.

2. Press and hold the button for 10-20 seconds. If your device has a pinhole reset, you'll need to use an object like a paperclip or bobby pin to press and hold the button.

3. Most Roku devices have an indicator light that will blink rapidly once the reset is complete.

What happens after you reset a Roku

After your device has been reset, it should boot up to the home screen. If you're not selling the device or returning it, but instead looking to use the device again, you'll need to reconnect to your home network.

Once you're connected, log in to your Roku account on your computer or from your mobile device to relink it to your account. Your Roku channels will begin downloading after the device has been added to your Roku account. You'll need to log in to all your channel apps again.

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