Many Roku streaming players require that they are connected to a wall power outlet using the power adapter that came with the device. Alternatively, the Roku players listed below can also be powered from the USB port on a compatible TV.
- Roku Streaming Stick®
- Roku Streaming Stick+
- Roku Express
- Roku Express+
- Roku Premiere (not supported on model 4620 released in 2016)
- Roku Premiere+ (not supported on model 4630 released in 2016)
Note: The USB port on some TV’s may be unable to power a Roku streaming player.
Most Roku streaming players also have a white light on the front of the device that indicates when the device is ON. This article describes what to do if you do not see the video from your Roku player on the TV and the light on the front of the device is OFF.
* Some models not available in all countries.
If your Roku player or Roku Streaming Stick is connected to a power outlet:
- Use the included power adapter
- Only use the power adapter included in the box with your Roku player.
- Using a different power adapter, even one used with another Roku player, may be the reason that your Roku player will not power on.
- Securely attach the power adapter
- Remove and reattach the power adapter making sure it is securely and firmly connected to the Roku player and the wall power outlet.
- Try a different power outlet
- Try connecting the power adapter to a different power outlet.
- Alternatively, you can try testing another electronic device you know works in the same power outlet.
- If your Roku player is connected to a power strip, unplug it and connect the power adapter directly to a wall power outlet.
- Check the light
- Try the USB port on your TV
If your Roku player still does not power on, then the problem may be with the power supply. If your Roku player is under warranty, contact Roku Customer Support to return your player and power adapter and get a replacement. If the warranty has expired, a new power adapter can be purchased from the Roku accessories store.
If you have a Roku player or Roku Streaming Stick connected to the USB port on your TV:
- Only use the USB cable that came with your Roku player
- Do not use any USB cable other than what was included in the box with your Roku player. This includes using the USB cable that came with another Roku player.
- Securely attach the USB cable
- Remove and reattach the USB cable making sure it is securely and firmly connected to the TV and the power connector on your Roku streaming player.
- Try a different USB port
- Some USB ports have different power characteristics. If your TV has more than one USB port, try connecting your Roku player or Roku Streaming Stick to a different USB port.
- If a USB port has insufficient power, your Roku player may power on only to display a low-power warning.
- Try a different TV
- If possible, temporarily connect your Roku player to the USB port on a different TV. This will help you determine if the problem is due to the Roku player or your TV.
- Connect to a wall power outlet
- Using the included power cord and power adapter, connect the Roku player or Roku Streaming Stick to a working power outlet in the wall.
- Connecting to a power outlet in the wall has the additional advantage that your Roku player will not need to power-up every time you turn on your TV. This means your Roku player will be up and running faster than it would be connected to the USB port on your TV.
Note: Most Roku players and Roku Streaming Sticks connected to the USB port on your TV will lose power when the TV goes into standby. This means that your Roku device will “boot-up” every time the TV is turned on. Although this is generally fast, it can be avoided by connecting the Roku device to a wall power outlet. Also, much like “apps” on your smartphone, Roku channels are cached the first time they are launched so they load faster; however, the cache is emptied when the Roku device powers down.
This article is for users who can power on their Roku player, but cannot see the video on their TV. If your player will not power on or you do not hear audio, review the suggestions in the appropriate article below:
Make sure your Roku player is connected directly to the TV. If you have the Roku player connected to an audio/video receiver (AVR) or soundbar, then first disconnect it and connect directly to the TV. This will remove any issue with the AVR or soundbar and make it easier to troubleshoot the problem.
First, make sure the TV is turned on and press a button on the Roku remote control to ensure that the Roku device is not in standby or screensaver mode.
These are the most common reasons you may not see video on your TV:
- You have the wrong input (source) selected on your TV
- This is extremely common and an easy mistake to make. Most TV’s have several video inputs on the back or side of the TV that are used for connecting different devices such as a cable box, gaming console, and of course, Roku player. You must select the input (sometimes referred to as source) that matches the one to which you have the Roku player connected.
- Look to see which input you have the Roku player connected; the video connector will be labeled with the input name; e.g. HDMI 1, HDMI 2, AUX, VIDEO IN 1, etc.
- The way you change inputs can be different based on the brand of TV and model, but it is usually accessible from a button on the TV's remote control. If you can, check the instructions that came with your television, or try the following:
- Look for a button on your TV remote control that says Input, Source, AUX, Video, TV/Video or something similar. Press this button. Depending on your TV, pressing the button may cycle through available inputs, or it may display a menu with a choice of inputs.
- If it cycles through the inputs - wait 10 seconds between button presses to allow the TV to detect the video.
- If a menu is displayed - use the arrow buttons on the TV remote to choose the right input and then press the Enter or Select Alternatively, select each input one at a time. Wait 10 seconds between each to allow the TV to detect the video.
- In both cases, if no video is detected on the input, then the TV will usually show a message such as “No video” or “No signal detected”.
- The video cable is not connected properly or the cable is faulty
- Check that the video cable is firmly connected to the back of your Roku player and to the HDMI or composite connector on the TV. If you have a Roku Streaming Stick, then make sure it is firmly connected to the HDMI connector on your TV.
- If you can, check to see if you have a faulty cable by connecting your Roku player with a different cable.
- There is a problem with the TV
- If you can, try connecting the Roku player to a different input on the TV to see if the problem is with the connector on the TV.
- If you can, try connecting the Roku player to a different television to see if the problem is with your Roku player or the TV.
- If all else fails…
- Disconnect and reconnect all cables including the power cable.
If you are connected to a television or AVR that it is capable of displaying 4K resolution, then you may wish to check
how to setup your Roku streaming player for 4K
¶ If your Roku is connected properly and goes to a black screen
Does it go black with audio or no audio?
Couple of possible issues -
- Roku doesn't like to be plugged into other sources (sound bar, etc.)
- Roku needs to be rebooted/power cycled occasionally
- Cords going bad or they are lose
- Change to another HDMI input on TV
- If audio is present, auto resolution may not be selected during set up, needs to be lowered