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Beltonite's avatar
Beltonite
Reel Rookie
3 years ago

Both My Old and New ROKU Devices Always Overheat

I have used ROKU products for quite some time now and here are my findings.  Overheating is a very real problem for every ROKU device I have owned - period.  By that I mean that two totally different models made years apart each ALWAYS and CONSISTENTLY got hot enough to kick off an error message and rendering the entire streaming experience an absolute failure.  So called old model is the 4800X console type unit (not a stick - Ser. No. S02A208HA6P6) and it didn't take long for it to start kicking codes.  I finally resorted to elevating the unit off my console to create more airflow beneath it then buying a small USB powered fan to literally keep it cool enough to run.  Then, most recent upgrade to the 3820X stick (Ser. No. X017005XUREG), software version 11.0.0 - build 4193-CU has resulted in exactly the same behavior.  Dongle extender makes no difference - still overheats on its own unless and until I blow cool air on it constantly.  Since I am accustomed to ROKU and its features, I choose to live with the thing.  So I have cobbled together my own cooling solution, crude as it is.  It's the best way I know of to keep from getting overheated. The stick does occasionally just go out of whack altogether and becomes unresponsive or has huge latency problems.  At my age, it's just a lot less of a hassle to just put up with it.  ROKU, you have an overheating issue that seems not only prevalent, well known and documented, but more importantly, persists and goes on unaddressed.  Extenders, software, etc. don't fix a thing.  You have a design flaw - fix it.  It's now October 2022 and I do not see anything anywhere that suggests I am the only one experiencing this.  FIX IT!

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  • makaiguy's avatar
    makaiguy
    Community Streaming Expert
    3 years ago

    I don't doubt you are experiencing the overheating problem, as you are far from the only one reporting it.

    It is not a universal problem, however.   Over the years I've used at least five different Roku models and have never had a problem with overheating. 

    My most-used Roku is always whatever is connected to my living room set.  In recent years this has been a progression of Roku Streaming Stick models,  connected by HDMI extension cable several feet long going through the wall in which the TV is mounted and into an equipment cabinet.  Perhaps this additional separation has something to do with it, I cannot say.

    • Beltonite's avatar
      Beltonite
      Reel Rookie
      3 years ago

      Good for you.  I am addressing all the customers who paid good money for a unit that is clearly prone to overheating.  Let the hair on your back lay back down now.  Cheers!

      • AvsGunnar's avatar
        AvsGunnar
        Community Streaming Expert
        3 years ago

        Beltonite 

        You are of course free to criticize any advice given to you in the Community, or perhaps consider it in the spirit it is given in addressing your issue.

        Since makaiguy has indicated that he has encountered no overheating issues while maintaining a similar setup with additional space/distance between the Streaming Stick and the television with the use of a longer HDMI cable; and you are experiencing issues with the Streaming Stick dangling and resting on the side of the TV, perhaps you can test whether you can resolve the overheating by either:

        a. using a longer HDMI cable

        b. at least drape it over the rod holding the fan to get some more distance from the TV and its heat exhaust.

        ----

        An analogy for you.

        I own an old Chevy 1995 6.5L diesel dually.  An electronic fuel pump driver is located on the side on the fuel pump in the valley of the engine.  The design was such that the diesel going through the pump was supposed to cool this exterior mounted electronic driver module.  It did not, trucks stalled going 60mph down highways, and owners had to wait for the module to cool down, reset, and then hopefully be able to restart their trucks.  Chevy responded by redesigning/upgrading the module.  Still failed, bad design.  Mechanics and owners then came up with the idea of simply relocating these modules away from the heat of the engine by mounting them on aluminum heat sinks, using an extender harness, and mounting them in the bumpers of the trucks where airflow could get to them.  Problem solved.  Every 6.5 owner (those still alive) now knows about the extension relocation kit.

        -----

        You can either see if Roku fixes your particular issue that you are having, or perhaps welcome suggestions and info offered to you from users that may be more intimately knowledgeable of these devices and workarounds of any shortcomings they may or may not have.