Forum Discussion

Jherriott's avatar
Jherriott
Newbie
6 years ago
Solved

How to fix 'insufficient power' or 'low power' warning

I'm watching the LSU-CLEMSON game and all of a sudden, my Roku says "insufficient power"..."USB port will not power this Roku." What happened? How do I fix?
app playback
low power warning
DavidB65's avatar
DavidB65
Reel Rookie
5 years ago

This problem has just started happening with my unit as well. Purchased in 2017, has worked fine all that time. Not plugged into TV, using wall adapter that was shipped with the unit. Testing that shows sufficient stable power output, so the issue must be software related. Seems to happen most frequently when changing a channel. Affected unit is Roku Express 3700X ( S/N: YU00RV627141, Device ID: 7G26DR627141, Software 9.4.0 Build 4200-28) We also have a Roku Express+ 3910RW that does not appear to be affected (also plugged into wall adapter, Software 9.4.0 Build 4211-51) A power reset will clear the error, which is random, and the unit will work again for an indefinite time. Have not tried a factory reset/rebuild, since if it is the latest software, the problem will just recur.

Given that Roku does not appear to have any live support for these products (the support site indicates no chat support available, and there is no way to actually contact a real person at Roku) is the only solution to junk it? 

Very frustrating, as is the other planned obsolescence of these units - I've had two others prior to the Express units that I had to replace because they were no longer supported, even though there was no hardware problem with them. It is unfortunate, since they do work well, and are easy for everyone in the house to navigate.

 

benJet's avatar
benJet
Reel Rookie
5 years ago

I had to finally give up on Roku and go with the big boy, the Firestick. This was my second Roku and I liked the interface. I got this Roku at the same time that my son got his Firestick. Needless to say the Firestick is still going strong. I'm not angry that the Roku broke after two years. That stuff happens. It's the lack of anything reasonable from the company. They are liars and they do not care. The Roku tells me to use a better power supply or use the one that came with the unit. WHAT DO THEY THINK I AM USING! And then the techsupport guy tells us to send him the serial # that can be found in a Roku menu. WE CAN'T ACCESS THE MENU BECAUSE THE UNIT IS TELLING US THAT WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH POWER TO DO ANYTHING! This is just blatant "Get You Off Of The Phone Lies". Working in IT for years I dealt with this kind of stuff all of the time. If this was a joystick that broke after two years of use, I would accept that. I could see that it was broken and that I had used it. If the company said that this is a problem and that they hope to rectify it in the next version. I would accept that and possibly purchase another unit, but this response? Roku has an issue that we cannot see and that they do not want to admit. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THEM... TO ANYONE... EVER... AGAIN.

  • Chaslen's avatar
    Chaslen
    Channel Surfer
    5 years ago

    Hi to DavidB65 and benJet,

    I have no idea, clue, thought, etc why Roku will not respond to all these comments, especially when customers like you, relay some well researched attempts for a fix. Personally, with 35 years of troubleshooting, I have nothing more to add to this community. Like Captain Smith said on that famous ship (guess the name), "What ice". Companies that use an 'email chat' for correcting problems, in my opinion, are working on the cheap and will never improve their product. I'm at a lost of typing to understand this company. So, I hope everyone will find a better solution cause it ain't coming from Roku.

    Chaslen