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Barr1's avatar
Barr1
Reel Rookie
4 years ago

Media player won't work for my roku 3 after the last update

My media player won't work for my roku 3 since the last update.

157 Replies

  • After 5+ years of working, my Roku 3 longer recognizes my Seagate 2.5T external NTFS USB hard drive.  The problem started about 2 weeks ago (3/15/22).  The Roku 3 also fails to recognize a similar Western Digital 3T NTFS drive.  The external drives are externally powered.  I have tried different electrical outlets and, different USB cables. The traditional way I connected the drive was to have the Roku device powered up, then connect the powered up USB drive.  I have also tried powering up and connecting the USB drive first, then powering up the Roku device.  The external drives still work with my desktop computer.  The Roku drive can still recognize and play from my 8GB USB flash drives.

    As this problem started just two weeks after five years of successful operation and these drives still work with my Windows desktop, I suspect the problem is due to a recent Roku software upgrade.  Has anybody else had this issue?  Does anyone know how to correct it? 

    • Streamer317's avatar
      Streamer317
      Roku Guru

      The Roku 3 was released back in 2013. So it’s about 9 years and no longer manufactured. It’s long out lived the normal life expectancy of 3-5 years. Best bet is to upgrade. Are you running Roku OS 11?

      • EvilBert1's avatar
        EvilBert1
        Binge Watcher

        Thanks for your response.

        Yes, I am running version 11.0 4161-04.  I am reluctant to upgrade to a new Roku device as these external hard drives are only failing on my Roku after several years of success and the hard drives still work on my Windows desktop.  This hints heavily that a software upgrade has caused the problem.  

        If I buy a new Roku, I would wish assurance that these hard drives could work on the new device.

    • renojim's avatar
      renojim
      Community Streaming Expert

      EvilBert1, did your Roku recently "upgrade" to version 11.0?  You can check under Settings->System->About.

    • RokuDanny-R's avatar
      RokuDanny-R
      Retired Moderator

      EvilBert1

      Thanks for the post. We would be more than happy to investigate this issue for you.

      Can you please provide us the following information:
      -Roku device model, serial number, device ID, and software OS/version (these can all be found in Settings > System > About)
      -tracker ID when this issue occurs (when you see this issue occur, press the Home button 5 times, followed by the Back button 5 times)
      -steps to reproduce the issue you are seeing 

      Once I have this information, I'll be able to pass it along to the appropriate Roku team to investigate further.


      Thanks,
      Danny

      • EvilBert1's avatar
        EvilBert1
        Binge Watcher

        Thanks Danny, here's the information you requested

        Model:  4230X – Roku 3

        Last updated: 3-30 7:59 AM

        Last Checked 3-4 1:08 PM

        Serial # 4E755VO14959

        Version 11.0 build 4161-04

        No “device-id” information was displayed

        Steps to reproduce (here I used the method I have been using for years to connect this drive)

        • Have Roku box in its normal “on” state.
        • Power up the external hard drive, then connect the drive thru the USB cable to the Roku box.
        • Roku displays “USB Media Launch …” window, I select Launch.
        • Roku displays the “Media Type Selection …” window, I select “Video”
        • Roku displays the “Connect to DLNA Server or USB Device …“ window, nothing more happens.

        When I press Home then Back five times each I get “Timestamp 2022-04-05701:24:56Z” and “ID 59-135-444”

  • I have the same problem with my Roku 3. The device does not show up in the Roku Media player and therefore cannot be accessed when any USB drive is plugged into the Roku.

    This just happened a couple of days ago after an auto update to the firmware which seems to include the Roku Media Player, who’s icon was moved to the end of the app list. 

    i have tried everything, updating, restarting, unplugging, using different devices, but no change.

  • mfa's avatar
    mfa
    Reel Rookie

    My Roku 3 USB port knows when a flash drive is inserted but when I hit either the ALL or VIDEO button I'm taken to a help page that tells me to insert a USB drive into the USB port. I've used this system successfully for years with no problems..until now.

    Any ideas?

    Thanks

    • makaiguy's avatar
      makaiguy
      Community Streaming Expert

      mfa-

      Roku operating software version 11 has started rolling out.  Your problem might be the result of that.  Settings > System > About will show you your Roku version.

      • mfa's avatar
        mfa
        Reel Rookie

        Yes, version 11 is running. Any thoughts on how to check if this is the problem? I've tried using a powered USB hub, though the Roku does recognize when a USB drive is inserted, the USB thumb drive is properly formatted, and the MP4 files have been converted to Roku settings (Handbrake) but still the Roku just gives me the help page. Frustrating.

    • RokuMary-F's avatar
      RokuMary-F
      Community Moderator

      Hi mfa,

      Thanks for posting in the Roku Community!

      Can you please provide us with the following information:
      -Roku device model
      -serial number
      -device ID
      -software OS/version (these can all be found in Settings > System > About)
      -tracker ID when this issue occurs (when you see this issue occur, press the Home button 5 times, followed by the Back button 5 times)
      -steps to reproduce the issue you are seeing
      In addition to this information,  Is it okay if we ask for any sample of your MP4 files?

      Once we have this information, we will be able to investigate further.


      Best regards,
      Mary

      • Willyb88's avatar
        Willyb88
        Reel Rookie

        I started having this problem with my Roku 3 as well. Worked great for years with my usb drive attached. One day about a month and a half ago….stopped recognizing the drive. Nothing changed on the drive, the roku just stopped reading any files. 

    • AirMojo's avatar
      AirMojo
      Streaming Star

      I am also having this problem... tried connecting my 2TB USB external hard drive, and got the same Roku Media Player message screen (see photo)... I posted a separate thread the other day (did not see this one).

      I tested with a couple of 16GB flash drives, one with mp3 files, the other with some mp4 files, and both would work with my Roku 3 that was updated to software version 11.0.0, as noted on the screen photo.

      I have another Roku 3 that is still on the previous software version 10, and it works fine with the 2TB drive.

      I'm looking into try to connect the drive to my local network, but that is not going very well at this point.

  • Your Roku 3 is almost 10 years old. You can try a factory reset. Can you elaborate what do you mean by won’t work

    • atc98092's avatar
      atc98092
      Community Streaming Expert

      There are two different models of Roku 3. Neither are 10 years old, with the 4200 released in Mar 2013 (ok, 9 years) and the 4230 Apr 2015 (7 years old). Both versions are still officially supported by Roku with OS updates, although some channel providers will not support that old of a player. 

      But it's a valid question about what exactly is or is not working with RMP. The last time I tested it, RMP was playing pretty much everything it ever had played. The only issue I know of right now is that .TS/M2TS files will not pause, FF, rewind or resume. MKV and MP4 files are fine. 

  • I'm having the exact same issue with my Roku 3, Roku Media Player is no longer detecting my 2tb hard drive, only over the past couple of days ever since the most recent Roku firmware update.

    I tried everything you suggested AvsGunnar and nothing, even tried resetting my Roku 3 to factory settings and nothing. My 2tb drive is still detected and working fine when I plug it into my computer or other devices, it seems this is an issue related to the latest firmware update. I hope it can get resolved..

  • AvsGunnar's avatar
    AvsGunnar
    Community Streaming Expert

    bewitcher 

    I would not be surprised if related.  

    Have you tried using a smaller drive or USB thumb drive/flash drive to see if the device is recognizing any drives at all?  

    • Ohiobmwbiker's avatar
      Ohiobmwbiker
      Reel Rookie

      AvsGunnar

       

      Thank you for this suggestion - RMP was not recognizing my 128GB USB stick but after reading this I was able to use a 32GB formatted as Fat32.  A 32GB formatted as NTFS didn't work, nor a 64 or the 128 as Fat32.

      I posted this under another topic but thought I'd come back here to throw credit were due.  

      Unfortunately, it is a work around not a solution to why my 128GB worked for over a year and then an update stopped it from being read.

      • AvsGunnar's avatar
        AvsGunnar
        Community Streaming Expert

        Ohiobmwbiker 

        Unfortunately, some OS updates are either buggy or introduce unintended consequences to otherwise perfectly working setups.

        As more users start to get OS 11, hopefully can start to figure out some solutions.  Sometimes, though,  a build update released by Roku addressing the issue is required.

        When OS 10 was released, I lost the ability to use RMP when my USB media was setup through my router.  I actually had to plug it into the Roku Ultra USB  to view content, but that meant rest of my TVs could no longer view the content.  I think it took Roku a couple weeks to fix that issue.  They did seem a little quicker in their responses back then though.

         

    • bewitcher's avatar
      bewitcher
      Reel Rookie

      I did try using a smaller USB and the Roku Media Player did detect it, it just isn't detecting the 2tb external hard drive anymore for some reason? It pops up and says to connect a USB and types recognized but doesn't detect it, my 2tb is an NTFS drive which is one on the list that should be detected, also it did always work in the past prior to a couple of days ago.

  • FYI, my Hitatch Roku TV media play also stopped working, not sure what version of Roku is built into it, but here is some additional detail:

    1. Will not recognize a USB memory device that has been working for a year with the same files on it.  Tried reformatting it as FAT32 and reinstalled some files and it is still not recognized in the media player

    2. Another USB stick plugged is used for pause/rewind/play and still works just fine, does not (and has not ever) been shown in media player

    3. Media player also shows an old HDHomeRun device that has been unplugged for a few months. Even shows channels and errors when a channel is selected (as it should since the device is not on the network).  The device shouldn't even be listed in the media player.

    4. Tried plugging the USB in directly to the USB port and not through a hub with the same effect.

    5. Media player was last updated Feb 22, 2022,

    • atc98092's avatar
      atc98092
      Community Streaming Expert

      Ohiobmwbiker A USB stick formatted for FF/Rewind will never appear in RMP. It's formatted in a special way and it not recognized for any other purpose.

      It sounds like your installation of RMP is hung up. I suggest removing it, rebooting the Roku TV (not just powering it off, unplug it for 30 seconds), then adding the RMP channel back in. 

      • makaiguy's avatar
        makaiguy
        Community Streaming Expert

        Barr1& Ohiobmwbiker -

        What Roku software version are you running?  Settings > System > About will show you.

        Also what Roku Media Player version are you running?  Highlight the RMP tile on the home page channel grid (don't press OK) and press * on your Roku remote.

        Perhaps your problems relate to Roku version 11 that is currently being rolled out.

  • I'm just wondering if Roku has addressed the issue with Roku Media Player not recognizing hard drives? Its stopped working after 11 update. I'm so disappointed. I know I've seen a couple of places that mention it. Just wanted to know. 

     

    Thanks

    • dathead2's avatar
      dathead2
      Roku Guru

      Read in another thread that is is fixed.  Try to force a firmware upload if still not working for you. Wish I could just stay at 10.5.x finally working well