Old Roku device is frequently overheating
My Roku stick keeps overheating. I keep it UNPLUGGED from the power all the time not in use. The minute I plug it in and turn on the tv - it tells me within a few minutes that it is overheating. I kn...
Forum Discussion
shilpashetty9 same question as before. Exactly what model Stick do you have? As mentioned, there's nine different versions with the first dating back 11 years ago.
My Stick (3821 Stick 4K+) works just fine when I leave it connected to power the entire week I'm at the hotel. But if heat is a concern for you, then I recommend the Express 4K+. It connects to the TV with a cable (which it comes with) and you can keep it away from the TV.
atc98092 As these sticks do have a tendency to run warm, would it be a benefit to set these on a large thick metal plate while in operation to absorb some of this heat? I imagine there is a heat sinking device within the unit, this was just a thought for added protection.
For a heat sink to be of any practical value, the sink needs to have good contact with the device being cooled. The problem with a Roku Stick (or really any sort of electronic device in a similar case), it doesn't have large flat spaces that can have firm contact with the device. The sides aren't really flat, instead having some curvature on all sides. While it might provide some relief, it's not going to do as much as one might expect. Moving the device into free air space (away from the TV) would likely do as much or more than a heat sink device. I think a small fan would be of much more value than any sort of heat sink. That said, I've never had a fan pointed at any of my Roku players, even one that's inside a cabinet.
atc98092 Noted the stick is not a flat device (so you are correct, setting on a metal plate is not a full benefit). I currently have mine sitting out front of the set with a heavy shielded HDMI extension. I did not do this setup for heat (yet I'm sure it gets better ventilation), but for RFI prevention, as the stick appears to generate some being close to the main board/tuner. I still watch TV OTA (Over The Air), on occasion & this does help.
