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Vinndalf's avatar
Vinndalf
Channel Surfer
2 years ago
Solved

Roku Express pauses itself randomly (not buffering)

I have a Roku Express. I've had it for a few months. Every so often while we're streaming something it just pauses. I don't mean it buffers from a gap in the video stream. I mean the it acts as though I had clicked the Pause button on my remote--even though the remote was on the table next to me. I wasn't touching it. 

The fix is simple: I pick up the remote and hit un-pause, and the playback continues smoothly, immediately. 

The behavior happens randomly. It disappeared for a few weeks and recurred several times last night.

Anyone else seen this problem? Is there a fix?

 

 

  • Vinndalf's avatar
    Vinndalf
    2 years ago

    Roku sent me a replacement device. That worked. No problem with the new device.

24 Replies

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  • I am having the same issue. Nothing resolves the issue. Different network, system restart, factory reset all don't help. I've even tried to cover the front with electrical tape to eliminate the chance of a rogue IR signal. Still pauses on its own. This happens on multiple channels at random times.

  • RokuEuniceL's avatar
    RokuEuniceL
    Retired Moderator

    Hi Vinndalf,

    Thanks for posting here in the Roku Community!

    We're glad to assist you with your problem with streaming on your Roku device. We'd like to know more about it so we can further assist you. Please provide us with more details.

    • When did the issue occur?
    • Is the issue happening on all content or channels, or is this isolated to one content or channel? (Specify)
    • Are you getting any error messages or error codes while trying to play content?
    • How far is your Roku device from your network router?
    • Do you have cellular data, so we can try connecting your device to your hotspot?

    We'll be waiting for your response.

    Kind regards,

    Eunice

    • Vinndalf's avatar
      Vinndalf
      Channel Surfer

      Thank you for the quick response.

      • When did the issue occur?

      As I said, it's been off and on for some time. When we use Roku it tends to be in the evening between about 6 and 9 pm (PST) if that helps. The most recent occurrences were on Monday the 27th.

      • Is the issue happening on all content or channels, or is this isolated to one content or channel? (Specify)

      I didn't think to notice that. We have been using several apps, but I have not noticed if this behavior is particular to one of them. I will start paying attention.

      • Are you getting any error messages or error codes while trying to play content?

      No, no errors. As I said, the UI acts as though I had clicked the Pause button. It does not look as though the buffer ran dry. There is no slowing down, no degradation of picture quality, no sound dis-coordination. And no error code. The playback just spontaneously pauses itself for no apparent reason, and resumes instantly without difficulty as soon as I click the remote to unpause.

      • How far is your Roku device from your network router?

      It is at the other end of the house. Roku reaches the router through two chained Unifi wifi access points. The intermediate access point has an ethernet connection to the router.

      No need to point out that a more direct connection would be preferable. I am well aware of that, but in my house that would require paying for a second cable connection. The current solution is the result of considerable experimenting and it has been quite reliable for years now. Not perfectly reliable, but but very good. If I put an iPad near the Roku device and do a speed test I see about 99Mbps up and 11.8 Mbps down. (Yes, this is DSL. I'm switching to fiber later this week.) We had TiVo for years on this setup, and then a different Roku device. The pausing we see on this Roku Express is new to us. 

      • Do you have cellular data, so we can try connecting your device to your hotspot?

      Yes, my phone can provide a hotspot, and I'm willing to try connecting to that. What will that experiment tell us?

       

       

      • RokuEuniceL's avatar
        RokuEuniceL
        Retired Moderator

        Hi Vinndalf,

        Thanks for the quick response!

        Please restart your modem and router by unplugging them from the wall outlet and plugging them back in right after. This can fix some Internet connection problems, occasionally improve slow connections and traffic, and resolve common wireless issues. After doing so, please restart your Roku device by doing the same. Restarting it can clear out any temporary data and resolve any temporary performance issues. Please observe if it fixes the issue. 

        If the issue persists, let us try connecting your Roku device to the mobile hotspot. This will help us observe if the issue occurs when it's connected to a different network.

        We'll wait for your updates!

        Kind regards,

        Eunice

  • I have been having the same issues but with the Roku stick 4k just wondering if you were watching a recorded streaming program or is this live TV program. My issue is happening about the same time in the evening hours PST. I have tried everything rebooting wireless router and modem also I called spectrum tech support they can see the issue and have been out to my home twice now and replaced the modem still happening. I just think it’s odd that you are having the same problem with a Roku device about the same time and hours of the day. I have great speeds super fast it’s not my internet speed. Does anyone from Roku have a fix it’s happening on almost a daily basis 

    • Vinndalf's avatar
      Vinndalf
      Channel Surfer

      I was streaming. It was not live TV. 

      FWIW, my guess is that the time of day is not terribly significant. That happens to be the time I usually watch. It's not like my TV is on all day but I only have this trouble in the evenings.

      It happened again last night, and this time I noticed it was while using Amazon Prime. So that's a data point.

      • RokuCarly's avatar
        RokuCarly
        Community Moderator

        Welcome, and thank you for posting here in the Roku Community, GMAN75.

        Providing us with a precise explanation is highly appreciated. No worries. We're here to find you the best resolution possible.

        May we know the serial number of the Roku player you are having this issue with so we can check it further and determine the root cause? (if you want to send it via PM, select my username > View Profile > Send this user a private message.)

        Furthermore, we suggest connecting your device to an alternative network, such as mobile data, to see if it will make any difference. 

        We'll be anticipating your response!

        Best regards,
        Carly

  • Same problem on Roku Express... as in it pauses on its own. Not buffers, pauses! I've tried the things. Nothing works. Honestly it's the most annoying thing. Roku needs to fix it.

    • Vinndalf's avatar
      Vinndalf
      Channel Surfer

      Now I have a new symptom: three or four times last night while we watched one show, the screen flickered very briefly and the "paused" UI started to appear--the timeline at the bottom of the screen flashed briefly--and then normal streaming resumed. No interruption to sound and just a visual flicker, but it sure looked as though the device started to pause itself and then instantly resumed itself.

      • ConanDYossarian's avatar
        ConanDYossarian
        Reel Rookie

        Same issue here. If this is  buffering feedback it's insane to give users the inpression that it was just paused.

        I just wrote out all kinds of detail and then had to login, which took me to my home page and completely cleared what I'd been trying to post... So i won't put it past roku I guess. 

         

        Anyway, it happens in kanopy, prime and hulu for me. 

         

  • I have had the same issue for six months.  Netflix is more troublesome (pausing every 4 or 5 seconds) but Hulu also pauses without cause.  Double clicking the play button restarts streaming.  Eventually I get smooth streaming.  It’s very inconvenient and I wonder if it’s the ##RokuExpress malfunctioning

    • Sunnyar1137's avatar
      Sunnyar1137
      Reel Rookie

      I see this has happened to many others, but I don't see that ROKU actually helped anyone resolve the issue. 

      My Roku is constantly pausing and starting at random; sometimes to the extent that content is unwatchable. It does not matter what the Internet source or connection is. I have followed all of the suggested fixes listed on this forum from Roku employees; including restarting, rebooting, powering off, etc. I have deleted apps, then rebooted Roku, then reinstalled the app. NOTHING WORKS!! This problem with my Roku makes it impossible to watch anything without constant interupptions.

      What is the fix???

      • KrazyKat's avatar
        KrazyKat
        Newbie

        I have the same problem with my Roku. My older model never did that, only died because of lightning. Are the people with these issues living in a haunted houses? 

    • RokuJechealR's avatar
      RokuJechealR
      Retired Moderator

      Hi Johnnyoga,

      Welcome to the Roku Community!

      Does the issue only occur on specific content within Netflix and Hulu or across other channels installed on your Roku device?

      Did you restart your Roku before re-installing the channel? That step is crucial when performing troubleshooting. If you haven't tried the suggested order (remove > restart > re-install), we would recommend giving it a shot once again. We also suggest doing the restart from the Settings menu by navigating to Settings > System > Power (if you do not see a Power submenu, skip to the next step.) > System restart.

      For detailed instructions, refer to this Support link: How do I resolve channel playback issues?

      Please keep us posted on how it goes.

      All the best,
      Chel