Features, settings & updates

[fjfagergren]

My Roku 3 accepts my Sandisk microSD 2 gb card and the microSD card detected - format-cancel screen comes up.  However, when I select format, the screen quickly shifts to the channel lineup screen.  I do not see anything showing format is occurring and I could not find anything that would allow me to verify if the microSD card was formatted correctly or not.  I also noticed initially that when the microSD Card detected-format-cancel screen appeared, if I did not shift to "format" very quickly, the screen shifted to the Channel lineup; I restarted Roku 3 and then quickly shifted to "format" but nothing happened except the unit quickly shifted to the Channel Lineup screen.

Would appreciate any information on what might be happening?

[atc98092]

You might try formatting it in a computer and then putting it back in the Roku again. The computer formatting will be reformatted but if there was something interfering with the Roku format that might clear it.

But if you can't get it formatted, don't worry about it. The SD card doesn't make the Roku work any better/faster. All the card does is provide additional channel storage space. If you don't have a lot of channels, the card won't even be used. If you do have more channels installed that space to store them, the Roku will offload the least used channel and download/install the channel if you want to use it again. Since most people probably only use a handful of channels with any regularity, that offload/download won't happen often.

Yes, if you really do use a lot of different channels on a regular basis the SD card will make a slight difference in the speed it will load a channel. But once that channel is loaded, there's no difference in performance. 

[fjfagergren]

thank you for your reply and suggestions.  In fact, I did format the SD card in my computer and then try it in the Roku 3.  I experienced the same thing; saw the card detected screen, quickly selected "format" option and Roku 3 immediately shifted to Channel screen.

The fact that the SanDisk quickly formatted in my computer would suggest there is nothin wrong with the SD card itself.  What might the problem be?

I understand the card may make no difference but having purchased the 2 gb card, I'd like to use it; its capacity is so small, it doesn't have much value for me otherwise.

Can you or someone else tell me what I should see if formatting actually occurs?  Also, is there a way to check the status of the SD card; please describe menu selections I would make to see status of SD card?

[atc98092]

I've never used an SD card, so I have no idea what messages might appear or any menu items for checking status. Sorry. 

[makaiguy]

@fjfagergren-

I once had a Roku 3 and installed an SD card and ran into some SD card troubles over time.   Sorry, I never had the problem of not getting it to format in the Roku, so I don't know how to help with that.  I am wondering if it can be caused be the Roku not recognizing the format currently on the card.

It only uses the card to store more channel apps beyond the Roku 3's 256 MB channel storage, and thus reduce the amount of shuffling and reloading it must do when you try to run a channel you haven't used in a while.  It only uses 2 GB no matter how big a card you insert.

I had several SD failures, and after messing around and getting it working for maybe the 4th or so time I just decided it wasn't worth the hassle and permanently removed it.

Here's what I posted back then:

For those Roku models that have SD card slots, a corrupted card can prevent the Roku from advancing beyond the startup screen when powering up. Try removing the SD card and restarting.

You may be able to salvage the card. Try formatting the card in your computer, if it has a card reader that can handle SD cards. After formatting, see if the Roku will detect and reformat the card successfully.

For Windows (don't know what would differ on other systems):
Do a slow (i.e. not "fast") format of the card via your computer. Select FAT32 and select it to use the default allocation size.

Also, see if this post helps: https://community.roku.com/t5/Remotes-Accessories/Added-SD-Card-Remote-no-longer-works/m-p/646676#M1...

[Mlbranson]

Same problem.m on Roku 3. Formatted 4gb sandisk sd and it works on laptop. Roku quickly asks about formatting it then moves on to channels without letting me respond. Under systems it says there is no sd. I tried reformatting but same result. Please help-shifting between channels is so slow. 

[atc98092]

While an SD card would be of some help, the bigger problem is your Roku 3 is now 8 or 10 years old, depending on the model number. It's really a slow device compared to the newest models. The Roku 3 was a fantastic player for many years, but it simply can't keep up with the newest apps written in a language that didn't exist (or was in its infancy) at the time your player was new. 

The SD card won't work with the formatting done on the computer. Rather than formatting it again in your computer, instead delete the partition and let the Roku work with a raw SD card. On Windows you can delete the partition using the Disc Manager app.

[McFate]

I'm having a similar issue.  I have a half-dozen Roku Premiere+ (model no. 4630X).  I bought a 5-pack of cheap micro SD cards.

I put one card in one of the Rokus, and when it was powered back up, I was given the dialog to format the card.  I accepted "format" and it took about 2 minutes to finish.  After that, it apparently worked without issue.

I put a second card in another of the Rokus.  When it was powered up, it did show the format/cancel dialog, but only for a second or so.  The dialog went away very quickly, not giving me time to select "format." I haven't tried all of the other 20 combinations, but every other Roku and micro SD card combination that I've tested has had the same problem.

When the format dialog vanishes, an ad for the Roku channel at bottom-left of the screen becomes active.  Is it possible that the ad is somehow overriding or canceling the dialog?

[renojim]

Insert the card after the Roku device is fully powered up.

[McFate]

@renojim Thanks for the advice, that worked perfectly.

Now all I need is the "quit adding things to my home screen that I never asked for" setting. 😀