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Tailspin1
Binge Watcher

Re: Roku Ultra (4640X) Stuck on Recovery mode

Just found this thread searching.  My 4640RW is having same issue.  Got recovery screen asking me to reinstall operating system.  Have options to update, restart or factory reset.  Update  appears to download and install but doesn't resolve the issue.  Reboots a few times and ends back on the recovery screen.  How frustrating, I can't watch anything on TV other than Blurays.

What I have tried so far:

Unplugging for 10 seconds and restarting.

Doing an Update from recovery screen.

Doing a Factory Reset from recovery screen.

Holding reset button for 5 seconds.

Holding reset button for 30 seconds.

 

None of the above helped.

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jc116
Newbie

roku ultra 4640x stuck on recovery mode

Hi - has there been any fixes to this issue.  We've tried all suggestions, nothing working. Is it related to bad software update or power outages?  2 of our 4 roku boxes not working after short power outage. Thanks

Tailspin1
Binge Watcher

Re: roku ultra 4640x stuck on recovery mode

I believe the issue is as a result of a software update that did not support the 4640 models.  I have 3 Roku Express that are fine and it was only the 4640 that got bricked after the update.  Mine used to be stuck on the Recovery Mode screen for the last two days and I tried a number of things to Update/Factory Reset it to no avail.

This morning, instead of being stuck on the Recovery screen, I get a "Let's get started" screen asking me to pick the Language.  Roku actually speaks telling us how to turn on the screen reader.  So it appears that the Factory Reset finally kicked in.  After picking English it proceeds to update the software and reboot.  It  fails and end up back at the "Let's get started" screen.  So the good news is that the Factory Reset does eventually work but it appears that the 4640 would require a new update to be released to work.  There does not appear to be a way to selectively apply a build other than the latest one.

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Tailspin1
Binge Watcher

Re: Roku Ultra (4640X) Stuck on Recovery mode

So I don't know if the Factory Reset finally kicked in but this morning I get a "Let's get started" screen asking me to pick the Language.  You can also hear the Roku giving instructions on how to turn on the screen reader.  It forces me to do a software update and proceeds to download and reboot, but after a couple of reboots it returns me to Let's Get started screen so its still stuck.  I can however now use the feature to get a Report Tracker and provided this to Roku support.  It says my software version is 13.1.4 - build 1512-29.  I assume that's that's the latest one that caused the issue.  

Re: Roku Ultra (4640X) Stuck on Recovery mode

Mine is still in recovery mode and reboot cycle. 

JCameronHollis
Binge Watcher

Re: Roku Ultra (4640X) Stuck on Recovery mode

Spoiler
 

I'm not sure if you read my prior update....

I was able to successfully regain use by pressing the physical reset button 20 times as soon as the Roku letters starting bouncing. Literally pressing the button 20 times - once a second. To ensure greater chances of success unplug all cables and allow the power block and 4640x to fully cool down. Say 30 minutes or so. Mine had been unplugged and disconnected - I had pulled out an old Blu-ray player in order to stream.

If you're using a Wi-Fi connection and it fails, try repeating the process with an Ethernet connection. I know it's difficult and a hassle to move a TV close enough to connect an Ethernet cable from your router to your 4640X and an HDMI cable to your TV.

If pressing the reset button 20 times while connected via Ethernet is successfully, you will be prompted to set up your 4640X as if it were new. Go through the process of setting up the 4640X while connected via Ethernet. Delete as many unused, junk, or underused apps as possible in order to free up device memory. Then open each app and login. Keep in mind deleting apps on your 4640X will remove them from all other Roku devices. Apps are stored locally on each device. However changes are linked to your Roku account, therefore on all devices. Downloading a new app on one device will added the app thumbnail on all other Roku devices. However the app will not download to the other devices until you open that app on each device. Meaning the app thumbnail will be displayed but not taking up memory on the device until you open it. Hopefully that makes sense. 

For those using an optical cable. Do not plug in the cable until you've successfully regained use. While the optical cable should not affect the player, it's worth a try. Nothing about this Recovery Boot loops makes sense. Some recover with holding the reset button for 20 second. Others recover after pressing the reset button ten consecutive times. I had success pressing it 20 consecutive times over 20 seconds. 

Due to the fact many of us were able to recover with different methods, I urge each of you to try different methods. Methods include via Wi-Fi and Ethernet - connected directly to a router and/or a Wi-Fi repeater, with-w/out optical cable, pressing and holding the reset button for 20 seconds, pressing reset 10 times, pressing the reset 20 times, using a different HDMI cable, and trying on a different TV. If your Wi-Fi is weak (DSL or due to a lot of connected devices) take as many devices offline as possible to improve your 4640X chances of getting through the entire setup process. The setup process includes updating its software and downloading apps. If the Internet connection is weak or slow there is a risk the update and/or apps could fail to download completely or at all. Meaning you could trigger the 4640X going back into Recovery Mode. After you've setup your player - deleted apps and opened and logged in remaining apps, reboot (not reset) the player. If all is well switch the player Internet connection to Wi-Fi. Once connected via WiFi disconnect the Ethernet cable. Open and app to test streaming. If successful you may resume normal operation. If there are any issues you will need to press the reset button once in order to try to clear the issue. 

Once users recover I recommend using a Micro SD to ensure there is sufficient memory on the 4640X for future updates. While Roku can't or won't tell us what caused some 4640X player to fail, it is my theory those of us affected either didn't have enough memory for the update to completely install. Or our Internet connection was somehow compromised or interrupted during downloading of the update. Expanding the memory via Micro SD may prevent this from happening during future updates. Finding a way to improve internet connectivity (moving the router or player, using an Ethernet connection, or adding a Wi-Fi repeater) is another step towards possibly preventing the same issue from occuring. Again.... these are steps I took based on my theory, not fact.

Cheers!

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atc98092
Community Streaming Expert

Re: Roku Ultra (4640X) Stuck on Recovery mode


@JCameronHollis wrote:

Once users recover I recommend using a Micro SD to ensure there is sufficient memory on the 4640X for future updates. While Roku can't or won't tell us what caused some 4640X player to fail, it is my theory those of us affected either didn't have enough memory for the update to completely install. Or our Internet connection was somehow compromised or interrupted during downloading of the update. Expanding the memory via Micro SD may prevent this from happening during future updates. Finding a way to improve internet connectivity (moving the router or player, using an Ethernet connection, or adding a Wi-Fi repeater) is another step towards possibly preventing the same issue from occuring. Again.... these are steps I took based on my theory, not fact.

Cheers!


The SD card does nothing for operational memory. It has only one use, which is to increase storage space for installed channels. It will do nothing for the operating system. And even for the channel storage the SD card will only add about 2GB of space. Even if you install a 32GB SD card, the Roku OS will only use 2GB of it for channel storage, and the rest is wasted space. The SD card offers nothing for any future update storage.  

Dan

Roku Community Streaming Expert

Help others find this answer and click "Accept as Solution."
If you appreciate my answer, maybe give me a Kudo.

I am not a Roku employee, just another user.
Tailspin1
Binge Watcher

Re: Roku Ultra (4640X) Stuck on Recovery mode

Must be different for my 4640RW than the 4640X.   Even thought I have been able to do the Factory Reset, and get to the "Lets' get started" screen, it proceeds to do a software update and downloads it successfully to 100% and restarts.  Its just not able to boot and keeps restarting until I get back to the "Let's get started" screen.

From my vantage point, it doesn't appear to be a memory issue as it can successfully download and restart.  It just looks like the OS tries to do something than the 4640RW cannot handle.  Roku needs to release a new update that works with the 4640RW or else the device is now junk and I need a new one.

 

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atc98092
Community Streaming Expert

Re: Roku Ultra (4640X) Stuck on Recovery mode

The letter identifier after the model number (X, RW) only indicates the sales path the player is made for. RW means it was packaged for Walmart distribution. X is general sales distribution. There’s no hardware difference between them. 

Dan

Roku Community Streaming Expert

Help others find this answer and click "Accept as Solution."
If you appreciate my answer, maybe give me a Kudo.

I am not a Roku employee, just another user.
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Tailspin1
Binge Watcher

Re: Roku Ultra (4640X) Stuck on Recovery mode

I didn't know that about the letters.  I assumed they were variations of the same model (different remote for instance).  I bought mine from eBay since I needed an Ultra that had the optical out as the newer models didn't have one.,

Does the updated software work on the 4640 for some then?  There has to be a reason why mine keeps rebooting.  If it does work then it looks like may be a matter of getting it properly installed.

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