Roku setup

[Iceman1913]

So I've noticed when I shut down, the light is still on in the Roku box. I've tried turning it off by pressing the power button on the TV, but to no avail. When the TV itself is fully off though, pressing the power button actually turns the TV on. Any thoughts on how this could be fixed....?

[AvsGunnar · Accepted solution]

@Iceman1913 

The Roku devices never really turn "off" (unless you disconnect it from power/pull the plug).

The Roku devices enter into a "sleep mode/low-power mode" after a bit of time after streaming is ended.   (screensaver usually kicks in and LED power light should turn off).

When you are finished streaming, make sure to press the Home button on remote. (this will return you to home screen and cease streaming/data usage).  Otherwise, the Roku device will continue to stream away in the background until maybe a screensaver or bandwidth saver setting kicks in if enabled in settings.

Pressing the Power button has no effect on the Roku device.  The Power button and the Volume buttons are "TV controls" only.

When you are powering down next time, try pressing the Home button (to return to Home Screen), and then press the Power Button (to turn off TV).  After a few minutes, the Roku device should fall asleep and you should notice the LED light go off.

When you go to use the Roku next time, press the Power button on the remote to turn on TV, and then press the Home button to "wake up" the Roku device. 

You can also try enabling HDMI CEC on both your TV and the Roku device. (Settings/System/Control other devices/1-touch play).  When enabled, pressing Home button should simulataneously turn on your TV, switch to the appropriate HDMI port, and wake your Roku device.  You will still need to use the Power button to turn off the TV after pressing Home to stop streaming when you are done.

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You may want to enable the Bandwidth Saver in the Roku Settings (Settings/Network/Bandwidth Saver).  This will automatically stop streaming after 4hrs if you inadvertently leave the Roku device on.

Note: some users have reported that some newer 480x Ultra devices LED lights never seem to turn off (or sometimes on) so suspect some bug in OS/firmware that is affecting some users' Ultra devices) if you are already following above methods.

[Iceman1913]

Thank you, this is very helpful. I must have invoked a power-saver along the way, because when I pressed the Home button after it had been idle for a few hours, the light in the Roku box went off immediately. I guess I have some things to learn about this device!

[Iceman1913]

And now the Roku box won;t turn on!

We were on vacation for a week, I come back, everything seems fine, but when I go to watch streaming, nada. I changed the batteries in my remote, nothing. The streaming on my other two TVs in the hime work fine. Any thoughts?

[AvsGunnar]

@Iceman1913 

What is the model number of the device you are having an issue with?  If you unplug the power and plug it back in, does it look like a little blue/white light is doing anything?

What exactly are you seeing (a blank screen, a Roku screen but no movement, etc).  Are you sure you are on the correct HDMI input?

If you currently have the device plugged into the TV USB port for power, try using a power adapter at the wall instead (any cell phone charging adapter 5volts, 1amp should work).

[Iceman1913]

Pretty sure it's the Roku Express Streaming Device, it's pretty basic, don't know the model number. I unplugged it but no light is visible anywhere on the device.  It shows a blank screen, yes, using the correct HDMI input.

[AvsGunnar]

@Iceman1913 

If swapping out the power adapter at the wall outlet (try another adapter with 5volt, 1amp specs), followed by trying another micro-usb power cable, does not get the device to power up, then would conclude that the device has likely failed.

If under a year, then should qualify for warranty replacement.  https://support.roku.com/article/208757058

[Iceman1913]

Thank you for your help. I bought this from Best Buy, so now I have to figure out how to get a refund or replacement from them. I don't have the box it came in but pretty sure I have the receipt. <sigh>

[dh6325]

I know this is an old topic, but... I recently "cut the cord" and now have Roku devices on 3 TVs. And I later noticed that the devices will happily keep on streaming even if the TV is turned off. Now I understand this, and have instructed everyone in the house to press the Home button before turning off the TV, but with kids and non-tech spouses this is hard to make happen.

It seems like the Roku should go to the home screen if the TV is turned off (using the power button on the Roku remote). I guess this is problematic since the power button is more of a toggle, and the Roku doesn't know whether the TV just got turned on or off.

But why not just have the Roku go to the home screen any time the power button is pressed, regardless. If you are turning the TV off, then you want the home screen anyhow. And if you are turning it on, well, wouldn't you normally want the home screen then, too?

This way people could just use the remote in the manner they are used to, powering off the TV without that extra step of pressing the home button. Roku could even make this a setting, so that the behavior is based on their preference.

Am I missing something here?

[AvsGunnar]

@dh6325 

The Power button is a "tv control".  It is programmed when setting up the TV (along with the volume controls).  The IR code for the Roku device would have to somehow be universal for every TV that it could be connected to.

I just setup the Bandwidth Saver on the devices (Settings/Network/Bandwidth Saver) so that at least it will stop streaming after 4hrs (and using data/bandwidth) for those that fall asleep with the TV on or those that just leave the TV on all day and walk away.

Explain to users that a Roku is very similar to locking a door when leaving the house.  If you just close a door after walking out the house, it remains unlocked. (power button).  Usually, you need to perform the "extra step" of turning a key, or pressing a lock button on the doorknob or keypad, (home button) in order to lock the door and keep others from walking in and stealing your Roku devices and the TV.

After a while, pressing the Home button before powering down the TV will just become second nature to you. (although I have given up trying to explain this to elderly family members and just rely on the bandwidth saver feature 🙂.)