Hello,
I have a Roku Express model # 3930CA that plays video for a few minutes on any channel, then returns to the Home screen. It can play music on the Tune-In channel without problems. Restarting the device hasn't fixed the issue and the last software update was in January. (12.5.5 - build 4174-AE) Other posts show this issue is resolved but the problem continues and the unit says the software is up-to-date.
Thanks
If you are powering your Roku by plugging into the USB port on the TV, try powering from house power via a USB power adapter -- one may have been supplied with the Roku**.
The ports on many televisions only supply 0.5 amp or less, which is not enough to power a Roku reliably. It may appear to start up okay, but when it runs into something that requires more power than the TV's USB port can provide, something's got to give. In many cases this results in shutting down the stream you are viewing and exiting back to the Roku home screen.
If this is a new problem, possibly an update to either the Roku operating software or to some channel app software is using a little more power than in the past. If you were just barely scraping by before, this might push you over the edge.
** If your Roku didn't come with an adapter, or if you don't have a Roku adapter handy, a USB power adapter you have from another device should work as long as the fine print on it says it outputs at least 1 amp (1000 milliamps). More than 1 amp is okay, the Roku will only draw what it needs.
I'm using the power adapter that came with the Roku and tested using another power adapter that can supply 2 amps. The Roku still returns to the Home screen with both power supplies. The device is set up with the router only 3 feet away and other than having to reboot the modem and router occasionally, all other devices work normally, except the Roku.
The software got updated to version 13.0.0 a few days ago but it hasn't changed the outcome.
Tried a factory reset and still no success. The Roku plays for less than 5 minutes and returns to the home screen. Not much good for streaming video but at least it can be used as an audio streamer for now.