Forum Discussion

korhoden's avatar
korhoden
Reel Rookie
5 years ago
Solved

Cannot wake Roku Express (3900X)

Model Number: 3900X
Software Version: 9.4.0.4210

Symptoms:

  • There is no video output to my television
  • The Roku does not respond to the remote
  • The light on the front of the Roku is solid

This happens when it has not been used for several hours and is only resolved by:

  • Disconnecting the power for 10 seconds before reconnecting it, or
  • Pressing the RESET button on the back of the Roku.

Edit: The Roku is plugged into the wall via a 5V USB adapter.

app playback
  • DBDukes's avatar
    DBDukes
    5 years ago
    korhoden wrote:

    Thank you for your feedback, DB. I am currently using a 5V Roku USB power adapter that’s plugged into the wall.

    Even when I am getting no video from it, the light on the front is on. Very strange.

    I did pick up about the light from your post. makaiguy likely did too. The reason we asked anyway if that it's possible that the TV USB may be providing enough power for it to light, but not enough to properly allow it always fully function. However, as you're using the power supply, that's ruled out.

    Since it's the Express, it came with an IR remote. I assume you've already ensured that there are no obstructions to the line of sight between the end of the remote and the front of the Express, but it may be worth verifying. I expect there are none, but again, just ruling out the things that can happen.

    Next thing to check would the the screen saver. Some apps come with a screen saver that's installed. Not may will do this, but some do. Weather apps in particular will pull this stunt. Not all, but some, and enough that I know to look into that possibility.

    Remove any weather or news based apps that include screen savers. If you aren't sure, then look at the installed screen savers on your device. Settings > Theme > Screensavers.

    Are there any that look news or weather based. If so, remove those apps.

    Are there any apart from the standard ones -- digital clock, analog clock, any that say Roku -- then look at them. If the developer isn't Roku, remove it/them.

    Set your default as one of the clocks for simplicity and see if the problem remains. My feeling is that it will go away, meaning a screen saver is the problem. That's the most likely non-power reason for issues with awakening.

    If that doesn't resolve anything, let us know.

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  • makaiguy's avatar
    makaiguy
    Community Streaming Expert
    5 years ago

    Is your Express powered via plugging into a USB port on your tv?  Many TV USB ports power down when you turn off the TV.  Consequently it must boot up each time you turn on the TV and the USB port re-energizes.  If the TV boots up and checks the HDMI port before the Roku is ready to communicate, you can get the symptoms you describe.

    You can probably recover faster by just switching the TV to a different input and back to the Roku's HDMI port, this forcing the TV to check the port again.

    If you plug the Roku into house power via the power converter that came with it, instead of into the TV USB port, you should eliminate the problem in the first place.

  • DBDukes's avatar
    DBDukes
    Community Streaming Expert
    5 years ago

    That is very unexpected behavior.

    The only thing that immediately comes to mind is the power source. Are you plugging the Roku into the provided power supply? Or are you connecting it to the USB port on the TV?

    If you're using the TV, try the power supply and see if the behavior continues.

    • korhoden's avatar
      korhoden
      Reel Rookie
      5 years ago

      Thank you for your feedback, DB. I am currently using a 5V Roku USB power adapter that’s plugged into the wall.

      Even when I am getting no video from it, the light on the front is on. Very strange.

      • DBDukes's avatar
        DBDukes
        Community Streaming Expert
        5 years ago
        korhoden wrote:

        Thank you for your feedback, DB. I am currently using a 5V Roku USB power adapter that’s plugged into the wall.

        Even when I am getting no video from it, the light on the front is on. Very strange.

        I did pick up about the light from your post. makaiguy likely did too. The reason we asked anyway if that it's possible that the TV USB may be providing enough power for it to light, but not enough to properly allow it always fully function. However, as you're using the power supply, that's ruled out.

        Since it's the Express, it came with an IR remote. I assume you've already ensured that there are no obstructions to the line of sight between the end of the remote and the front of the Express, but it may be worth verifying. I expect there are none, but again, just ruling out the things that can happen.

        Next thing to check would the the screen saver. Some apps come with a screen saver that's installed. Not may will do this, but some do. Weather apps in particular will pull this stunt. Not all, but some, and enough that I know to look into that possibility.

        Remove any weather or news based apps that include screen savers. If you aren't sure, then look at the installed screen savers on your device. Settings > Theme > Screensavers.

        Are there any that look news or weather based. If so, remove those apps.

        Are there any apart from the standard ones -- digital clock, analog clock, any that say Roku -- then look at them. If the developer isn't Roku, remove it/them.

        Set your default as one of the clocks for simplicity and see if the problem remains. My feeling is that it will go away, meaning a screen saver is the problem. That's the most likely non-power reason for issues with awakening.

        If that doesn't resolve anything, let us know.