Forum Discussion

mmlphoto's avatar
mmlphoto
Reel Rookie
11 months ago
Solved

overheating of Roku devices.

My family has 3 different Roku devices and we've had others that we replaced (thinking newer models would have eliminated this problem). Tried the cable extension, which doesn't help. Even when the TV isn't on, the device is hot to the touch. You'd think after this long of having an overheating problem, that Roku would have come up with a product that solves the issue. To be clear, NONE of our devices are in a confined area, where they are exposed to direct sunlight or being used more than a couple hours per day. One of our tv's is in a walk-in basement, which is cool all summer long. The house is air conditioned and never hot. The only solution I've come up with, is to put a small fan pointing at the device. Shameful that Roku can't fix this and I keep checking and the newer Roku devices are STILL having this issue! Embarrassing. Not sure who's in charge at Roku, but you should be fired!! 

app playback
  • RokuJharra-Q's avatar
    RokuJharra-Q
    11 months ago

    Hello, mmlphoto! Thanks for reaching out to the Roku Community.

    Our apologies for hearing about your Roku device overheating. We understand your concern, and we'd love to help you out. First, kindly let us know how you powered your Roku device. Did you connect it directly to a power outlet or the TV?

    Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to deal with overheating:

    1. Verify that you are using the USB cable that came with your Roku streaming player
      • If you use any USB cable other than the one with your streaming player, replace it with your player.
    2. Try a different USB Port.
      • Some USB ports have different power characteristics. Connecting your streaming player to a different USB port on your TV may resolve the issue.
    3. Connect power to a power outlet.
      • Using the included USB cable and USB power adaptor (if included), connect your streaming player to a working power outlet in the wall.
      • Connecting to a wall power outlet has the additional advantage that your Roku streaming player will not need to power up every time you turn on your TV. This means your player will be up and running faster than it would be connected to a TV.

    Note: If your Roku Streaming Stick is overheating, you can install a free HDMI extender to help move it away from the back of your TV.

    Hope this helps!

    Thanks,
    Jharra

6 Replies

  • RokuJharra-Q's avatar
    RokuJharra-Q
    Retired Moderator
    11 months ago

    Hello, mmlphoto! Thanks for reaching out to the Roku Community.

    Our apologies for hearing about your Roku device overheating. We understand your concern, and we'd love to help you out. First, kindly let us know how you powered your Roku device. Did you connect it directly to a power outlet or the TV?

    Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can try to deal with overheating:

    1. Verify that you are using the USB cable that came with your Roku streaming player
      • If you use any USB cable other than the one with your streaming player, replace it with your player.
    2. Try a different USB Port.
      • Some USB ports have different power characteristics. Connecting your streaming player to a different USB port on your TV may resolve the issue.
    3. Connect power to a power outlet.
      • Using the included USB cable and USB power adaptor (if included), connect your streaming player to a working power outlet in the wall.
      • Connecting to a wall power outlet has the additional advantage that your Roku streaming player will not need to power up every time you turn on your TV. This means your player will be up and running faster than it would be connected to a TV.

    Note: If your Roku Streaming Stick is overheating, you can install a free HDMI extender to help move it away from the back of your TV.

    Hope this helps!

    Thanks,
    Jharra

    • mmlphoto's avatar
      mmlphoto
      Reel Rookie
      11 months ago

      I don't have any other USB cables, so yes, I'm using the one that came with the device. 

      As I mentioned, I already have your extender and it doesn't make a difference. 

      I get it, you want to make excuses and tell your customers that they need to try all your gimmicks, but the real issue is that your product has a flaw and you're not fixing the problem. Maybe get with your designers to create a product that doesn't generate so much heat, especially when the tv isn't even on. I can touch the Roku device when it's not even in use and it's hot to the touch. That shouldn't be!!

      • makaiguy's avatar
        makaiguy
        Community Streaming Expert
        11 months ago

        mmlphoto-

        Something to try.

        If using a WiFi channel that has a bunch of interference, the Roku has to work harder than if using a channel with little interference. This is more likely to be a problem in the more heavily used 2.4 GHz wifi band, and where it can also get interference from other sources like Bluetooth devices and stray signals escaping microwave ovens than in the 5 GHz band.

        The channel in use is set by your router, not by the Roku,  If you have access to your router's controls, see if changing to a different channel helps the situation.  If you are connecting in the crowded 2.4 GHz band, channels 1-11 are supported. Channels 1, 6, and 11 do not overlap each other and so give you the best chance at reducing congestion, so try each in succession, although depending on what channels your neighbors are using, other channels in the 1-11 range may work best. Also, reducing router bandwidth from 40 to 20 kHz may also reduce interference.

        Note that optimum channel choice can be a moving target as neighbors bring new routers online in your vicinity, or reconfigure their routers to use different channels.  I periodically use a WiFi analyzer app on my smart phone that can show me which available WiFi channels have the least congestion and I change the channel my router uses accordingly.