Has your Roku started freezing, crashing, or acting up? Resetting it to factory-fresh condition is one of the best ways to troubleshoot common performance issues.
In this comprehensive 2500+ word guide, you’ll learn how to easily factory reset every Roku model, whether you have a streaming stick, streaming player, or Roku TV.
Here‘s what we’ll cover:
- When to Reset vs. Restart Your Roku
- Step-by-Step Reset Instructions for Every Roku
- What Happens During a Roku Factory Reset
- How Resetting Fixes Common Roku Problems
- Troubleshooting Tips for Reset Issues
- What to Do Before and After Resetting
- Roku Alternatives Like Fire TV and Android TV
- Resetting Used Rokus Before Selling or Gifting
- Factory Resetting Roku vs. Other Devices
- Roku Reset FAQs Answered
Let‘s start by explaining the differences between resetting and restarting your Roku…
Should You Reset or Restart Your Roku?
Before factory resetting your Roku, you may want to consider the simpler option of restarting the device. Here‘s how the two options differ:
Restarting simply powers the Roku off and back on. This can fix minor glitches like sluggish performance or streaming issues. It takes less than a minute.
Resetting returns the Roku to its original factory settings. This resolves more serious or persistent problems. But the process takes longer and you‘ll have to set up your device again.
In general, try restarting your Roku first if you notice minor problems. But reset it when issues persist or you want a “clean slate” to eliminate any software gremlins.
Now let‘s look at the step-by-step process for resetting all Roku models…
How to Factory Reset Any Roku Device
Resetting your Roku only takes a few minutes. The overall process is the same whether you own a Roku Express, Premiere, Ultra, Streaming Stick, or Roku TV.
Let’s walk through how to factory reset each Roku model:
Resetting a Roku Streaming Stick or Streaming Stick+
Over 17 million Roku Streaming Sticks have been sold since their launch in 2016, making them one of the most popular Roku devices.
Here are the steps to factory reset any Roku Streaming Stick model:
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Turn on your TV and insert your Roku Streaming Stick into the HDMI port.
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From the Home screen, use your remote to select Settings from the sidebar menu.
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Select System > Advanced System Settings.
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Highlight Factory Reset and press OK on your remote.
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Enter the factory reset passcode 0000 using your remote.
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Highlight Factory Reset again and confirm to proceed with the reset.
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Wait 2-3 minutes for the reset process to complete. The Roku will automatically restart itself afterwards.
That‘s all there is to it! Once your Streaming Stick reboots, you can start fresh by reconnecting to wifi and relinking your Roku account.
Below is a step-by-step picture guide for reference:
[insert screenshot steps]Next up – resetting Roku streaming players…
Reset Instructions for Roku Express/Premiere/Ultra
Roku’s streaming players like the Roku Express, Premiere, and Ultra all reset in the same way. Follow these steps:
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Connect your Roku player to your TV using the included HDMI cable.
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Grab your Roku remote and select Settings from the Home screen sidebar.
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Navigate to System > Advanced System Settings.
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Highlight and select Factory Reset.
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When prompted, input the factory reset passcode 0000 using your remote.
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Select Factory Reset again on the confirmation screen.
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Let the reset run for approximately 2-3 minutes until your Roku player restarts itself.
And voila! Your Roku player will now be restored to factory fresh condition.
See the visual guide below for reference:
[insert screenshot steps]Lastly, let‘s look at how to reset smart Roku TVs…
Factory Resetting a Roku TV
If you own a Roku TV from brands like TCL, Hisense, Sharp, or Hitachi, here’s how to reset it:
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Turn on your Roku TV and press the Home button on your remote.
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Use the directional pad to highlight Settings from the sidebar and press OK.
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Go to System > Advanced System Settings.
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Select the Factory Reset option.
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Enter the standard factory reset passcode 0000 when prompted.
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Confirm the reset on the next screen.
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The reset only takes about 3 minutes, after which your TV will boot back up.
Check out the step-by-step screenshots below for a visual demo:
[insert screenshot steps]And that covers how to factory reset every major Roku model! It takes just a few minutes, after which you’ll enjoy a Roku that’s as good as new.
Next, let’s look at why resetting your Roku can fix a ton of common issues…
How Resetting Your Roku Fixes Problems
Resetting your Roku essentially reverts it back to day one condition. This clears out any gremlins in the system that may be causing headaches like:
Frozen screens/crashes – Resetting erases any corrupted data that could be freezing or crashing your Roku. In 2020, crashes were the #1 issue reported to Roku customer support.
WiFi connection problems – A factory reset wipes any wonky WiFi settings so you can freshly connect to the Internet. Slow/unreliable connections plagued 13% of Roku owners in 2021.
Sluggish performance – Over time, cached data and cruft can really slow down your Roku. Resetting provides a clean slate for snappy speed.
Issues linking Roku account – Sometimes a Roku will bug out and not let you link to your account. A reset typically resolves account syncing issues.
App problems – If apps are freezing or force closing on your Roku, a reset clears any corrupted app data.
Prepare for sale/gift – A factory reset removes all personal info so the Roku is ready for a new owner.
So if your Roku starts acting funky, resetting it should always be one of your first troubleshooting steps before anything drastic.
Next, let’s look at some troubleshooting tips in case you run into issues…
Troubleshooting Common Roku Reset Problems
Resetting your Roku is usually quick and painless. But here are some fixes for potential issues that may pop up:
Roku won’t reset
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Double check you’re entering the correct factory reset passcode of 0000.
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If it still won’t reset, unplug the power cable for 1 minute, then plug back in and try again.
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If issues continue, you may need to manually update the system software via USB stick.
Channels missing after reset
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Reinstall any paid channel subscriptions by signing into your Roku account again.
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Free channels will be wiped and need reinstalling from the Roku Channel Store.
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If paid channels are missing, contact Roku support to troubleshoot account issues.
Cannot connect to wifi
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Double check you entered the correct wifi password during setup after resetting.
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Try power cycling your router and Roku if unable to connect.
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Make sure no firewall settings are blocking the device from accessing the Internet.
Problems linking to Roku account
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If you encounter issues syncing to your account post-reset, try removing and re-adding your Roku from your account.
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Confirm your account credentials are correct and remove any old devices to free up slots.
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As a last resort, a new account may be needed if your current one is too buggy.
For any other issues, reach out to Roku’s customer support for troubleshooting assistance.
Now let’s look at some best practices when resetting your Roku…
Before and After Resetting Your Roku
Follow these tips for a smooth reset experience:
Before Resetting
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Note down important settings like wifi passwords to simplify setup later.
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Sign out of any streaming channel apps so you don’t have to re-enter passwords post-reset.
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Pick a time when you have 30-60 minutes free to reconfigure your device after resetting.
After Resetting
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Link to your Roku account again to restore purchased apps and subscriptions.
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Reconnect to your wifi network and re-enter passwords as needed.
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Reinstall your favorite streaming channels from the Roku store.
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Log back into channel apps and re-enter payment information if needed.
Thinking ahead will make the factory reset process faster and simpler.
Next, let’s look at some alternatives to consider if a Roku reset doesn’t solve your issues…
Roku Alternatives to Consider
If your Roku problems persist even after a factory reset, it may be time to consider upgrading to a new streaming device.
Two popular alternatives to Roku are the Amazon Fire TV Stick and Android TV boxes.
Amazon Fire TV Stick
The Fire TV Stick runs FireOS, Amazon’s customized Android platform. Key advantages over Roku include:
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More apps – Access over 30,000 apps/games from the Amazon Appstore. Roku is limited to its private channel catalog.
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User profiles – Create multiple profiles for personalized content across family members.
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Gaming support – Fire TV integrates with Amazon Luna cloud gaming. Roku has no first-class gaming.
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Privacy controls – Options like microphone mute give you more privacy control than Roku.
However, the Fire TV menu system and remote aren’t as user-friendly as Roku devices. But advanced users may appreciate the added customization.
Android TV Boxes
Android TV boxes like the NVIDIA Shield provide the most open streaming platform. Benefits vs Roku include:
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Home theater support – Android TV integrates with Google Assistant for voice commands and smart home control.
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Gaming powerhouse – High-end boxes like Shield can run AAA games with graphics up to 4K HDR. Far better than Roku‘s basic games.
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App flexibility – Install any Android app; not limited to a proprietary app store.
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Latest formats – Android TV supports new standards like HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos audio. Roku trails in adopting new tech.
High-priced Android TV boxes may be overkill for casual users. But media enthusiasts may appreciate the expanded capabilities.
While not as beginner-friendly as Roku, both Fire TV and Android TV provide more advanced features for power users willing to tinker.
Next up…what to do with your old Roku if you decide to upgrade.
Reset Your Old Roku Before Selling or Gifting
Once you’ve factory reset your Roku to fix issues, what should you do with the device if you end up upgrading to something else?
Resetting your old Roku ensures no personal data remains on it before passing it along. This prevents the new owner from accessing things like:
- Your Roku account details
- Payment information
- Streaming service logins
- Viewing history and activity
- WiFi passwords and network details
Factory resetting also lets the new owner configure the Roku from scratch the way they want.
Some options for passing along your old Roku include:
- Selling on sites like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace
- Donating to a charity like Goodwill
- Gifting to a friend or family member
Selling a used Roku can help offset the cost of a new streaming player. Older models like the Roku 2 or Roku 3 regularly command prices of $30-$50 on secondary markets.
For convenience, sites like Decluttr, Gazelle, and ItsWorthMore offer free price quotes and prepaid shipping labels to mail in your old Roku for cash. Just don’t forget that factory reset first!
Finally, let‘s look at how resetting Roku compares to other streaming devices and smart home electronics…
Resetting Roku vs. Other Streaming Devices
Factory resetting returns a device to original settings, fixing issues in the process. Here’s how it works on other systems compared to Roku:
Android TV – Resetting an Android TV box like NVIDIA Shield works much like Roku. Just enter factory reset in the settings.
Fire TV – Amazon devices also reset by going through the settings menu. You’ll have to reactivate Fire TV post-reset.
Apple TV – You’ll need to use a Mac or iPad connected to your Apple TV to perform a factory reset on it.
Chromecast – Chromecast devices reset by holding the physical button until it reboots into setup mode.
Smart speakers – For Alexa/Echo, use the Alexa app and Devices menu. Google Home resets via the Google Home app.
Smart displays – Like Echo Shows, reset smart displays in the associated mobile app’s device settings.
Smart TVs – Each brand is different. Check your TV’s support site for exact reset instructions.
The fast factory reset process and hands-off automation makes Roku one of the easiest platforms to reset versus other consumer electronics.
Now let’s wrap up with some frequently asked questions about resetting your Roku.
Roku Factory Reset FAQs
Here are answers to some common Roku reset questions:
Does a Roku reset delete everything?
Yes, a factory reset erases all your data, settings, and installed apps from the device.
How long does a Roku reset take to complete?
The reset process itself only takes 2-3 minutes. But factor in another 30-60 minutes to fully reconfigure your device afterwards.
Will I lose all my apps if I reset my Roku?
Any apps or channels installed on your Roku will be deleted during a factory reset. You’ll have to reinstall them afterwards.
Can you reset a Roku without a remote?
Unfortunately no – you need the Roku remote to navigate through the on-screen menus to perform a factory reset.
Does resetting improve Roku performance?
Yes! Resetting your Roku wipes any cached junk data that may be slowing it down, giving you a fresh start.
How do I factory reset a Roku TV?
You reset a Roku TV the same way as a standalone streaming player – just enter the factory reset option in Settings > System > Advanced Systems.
What’s the factory reset passcode for Roku?
All Roku devices use 0000 as the universal factory reset passcode.
And there you have it…everything you could possibly need to know about successfully factory resetting your Roku streaming player or smart TV!
Resetting your Roku provides an easy troubleshooting step to restore performance and fix misc issues. We hope this guide gave you confidence to breeze through the reset process.
Happy streaming!
