When it comes to streaming platforms, Roku leads the way. However, sometimes there are problems with speed and connection, as with everything related to the Internet. When movie weekends arrive, no one wants to rush and wait!
While the Roku or Roku TV streaming stick is a fantastic innovation, there are times when they can be sluggish.
When, for example, you press the Netflix button on the remote control, the app may sometimes load slowly. Sometimes it takes a few seconds to load a movie.
Although a delay of 5 or 6 seconds may seem insignificant, it can be annoying and interfere with your viewing experience.
In this guide, we will discuss the typical reasons why my Roku TV is running so slow and the solutions. So, having said that, let’s get started!
The main reason why your Roku TV is slow
There are various reasons why your Roku TV might run slower. This can be caused by a hardware component malfunctioning, an overloaded network, a shaky internet connection, or even service outages.
You can fix these issues by increasing or expanding your network, replacing problematic hardware, or resetting your Roku TV.
Your Roku TV may run slowly due to network congestion, hardware failure, service interruptions, and unstable internet connection.
There are various reasons why our Roku TV may run slower.
- This can be caused by a hardware component malfunctioning, an overloaded network, a slow Internet connection, or even service outages.
- You can fix these issues by increasing or expanding your bandwidth, replacing problematic hardware, or resetting your Roku TV.
Internet connection instability
As already stated, attempting to stream UHD content on a Roku device may fail due to lack of available bandwidth.
When your internet connection is unstable, you will have a similar experience. As a result, loading the UI at any time when running a streaming app on Roku TV took over five annoying seconds.
Equipment damage
Roku TV becomes difficult to use if the hardware is broken or malfunctioning. Roku TV may experience a delay in receiving signals due to a faulty Roku timer.
The Roku streaming device may be slow to send signals to your TV due to a faulty HDMI connection.
It can also be the result of a broken router or Roku streaming device.
Signal transmission may be delayed if your equipment is malfunctioning. This can also happen if you are using outdated technology.
Modern devices almost always have better technology than older hardware.
Network congestion
Your Roku TV will run slower due to increased network traffic if only one WiFi router is used to connect all the devices in your home.
A single WiFi router must quickly switch between each device and has limited capabilities. When there are too many devices on the network, it creates a problem.
The problem gets worse when your ISP gives you limited bandwidth. While a 20Mbps connection can provide a single 4K video, the bandwidth is shared across all devices connected to the network, slowing down your Roku TV.
Fixed: Why is my Roku TV so slow
Now that you know the problems, solving them should be easy. If you use these troubleshooting methods, the speed of your Roku TV will noticeably improve.
- Reboot your Roku device.
- Rate your internet connection
- Choose a wired connection instead
- The Wi-Fi channel of your router must be changed.
- Extend Bandwidth to Reduce Latency
- Update your Roku TV.
- Remote Control Issues
- Change bitrate
- Factory Reset Roku TV
Reboot your Roku device.
This is the easiest and initial step I use to diagnose any issues with my Roku TV. Cache issues can sometimes occur when using Roku TV for an extended period of time.
Bugs can cause your Roku TV to slow down. Rebooting the device often resolves these software issues.
Reboot Roku TV:
- Select Settings by pressing the Home button and swiping down the menu.
- Use the arrow keys to scroll down and select System.
- Then select “Power”and scroll down to select “Reboot System”.
- After that, select “Restart”and wait a few minutes for Roku TV to reboot.
- Now Roku TV should not be slow once it restarts.
To restart the system, you can also power off your Roku TV and then plug it back in, or you can use the shortcut buttons on the remote. Press the following buttons in sequence to restart Roku TV using keyboard shortcuts:
- Five times on the Home button.
- Press the up button once.
- Twice on the rewind button
- Press the fast forward button twice.
Rate your internet connection
When you’re having problems with your streaming devices, you should never discount the possibility of a bad internet connection. Roku TV has a variety of solutions to fix Wi-Fi issues.
Unstable internet will slow down your Roku TV and make apps and channels take longer to load, leading you to believe it’s a hardware issue.
Be careful to check the network signal strength and speed.
- Press and open the “Settings”button on the main screen.
- Select “About”after selecting “Network”. You can view signal strength, download speed and other network information.
- Select the Test Connection option to test the connection for better analysis.
You can continue if the download speed and signal strength reviews are good or excellent. On the other hand, if it’s good or bad, it means that your internet connection is unstable.
If you have a poor internet connection, consider testing the network with an internet speed tester on another device, such as a mobile phone. Try upgrading your router/modem if the speed fluctuates.
After a few seconds, unplug your router/modem and plug it back in about 20-30 seconds. Check for problems by running another connection test.
Choose a wired connection instead
Unlike a wireless connection, a cable connection is not affected by interference or traffic issues.
If you have a poor Internet connection, it is recommended that you connect using an Ethernet cable.
Using a wired connection to connect:
- Go to RokuTV’s “Settings”section after connecting the Ethernet cable.
- Select “Set up a new connection”in the “Network”section.
- Select Wired and the system will connect immediately.
Not all Roku TVs come with an Ethernet port. Some TV manufacturers may save on this piece of equipment.
The Wi-Fi channel of your router must be changed.
Sometimes you may notice slow streaming speeds if your Wi-Fi network is assigned to a channel that can have severe latency and interference issues.
Try setting up a network link in your router’s portal to resolve this issue.
Changing the Wi-Fi channel of your router:
- Use an Ethernet or USB connection to connect your router to your computer. In the browser, enter the IP address of your router.
- After the portal screen is displayed, sign in to your account by entering your user ID and password.
- Find the “Wireless Channel”item in the advanced settings menu.
- Make sure the first, sixth, or eleventh channel on the 2.4 GHz band is selected. Select the smallest available channel in the 5 GHz band.
- Save your changes, then exit the portal. Try restarting your modem or router before trying to connect your Roku TV to the network.
Extend Bandwidth to Reduce Latency
From a streaming perspective, network congestion is a major warning sign as it can lead to increased latency.
This means that if your ISP intercepts a significant amount of traffic, you may experience latency and buffering issues, mostly due to insufficient bandwidth allocation.
If your router supports dual band networks, consider switching to higher bandwidth in this situation.
You can simply connect to the 5GHz band for less latency because almost all Roku TVs offer dual-band connectivity.
Follow these instructions to change the network bandwidth on your Roku TV.
- Press and select “Network”from the “Settings”menu.
- Select “Wireless”in the “Connection Setup”section.
- After entering the password, select the 5 GHz band network.
Update your Roku TV
When using outdated firmware, your Roku TV may experience slow interfaces and applications.
By completing the remaining updates on your system, you can resolve errors and issues that slow down system performance.
To get the latest update for your Roku TV:
- Click and select “System”from the “Settings”menu.
- To manually check for updates, click System Update and then select Check Now.
Install any updates found after the scan. Check for problems after rebooting the device.
Remote Control Issues
The TV may be delayed in following instructions because the remote control is not responding.
Inspect the batteries to see if there is enough charge in the remote control. You should consider upgrading them if the signal seems to be sluggish and partial in transmission.
To restore the connection, you can also try disconnecting the remote control from the TV and pairing again. Follow these steps to achieve this.
- Turn off the TV and remove the batteries from the remote.
- Reinstall the batteries and press the pairing button next to the battery compartment after turning the TV back on. Follow the instructions on the screen as soon as the LED starts blinking.
- Follow the instructions on the screen to create a connection.
You may need to purchase a new remote if the problem is with the remote’s hardware. Check the connection with another remote to see if this helps confirm the problem. If there are no problems, your old remote may be broken.
You have the option of using the Harmony remote or a universal remote exclusive to Roku.
Change bitrate
Apps and channels like Netflix and HBO MAX are absolute data eaters as they require a lot of bandwidth to work properly.
This can be a problem, especially if you have multiple devices connected to the same network as the Roku TV.
Changing the device’s baud rate is a doable, but rather complicated approach.
While some apps and channels may win, most of the big streaming services like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, and more have network auto settings built right into the channel.
Follow these instructions to override the data rate setting on your Roku TV.
- Press the Home button on the Roku remote five times, the Fast Forward button twice, and the Back button three times in a row.
- Roku’s secret menu will appear after pressing these buttons.
- Select Baud Rate Override from the menu.
- From now on, you can adjust the bitrate as needed.
If the speed fluctuates, try a different Mbps option. However, automatic selection can also be useful.
Factory Reset Roku TV
The device may simply need to be reset to remove all accumulated cache memory and changed settings. After the reset, the gadget will become faster than it is now.
Follow these instructions on Roku TV to reset your gadget.
- Click and select “System”from the “Settings”menu.
- Select “Advanced system settings”from the menu.
- Select Factory Reset in step 3.
- Enter the unique code in the lower right corner of the screen, then press OK.
- Wait until the procedure is over. Put the TV back in place and see if it’s fast.
- You can easily reset your device by holding the reset button on the back of the TV.
Some vintage TVs may have a button with a hole. Such buttons should be pressed with a pointed tool.
Conclusion
Who needs a slow Roku TV? Of course, no one does, and that’s why we’ve come up with 9 essential strategies you can apply so you don’t have to wait long for your Roku TV to kick in.
We hope your issue is resolved, and if it isn’t, you can also contact Roku TV Support to have help delivered to your doorstep.
FAQ
Why are my streaming video and audio out of sync?
The sound and picture on your TV may be out of sync for various reasons, including the broadcast itself or a bad connection between your cable or satellite box while watching TV.
How do I get into Roku’s secret menu?
Press the Home button five times, then the navigation pad on the Up, Left, Up, Up, Up buttons on the remote control to enter this secret menu. The hidden HDMI menu provides information on whether your Roku device and TV support HDMI outputs, including 1080p, 4K @ 60Hz, 4K HDR, and more, as shown in the image below.
What is a Roku PIN?
To help you process payments, subscriptions, and services, you can create a Roku PIN (Personal Identification Number) through your Roku account. Any transaction that requires authorization must first be authorized using a PIN.
Is my Roku out of date?
Roku device models 2400 to 3100 will no longer be serviced as of June 24, 2020. This also includes Roku streaming stick models 3420 or earlier. Until the transition date, you can still use these older Roku models to access Hulu.
Why is my Roku TV so slow?
Update to the latest version and restart your Roku TV if it’s slow. Check your remote connection and Internet. RAM is being used up by outdated software and unnecessary apps, slowing down your Roku TV.