Having trouble with your streaming service or device? You’re not alone! Whether you’re dealing with buffering issues, error messages, connection problems, or playback glitches, we’ve got solutions to help you enjoy a smooth streaming experience. Our easy-to-follow troubleshooting tips cover the most common streaming problems across popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Roku, and more. Say goodbye to streaming frustrations and get back to binge-watching your favorite shows in no time! Let us help you fix the problem fast. We will be adding to this page as we run across problems we know you’ll need help with.
Roku
How do I get rid of Backdrops on Roku?
If your Roku TV activates “Backdrops” when you press the [Power] button and you’d prefer to turn that feature off, here’s how to do it:
- Wait for Backdrops to appear (like a painting or slideshow on your screen).
- Press the [*] button on your remote to bring up a menu.
- Select “Browse Backdrops” from the menu that slides in from the left.
- On the next screen, choose the ⚙︎ gear icon to access Settings.
- Go to “Backdrop Preferences” and switch the “Backdrops” setting to “Disabled.”
- Use the back [<-] button on your remote to exit the menus and test if the change worked by pressing the Power button. Your TV should now go to sleep instead of displaying images.
Though steps 2 through 4 might seem a bit hidden, following these instructions will successfully turn off the Backdrops feature.
How do I restart my frozen Roku?
Occasionally, your Roku streaming device may freeze, leaving your remote unresponsive. If this happens, you can often reboot the device without accessing the on-screen menus. Follow this specific sequence of button presses on your Roku remote:
- Press the Home button five times.
- Press the Up arrow once.
- Press the Rewind button twice.
- Press the Fast Forward button twice.
After a few seconds, your Roku should automatically restart.
If the device still doesn’t respond, try the last resort of disconnecting the power. Unplug the Roku, wait for about 10 seconds, then reconnect the power cable. Once the device powers back on, test your remote to ensure everything is working again.
How do I pair the remote to my Roku device again?
If restarting your Roku device didn’t solve the issue, you might need to re-pair the remote to your Roku. Here’s how:
Unplug the power cable from your Roku device and remove the batteries from your remote. If you have a Roku Rechargeable Voice Remote Pro, read on for special instructions.
Plug the Roku back in and let it boot up until you see the home screen. Then, put the batteries back in your remote (except for rechargeable models), but leave the battery cover off for now.
Press and hold the pairing button inside the battery compartment (for the Rechargeable Voice Remote Pro, it’s located at the bottom on the back). Hold the button for about three seconds, or until the pairing light on the remote starts flashing.
- Depending on your remote, the pairing light may be near the pairing button or on the top of the remote near the bottom end. If the light doesn’t flash, try again.
- For older remotes without a pairing button, press and hold both the Home and Back buttons for five seconds until the status light flashes.
Wait about 30 seconds for the remote to pair with your Roku device. You should see a pairing confirmation on your TV screen.
In rare cases, interference can affect the remote’s performance, especially with Roku Streaming Stick models. If your Streaming Stick or Streaming Stick+ is plugged into a rear HDMI port, using an HDMI extender cable to move it away from the TV might reduce interference. Roku offers a free HDMI extender for Streaming Stick owners.
If the issue is wireless congestion, particularly on the 2.4GHz band, switching your Wi-Fi router to a different channel or connecting your Roku to the 5GHz network (if available) can help resolve the problem.
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