Fix: Roku Freezing and CrashingFix: Roku Freezing and Crashing

There’s nothing more frustrating than your Roku freezing or crashing right in the middle of your favorite show or movie.

Whether it’s endless buffering, random restarts, or complete system lockups, these issues can really put a damper on your streaming experience. But don’t worry—you’re not alone, and there are solutions.

In this guide, we’ll provide the most common reasons why Roku devices freeze or crash, from faulty HDMI cables to software bugs and network problems.

Why Is My Roku Freezing or Crashing?

Table of Contents

Before jumping into the fixes, let’s quickly look at why this might be happening. Roku devices can freeze or crash due to a variety of reasons.

Faulty HDMI cables or ports – Damaged or low-quality cables can disrupt the signal.
Overheating – Roku devices can overheat if they’re not well-ventilated.

Software glitches – Bugs or outdated firmware can cause crashing or restarts.
Network problems – Unstable or slow internet can lead to buffering, freezing and low power issues.
Interference from connected devices – Devices like the Nintendo Switch may cause conflicts.

Corrupted channel data – Sometimes, specific channels may be bugged and cause system instability.
Hardware issues – In rare cases, internal problems with the Roku itself might be to blame.

What To Do When Roku Remote is Freezing and Crashing?

Now check this step-by-step guide to fix the issue when Roku remote is freezing and crashing.

1. Check the HDMI Cable

If you’re in the middle of your favorite show when suddenly Roku freezes or crashes, then here’s a simple fix that could save the day.

Before you panic, take a moment to check the HDMI cable connecting your Roku to your TV. Carefully inspect it for any bends, kinks, or signs of wear. Often, these subtle damages can cause big issues.

If you spot any damage, simply replace the old HDMI cable with a new one from a reputable brand.

This straightforward step can often resolve the problem and get your Roku back to streaming smoothly.

2. Try a Different HDMI Port

If you have multiple HDMI ports on your TV or PC set up, try connecting the Roku to a different one.

This can help rule out a problem with a specific HDMI input that can be responsible for the issue.

3. Power Cycle Your Roku and Check Network Connection

If your Roku is still acting up, just power cycle the Roku device.

The next thing you should make sure is that your internet connection is stable and has sufficient speed.

You can check the network status by connecting a different device like your phone to the same network.

You can visit speedtest.net to check the internet speed. If the internet speed is slow, you can contact your service provider for help.
You can also try power cycling your internet router by unplugging it from its power supply, Then, wait for a minute. After that, plug it back in.

4. Update Roku Firmware

Next, you can update the Roku firmware if you can access Roku Settings.

Now, head to Settings. For that, press the Home button on your remote and navigate to Settings.
Now, in Settings, scroll to System.

Select Check for updates in the System Your Roku will scan for updates.

If an update is found, initiate the process and wait as it installs.

Your Roku may restart a few times. So, just hang tight and finish the process.

5. Disconnect Nintendo Switch From Roku Device

If Roku is still crashing or freezing, try this fix.

Disconnect your Nintendo Switch from the Roku device. This step might resolve some interference issues and bring your Roku back to its smooth self.

If everything works fine now, you can be sure that the Nintendo Switch was causing some interference.

6. Remove and Re-add Channels

If your Roku freezes while accessing a specific channel, try removing and re-adding that channel.

To do so, go to the Roku home screen.

Use the arrow buttons to find the channel. Here we are showing the steps with this channel.
Press the ‘*’ key on your remote to open the channel options menu.
Select “Remove Channel” and confirm the removal.

Restart your Roku device to ensure the changes take effect.
Now, go to the Roku home screen.

Select “Streaming Channels” from the left sidebar.
Search for the channel.
Select the channel and click “Add Channel.”

If prompted, enter your PIN or confirm the installation. Click OK to confirm.
If the channel requires login credentials, you may need to sign back in after reinstalling.

7. Perform a Factory Reset

If the above steps do not work, perform a factory reset on your Roku device and then reinstall the channel.

To do that, locate the physical “reset” button on the back or bottom of your Roku device, and press and hold it firmly for about 10 seconds until the indicator light blinks rapidly. The reset button is usually a small pinhole that may require a paperclip to press.

This will initiate a factory reset, erasing all settings and returning your Roku to its original state.
Most Roku devices have an indicator light that will flash rapidly when the factory reset is in progress.
Once the device restarts, reinstall the channel as shown and try to watch it and you should not get the error.