Most Roku TV performance problems aren’t caused by a broken screen or failing hardware. They’re actually caused by temporary software glitches, clogged temporary memory, or cache. Other causes are network hiccups or settings that need a refresh.
You can fix most of these problems yourself with these 3 simple tricks to make your Roku TV faster that don’t involve opening the TV or voiding warranties.
Top 3 simple tricks to make your Roku TV faster
Below are the top three things you should try to make your set much faster:
1. Soft reset your gadget
Roku OS keeps small temporary files and working memory (cache) to speed things up. With several cycles, apps or the system could leak memory or accumulate stale temporary data. This makes the OS become fragmented or overloaded with small tasks.
A “soft reset” is a quick, non-destructive way to clear your temporary system memory and force the Roku CPU to reload apps and background services.
It’s a lightweight restart that targets the running software and cache without changing your account, channels, picture settings, or saved Wi-Fi credentials.
This resolves UI sluggishness, slow app launches, buffering inside apps, and delayed remote responses as it clears transient files and restarts background processes.
Use these steps:
- Get to your Home screen: Wake your set or box and press Home on the Roku remote. This makes the left-hand menu to be visible. If the remote is slow to respond, replace its batteries first. You can also use the Roku mobile app as a remote.
- Enter the secret remote sequence: Press these buttons in order, fairly quickly:
- Home: press it 5 times
- Up: press once
- Rewind: press twice
- Fast Forward: press twice
So, this is in this order. Home > Home > Home > Home > Home. Then tap Up, then Rewind > Rewind. Finally Fast Forward > Fast Forward.
- Be patient: After you complete the sequence, the set’s screen will usually go blank. It may show a spinning icon or display a restart message. Let it work as the process can take 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on your model and apps. Also, don’t power off the TV during this interval.
- Verify results: When the Home screen returns, try the action that was slow before. It could be opening a channel, moving around the menu, fast-forwarding a video, or so on. If responsiveness improved, great — you’re done. If not, move to the “Restart” trick below.
Tip: If nothing happens after the button combo, ensure you were on the Home screen (highlighted menu on the left).
2. Restart (system restart or power cycle)
A system restart or power cycle is among the simple tricks to make your Roku TV faster. It is a more thorough reboot than the soft-reset remote trick. It shuts down OS-level threads, forces all apps to close, and forces the device to rebuild its runtime environment on boot.
If an app had a hung thread or the network stack was in a bad state, restarting clears that. If the TV had a background task stuck, restarting wipes it out and starts fresh.
What restart doesn’t do:
- It does not delete your channels, account, or settings.
- It is not a factory reset; it’s safe and reversible.
Use the following procedures:
A. Restart from the menus
This is the easiest and recommended software method if your menus are responsive.
- Press Home on the remote.
- Navigate to Settings > System.
- If you have a Power submenu, go Power > System restart > Restart. If you don’t see the Power menu, go to System > System restart. Note that menu labels differ slightly by model.
- Confirm any prompts that come up. Once done, wait as the device reboots. This takes up to a few minutes, so be patient.
B. Restart with the hidden remote shortcut
The same secret sequence you used for soft reset could also trigger a more complete restart on certain models. Once again, this is Home x5, Up x1, Rewind x2, Fast Forward x2.
C. Manual power cycle
If the TV set is frozen, not responding to the remote, then this is among the best simple tricks to make your Roku TV faster. We also recommend this if you want to clear your gadget’s power-rail state.
- With your set on or off, unplug its power cord from the wall outlet or surge protector.
- Wait 2 minutes. This will give your Roku’s capacitors time to drain and clear transient power or fuse states.
- Plug your power cord back in and turn the set on. Wait for the gadget’s boot sequence to finish.
We recommend that you do these extra checks after a restart to ensure this never happens again:
- Check that your Roku OS is up to date. To do this, head up to Settings > System, then tap System update. Keeping firmware current avoids known slowdowns.
- Run a quick network speed test on another device from fast.com or speedtest.net. You could also use the built-in connection test from Settings > Network. Your streaming channels or apps need a healthy connection. Slow internet will look like a slow Roku.
3. Factory reset
A factory reset is the last resort among the simple tricks to make your Roku TV faster. This action restores your set to the condition and state it was in when you bought it.
So, all your current channels and applications will be removed, and your account unlinked from the gadget. Personalized settings will also be wiped and you must reconfigure the set from scratch.
This will often fix persistent, recurring software problems or issues caused by corrupted settings or failed updates. But because it erases everything, treat it as a final step.
You should only try this if:
- You’ve tried soft reset and full restart, and the TV is still sluggish or unstable.
- You have repeated app crashes across multiple channels.
- You’re preparing to sell or give away the TV.
- Your TV is stuck in demo/store mode, and menus/options are missing or restricted.
There are multiple methods; follow the one that fits your situation:
A. Using the Settings menu if your menus work
Start by pressing Home on your remote, then:
- Go to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset.
- If asked, enter the code shown on screen (this prevents accidental resets).
- Confirm and follow on-screen prompts. Wait as this reset and re-boot takes several minutes.
B. Using the physical reset button when the remote is not working.
Most of these devices that are on the market have a small reset button or pinhole on their back or underside. However, its exact location varies. So, check your set’s label or manual if you can.
To use the reset button:
- With the set still powered on, press and hold the reset button. If you can’t, use a paperclip for the pinhole. Hold it for roughly 30 seconds until the indicator light blinks or your Roku’s logo appears.
- Release and allow the set to finish the factory reset and reboot.
C. Manual button combination if no visible reset button
On some models (or if a reset button isn’t present), you need to hold a combination of TV buttons while plugging the TV back in.
The exact combination varies by manufacturer. Some use Mute + Power while plugging in the power, so check your brand’s support page for your exact model. If you don’t know or cannot find the combo, use the Settings method or the physical reset pinhole if available.
Before you press the final button, we recommend the following:
- Write down your Wi-Fi name and password.
- Note which channels you rely on, as you’ll need to re-download them after.
- If you have saved PINs for purchases, be prepared to set them again.
A factory reset will not fix:
- Physical hardware issues, like a broken screen or a dead Wi-Fi radio that needs replacement.
- Internet service problems from your ISP. A reset won’t speed up a slow broadband connection.
When to contact Roku or your TV maker for warranty/repair help
Reach out for help in the following circumstances:
- If your device exhibits hardware faults like no power, physical display problems, or burnt smells.
- If a factory reset doesn’t fix repeated crashes, and you believe it’s a hardware or firmware bug.
Note: Manufacturers warn that unauthorized physical opening or tampering can void your warranty. Under any circumstances, don’t open the TV yourself; leave repairs to authorized service centers.