Roku is a popular streaming platform and OS that powers many smart TVs and streaming sticks. It brings apps like Prime Video, Netflix, the Roku Channel, Disney+, Hulu + Live TV, and more to your TV with a straightforward interface.
However, beyond the standard menus and settings, all the devices have hidden Roku menus that unlock advanced tools. These give you extra options, such as checking network status or even disabling home-screen ads.
Below, we explain each of these five Roku hidden menus in detail. Read on to unlock Roku’s hidden potential and learn exactly how to access each menu.
1. Diagnose and improve your connection
Streaming videos demands a good Internet connection to avoid buffering. Roku’s secret network options let you check and optimise that connection. These Roku hidden menus include:
- Secret Wireless Menu: Displays your current signal quality and speed, so you see if a weak Wi-Fi link is causing buffering. To access it, press Home (5 times) then Up > Down > Up > Down > Up.
- Secret Network Menu: Gives you details like the IP address and allows you to reconnect or diagnose problems. You can even select options to set up a new connection or run a speed test if available. For this, also press your Home button 5 times, then Right > Left > Right > Left > Right.
2. Hide scrollable ads and change screenshots
Roku’s home screen often displays scrollable ads and offers behind the scenes. Fortunately, a secret menu gives you control over these. The “Secret Ads & Screenshots Menu” (sometimes called “Screen 2”) lets you disable unwanted ads and adjust screenshot settings.
In this Roku hidden menu, you can turn off the rotating ad banners and even change how Roku captures on-screen images. To open it:
- Press Home (5 times) > Up > Right > Down > Left > Up.
- In the screen that appears, look for the option “Cycle Scrollable Ads” or a similar option. You may also see settings for screenshot format or remote pairing, but the main one for ads is the “Cycle scrollable ads” setting.
- Toggle it off to stop Roku from cycling ads across the background. You can now enjoy Roku’s user interface without constant ads getting in the way.
Tip: Roku sometimes updates its software, so menu names may vary slightly. If you don’t see “Cycle Scrollable Ads” immediately, try scrolling the list of options in that secret screen.
3. Install unofficial apps
Another most powerful Roku hidden menu is “Developer Mode.” This allows you to sideload apps or private channels that aren’t available in the official store. Developers use this to test apps they’re creating.
Once enabled, you can use a web interface to upload channel packages to your Roku, providing access to apps and games that wouldn’t otherwise be available. For example, users can add custom screensavers, old-school game channels, or special apps.
To enable Developer Mode, you will need a Roku developer account. This is free to create at the Roku Developer Launchpad. Once you have the account, use these steps:
- From the Roku Home screen, press Home (3 times), Up (2 times), then Right > Left > Right > Left, > Right.
- The Developer Settings Roku hidden menu screen appears. Here you’ll be prompted to “Enable Installer” and restart.
- Follow the on-screen steps, agree to the license, create a web-server password, and reboot your Roku device.
- After rebooting, open a web browser on your computer and go to the URL shown on your TV. It typically appears as follows: “http://<your Roku’s IP>.”
- Log in with the username rokudev and the password you set in the previous steps.
- Once Developer Mode is enabled, you can sideload a custom channel by clicking “Upload” on the Dev page. Roku will install the app, replacing the previous one until the next reboot.
Note: The Developer Mode is meant for power users. If you’re just interested in official streaming channels, you don’t need this. Also, avoid installing apps that you do not trust.
4. Instantly reboot Roku
If your gadget ever freezes or runs slowly, you normally have to navigate menus to fully restart it. (Note, the power button just puts your device to sleep and not a full restart.) This Roku hidden menu offers a quick reboot code that immediately restarts the device.
It is valuable when troubleshooting glitches or when any installed app becomes unresponsive. Instead of digging through your “Settings” to restart, you can use the following shortcut:
- Press Home (5 times), then immediately Up > Rewind > Rewind > Fast Forward > Fast Forward.
- After entering this sequence, your screen will display “Restarting…” and the Roku will reboot automatically within approximately 10 seconds.
If that fixes nothing, access the Software Update & Factory Reset menu from your normal settings, though that’s more extreme. The reboot code alone often fixes minor bugs and is much safer than a full factory reset.
For example, if a channel isn’t loading videos, try the restart Roku hidden menu. Consider a factory reset if multiple restarts and troubleshooting efforts do not resolve the issue.
5. View app versions and device details
Beyond Wi-Fi and ads, Roku also hides menus that show technical details about the system and installed apps. These aren’t needed daily, but they’re useful if you want to verify app updates or diagnose hardware issues. They include:
- Channel Info Menu: This Roku hidden menu lists every channel and app you have installed, along with their build and version numbers. You can use it to see which apps were last updated and whether any need updates. To open it:
- Press Home (3 times), then quickly Up > Up > Left > Right > Left > Right > Left.
- The screen will display a table of channels, useful if something isn’t working and you suspect an outdated app.
- Platform (System) Menu: This secret option displays hardware and system information, including CPU usage, network connection statistics, and battery status for wireless remotes. To access it:
- Press Home (5 times) then immediately Fast Forward > Play/Pause > Rewind > Play/Pause > Fast Forward.
- The Platform screen is more technical: you’ll see details like wireless signal, remote pairing info, and temperature. It’s mostly for advanced troubleshooting. For example, if your Roku is overheating, the CPU temperature appears here to let you know.