Roku is another known brand that manufactures smart TVs that offer consumers a gateway to unlimited entertainment. Unfortunately, like any other smart TV, it isn’t free from the occasional technical issue that requires a reset.

If your Roku smart TV is experiencing system issues like lagging, connectivity issues, freezing, or is refusing to turn on, resetting it may be the best solution to the problem. For most Roku TVs, you can do a system restart, or execute a hard factory reset to fix most of these common issues.  

In this article, you’ll learn about reasons why you may need to reset a Roku TV as a troubleshooting option and how to do it.

Reasons to Reset a Roku TV

Below are several reasons why/when you might need to reset your Roku smart TV:

  • You want to restore your Roku TV functionality to its original stateSudden loss of audio output or video playback issuesWireless network connectivity problemsTV is lagging or freezingRoku TV smart function does not work properly

Resetting your Roku TV is easy and requires no prior tech knowledge. In the following sections, you will learn everything you need to know about resetting your Roku TV.

How to Reset a Roku TV

If you encounter the above-listed problems with your Roku TV, the best troubleshooting option is to perform a quick reset. However, there are different types of resetting options available for Roku smart TVs:

  • System restartTotal factory reset (hard reset)

How to System Restart a Roku TV

Doing a system restart on your Roku TV is like the restart feature on your smartphone: a system restart automatically switches your TV off and back on. This will not tamper with your account information, erase your customized settings, or alter your installed apps, but may fix minor system issues like lagging.

Using your Roku TV remote control, you can do a system restart of your Roku TV by following the steps below:

  • Navigate to Systems from your TV’s home screen.Scroll down and select System Restart.Select Restart.Wait for a few minutes for your TV to switch off and on, and then display your home screen.Check your TV to see if the problem still lingers.

If the issue you are facing has to do with your Roku TV constantly freezing for minutes or even hours, then doing the following system restart method on your remote control may be all you need to get it fixed:

  • Press the Home button five times.Select the Up Arrow once.Press the Rewind button twice.Select the Fast Forward button twice.Your Roku TV will automatically begin the restart process, which takes about 5-10 seconds to complete.

How to Factory Reset Your Roku TV

If a system restart doesn’t fix the problem, then you should consider doing a factory reset, also known as a hard reset.

Before doing a factory reset, you should be aware that unlike a system restart, this method will revert your TV to some of its default settings. Below are some of the other changes you may experience after doing a hard reset:

  • Your details and viewing preferences will be altered.Your Roku TV will be unlinked from your Roku account.A hard reset will restore your TV to its original factory default state (how it was when you took it out of its box).

To do a hard factory reset of your Roku TV, follow these steps:

  • On your Roku remote control, select the Home button.Scroll down and press Settings.Select System and choose Advanced System Settings.Select Factory Reset.A new screen will come up asking if you want to reset your TV. Confirm you want to reset your TV and input the 4-digit code provided.Your TV’s resetting process should start immediately.

Alternative Hard Resetting Options for Roku TV

If your TV isn’t responding to your remote control commands, there is an alternative reset method you can try. To execute a hard reset of your Roku TV in this manner, follow these steps:

  • Locate the Reset button on your Roku TV (usually on the back).Press and hold the Reset button for about 15-20 seconds.When the reset process is finished, your Roku TV power indicator will flash rapidly.Release the Reset button once your TV power indicator starts blinking.

For some Roku TVs without a dedicated Reset button, you can still execute a reset process by doing the following steps:

  • Simultaneously press the Mute and Power buttons on your Roku TV.While holding down these two buttons, detach the power cord and plug it back in (you may need another set of hands to help).Release both buttons once your TV screen turns on.Navigate through the provided steps to setup and re-enter your personal account information.

Conclusion

For most Roku TVs, you have the option of either doing a system restart or a hard factory reset when troubleshooting your TV. Depending on the type of problem you’re experiencing with your TV, you may need to perform only one or both options to resolve the issue. However, if the above-listed methods do not fix the problem your TV is experiencing, it is recommended that you contact Roku’s support center for further assistance.

Note: The process of resetting a smart TV usually differs for different brands. If you own another smart TV model, such as a Vizio, and want to learn more about resetting your device, check out this article.