Roku Keeps Restarting After Software Update? Here’s How to Fix It

If your Roku keeps restarting after a software update, start with the basics. Unplug it for 60 seconds, then check your power source. If that fails, try a factory reset. On a Roku TV, Recovery Mode is the last software fix before you call for service.

The good news is that most restart loops come down to power problems or software that did not finish loading. You can often fix both at home. Below, you will find the steps in the right order, plus what to do when nothing works.

Quick Answer: What Should I Try First?

Work through these fixes in order. Stop when your Roku starts normally.

1. Unplug the Roku for 60 seconds and plug it back in.
2. Check the power. For a streaming player, use the wall adapter, not the TV’s USB port.
3. Run a factory reset from Settings, or use the Reset button if the screen keeps rebooting.
4. Try Recovery Mode on a Roku TV. Hold the Reset button for at least 20 seconds.
5. Contact the TV maker (TCL, Hisense, onn, and so on) or Roku Support if the loop continues.

Why Does My Roku Keep Restarting After a Software Update?

A software update can sometimes fail to install cleanly and leave the device in a restart loop. However, weak power, a faulty adapter or cable, and hardware faults can cause similar symptoms. Rule those out before assuming the update is the only problem.

Here are the common causes:

• An update that did not finish cleanly. The device boots, hits a problem, and reboots.
• Not enough power. A TV’s USB port may not supply enough power for some streaming players.
• A damaged or wrong power adapter or cable. The player may start, then reboot when it needs more power.
• A hardware fault. Roku moderators have pointed some repeat-restart cases back to the TV maker, since the problem may be hardware.

Here is a useful clue. If the restarts began right after an update and the device never reaches the home screen, think software. If it works for days and then reboots now and then, think power or hardware.

Is My Roku a TV or a Streaming Player, and Does It Matter?

Yes, it matters. The fixes differ a little. Roku TVs are made by brands like TCL, Hisense, and onn, and those brands handle warranty and repairs. Streaming players, like sticks and boxes, come from Roku directly.

Not sure who made your TV? Roku has a short guide on how to tell who manufactured your Roku TV.

How Do I Fix a Roku Streaming Player That Keeps Restarting?

Power it from a wall outlet with the adapter and cable that came in the box. Then restart it. If the player still loops, use the Reset button for a factory reset.

Step 1: Fix the power first

Roku says some players can run from a TV’s USB port, but not every TV supplies enough power. Roku’s own support page says some TVs may not be able to power a Roku device. If you see an on-screen warning about it, Roku recommends a 5V 1A USB adapter in a wall outlet. A flashing red light on a player also means it is not getting enough power.

• Use the original adapter and USB cable.
• Press both ends in firmly.
• Try a different outlet.
• If you do use the TV’s USB port, try another port and test on another TV.

Wall power has a bonus. The player will not shut down when you turn the TV off, so it starts faster the next time. You can read more in Roku’s guide on what to do if your Roku streaming player will not power on.

Step 2: Restart the player

If you can reach the menu, go to Settings > System > Power > System restart. Menu names vary a bit by model. If the menu is out of reach, unplug the power cord for at least 10 seconds, then plug it back in.

Step 3: Factory reset with the Reset button

With the player powered on, find the Reset button on the back or bottom. Some are pinholes, so grab a paperclip. Hold it for about 10 seconds. Release when the status light blinks rapidly. Roku lists these steps in its factory reset guide for Roku TVs, players, and projectors.

How Do I Fix a Roku TV That Keeps Restarting?

Unplug the TV from the wall for 60 seconds, then plug it back in. If it still loops, factory reset it. If that fails, move on to Recovery Mode. Roku built this exact order into its own guide for TVs that restart or freeze on the logo.

Roku describes three common signs of this problem:

• The Roku or TV logo appears, then the TV restarts.
• The screen stays dark and the power light flickers.
• The TV restarts during setup, such as after you pick a language or join Wi-Fi.

Plug the TV directly into a wall outlet, too. Roku’s community team gives that tip for onn Roku TVs that keep restarting. A power strip that is failing can cause odd behavior.

Factory reset a Roku TV with the buttons

If the TV restarts before you can open Settings, use the buttons. The method depends on your model:

• Models with a Reset button: hold the small recessed button on the back for about 12 seconds.
• Pro Series: hold Power + Find My Remote on the side for 12 seconds.
• Plus Series: older sets have a pinhole (12 seconds). Newer sets use Power + Find My Remote on the back (12 seconds).
• Select Series: early models have a Reset button. If yours does not, use Power + Find My Remote for 12 seconds.

Before you reset, know what you lose. A factory reset unlinks the device from your Roku account and removes your apps and settings. Keep these ready:

• Your Roku account email and password
• Your Wi-Fi name and password
• Sign-ins for apps like Netflix or Disney+
• Your parental control PIN, if you set one

One warning from Roku is worth repeating. If the TV is linked to someone else’s account, like a previous owner’s, you will need that person’s login. Without it, the TV cannot be activated. If you do not have your details, wait to reset until you do.

What Is Recovery Mode, and When Should I Use It?

Recovery Mode reinstalls the Roku software on a Roku TV. It is the most invasive reset, so use it only after a restart and a factory reset have failed. It clears your data and reloads the operating system.

Here is how Roku says to start it:

1. Find the Reset button on the back or bottom of the TV. Use a paperclip if it is a pinhole.
2. Press and hold it for at least 20 seconds.
3. Let go when the TV restarts and shows a screen that says Recovery Mode.
4. Pick your language with the remote.
5. Select Wireless and connect to Wi-Fi.
6. Choose Update now and let the TV download and reinstall the software.
7. When it finishes, the TV restarts and walks you through setup again.

A working remote matters here. Roku’s community experts note that once Recovery Mode starts, the TV expects a physical remote. If yours has stopped responding, sort that out first. This guide on how to fix a Roku remote that is not working covers the usual fixes.

Does my TV support Recovery Mode?

Not every Roku TV does. Roku says you can check the Hardware ID on the System info page. All Roku Plus and Select Series TVs support it. On software older than Roku OS 11.5, the field may say Roku Model Number instead. If your TV never shows the Recovery Mode screen after about 30 seconds, it may not support it. It could also need service.

What if Recovery Mode cannot connect to Wi-Fi?

First, check your Wi-Fi password. Roku notes that some passwords with special symbols, like $, may not work in Recovery Mode. Change the password for a while, or use a phone hotspot. If the TV still cannot connect, you can update it from a USB drive. Roku explains how in its guide to updating a Roku TV with a USB drive.

What If My Roku Still Restarts After a Factory Reset?

Then the problem is probably not a simple software glitch. If Recovery Mode will not start, or the TV loops again after reinstalling, contact support. Roku TV owners should call the TV manufacturer. Streaming player owners should contact Roku Support.

Roku’s community moderators say each Roku TV maker handles support and warranty for its own sets. They also say repeat restarts may point to a hardware issue. Keep these details handy when you call:

• TV model number
• The device ID on the back of the TV or its box
• When the problem started
• What you already tried

That last point saves time. If you tell the agent you already ran a factory reset and Recovery Mode, you skip the basic script.

How Can I Stop My Roku From Restarting Again?

Keep the power steady and let updates finish. Roku TVs and players are built to stay on the latest software, so you rarely need to do anything. If you want to check yourself, go to Settings > System > Software update > Check Now. Some menus say System update instead.

• Do not unplug the device during an install. A cut update is a common way to end up with a restart loop.
• Use the original adapter. Mixing adapters between devices is an easy mistake.
• Plug a Roku TV into the wall, not a loose power strip.
• Write down your Roku login and Wi-Fi details. You will need them if you ever reset.

Roku also explains the update screen in its guide on how to update the software on your Roku streaming device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who should I call, Roku or the TV brand?

For a Roku TV, call the TV brand, such as TCL, Hisense, or onn. They handle the warranty and repairs. For a streaming stick or box, contact Roku Support.

My Roku restarts every time I turn on the TV. Is that a bug?

It may not be a bug. If the streaming player is powered by the TV’s USB port, it can lose power when the TV turns off or enters standby. The player then boots again the next time you turn on the TV. Using the original wall adapter usually prevents this.

Can I use my phone as a remote during Recovery Mode?

Do not count on it. Roku’s community experts say the process works best with a physical remote. The phone app needs a working connection to the device, and a TV stuck in a loop usually does not have one.

Will Recovery Mode erase my apps?

Yes. Roku says it clears all data and reloads the software. You will set up the TV again and sign in to your apps.

How do I know whether I own a Roku TV or a TV with a Roku player plugged in?

A Roku TV has the Roku system built in, with no separate stick or box. If a small device is plugged into an HDMI port, you have a streaming player. The two have different reset steps, so confirm this first.

Final Take

Start simple. Unplug the device, use the correct power adapter, and then restart it. If the problem continues, perform a factory reset.

For a Roku TV that remains stuck on the logo or keeps restarting, try Recovery Mode. If none of these steps work, contact the TV manufacturer for a Roku TV or Roku Support for a streaming player, as the issue may be hardware-related.