If you are interested in hooking your TV up to streaming services, Roku has some great products. Their players are well-made, easy to use, and robust. Roku also has enough variety to suit any budget.

Table of Contents

Like all electronics, though, these devices are not perfect. One of the most common complaints with the standard Roku player and the Roku stick is a “Low Power” error message that pops up when the device is plugged into the TV.

So, I’ve decided to take a closer look at this Roku low power problem and options that will work as a Roku low power fix. So, before you convince yourself that you need to replace your device, try some of these quick low power Roku fixes first. Let’s get started with the… 

Power Warnings

Power warnings will appear in different ways depending on your TV and your Roku device. But, in most cases, it will be one of the following:

• A power plug icon with a link to .
• A rectangular window with a power plug icon and a message that reads, “The USB Port on your TV will not power this Roku device. Please use a USB adaptor.” Followed by the link .
• A flashing red light on your Roku device. Do not confuse this with a red light that is permanently on. A solid red light indicates that the device is overheated and needs to be unplugged immediately.

You can follow the link in the warning to a support article by Roku. This contains two small quick fixes for the Roku power problem. You can go ahead and try them, but there are a few other options that users have tried, and they seem to work. 

Potential Fixes for Roku Low Power Problem

Electronics can be tricky and frustrating to work with. Especially if the problem you are trying to solve is found on various device models. This often leads to working through many fixes that don’t apply to you, which wastes a lot of time. 

To avoid this, I’ve compiled every potential Roku low power fix out there. That way, you can easily find the one that applies to your setup. 

Clean and Re-Check All Connections 

This might seem a bit simple, but sometimes, the problem is that simple. A little bit of dirt or a loose chord can cause any number of problems with a piece of tech. 

Start by unplugging all the cables and cleaning them using a Q-tip and some Isopropyl Alcohol if needed. Don’t try blowing into the ports, as this might cause even more damage. Check the cables for harsh kinks, and finally, double-check the ports on the TV and the Roku device. 

Once you have done this, plug everything back in. Then power on the TV and your Roku device to see if the problem is now fixed. 

Let the Roku Device “Rest”

As mentioned before, a flashing red light on the device indicates a power problem, and a solid red light indicates that the device is overheating. 

Furthermore, the flashing red light may indicate the fact that it will overheat soon. If you know that your device has been plugged in and running for a long time, then this is even more likely to be the case. 

Turn off the Roku device and let it cool down. Twenty-five minutes at the most ought to do it. Power it up again and check to see if the problem is fixed. If you don’t see any flashing red lights, then you know the problem was caused by heat and not an actual power issue, as the light indicated. 

Try Using a Different USB Port

USB ports might seem like one of the few parts of a computer that should be robust. Usually, they are quite sturdy. But they are also the parts of a computer that endure the most wear and tear. 

This is especially true if you are constantly plugging in and removing USB devices from the same port. If even only one small part gets damaged, the port may not be able to deliver the required power. 

If you have multiple ports available on your TV, try switching your Roku device to one of the other ports. This might just fix your Roku low power problem. 

Reset the TV

Do you leave your Smart TV on for extended periods? Do you often run multiple applications at the same time on your Smart TV? If so, these can contribute to power problems with the TV. 

The reset process for smart TVs can differ from brand to brand and model to model. So, you’ll have to look it up in the device’s manual or check online if you are unsure. Most Smart TVs can be reset just by turning them off and unplugging them for about five minutes.

While you are waiting for the TV to reset, it is also a good idea to unplug the Roku device from the TV. Once the TV is up and running again, you can plug the Roku device back in to see if the problem has been fixed. 

Use a Different USB Cable 

After checking the ports and connections, and resetting the devices, the next step is to use a different USB cable that connects your Roku device to the TV. 

When it comes to electronics, it is best to use the cable that came with the device. But, since these can get worn out (especially the old Micro USB cables), you may have to replace them. 

Check the power specifications on the Roku device and purchase a replacement cable which will hopefully solve the problem.

Low Power Fix for Roku Sticks 

Use an Alternative Power Source

Roku sticks are a popular option for connecting a TV to streaming networks. They have the added benefit of not using as many cables as the normal Roku players do. 

Roku sticks draw power from the USB port on your TV. So, if you receive a low power warning when the stick is plugged in means one of the ports on the TV doesn’t have the output to power the stick properly. 

To fix this problem, you can power your Roku stick externally. To do this, simply remove the USB power plug and insert it into a wall adapter. This should fix the power issue for most Roku sticks. 

Low Power Fix for Standard Roku Boxes 

Change the Power Adapter

When it comes to power issues on Roku devices, the most likely causes are faulty USB ports or devices that need to be reset. However, standard Roku boxes use power adapters that can be faulty or sometimes break.

As mentioned, it is best to use the cables and adapters that came with the device. But, if your adapter fails, simply check the power specifications and order a replacement to see if it can fix the problem. 

Clear the Roku Device’s Cache 

This next one is a bit more technical. But it will still be easy for most users to perform, so don’t be intimidated. 

The cache on a Roku device works in much the same way as a cache works on a computer or smartphone. Files relevant to certain processes and sites are stored to make the loading times for frequently accessed files faster. 

This might seem irrelevant to a power issue, but it has happened. Did the low power message appear when your devices started experiencing a lot of glitches and bugs? If so, then the cache issue could be the problem. Clearing up this cache will mean the device needs to draw less power. 

So, how do you clear the cache?

Well, by using a button combination on the remote control. Kind of like those old Nintendo cheat codes. You need to start by making sure that you are on the home screen. Then you need to press these buttons exactly this combination:

Home (5 times) – Up – Rewind – Rewind – Fast Forward – Fast Forward

If the combination was input correctly, then the device will shut down and restart by itself.

Replace or Remove Cords Interfering with your Roku Device

If you have gotten this far and still have a problem, then you need to look at what else is plugged into the TV. One device can interfere with another. Or to cause an insufficient power output for all devices to run properly.   

You might want to start systematically unplugging other devices from the TV. Then see if that solves the low power warning on your Roku device. 

Alternatively…

There might be problems with the Roku cables or adapters. For Roku sticks, the only things you can replace are the USB power cable and the wall adapter. If you are using a standard Roku box, you can replace the wall adapter or the HDMI cable that runs from the box to the TV. 

If you are using extension cords in your setup, they may also be worth a look. That’s because a fault in one of them could cause insufficient power transmission to the TV and the Roku device. 

Contact Roku Support

If you have come this far and have still not had any success, then your only option is to contact Roku directly to get the problem fixed. Luckily they have a dedicated and friendly support staff. 

To make the process as fast as possible, start by getting the serial number of your device. You can do this by looking at the “About “tab. You can then email or call support, and hopefully, the problem gets fixed quickly and easily. 

Roku Low Power Fix – Conclusion

Roku products are generally very reliable and won’t give you a moment’s trouble. But they aren’t perfect. If you experience any low power issues with Roku, hopefully, one of these quick fixes can help. If not, your best bet is to call Roku support.

Until next time, good luck, and happy viewing.