Turning off a streaming device sounds easy. That is, until there isn’t a power button. Rokus are designed to stay on, but if you want to stop their energy feast, this guide will show you how to turn off your Roku device and take advantage of some power-saving.
If you like to power down your devices before you go to bed, you might be wondering how you can turn off your Roku. Well, Rokus are low-power devices that are designed to stay powered on and connected to the internet. Still, if you want to stop your Roku’s power use, this guide will show you how to turn off Roku devices.
One thing we can tell you from the get-go is there’s no “off” button. Staying on provides instant access whenever you need a streaming fix, and you don’t need to worry about your Roku using your internet bandwidth because, well, it won’t.
Plus, turning off your Roku device will prevent it from automatically performing necessary software updates when they become available. It’ll update once you power the Roku back up, though.
If you don’t have time to read this guide, the best thing for you to do is unplug your Roku device from its power source — whether that be a wall outlet or a USB connection. Read on, though, to learn more about how you can power down your Roku, as well as how to restart your Roku and if it has a standby mode.
Roku doesn’t turn itself off, but it does enter a screensaver mode when not in use. Rokus are designed to stay on so you can access them immediately and receive software updates, and they use minimal power to do so.
You can’t turn off your Roku device with the remote because they’re designed to stay on. Some Roku remotes have a power button, but it is to control your TV, along with volume and mute buttons. The only way to turn your Roku device off is by disconnecting its power supply.
You may have turned the Audio Guide feature on, which reads on-screen text for those who are visually impaired. You can turn it on/off in the Settings menu. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio Guide > select “Off.”
To turn off subtitles — or closed captions — on Roku, press the “Home” button, then go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions Mode > select “Off.”
If you’re anxious about leaving electrical devices on overnight or you only use your Roku device occasionally, keep reading. This section will explain the different ways you can turn off your Roku.
OK, so you might not need to go as far as unplugging your TV, but if your Roku device is powered by your TV’s USB port, it will shut down when you turn off your TV. Don’t just pop your TV into standby mode, though, as that will keep your Roku on, according to Roku support.
If you have a Roku TV, you can simply turn off the TV. Roku players that are plugged into a wall outlet will need to be switched off separately.
Roku’s first edition Streaming Stick used Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL). Although an MHL connection looks like a normal HDMI connection, it provides power to a compatible device without the need for an external power source.
That technology is a distant memory for Roku, though. The Roku Streaming Stick+ — and all other Roku devices — needs an external power supply. For the most part, you can power a Roku via a TV’s USB port, but devices like the Roku Ultra need a little more juice and have to be plugged into a wall outlet.
With that in mind, unplugging the HDMI cable from your Roku will not turn it off — you just won’t be able to see a picture.
If your Roku is plugged into a wall outlet, you can turn it off by unplugging the AC power adapter. If it’s in an awkward place, or you want an easier solution, you could use a power strip or a smart plug that can be controlled via a mobile device or a voice control assistant like Alexa.
Occasionally, you might need to restart your Roku because it isn’t working. Since Rokus don’t have a power button, you’ll need to find a different way to restart your Roku. In this section, we’ll cover three ways to do that.
Let’s get the easiest method out of the way first. You can unplug your Roku from its power source, then plug it back in. That’s it. No special instructions here.
Roku has added a button sequence to its remote to make restarting your Roku easy if unplugging it is difficult. Follow the steps below to restart your Roku.
We’ve used the Roku Enhanced Remote for these how-to steps. Don’t worry, though. The standard IR remote looks different, but you can still follow the same sequence.
Press the “Home” button on your Roku remote five times.
Press the up arrow button once.
Press “Rewind” twice.
Press the fast-forward button twice. Your Roku streaming device should begin the restart process after a few seconds.
You can also reboot your Roku device through the settings menu. The following steps will show you how to do that.
Press the “Home” button on your Roku remote to make sure you’re on the home screen.
Select “Settings” and press “OK” on the remote.
Use the arrow button on the remote to scroll down. Then select “System” and press “OK.”
Select “System Restart” and press “OK.”
After selecting “System Restart,” the “Restart” button will be highlighted. Now press “OK” on the remote and your Roku will restart.
Roku devices don’t have an official standby mode — manual or automatic. They don’t have a power button, so you can’t hold the button to put it into standby mode.
The 2015 Roku 4 was an exception because it had a built-in fan. Users could set the player to automatically power down after 30 minutes of inactivity. Plus, as we said earlier, USB-powered Roku devices will power down with the TV.
Roku does have a screensaver mode, though, which displays on your TV when the Roku is not in use for a while. Even if you switch to a different connection, when you switch back, it’ll still display the screensaver, proving that there is no complete sleep mode. The realistic fish tank is one of the default screensavers provided, but there are others available to install, too.
Because Rokus are such low-powered devices, though, this is not an issue. Plus, Rokus only use your internet connection — via WiFi or Ethernet cable — to stream content or when an automatic software update is sent.
Since Roku devices use so little energy, there’s no need to turn them off, so there’s no on-board option to do that. There are advantages to that, such as the Roku always being ready to stream and perform automatic updates. However, if you prefer to turn everything off when not in use, you now know how to turn off your Roku device.
On the other hand, if you’re wondering how to turn on Roku, we have a complete Roku setup guide, as well as a Roku troubleshooting guide if you get stuck. You should also read our Roku scams piece to make sure you stay safe.
Do you think Roku players should have a power button? Would you prefer your Roku player to include a standby mode? Let us know in the comment section and, as always, thank you for reading.
36 thoughts on “How to Turn Off Roku Streaming Devices in 2023: 3 Simple Ways”
My Roku has stopped working. I can see the home menu and all the streaming options (Netflix, HBPMax, Showtime, etc) but I can’t move the cursor to select anything. it only stays on Home. I have rebooted the Roku box and checked my connects, but I can’t get to any streaming channel. The TV and DVR box are working fine.
Hi! This may be a silly question, but have you checked your Roku remote’s batteries? There’s also the possibility that the remote has unpaired. If all else fails, I suggest you contact Roku support through the link below. You’ll need to go through a couple of options and log in, but you should see a “need more help” button. Click that and you’ll be able to contact support via chat, email or phone.
https://support.roku.com/contactus/contact-options
I have exactly the same problem
Check the batteries in the remote. Make sure the remote is still recognized by the Roku by trying to pair it again.
Batteries in the remote need replacing.
I have done everything to get this working, it usually does this when I haven’t used it in awhile, but this time, I can’t get it back on, maybe I just need to get a roku installed tv?
I am enjoying stopping their bandwidth feast…..
I have almost the same problem as Mr. Chuck Gullage.
I think Roku should have a power off button because if I want to stream from a hard drive I would have to unplug the roku so I could safely disconnect the hard drive
All Roku Remote buttons are supported. Supports TV ON/OFF.* For Roku Dongles: Do Not connect power USB of Roku Device to TV USB. Otherwise it won’t Support TV ON/OFF Feature.
I’ve been notified by suddenlink I’ve used nearly all my allowed data. I thought streaming using wifi did not use my data. Maybe I’m wrong. Can you explain this.
Yes you always use data to transmit anything via the Internet. Includes streaming by any device.
I have a brand-new Roku express 4K and there is an auto power savings feature that you can enable. Go to System > Power > Auto Power savings
Yes Roku should have a power off option. These devices do tend to overheat especially the Roku sticks. If they’re mount behind the TV on a wall there is very little space and can cause overheating. If you could power it off with out powering off the TV then the device could have a chance to cool down.
My Roku has stopped working. I can see the home menu and all the streaming options (Netflix, HBPMax, Showtime, etc) but I can’t move the cursor to select anything. it only stays on Home. I have rebooted the Roku box and checked my connects, but I can’t get to any streaming channel. The TV and DVR box are working fine.
same problem
Does my Roku TV streaming channels keep running in the background when it is on and when it is off.
My mother switched my tv from roku over to the cable without stopping the streaming she was watching and it never stopped when the hdmi was switched.
The Roku apparently puts my tv in standby mode when I turn off my tv. Then the tv won’t turn back on. The tv makes a loud clicking noise when I try turning it on. I have to unplug the tv and the Roku power cable And the HDMI from the tv. Even then I just get the loud clicking noise and the tv won’t turn on with the Roku not even plugged into the power socket or the HDMI. Please figure this out and fix it! Sometimes it takes fiddling with the sequence of plugging all back in for an hour before it magically works again. Not a fun way to waste my time! I also tried changing the TV’s input back to cable tv (even though I don’t have cable) thinking Roku would not have control over turning the tv back on. To my dismay, this didn’t work either. I’m going to detach Roku from my tv before I turn it off to see if this will work.
Batteries are exactly why we need a power-off! I have to change batteries every couple weeks and this is too expensive. Am I the only one having this problem? We used to take the batteries out after every use but that isn’t a good solution.
Yes. Roku needs an off switch. My Roku stick is almost too hot to touch at the end of 3 to 4 hours watching TV. I have it connected to a 3 way HDMI switch since my old 2001 TV only has 1 HDMI port.
My ROKU stick is an older one that needs to be plugged into a power source. Purchased sometime after 2015. I didn’t really use it much until recently as I cancelled cable TV. Now I’m having second thoughts. I also miss not being able to enter a channel number to go directly to it. I’m told I need a newer model or download the app and use the microphone to tell it the name of the show, so big learning curve.
I am fed up with the shut offs while viewing important things although shut off in settings it still shuts off the screen and froze on yes. Update needed to remove this obstacle. Also needs volume and power button. Very unhappy with this product as I am not able to enjoy programs I like.
My Ultra does the same thing from overheating. Lots of fun to start watching after 8 hours away from device just to have it “glitch” and then shut down 3 or 4 minutes into the first show.
If you hit the top BACK button and then resume you should be OK.
Did they answer you?
Roku should have a power button. It’s common sense. It’s not going to take valuable time away by having to turn it on. That’s just silly. I have an express plus with composite cables, and it stays hot, even when not in use, which means it continues to do something using wifi, and doubt it’s all updates. I now unplug it, as I can’t figure out wbo thought that level of heat wouldn’t be a fire hazard, and which also proves it’s not a low energy consuming device. My xs2 wasn’t as hot when in use, compared to the express when it’s not. Before I started unplugging it, which is more of a burden than turning on a power button, it would overheat in 30 minutes or less when I started watching something. That shouldn’t happen.
ROKU suddenly stopped working and everything went black. It is a built in one on a fairly new Hisense TV. Now nothing works because of that. Blue tooth, both remotes, (yes I have two), and everything else checks out and I’ve done all the troubleshooting mentioned. This really blows.
Yes, there should be an on off button on the Roku. I’m positive it’s causing my TV standby light to keep flashing after I’ve turned it off.
Mine just comes apart. Fiddle with it
Roku should have an on/off switch. I don’t need an open line inviting intrusions.
Yes, Roku Ultra should have a power button.
It should definitely have an off button. I’ve no idea how Roku TVs are in use but if it’s a couple of million that’s 2 million TVs using electricity when there’s no need. Are we supposed to be saving energy rather than carelessly wasting it?
Also as I am disabled it would really help me if I could turn it off completely with the remote.
I use my tv remote to turn the volume up or down and the on off button to shut the TV (Sharp) down. This leaves the Roku on all the time. However I would prefer the volume and on off buttons on my Roku
I prefer the Roku to just shut down when the TV does not need to be on.
Yes it needs a power off button. Really ridiculous that it does not. I have limited data and cannot trust that it’s not using it if it’s still on. Now I have to unplug it….wow!! Modern technology without a power button. Don’t know who’s bright idea that was…
Absolutely Roku needs to have a power off and a standby option as well. My old Roku used to turn off but since it will no longer receive updates I had to get a new one. I preferred my old Roku Ultra.
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