The primary Roku device was launched 17 years in the past. It was initially developed in partnership with Netflix to stream its “Watch Immediately” service. Since then, the corporate has launched quite a few generations of streaming gamers and its very personal Roku TVs — which suggests you may personal one in every of these older units.
What’s a cache?
Similar to your laptop or smartphone, your Roku TV additionally shops non permanent information (the cache) to assist apps load sooner. It is like a digital shortcut; whenever you open an app, as a substitute of redownloading the whole lot from scratch, your Roku remembers sure components, like photos or login info.
Over time, this cache can grow to be cluttered, corrupted, or simply plain too full. When that occurs, it might probably result in sluggish efficiency, apps freezing, audio-video sync points, and even these dreaded error messages that pop up proper when the present you are watching is getting good.
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Whereas Roku is considerably distinctive in contrast with different good TVs that may have a direct “clear cache” button buried within the settings, it is nonetheless an choice, and an vital one to verify at times. Under are the 2 quickest and only methods to clear your Roku cache.
Mushy reset your Roku utilizing the distant
This operation jogs my memory of the cheat codes you’d punch into an unique Nintendo sport pad — a bit antiquated, but additionally nostalgic. To be clear, this is not a manufacturing facility reset; you will not lose your downloaded apps or login info in your numerous streaming providers. Seize your Roku distant and:
- Press the Residence button 5 occasions.
- Press the Up arrow as soon as.
- Press the Rewind button twice.
- Press the Quick Ahead button twice.
For those who’ve entered the sequence accurately, your Roku TV will freeze for a second after which restart, clearing out that troublesome cache. It would take a minute or two to completely reboot, so be affected person and let it do its factor.
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As soon as your Roku TV is again up and working, attempt opening the final app that was supplying you with grief. Most of the time, you will discover it is behaving a lot better. The sluggishness is gone, the crashes have ceased, and you may get again to your commonly scheduled binge-watching.
Restart your Roku system
If that particular button mixture would not appear to do the trick, one other easy, but surprisingly efficient methodology is the traditional “flip it on and off once more” maneuver — however with a slight twist for a extra thorough cache clearing. Be mindful that is additionally not a tough reset, so it will not uninstall your channels, reset your community settings, or erase your personalised preferences.
- Go to Settings in your Roku.
- Choose System.
- Choose Energy (in case you do not see Energy, go straight to System Restart).
- Choose System Restart, then Restart.
- After it restarts, unplug your Roku TV from the ability outlet. That is key.
- Look ahead to about 60 seconds. This enables any electrical cost within the capacitors to dissipate, guaranteeing the cache is absolutely cleared.
- Plug your Roku TV again in and switch it on.
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This energy cycle methodology ensures that each one non permanent information are cleaned.
If all else fails…
In case your Roku remains to be having points, there’s the atomic-bomb choice of a real laborious (manufacturing facility) reset. I hate even recommending it as a result of it’s a ache to re-enter your account particulars, information, and settings. However, earlier than you go searching for a more moderen Roku gadget or a brand new TV altogether, give this a attempt first.
- Go to Settings.
- Choose System.
- Choose Superior System Settings.
- Choose Manufacturing unit Reset.
There may additionally be a bodily reset button in your Roku TV (usually a small recessed button you want a paperclip to press) that you may maintain in for about 10-30 seconds whereas the TV is powered on.
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Clearing the cache is not a one-time repair for all eternity. For those who’re a heavy streamer, or in case you discover efficiency beginning to degrade once more, do not hesitate to repeat the method. The primary two processes above are straightforward upkeep duties that may prevent a whole lot of complications and delay your subsequent large streaming gadget buy. The third choice will undoubtedly clear your cache, however you will be beginning anew along with your Roku account.
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