Does your Roku TV take too long to response to commands from your remote? Do certain apps lag, skip, or buffer interminably? Don’t panic – there are several reasons this could be happening, and most have easy fixes.
If your Roku TV is running slow or showing delayed or laggy response, check for issues with your internet connection and update your device to the latest firmware. Also, check for problems with your remote, clear up the memory and reboot your Roku TV.
In this article, I have put my used 13 possible solutions that you can also use to fix a slow, delayed, or laggy response in a Roku TV.
Why Is My Roku TV So Slow And Laggy?
Weak remote batteries and software glitch are the most common reasons for a slow and laggy Roku TV.
Other reasons include:
| Reasons For Slow Roku TV | Description |
| Poor Internet Connection | Interruptions caused by walls, long distances to the router, and other interferences can lead to weak internet connections. |
| Damaged Remote or TV | If your Roku TV is slow to respond, it could be due to physical damage to your remote or Roku device. Look out for external burns, melting points, broken screens, or liquid damage as these could be the main cause. |
| Remote Keeps Disconnecting | If your remote is acting up and disconnecting repeatedly, it could be due to internal damages, old batteries, or interferences with the TV’s IR receiver. |
| Obstacles Between TV and IR Remote | When there are barriers like walls between your TV and remote, your TV can lag. |
| Too Many Applications Running in the Background | When there are too many apps running in the background, your Roku TV can start lagging. When multiple apps use up the CPU, it slows down the TV’s response time. |
What Does A Slow, Delayed, Or Laggy Response In A Roku TV Look Like?
Before we get to how to fix a slow, delayed, or laggy response in a Roku TV, let’s define what we mean when we talk about this problem.
A slow Roku TV can present in a few different ways, including by not limited to one or more of the following.
Blurry Picture
The image on the TV screen looks pixelated or out of focus, either consistently or at least frequently enough to be noticeable.
Picture Or Sound Freezes Or Gets Out Of Sync
The image or the sound (or both) of your show may freeze or pause temporarily. Or perhaps permanently, meaning that the show is totally frozen and unresponsive to the point that you have to unplug the TV set from the wall.
Sometimes, annoyingly, the picture may continue playing without the sound, or vice versa. Or they might become out of sync with one another. In any case, it makes it challenging if not impossible to watch.
TV Does Not Respond To The Remote
The TV does not respond to commands on the remote correctly, or does not respond quickly enough. Sometimes, there is a delay, so you keep pressing buttons to no avail… only to then have the Roku TV respond to the chain of commands all at once in rapid succession.
This goes for both manual commands (your finger pressing buttons) or voice commands on the remote control.
Buffering Symbol
This means that buffering symbol or load screen happens frequently on your apps, as though the TV is trying to load the program but just can’t make it happen.
Sometimes, the screen will even freeze on the symbol without the percentage of program loaded progressing.
Important: You can add a Micro SD card to increase the internal memory space to install and load Roku apps, channels, and games faster.
Remove the HDMI cable to get access to the micro SD card slot. Insert the micro SD card and put the HDMI cable back to its slot.
How To Fix A slow, Laggy, or Delayed Response In A Roku TV
If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of a slow, laggy, or delayed response in a Roku TV there are several easy ways to fix the issue.
Let’s go through 13 of the solutions, from the easiest to the most complex.
Remove Obstacles Between The TV And The Remote
First things first, before even touching the Roku TV or the remote, check your surroundings.
Is there an obstacle blocking the path from the remote to the TV so that the command signal is not getting through?
Remember, your remote will need a straight, direct line to the receptor in order to communicate with the TV set.
Make sure there aren’t any pieces of furniture, toys, books, pets, etc. in the way!
Check Your Internet Connection
Since the Roku TV is a smart television, it relies on the internet to play. Check your internet connection to make sure it’s stable, strong, fast, and connected to the TV.
Weak or poor internet connection is one of the most common causes of a slow Roku TV.
To check the connection:
- Go to “Settings > Network.”
- Go to “About > Check Connection.” If it’s slow, establish a new connection.
- To do that: Go to “About > Set up Connection“
Switch To A Stronger Internet Provider
You might consider switching to a stronger internet provider, like a dual band network router or a wired connection, which is known to be faster overall than Wi-Fi connections.
If you’re having consistent problems with your Roku TV and other devices, and you’ve tried every other option on this list, your internet provider might have unstable internet connection and this might be a time to change to a new internet network.
Restart The Device
Try restarting the Roku TV to see if that will shock the system into functioning properly again. This only takes a few minutes.
- Press the “Home” button on the remote
- Click “Settings > System“.
- Click “Power > System Restart > Restart“.
The Roku television will then restart on its own and return to the home screen.
Replace The Batteries
If the remote controller isn’t communicating consistently with the Roku TV, it might be time to replace the batteries.
You may even see a green light flashing on the remote, meaning the batteries are low.
Reset The Remote Controller
Charges can build up in the Roku TV remote controller, which slows down its performance or leads to an unresponsive remote. Resetting the remote can clear the charges.
To do this:
- Remove the batteries from the remote.
- Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
- Put the batteries back in.
After these steps, try to use the remote again and the issue may be fixed.
Check And Clean The Battery Contacts
Batteries need to make clean and consistent contact with the wiring of the remote in order for the controller to work well.
Make sure the batteries are facing the right direction, and try gently cleaning the springs with a dry cloth in case any trapped dust is interfering with the connection.
If there is corrosion, grab new batteries and use an old toothbrush or wire brush to clean the springs more thoroughly.
Remove Unused Apps Or Channels
Having too many channels on your Roku smart TV may be slowing down its performance, since it’s trying to load too much data in the background at any given moment.
Consider removing any apps you’re not actively using. Remember, you can always easily add them back!
To remove a channel:
- On the Home Screen, click “Streaming Channels”.
- Hover over the channel to remove, then press the * (star) button to bring up options.
- Click “Remove channel” and then “Remove”.
- Restart the Roku TV.
Note: Removing or uninstalling apps removes all their settings, saved usernames, passwords and reset previous configurations!
Remove And Re-Add The App / Channel Causing The Lag
You might have noticed that the Roku is only lagging when using certain channel or apps, like Netflix, Max, or YouTube, rather than all of them or when operating the menu.
In this case, try removing and then re-adding the offending app, which will reset the app and force it to update if needed.
To remove a channel: (use same steps you used for Removing unused App and channels)
- On the Home Screen, click “Streaming Channels”
- Go to the channel to remove, then press the * (star) button to bring up options.
- Click “Remove channel” and then select “Remove”.
- Now, Restart your Roku TV.
To add a channel back once the TV has restarted:
- Press the “Home” button.
- Click “Streaming Channels” to access the channel store.
- Popular channels will be at the top of the screen. If what you want is not there, click “Search” to search for it.
- Hover over the channel you want, the click “Ok”
- Click “Add Channel” (if it’s free) or “Buy” (if it’s not).
Update Your Roku TV Software
A Roku TV running on old or expired firmware can have lagging apps or a slow interface. To solve this, try updating your overall system. This process takes only a few minutes.
- Click “Settings”.
- Then, click on “System”.
- Select “System Update”.
- Click “Check Now” to scan for updates. If they exist, click to install them.
Upgrade Your Roku TV Remote
If none of these options are working you may need to upgrade your hardware. In other words, you may need a new remote.
Roku is constantly developing new and improved remotes that offer more advanced features and faster service.
Check out the Roku accessories page for the latest options. Most remotes are only $20 or $30.
Clear Roku TV Cache
There are two different methods to clear cache on your Roku TV but I personally like this simple and easy method.
- Press ‘Home‘ button on your TV remote.
- Select “Home” option from the list.
- Now, press “Home” button 5 times.
- Press the ‘Up arrow‘ ⬆️ button.
- Press the ‘Rewind’ ⏪ button twice.
- Press that ‘Fast forward’ ⏩ button twice.
- Now, wait for 10-15 seconds and you will see your device restarting.
Reset The Device
If restarting the Roku TV wasn’t enough, it may be time to do a factory reset. This returns the Roku to its very original settings and will clear its cache data, which may be slowing it down.
- Press the “Home” button on the remote
- Click “Settings > System > Advanced System Settings“
- Click “Factory Reset > Factory reset everything”
All the data will be deleted from your Roku TV device.
Contact Roku Support
If all else fails, it’s time to contact Roku Support. Help is available on the Roku Support website. Consumers can view frequently asked questions, access community support message boards, and even connect directly with a support agent for further assistance.
Can You Use A Roku TV With Slow Internet Connection?
To ensure a seamless streaming experience on Roku TVs, it’s recommended to have a minimum download speed of 1.5 Mbps for standard definition content and 3.0 Mbps for high definition material.
But what if you have a slower internet connection? While it is possible to stream videos, the experience may not be as satisfying. A poor internet connection can result in slower performance on your Roku TV.
The good news is that streaming on Roku requires no additional software, thanks to the media delivery through HTTP from their web servers (source). However, it’s important to note that a good internet connection is crucial for optimal streaming.
Remember, to enjoy popular video streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and Disney+, it’s advisable to have internet download rates of at least 3Mbps.
If you have multiple users or devices connected to your network, you may need even higher speeds – around 50 Mbps or more.
With a reliable internet connection, you can make the most of your Roku TV and enjoy a seamless streaming experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is Netflix So Laggy on My Roku TV?
If your Roku TV is running slow on Netflix and you’re experiencing poor internet or connection speed or heavy bandwidth usage, don’t worry!
Here are some quick and effective solutions:
Restart your modem/router: A simple restart often resolve internet connection issues and improve streaming performance.
Opt for a wider bandwidth network: Switching to a network with higher bandwidth can help fix buffering problems, slow connections, and ensure smooth playback.
Turn off VPNs (if applicable): Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can sometimes slow down your internet speed. Try disabling them temporarily to see if it makes a difference.
Reinstall Roku and Netflix apps: Refreshing the installed apps, can fix any potential glitches that may be affecting streaming quality.
If all else fails, reset your Roku TV: A factory reset can often resolve persistent issues and restore your Roku TV to its default settings.
I hope these tips will help you enjoy seamless Netflix streaming on your Roku TV.
How Can I Speed Up My Roku?
To speed up your Roku TV, try these helpful tips:
- Update the Roku firmware and apps.
- Remove any unused apps from your TV.
- Restart the TV if it freezes or lags.
- Ensure a stable and strong internet connection.
These simple steps will help optimize the performance of your Roku TV, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable streaming experience!
Why Is My Roku Remote So Slow?
If your Roku TV remote is slow to respond, inserting new batteries can often resolve the issue. You can also try other effective solutions such as restarting or resetting the device, replacing the batteries, or updating the Roku software.
If none of these work, you can also consider factory resetting your device or reaching out to Roku support for assistance.
Why Does My Roku TV Take So Long To Respond?
Most of the times, Roku TV take so long to respond due to network issues or outdated software.
If your Roku TV taking time to respond and you want to fix that, I’ve got some helpful tips for you.
- Check your network connection and make sure it’s not causing any issues.
- Update the TV firmware version to ensure you’re running on the latest software.
- If the problem persists, try rebooting your Roku TV, as this can often solve performance issues.
- Outdated versions of apps and unused apps can take up unnecessary memory and slow down your Roku TV.
- If all else fails, you can always perform a Factory Reset on your Roku TV to free up some space and give it a fresh start.
Why Is My Roku Remote Not Responding Well?
If your Roku remote is not responding well, it could be due to dead or faulty batteries. Let’s start by checking the batteries and see if they are charged and placed correctly. (source)
Open the battery compartment on the back of the remote and replace the old batteries with fresh ones, making sure they are inserted correctly according to the polarity markings.
If the Roku remote’s batteries are not the issue, let’s move on to checking the connections between the remote and the Roku device.
For remotes that use infrared light connection (you can identify them by the absence of a pairing button inside the battery compartment), they require a direct line of sight with your Roku device.
Final Thoughts
While a slow, laggy, delayed Roku TV can be frustrating, it’s usually fixable. And even with these issues, Roku TV is still a great, high-performing, and affordable option for OTT television access.
There are 13 options to try to fix your slow Roku TV:
- Remove obstacles between the TV and the remote
- Check for slow internet connection issues
- Switch to a stronger internet provider
- Restart the device
- Reset the device
- Replace the batteries
- Reset the remote controller
- Check and clean the battery contact springs
- Remove unused apps or channels
- Remove and re-add the app / channel causing the lag
- Update your software
- Upgrade your remote
- Contact Roku Support
By pursuing one or more of these fixes, your Roku TV should be up and running again in no time.