Tips & How tos

Roku Low Power or Insufficient Power? (8 Easy Fixes!)

Is your Roku TV device showing an insufficient power error? If you want to understand why this error is showing on your device’s screen, this article is for you. When the Roku device gets connected through a TV USB port for power, it may cause the screen to show as low power. It is also possible that your TV cannot send power signals to connect with your Roku device.

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So, if your TV screen is showing the error message – Insufficient Power- Current USB port connection on your TV won’t power your Roku device. Use the Roku USB to get a power supply for your device; we will help you resolve this error with a list of tested fixes.

How Much Power Does Roku Consume?

Generally, the Roku TV device does not require much power to run on, but technically it needs 0.6 amps of power to get working. You can easily use a basic USB connector to make the Roku device function. It is also crucial to understand the purpose of using the device.

For streaming 4K HDR online content, the Roku Ultra device uses over 4.5 watts of power, and a Roku Streaming Stick uses up to 3 watts on your device. Especially when not in use, it consumes around 2 watts of power, as there is no way to switch off this device. If you keep the Roku device plugged into a direct power source, it will continuously consume power. 

Hence, if you are receiving a low power error, it is likely because the Roku device is connected to a USB port plugged into your TV. So, if you switch off the TV, it will automatically cut off the power from the Roku device too.

Signs that your Roku Device has Insufficient Power

When the Roku device is low on power, the device and your TV will give out one of the below three warnings to alert you that the device needs power.

  1. A power plug image with a hyperlink directing you to visit the website – go.roku.com/lowpower.
  2. A warning sign with insufficient power writer along with the site link go.roku.com/lowpower.
  3. A red light flashes on the screen

Remember that the red light flashing on your Roku device has nothing to do with a power problem. It only means that the Roku device is overheating and needs to be powered off.

Now, if you click on the link on the warning sign, it will take you to the Roku support site. However, it only offers two fixes for this issue. Below are some additional ways to resolve this problem with the Roku device.

Read – How to Turn Off Voice on Roku TV

Fix 1: Restart Your Roku Device

The first thing to do if there is a malfunction with the Roku device is to restart it. It may help fix the issue causing the technical fault in the machine, allowing you to reconnect the device to the TV.

Restarting the Roku will also help refresh the device, adjusting any performance issues and enhancing the overall device’s functionality.

Fix 2 – Use the Official Roku USB Cable

One of the most common reasons behind the Roku device’s low power error is the usage of an uncertified USB cable or a faulty one. If the USB cable is defective, replace it with a new, certified USB. Using an official Roku cable is advisable as it offers better support with faster power charging, enhancing the device’s performance. Because of the high quality and compatibility with the device, the Roku USB cable will also ensure that your Roku device’s performance is at par.

Moreover, a non-Roku or cheap USB may be supplying low power to your Roku device, causing the error, and if not, it will eventually damage the device.

So, remember to use an official Roku USB cord or adapter to plug your Roku device into the direct power outlet on the wall to see if the error is still showing on the screen.

Fix 3 – Use Different USB Ports

Another possibility behind the insufficient power error for your Roku device can be a faulty USB port. If so, try a different USB port if that is the case. Now, all USB ports have varying power ratings, so it is crucial to connect a USB cable to the USB port that can supply sufficient power for your Roku device.

Also, check that the USB ports you are trying to connect to your Roku device are functional. If a USB port is not active, it will not be able to supply any power to the Roku device. And this can eventually cause the error screen for insufficient power to show up on your TV screen.

Fix 4 – Connect the Power Cord/Adapter Properly

If the USB cable you are using is an official Roku cable, and there seems to be no problem with the USB ports, the adapter may be causing the power issue in the Roku device. So, the next thing to do is to troubleshoot the adapter you are using and see if it is getting connected properly.

If it is a loose connection or the charger is not working correctly, it will send low power to your Roku device, leading to an insufficient power error on your TV screen. However, if the adapter is getting connected and is charging the device, the adapter is not faulty. Yet, if the error is still showing on the screen, you should move on to the following method to resolve this error.

Fix 5 – Use Direct Wall Outlet

The Roku sticks are better compared to Roku boxes since these utilise lesser cords and are more reliant on USB ports and TV power. However, an insufficient power warning for your Roku device, a UST port, is creating a power supply shortage and not allowing supply to the device. You can fix this problem by below steps:

  • Remove the USB cable connected to the power plug.
  • Now connect the plug to a power adapter.
  • After this, click the power adapter onto the power point on the wall outlet.

It should supply the necessary power to your Roku device directly and resolve the issue with your device.

Fix 6 – Clear the Cache of your Roku Device

If you have performed all the above methods, here is a technical fix to resolve this issue. A cache file can also cause a low-power error on the Roku device. Like how it works on a PC, a cache file stores temporary data that reduces the load time, allowing the device to work quickly.

So, if the insufficient power error is showing up on your TV screen along with the device crashing constantly, you should try this method and clear all cache files. It will also help increase storage space on your Roku device, further allowing it to use lesser power.

Follow the below steps to clear the cache for your Roku device:

  • Go to the Home screen on your Roku device.
  • Once in, quickly press the Home button five times, then press Up, Rewind two times and then Fast Forward two times.
  • If you press the buttons adequately and for the exact counts, it should shut down your Roku device and restart.

The device may take some time to load again, but it should fix the error once it is on.

Fix 7 – Cool down your Overheated Roku Device

If the above method fails to work, you should try cooling down your Roku device. Overheating could cause your device to slow down or even start showing error screens. It can also slow the device’s power supply, hence the genuine low power error.

You can stop the overheating by removing any objects near the device and shut it down if it has been running continuously for a long time. It should help fix the error once the device has cooled down and you have waited for a reasonable period before starting the Roku device again.

Fix 8 – Avoid Using Extensions

Last but not least is this method. If you are using power extensions to connect your Roku device to the main screen, it can cause low power. And this happens if the power extension cord malfunctions and overheats the device as a result.

Hence, avoid using power extensions with your Roku device and go for a direct wall outlet instead.

Conclusion

Using the above-mentioned methods, you should be able to resolve the insufficient power issue with the Roku device connected to your TV screen. If none of these methods has worked, consider contacting the Roku support team and getting the device checked. You will need to share the serial number of the Roku device, visible in the About section in System settings and can also send the details via email or on call. 

But I hope this article can fix the issue without visiting the Roku support centre. 

To end this article, here is a summary of all the procedures explained in the text above.

  • Reboot the Roku Device
  • Using only a Roku USB cable
  • Using different USB ports to check for any port functionality issues
  • Connecting the power cord/adapter properly
  • Using direct wall outlet
  • Clearing cache files for the device
  • Stop the Roku device from overheating
  • Avoiding the usage of power extensions