Blank Purple Screen on Roku? (Reasons & Fix Guide)

The blank purple screen on Roku can be really frustrating when you’re trying to relax and watch your favorite TV shows.

Don’t get all worked up over this, though. We’ll learn what causes this stubborn issue and fix it in no time.

The blank purple screen on Roku could result from a faulty HDMI cable or connector or TV or AVR problems. You can quickly fix this error by changing the HDMI cable, switching the ends of the HDMI cord, or plugging it firmly.

Now that we know this issue is routine and there are many troubleshooting techniques, let’s get into the details about fixing it and getting rid of it once and for all.

Why Is There a Blank Purple Screen on Roku?

Before we get into the causes of the annoying blank purple screen, let’s first understand what exactly this error is. So, what’s the blank purple screen on Roku?

The blank purple screen, also known as HDCP, is the TV and movie industry’s copy and content protection standard.

Content protection has been existent for a while, and that's why people couldn't copy commercial VHS tapes back then.

High-bandwidth Digital Copy Protection (HDCP) is the latest copy/content protection tech, and it’s used on HDMI connections for digital devices like Roku or when watching Hollywood content on an external monitor connected to a computer.

The HDCP error could occur and appear as an error code 020 mainly because of three reasons:

• TV or AVR problems
• Faulty HDMI cable
• If the content you’re streaming doesn’t support content protection technology.

How to Fix the Blank Purple Screen on Roku?

There are many ways you can fix the blank purple screen on Roku. Here are some of them:

Solution #1 Set Up Roku Player to Allow 4K Ultra HD Streaming

Here are the steps for setting up a Roku player to allow 4K Ultra HD Streaming:

1. Unplug each end of the HDMI cable from the Roku player and your TV or AVR.
2. Power off your Roku player and TV, then unplug them from the power source.
3. Firmly reconnect both ends of the HDMI cables into the ports.
4. Reconnect your Roku and TV back to the power source and turn them on.
5. Play and recheck the video.

Solution #2 Change the Display Settings

If trying a different HDMI cable, switching the ports, or power cycling the Roku didn’t fix the issue, this solution could work for you.

Here’s how to change the display settings:

1. Go to Settings and select Display Type.
2. Change to a different resolution until the screen flashes and throws up the HDCP error.
3. Press the Home button on your remote to dismiss the error message.
4. Confirm the resolution you’ve picked, and this will trigger the HDCP error once again.
5. Press the Home button to dismiss the error message and return to the home screen.

Note: This setting fixes the issue as long as the TV is on, even if you change inputs to use another device and go back.

Solution #3 Hard Reset the Roku Player

Follow these simple steps to perform a hard reset on your Roku device:

1. Find the reset option on the outside of your Roku player.
2. Press and hold the button for around 20 seconds.
3. An indicator light will blink fast once the reset is over.

Solution #4 Reboot Your Roku

If your Roku encounters a glitch and freezes on the purple screen, blocking you from accessing the menu, you can press the following series of buttons on your remote control to prompt a reboot:

1. Press the Home button 5 times.
2. Press the Up button once.
3. Press the Rewind button twice.
4. Press the Fast Forward button twice.

The Roku will turn off if you’ve pressed all these buttons in that order. It will then turn on and display the bouncing Roku logo and the home screen shortly after.

Tip: You can also force a reboot by unplugging the power cable for about a minute and then plugging it back in.

Solution #5 Switch the Ends of the HDMI Cable

It would help if you first switched the ends of your HDMI cord before making any other move. The cable could be loose, and changing the sockets could easily fix the problem.

Try interchanging the ends of your HDMI cable and inserting them into different ports, and check if it restores the picture to the TV.

Solution #6 Plug the HDMI Cable Firmly

To resolve the purple screen issue, check whether your HDMI cable connection is loose.

If it’s loose, unplug it from both devices and then firmly lodge it back into the ports of the devices. You will easily sort out the issue without even breaking a sweat.

Solution #7 Change the HDMI Cable

If you’ve switched your HDMI cord on both sides and plugged it firmly into the ports, but there are still no changes on your screen, your cable could be damaged, and you need to replace it.

Get a new HDMI cable and test it out to see if the blank purple screen disappears.

Other Ways of Fixing the Blank Purple Screen on Roku

If the purple screen persists after attempting all the solutions above, test the following extra quick fixes:

1. Try another TV that supports HDCP.
2. If you use a computer monitor, try using a TV that supports HDCP.
3. If it’s your first time seeing the purple screen after setting up your Roku device, confirm if your TV or AVR supports HDCP.

The blank purple screen on Roku could occur if your TV or AVR doesn't support HDCP or if your HDMI cable is damaged. 

The troubleshooting techniques for this error are:

• Change your HDMI cable.
• Change the display settings.
• Switch the ends of your HDMI cable and lodge it firmly into the ports.

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Final Thoughts

Fixing the blank purple screen on Roku might seem like a daunting task, but in truth, it isn’t.

To ensure that you successfully resolve the HDCP error, get a hold of an HDCP compliant TV or monitor if you use a computer with your Roku player.

I hope that now you understand why the blank purple screen occurs, and I trust that you can quickly solve this issue using the various troubleshooting tips we’ve discussed.

Contact Roku customer service for more technical support if you’ve tried everything but still see no changes.