Wondering what the blinking blue light on Roku Express means? Well, keep reading further!
The blue blinking light on Roku Express typically indicates an issue with the electrical supply, HDMI connection, or internet connection.
Fear not, because this article will guide you through a complete inspection and troubleshooting to help you address this issue with quick solutions.
When your Roku Express has a blue blinking light, inspect the power supply and internet connection and switch to a different USB port. Also, you must examine the HDMI video transfer and switch to a different port.
Let’s move further and discuss each step in detail!
How to Solve the Blinking Blue Light on Roku Express?
The blinking blue light from your Roku is not always a cause for concern.
Sometimes, it’s just a normal indicator light that occasionally turns on during shutdowns or other system changes.
If you are encountering a blinking blue light, observe the pattern.
If it appears before or after any status change and then disappears, then you are possibly not experiencing any problem at all.
Start troubleshooting if the blue blinking light persists for more than 10 minutes!
1. System Restart the Roku Express
Sometimes, a temporary system or electrical glitch causes the Roku to blink a blue light as an indicator to let you know that there’s something wrong with the power source.
So here, system restarting the Roku is an ideal fix, as doing this will clear out all software and hardware issues.
Here are the steps to system restart the Roku:
- Press “Home” on your Roku’s remote.
- Scroll and navigate to the “Settings.”
- Move to the “System”and then “Power.”
- Go to the “System Restart” → “Restart.”
- Push the “OK” button on your remote.
Your TV will take a few seconds to restart. Once it boots up completely, check if the blue light stops blinking.
If not, continue reading for more troubleshooting.
2. Inspect the Cable Connections
Over time, the cable connections become loose or faulty, disrupting the power flow and data transmission, leading to Roku Express blinking blue.
Therefore, checking and reseating all the cable connections is recommended to ensure everything is snug and functioning correctly.
Here is how to check Roku cable connections:
- Ensure your Roku Express and TV are turned off.
- Remove the USB and HDMI cables from the Roku.
- Check the cable for frayed wires or bent connectors.
- Then, firmly reconnect both cables back into Roku.
- Reconnect the Roku to the wall adapter or your TV.
Reminder: A slightly loose connection can cause problems, so ensure a secure connection!
3. Improve Internet Signal Strength
If your device’s internet is unstable or there is no access, maybe that is why your Roku Express is blinking a blue light, signaling that something is wrong.
Therefore, ensure the internet is operational on all devices, verify that there is internet access, and attempt to improve the signal strength.
Consider these things to improve the signal strength:
- Power cycle the router by unplugging it for a short time.
- Avoid connecting multiple Wi-Fi devices simultaneously.
- Relocate your wireless router closer to the Roku device.
- Consider upgrading to a higher-speed internet package.
- Switch the Wi-Fi channel on the wireless network router.
Implementing these adjustments will help enhance the signal strength and address potential network issues for a seamless Roku experience.
If you still experience issues, keep reading!
4. Switch to a Different HDMI Port
The blue blinking light on Roku Express might be due to an issue with the HDMI connection.
Over time, dust, wear and tear, or even electrical glitches can cause the ports to malfunction, disrupting the signal.
Hence, to rule this out, try switching to a different HDMI port on your TV.
To do this, disconnect the Roku’s HDMI cable from your TV. Choose a different HDMI port on your TV (e.g., HDMI 2) and firmly plug the cable back in.
If your Roku Express uses a USB power connection on the TV, ensure it’s also tightly secure.
Reminder: Don’t forget that when you switch from one port to another, you must select the correct “Source” or “Input” on your TV.
5. Test Your Roku with Another TV
If changing the port and checking the cable and internet connection doesn’t help you, try connecting your Roku Express to a different TV.
This simple workaround will help you identify if the issue is with the Roku or the original TV.
You can use any TV/monitor if there is at least one available HDMI port, and you only need to move your Roku Express without additional steps.
So, let’s see the outcome:
- If the blinking blue light goes away, there’s likely a problem with the previous TV.
- If the issue persists, unplug the Roku and reconnect it to your previous TV again.
There is much more to try against the blinking blue light, so keep reading!
6. Replace the USB Cord or Adapter
If Roku Express flashing blue light, there’s likely a problem with its power cord, which causes electrical fluctuations, disrupting the device’s functionality.
You can connect Roku Express to power via a USB cable directly into the TV’s USB port by using a power adapter into a nearby electrical socket.
Here are a few steps to inspect and possibly solve the issue:
- Plug Roku Express into the TV’s USB port.
- Switch to a different USB port on your TV.
- Test connecting Roku via a power adapter.
- Plug the Roku directly into the power outlet.
If the blinking light continues, try using a different power adapter and the new USB cord.
If you have a replacement USB cable at home, implement it into the setup since they should all work.
Tip: If you’re looking for a replacement USB (power cable) for Roku Express, click here!
7. Replace the HDMI Connection Cable
Over time, HDMI cables can become damaged due to bends, kinks, or wear and tear, disrupting the video signal transmission to the TV.
If you have been using the same HDMI cables longer and even replacing the Roku power cord or adapter doesn’t work out, replace the HDMI cable.
Once you have a new HDMI cable, follow these steps:
- Unplug both the Roku and TV from the power.
- Disconnect the HDMI cable from both devices.
- Grab a new HDMI cable and stretch its length.
- Plug the new HDMI cable into the TV and Roku.
- Connect the Roku and the TV to the A/C source.
Hopefully, this simple fix will eliminate the blinking blue light and get your Roku back on track!
8. Update the Roku Express Software
Outdated software can sometimes cause glitches, performance issues, or compatibility problems with streaming services.
If you’re experiencing any of these, update your Roku software, as newer builds include features, bug fixes, performance, and improvements.
Here are the steps to update the Roku software:
- Press Home on the Roku remote.
- Scroll over to the Settings menu.
- Scroll down and go to the System.
- Go down and tap System Update.
- Finally, hit the Check Now button.
Your Roku will automatically scan and download the update.
Once the update is complete, your Roku will restart automatically, and hopefully, you will no longer see the front blinking blue light.
Note: The time it takes for your Roku to update is based on your internet speed!
9. Factory Reset the Roku Express
If you’ve tried all the above and still can’t fix the blinking blue light, it’s recommended to factory reset the Roku Express as a last resort.
This will erase all your settings, saved data, and installed apps and revert the system to factory defaults, so be sure to back up any critical data.
Follow any of the methods to reset the Roku Express:
From System Menu:
- Press the Home on Roku’s remote.
- Scroll and go to the Settings menu.
- Scroll down and head to “System.”
- Go to “Advanced System Settings.”
- Choose the “Factory Reset” option.
- Select “Factory Reset Everything.”
From Roku Express:
- Locate the “Reset” button on the Roku.
- Then, grab a pen and click into the hole.
- Keep holding until the Roku logo appears.
Once your Roku is reset and boots up completely, follow the on-screen instructions and set up everything again.
The blue blinking light should disappear, and your Roku must work regularly.
Note: If the issue continues, we suggest you contact Roku Support for further assistance!
Quick Recap:
To fix the blinking blue light on Roku Express, inspect the power and HDMI connection and ensure the internet works fine.
If the issue persists, replace the USB and HDMI wire cables and factory reset your Roku Express.
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.