How Do I Fix Insufficient Power on My Roku? Complete Guide!

How do I fix insufficient power on my Roku? If you face inadequate power issues with your Roku, don’t panic! We can give you the help you need.

Under usual circumstances, you will see the light on the front of most Roku devices, either off or white. If the red light is up, your unit has insufficient power.

You will see a low power warning on your screen, leading to a crash, instability, and other unpredictable behaviors.

To fix the insufficient power error in your Roku, plug it directly into your wall outlet. Use the charger that comes in the box as it can supply the right voltage for your device to function properly. Make sure the adapter is firmly connected. If it is loose, it may not provide ample power.

Before you do anything else with Roku, first, let us look at the root of the problem.

With several possible causes, it would make your life easier to determine them before performing troubleshooting steps.  

Why Does Roku Say Insufficient Power

This particular problem occurs when your Roku device is not getting enough power.

It could be due to an old USB cable or software issue. For the most part, it is because of an underpowered adapter.

1. Faulty USB Port

Sometimes, damaged USB ports can get you an Insufficient Power message on your screen. It may also be due to different volt ratings between the port and your device.

2. USB Cable Malfunction

A faulty USB cable can cause a low power problem. Using other cables that do not come with your device may also trigger the issue as they may fail to provide sufficient power. 

3. Adapter Is Underpowered

Check if the power adapter is connected firmly and working properly. An underpowered adapter may cause a low power issue. 

4. Software Issue

The software of your Roku can go haywire and display this issue. It helps to use the latest firmware on your device or at least flush the memory once in a while.

These are some of the root causes of the issue when your Roku displays an insufficient power message.

Now that you have a good understanding of the problem, we can now move on to the troubleshooting guide so you can fix it once and for all!

How Do I Fix Low Power on Roku

How do I fix insufficient power on my Roku? Before you do anything, we recommend restarting it. Turn it off and feel as if it’s hot to the touch.

If it is, let it rest for a few minutes before powering it back up. There are instances when your device gets too hot for operation. It can display this error.

If a restart does not solve the issue, it’s time to work on some advanced solutions so you can enjoy your Roku again.

Solution #1: Switch USB Ports on Your TV

Apart from the AC adapter, another way to power your Roku would be to plug it into one of the USB ports on your TV.

The problem is that some ports will not provide your streaming device with the power it needs to run.

There are instances when it will work for a while. Then the USB can fail.

If you can find a few more ports on your TV, you can try finding the one that can supply enough power to your device.

Here’s how to power your Roku with your TV’s USB port:

1. Power off your Roku.
2. Pull your Roku’s USB from your TV.
3. Find a different USB port.
4. Plug your Roku in to the new USB port.
5. Turn on your Roku.

Note: Plug your Roku into USB 3.0 ports as they can put out a higher wattage.

Solution #2: Use an Official Roku USB Cable

A component that’s sensitive to the smallest changes is the USB cable. Roku recommends you use the original cable your device came with from the outset.

Using any other cable lying around your house will not cut it for your Roku.

If you find out that your Roku cable is damaged or not working, you should be able to replace it easily by getting one from third-party stores like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy.

Here’s how to make sure you have a Roku-compatible cable:

1. When looking for a cable, make sure that it supports Roku devices.
2. Double-check the port type of your device.
3. Getting a used Roku cable is also an option.
4. To be sure, you can get the cable from the official Roku store.

Note: Only resort to getting a replacement one if you really can’t find the one that came inside the box of your device.

Solution #3: Plug Your Roku Directly into Your Wall Outlet

Once you isolate that, the cause of your insufficient power issue on your Roku is power delivery. The best way to solve it would be to plug your device via an AC adapter.

You will not need to guess the output of USB ports since the adapter should provide sufficient power.

Here’s how to plug your Roku directly into your wall outlet:

1. Connect your Roku to your TV’s HDMI port.
2. Connect one end of the power adapter cable to the plug.
3. Connect the other end to your Roku.
4. Plug the power adapter into the wall socket.
5. Turn on your Roku to see if the issue is resolved.

Note: It’s best to plug in your device directly to a wall outlet rather than an extension or power strip.

Solution #4: Clear The Cache Of Your Roku

Getting the insufficient power error does not necessarily mean your Roku suffers from a power delivery problem.

There are also cases where it’s a storage and cache issue.

Filling up the cache storage to the brim can cause minor software issues that display this particular error. The best way to deal with this is to clear your device’s cache.

Here’s how you can do that:

1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
2. Choose the Home menu option.
3. Press the Home button 5 times, then the Up button.
4. Press the Rewind button 2 times.
5. Press the Fast Forward button 2 times.

Note: These steps will clear the entire cache of your Roku. You can also delete the cache for specific apps, but this is a more effective method for this issue.

Solution #5: Factory Reset Your Roku

Finally, if you’re still suffering from this problem after trying a few solutions, your best course of action is to perform a factory reset on your Roku.

Doing this will clear most errors, including the insufficient power one.

Here’s how to factory reset your Roku:

1. Press the Home button on your remote.
2. Go to Settings, then select System.
3. Choose Advanced System Settings.
4. Select Factory Reset.
5. Enter the code found on your screen to confirm.

Pro Tip: You can also reset your Roku by using the Reset button found on the device. Push it and hold for at least 5 seconds to initiate the reset process.

There are instances when any of these solutions might not resolve the issue.

You might be dealing with a hardware problem where you need to contact Roku support to request more advanced assistance.

Read Next: Why is Roku Hotel and Dorm Connect Not Showing Up?

Bottom Line

Are you still asking how do I fix insufficient power on my Roku? After following this troubleshooting guide, we certainly hope not.

As long as you follow the steps, you should be able to resolve this even if you don’t have any technical experience.