Private Listening Roku Not Working? (Don’t Panic, Fix Now!)

Wondering why the private listening Roku not working? Well, continue reading to find out!

Roku’s private listening feature is amazing, allowing you to enjoy your output audio without disturbing others.

However, sometimes it can run into issues and stop working properly, so this guide will help you address this problem in easy steps on both the Roku remote and the app.

To fix when the Roku’s private listening feature is not working, restart the device, and check the internet and headphone connection. If nothing works, perform a factory reset.

Let’s move further and dig deeper into the details!

Private Listening Roku Not Working – (Output Player)

If the private listening feature on Roku TV is not working, it can be incredibly frustrating.

Luckily, in the below section, we’ve gathered all proven ways to help you address this problem instantly.

1. Power Cycle Your Roku TV

Sometimes, software glitches or unstable Wi-Fi connections can lead to problems with private listening.

In that case, power cycling is one ideal fix as this will help refresh the connection, clear the temporary memory, and restart all hardware components to restore the entire functionality.

Here are the steps to power cycle the Roku:

1. Turn off the Roku from the Power button.
2. Unplug the Roku TV from the wall outlet.
3. Then, wait for at least 3, up to 5 minutes.
4. Connect the unit back into the wall outlet.
5. Turn on the Roku from the Power button.

Tip: Once your Roku device fully boots up, unplug and replug your headphones into the voice remote for private listening.

2. Check the Network/Internet

Roku’s private listening feature uses the same network as other devices in your home.

There is a chance that network congestion on the network might be impacting the quality of your audio. 

So, make sure no other devices on the network are downloading or streaming content, and check whether your Roku is connected.

Here’s how to check Roku’s internet connection:

1. On your remote, press the Home button.
2. Navigate to the Roku’s Settings menu.
3. Then, scroll over to the Network option.
4. Find and press on “Check connection.”

Roku will now run a diagnostic test and show your connection status, signal strength, and internet speed.

If there are network issues, restart your home Wi-Fi router and modem.

If the issue continues, keep reading!

3. Inspect Headphone Connection

There is a chance that the issue can be related to the connection itself. 

If there are any problems with the headphone connection, such as loose cables or faulty ports, it can disrupt audio transmission and impact private listening.

Here are the steps to check your headphone connection:

1. Remove the headphones from the Voice remote.
2. Check the cables for any signs of cracks or bends.
3. Inspect the jack and clean it using a cotton swab.
4. Reinsert the headphones into the jack on the remote.

Pro Tip: If the issue persists, check your headphones by listening to them on another device or try using a different pair of headphones, if possible.

4. Change the Roku Audio Mode

When the private listening feature is not working, it’s recommended to try changing the audio mode on your Roku TV to “Stereo”. 

This can help resolve audio problems and any compatibility issues disrupting the private listening experience. 

Here’s how to change your Roku’s audio mode:

1. First, go to the Roku’s Settings section.
2. Head to the Volume or Sound Settings.
3. Next, press the OK button on the remote.
4. Change the Audio Mode to “Stereo.”

Tip: You can also try switching between other available modes and see if private listening starts working with any of them.

5. Update Your Roku Software

Outdated software can sometimes interfere with functionality, leading to audio dropouts or connection issues.

While Roku usually updates its software automatically, sometimes a power cut or bad internet can mess things up. 

So, you should check and manually initiate the update process!

Here’s how to update Roku software:

1. Press “Home” on the Roku remote.
2. Navigate to the “Settings” section.
3. Scroll down and choose “System.”
4. Go right to the “System Update.”
5. Locate and click on “Check Now.”

If an update is available, install it, then test using the private listening feature again!

6. Factory Reset Your Roku

If you’ve tried all the steps and the Roku’s private listening is not working, it’s recommended to perform a factory reset on the device. 

This will permanently erase content, settings, installed apps, and data and revert to factory defaults, so back up any important data beforehand. 

Here are the steps to factory reset the Roku:

1. Navigate to the Roku’s settings tab.
2. Then, scroll down and go to “System.”
3. Go to “Advanced System Settings.”
4. Head to the “Factory Reset” option.
5. Select “Factory Reset Everything.”

Info: After resetting, follow the on-screen prompt and set up your Roku device from scratch!

Roku App Private Listening Not Working – (Mobile App)

If private listening on the Roku app is not working, turn private listening off and back on again, exit and reopen the Roku mobile app, and test again.

If that doesn’t work, start troubleshooting! 

1. Restart Your Devices

Start by restarting your Roku TV and your phone or tablet. 

This is a simple yet effective fix that can resolve temporary glitches, refresh the internet, and ensure stable communication between both your devices.

Follow these steps to restart your devices:

• Restart the Roku: Unplug your Roku TV from the power → wait for 3 minutes → plug the TV back in and turn it on.
• Restart the Mobile/Tablet: Press and hold the Power Button → choose “Restart” → turn the device back on.

Reminder: Once your device turns on completely, launch the remote on the Roku app and tap the headphone icon to activate private listening.

2. Check Wi-Fi Connection

For Roku’s Private Listening to work, your phone and Roku need to be connected to the same Wi-Fi network. 

If they have a weak, unstable, or no connection at all, you won’t be able to access the private listening feature. 

Here is how you can check the Wi-Fi:

• On Roku TV: Go to Roku’s Settings → Wireless or Wi-Fi → check the network.
• On Phone or Tablet: Go to Settings → tap on Wi-Fi → check the network name.

Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi.

You can also try restarting your Wi-Fi router, as this automatically addresses all network-related glitches.

3. Inspect App Permissions

Another key culprit could be that the Roku app doesn’t have access to your phone’s microphone and headphones, which is why private listening is not working.

Without these permissions, the app can’t capture the audio from the Roku and send it to your headphones for private listening.

Here’s how to check Roku app permissions:

• On Android: Go to Settings → Apps & notifications → tap Roku > Permissions → toggle the Microphone button on.
• On iOS: Go to Settings → Privacy → tap Microphone → find Roku → Toggle the switch on.

Bonus Tip: For optimal functionality, it’s recommended to grant all required permissions!

4. Update the Roku Mobile App

If the Roku private listening not working iPhone or Android, you might be running an old version of the Roku mobile app. 

Therefore, it’s recommended to update the app as this will automatically address this issue, ensuring you have the latest features and bug fixes.

Here is how to check for Roku app updates:

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone unit.
2. Or, open Google Play on your Android.
3. Search for the “Roku App” and tap on it.
4. Press on the “Update” or “Install” button.
5. Or, press on the Cloud + Arrow button.
6. Wait until the Roku app is fully updated.

Note: Once the app upgrades, restart both devices, reconnect the headphones, and try using the private listening again.

5. Delete and Reinstall the Roku App

Sometimes, even the latest app update can become buggy due to corrupted software or cache files.

Hence, if Roku’s private listening is still not working, try deleting the app and reinstalling it again. That way, you’ll get a clean and working version!

Here are steps to reinstall the Roku app on Android or iOS:

1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Or, open Google Play on Android.
3. Type “Roku App” in the search bar.
4. Hit on the app name when it pops up.
5. Tap on “Uninstall” to delete the app.
6. Then, hit “Install” to reinstall the app.

Once the downloading process ends, open the app, log in, and try connecting to your Roku device for private listening.

Tip: If none of the above solutions work, contact Roku Support for further assistance!

Quick Recap:

So, whenever the private listening Roku not working, restart the devices, ensure a stable internet connection, and turn off and on the feature again.

Additionally, ensure your Roku TV and Roku app are running on the latest software version.

Follow us for more Roku troubleshooting and solutions!