Why Does Roku Says Not Enough Space? (Fix Guide)

When your Roku says not enough space, there are a number of things you can do to fix the issue.

But, first, you need to determine the root cause of the problem to take the best course of action. This post will help you understand the error and guide you in troubleshooting it.

The best way to fix the issue of your Roku not having enough space is to free up some. The initial step you can take is clearing the cache on your device. Restart your Roku, unplug it for a few seconds, and plug it back in to remove any cached information that may be causing the issue.

If you are facing issues with freeing space on your Roku device, you will find other ways to remove data that take up space in this post.

If the issue persists, contact support to help you troubleshoot the problem.

Causes of Roku Running Out of Space

After months of constant use, your Roku device may notify you that it is running out of space.

Unless you create more storage space, you won’t be able to install new channels and apps on your device.

Generally, when your Roku device displays this error, it means you have exhausted its default memory. 

Depending on the model, storage varies greatly in Roku devices. Roku memory usually ranges between 256MB and 2GB.

Here is a list of the storage spaces of popular Roku devices:

• Roku Ultra 4K – 1GB to 2GB
• Roku Streaming Stick – 1GB
• Roku Ultra 2019 – 2GB
• Roku Ultra 2020 – 2GB

Note: Your device’s storage space does not equal the number of apps and channels it can store. Newer versions have better limits on how much storage you can use up.

How to Fix Roku Says Not Enough Space

Checking the storage space on your Roku is unnecessary because recent models allow you to install channels regardless of the storage left and stream media.

But if you encounter the “could not be run because there is not enough space says Roku” error, there are primary ways to fix it.

Solution #1: Delete Channels

The first step to freeing space on your Roku device is to delete channels you rarely use.

Often, you have downloaded several channels without knowing it, and some of them can hide deep down in the list. Do some spring cleaning in your Roku to increase its storage capacity.

Follow the guide below to uninstall a Roku channel:

1. Go to the Roku Home Page.
2. Select My Channels and navigate to the channel you want to remove.
3. Press the asterisk on the remote.
4. Click the Remove Channel option.
5. Select OK.

Note: Before you delete a channel, browse through the channels and identify which ones you don’t need.

Solution #2: Clear Your Roku’s Cache

If your Roku keeps buffering, clearing the cache can help free up some storage space.

Before you start, make sure you are using the latest software on your device and that the player is running.

1. Navigate to the Roku Home Screen.
2. Highlight the application that’s causing trouble.
3. Remove the channel.
4. Restart your Roku device.
5. Reinstall the app and sign back in.

You can also clear the Roku’s cache using the remote:

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

The screen will go black for a few moments. Then your device will restart.

Note: Always delete media that you don’t need anymore because they can take up space in your storage. 

Solution #3: Install the Latest Roku Updates

The simplest approach to resolving the issue when your Roku says not enough storage is to update your device.

Certain versions have memory glitches that you can fix with an update and free up some storage space at the same time.

1. Press the Home button.
2. Navigate to the Settings.
3. Select System > System Update.
4. Click Check Now using your controller.

Note: Your Roku device will automatically scan for software changes by default. However, uncertified channels can cause storage issues and need manual updates.

If installing the latest Roku updates does not fix the issue, your device may have depleted its storage space. Uninstall a few programs to free up some space.

Even if updating your Roku does not solve the problem, keeping the device up to date is always best. To fix the issue, try other methods below.

Solution #4: Revert Your Roku to Factory Settings

While the above solutions can free up space on your Roku device, reverting it to Factory Settings clears everything.

It starts your device from scratch by removing all cached files, applications, channels, leftover data, and even customizations that consume space.

1. Press the Home button on the remote.
2. Scroll down and select Settings > System.
3. Locate and select Advanced System Settings.
4. Click Factory Reset.
5. Select Factory Reset Everything, then follow the instructions on the screen.

Note: If you have tried deleting some channels and you cannot update your Roku device, a factory reset is the best option.

Solution #5: Add an SD Card

If you are not looking to delete anything in your Roku device, adding an SD card is an excellent way to fix your out-of-space issue.

Some Roku devices have a micro-SD card slot at the back, but others don’t. If your device supports an SD card, it is beneficial to expand its internal memory.

1. Insert the SD card into your Roku device until you hear a click that ensures it’s in place.
2. Select Format on the screen when the Micro SD card detected notification appears.
3. Press Continue to begin the format.
4. Select OK when the process is complete.

You will need an SD card with a minimum storage of 2GB to create more space for your channels and apps. If you get 20GB storage or up, it’s even better.

Note: If you decide to remove the SD card, everything you stored in it will not be deleted. 

But, you will need to re-download the channels and apps you stored to your Roku’s internal memory to use them.

Another thing that you need to remember with your Roku is that you are not able to transfer channels from the Micro SD card to a different device.

Read Next: How to Cast SoundCloud to Roku?

Thus, if your Roku is still out of space after deleting apps, clearing the cache, and adding a Micro SD card, the best way to fix the issue is restoring your device to Factory Settings. Simply hit the Home button and scroll down to find Settings > System > Advanced System Settings. Click Factory Reset > Factory Reset Everything.

Then, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

Last Thoughts

If your Roku says not enough space, it means you need to free up your device’s storage to download new apps.

You can fix this by clearing the cache, removing unused apps, and adding a Micro SD card.

If clearing the cache, deleting rarely used apps, and adding an SD card does not work, try restoring your device to factory settings or contact customer support for further assistance.

If you find this article useful, but you have another trouble with your Roku device, browse through our blog for answers.