Roku TV Stuck On Headphone Mode? (Don’t Panic, Fix FAST!)

No idea what to do when your Roku TV stuck on headphone mode? We’ve got you covered!

Nothing can be more frustrating than having your Roku stuck in Headphone Mode while you’re trying to watch your favorite show, even when no headphone is connected.

Fear not. This is a common issue that can be easily fixed within a few minutes. ️

When your Roku TV is stuck in headphone mode, start by checking the audio settings and restarting the TV. If that doesn’t work, plug/unplug headphones, reset your audio settings, or perform a factory reset (last resort). 

Let’s now move further and discuss!

Why My Roku TV is Stuck on Headphone Mode?

There are many reasons why your Roku TV player would get stuck in headphone mode and won’t revert to your TV speaker’s output.

So, let’s take a quick look at all the possibilities:

Let’s explore efficient ways to tackle those possibilities!

9 Ways to Fix When Roku TV Stuck on Headphone Mode?

It can be a headache when your Roku TV gets stuck in headphone mode, and you can’t hear audio through the TV speakers. 

Before panicking, check if your soundbar or external audio speaker is powered on and properly connected to the TV.

If everything seems fine, then start troubleshooting!

1. Check the Roku Audio Settings

The first and obvious step you must take is to check the audio settings on your Roku TV, as it allows you to confirm the audio output.

If it’s accidentally set to “Headphones” instead of “TV speakers,” then this keeps your device in the headphone mode, so you will need to switch it.

Here’s how to check Roku’s audio settings:

1. Press the Home button on the Roku remote. 
2. Then, scroll down and head into “Settings”. 
3. In the settings menu, scroll down to “Audio.”
4. Based on your Roku, switch to TV speakers.

Tip: We recommend rebooting your Roku player when you’re ready!

2. System Restart Your Roku TV

The Roku TV gets stuck in microphone mode sometimes due to a temporary software glitch or software conflict, not because of any hardware issue. 

Restarting the Roku is an ideal fix in that case, as this will resolve all glitches and refresh the entire system and audio settings.

Here’s how to system restart the Roku TV:

1. Press the Home on your Roku remote.
2. Go down and navigate to the Settings.
3. Head to the System and then Power.
4. Scroll to System Restart and Restart.
5. Finally, press the OK button to proceed.

Your Roku TV will take a few seconds to restart. Once it finishes booting up, check whether the microphone mode issue is resolved.

If not, continue reading to unwrap more troubleshooting…

3. Power Cycle Your Roku TV

If system restarting your Roku TV doesn’t work out, it’s recommended to perform a power cycle on the device.

Doing this simple thing will help reset hardware components and probably help.

Here’s how to power cycle the Roku TV in easy steps:

1. Turn off the TV using the physical power button.
2. Unplug the TV’s power wire from the wall socket.
3. Wait for about 5 to 10 minutes for a full discharge.
4. Plug the TV’s power cord back into the wall outlet.
5. Turn on the Roku TV back using the power button.

Info: This process is similar to restarting your Roku TV but provides a reset to software and hardware by draining any residual electricity.

4. Inspect the Headphone Jack

Sometimes, a partially inserted headphone jack or dust or debris inside the jack can interfere with the connection and trigger the TV to stay in headphone mode. 

Therefore, check the headphone jack for any obstructions and fully remove any connected headphones or cables.

Here are the steps to inspect the headphone jack:

1. Power OFF and disconnect your Roku TV.
2. Shine a flashlight into the headphone jack.
3. Look for any debris, dust, lint, or bent pins.
4. Carefully clean the jack using compressed air.
5. Finally, reconnect and turn on your Roku TV.

After cleaning the jack, firmly plug your headphones or microphone into the jack and test if the microphone mode issue is resolved.

Reminder: Verify no headphones are plugged into the TV’s jack!

5. Use Other Headphones or RCA

If your Roku TV is stuck on headphone mode, even when not using headphones, try using different headphones or RCA cables.

The problem might not be with the TV, but the cable you’re using, so using different cables helps isolate the issue.

All you have to do is plug a different pair of headphones or an RCA cable into the headphone jack on your Roku TV audio port and unplug it again.

This might help the TV recognize that the headphones are no longer plugged in and exit the mode.

Tip: Try to plug and replug the headphones a couple of times quickly!

6. Adjust Mode Using the Roku App

If you are still wondering why your Roku is stuck in headphone mode, maybe your remote is malfunctioning or causing interference. 

Therefore, we recommend you use the Roku mobile app to disable the headphones to force the audio back to the TV speakers.

Note: We assume you have already set up the Roku mobile app with your TV!

Here’s how to disable the headphone mode using the app:

1. Launch the Roku app on your mobile unit.
2. Choose your Roku TV from your devices.
3. Then, press on the “Remote” menu option.
4. Tap “Speaker” to stop the headphone mode.

When the app is set up, you can entirely bypass the remote and control the settings of your Roku TV by using Wi-Fi.

If you cannot switch, try unmuting your TV to check the output.

Info: After disabling these steps, you will now be able to adjust your Roku audio using a mobile device, so check whether the issue is now solved.

7. Update Your Roku Software

Outdated software might contain bugs that cause unexpected behavior, including audio output issues.

Therefore, if there’s an update available for your Roku TV, install it as soon as possible to address any underlying software-related issues.

Here are the steps to update the Roku TV software:

1. On your Roku TV, open the Settings menu.
2. Then, scroll and head to the System option. 
3. Scroll down and go to the System update.
4. Press on the “Check Now” button to begin.

Note: If a new software update is available, your Roku TV will automatically recognize and install it, so ensure you have a stable internet connection.

8. Reset the Roku Audio Settings

Another thing you should attempt is resetting the audio settings on your Roku TV to revert all audio settings to their factory default state. 

This is an excellent fix to potentially clear any corrupted configurations or custom settings that might be causing the headphone mode issue.

Here are the steps to reset the Roku’s audio settings:

1. Press the Home button on the Roku remote.
2. Go to “Settings” and then the System menu.
3. Next, go to the “Advanced system settings.”
4. Then, advance to “Reset TV Audio Settings.”
5. Lastly, follow on-screen prompts to proceed.

Note: Resetting audio settings will not erase your Roku account, installed channels, or apps!

9. Factory Reset the Roku TV

If you’ve tried all the steps and the Roku TV is stuck in headphone mode, it’s recommended to perform a factory reset on your Roku device as a last option. 

The reset will erase all the saved content, apps, and configured data and revert the device to the factory default state, so back any settings you need.

Here’s how to factory reset the Roku TV:

1. Press the “Home” on your device’s remote.
2. Then, scroll over to the “Settings” menu.
3. Scroll down and select the “System” tab.
4. Go to the “Advanced System Settings”.
5. Next, head to the “Factory Reset” option.
6. Then, select “Factory Reset Everything.”

Info: After a successful reset, your Roku TV will reboot and create an initial setup screen, and you'll need to set up your device again from scratch.

Quick Recap:

Whenever your Roku TV is stuck on headphone mode, check the audio settings, restart the system, or power cycle the device.

In addition, unplug and replug the headphones, clean the jack, reset the audio settings, and factory reset the Roku!

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