Table of contents(13)+
- 01The 30-Second Test: Does Your Remote Still Respond?
- 02Which Method Should You Use?
- 03Method 1: Restart From the Settings Menu
- 04Method 2: Restart Using Your Phone as the Remote
- 05Method 3: Restart by Unplugging the TV
- 06Frequently Asked Questions
- 07How do I reboot a Roku TV without the remote?
- 08Does rebooting a Roku TV delete my apps or settings?
- 09What's the difference between restarting and factory resetting a Roku TV?
- 10How long does a Roku TV take to restart?
- 11Why won't my Roku TV restart from the Settings menu?
- 12Is there a button combo to restart a Roku remote?
- 13Related Guides
I reboot Roku TVs more often than I'd like to admit. My Hisense R6-series Roku TV needs a restart every few weeks when the home screen starts lagging. A TCL 6-Series unit in my bedroom does the same thing after software updates. The remote-based restart works fine on both, as long as the remote still talks to the TV.
The 30-Second Test: Does Your Remote Still Respond?
Before you try anything else, press Home on your Roku remote. Does the TV react at all — does an LED blink, does the screen flicker? If yes, your remote works, and you can use the menu method below. If nothing happens, not even the LED, your remote is likely the problem, not the TV. Skip ahead to the phone-remote or power-cycle method instead.
If the screen is actually frozen — stuck on one image, unresponsive to every button — that's a slightly different problem. Our guide on restarting a frozen Roku covers that exact case.
Which Method Should You Use?
Here's how the three options stack up.
| Method | Remote required? | Extra download? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Settings menu restart | Yes, a working remote | No | Routine reboots, a laggy home screen |
| Phone as remote | No | Free app or browser | Lost, broken, or partly-working remote |
| Unplug and replug | No | No | Frozen screen, total remote failure |
Method 1: Restart From the Settings Menu
This is the standard way to reboot any Roku TV, including Hisense, TCL, Onn, and Insignia models built on Roku OS.
- Press Home on your remote.
- Scroll to Settings in the left-hand menu and press OK.
- Select System.
- Choose System restart. On some newer Roku OS versions, this sits under Power > System restart instead.
- Select Restart, then confirm.
Your TV goes dark, then reboots — give it a minute or two. This won't erase channels, logins, or settings. It just clears the TV's temporary memory, the same as restarting a phone.
This method only works if your remote can still navigate menus. If Settings won't open or button presses don't register, move to Method 2 below.
Method 2: Restart Using Your Phone as the Remote
If your Roku remote is lost, broken, or missing a working D-pad, you can still reach the same Settings menu with your phone. The free HiRemote app turns an iPhone into a Roku TV remote, with the same D-pad, Home, and OK buttons the on-screen menu needs.
Download it, connect your phone to the same Wi-Fi network as the TV, and pick your TV from the compatibility list. From there, follow Method 1's exact steps — Home, Settings, System, System restart.
If individual buttons work but registration is spotty, that's usually a battery or pairing issue, not a broken remote. See our guide on fixing a Roku remote that's not responding for those checks.
Prefer not to install anything? Our browser-based Roku remote works the same way. Type in your TV's IP address, and it pairs over Wi-Fi in about 30 seconds — no app or account needed. You'll find it at our online Roku remote page.
The app needs Wi-Fi on both the TV and your phone. It won't help if your TV isn't online yet, or if the screen itself is frozen rather than the remote.
Method 3: Restart by Unplugging the TV
Every Roku TV can be rebooted the old-fashioned way, no remote required. Unplug the TV from the wall outlet. Wait at least 10 seconds, then plug it back in.
This forces a full power cycle, which fixes some glitches a menu restart won't touch. It's the right move when the screen is frozen and nothing responds — remote, phone app, or otherwise.
The tradeoff: you lose whatever was on screen, like a half-typed password. Settings and installed channels stay put either way. For official troubleshooting steps straight from the manufacturer, see Roku's support site.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reboot a Roku TV without the remote?
You can reboot a Roku TV without the remote by unplugging it from power for at least 10 seconds, then plugging it back in. You can also use a phone-based remote app, like HiRemote, to reach the same Settings, System, System restart menu over Wi-Fi. Both skip the physical remote entirely.
Does rebooting a Roku TV delete my apps or settings?
No, rebooting doesn't delete anything. A restart — whether from the Settings menu or by unplugging the TV — only clears temporary memory. Your installed channels, Wi-Fi password, and account logins stay exactly as they were. A factory reset is the one that wipes everything, and it's a separate, deliberate menu option.
What's the difference between restarting and factory resetting a Roku TV?
Restarting reboots the software without touching your data; factory resetting erases everything and returns the TV to its out-of-box state. Restart first for lag, freezing, or app crashes. Only factory reset if restarting doesn't fix the problem, since you'll have to re-add Wi-Fi, channels, and logins afterward.
How long does a Roku TV take to restart?
A Roku TV typically takes a minute or two to restart, whether you use the Settings menu or unplug it. The screen goes black, the Roku logo appears, then your home screen loads again. If it's still dark after five minutes, unplug it and try again.
Why won't my Roku TV restart from the Settings menu?
Your Roku TV won't restart from the Settings menu if the remote isn't sending button presses at all — check the batteries first. If the remote works elsewhere but Settings won't respond, the TV itself may be frozen, which needs a power-cycle instead. See our guide on restarting a frozen Roku for those steps.
Is there a button combo to restart a Roku remote?
There's no universal button combo that restarts the TV. Most Roku remotes do have a small pairing reset, often a button inside the battery compartment. That re-syncs the remote if it stops responding, but it won't fix a frozen or lagging TV.
