Table of contents(11)+
- 01Method 1: Update All Apps and Your Roku Software at Once
- 02Method 2: Update a Single App From the Home Screen
- 03Why Roku Apps Are Usually Already Current
- 04Check Now vs. the Star Button: Which Should You Use?
- 05Frequently Asked Questions
- 06How do I force an app to update on my Roku TV?
- 07Does Roku update apps automatically in the background?
- 08What does Check Now do on a Roku TV?
- 09Why isn't there a Check for Updates option on one of my apps?
- 10How often does Roku check for software updates?
- 11Related Guides
You can update apps on a Roku TV two ways. Go to Settings, then System, then Software update, and select Check Now — this updates the system software and every app with an update waiting. Or point to one app on the Home screen, press the Star button, and choose Check for updates to refresh just that app.
This works the same way on every Roku-powered TV, not just one brand. Hisense sells Roku TVs in the R6, R7, R8, and R9 series, and TCL, Insignia, and Onn also run the same Roku operating system. Because the menus and buttons are identical across brands, the steps below apply no matter which one sits under your screen.
Lost the remote entirely? That's a separate problem from app updates. HiRemote turns your iPhone into a remote for Hisense Roku TVs (R6, R7, R8 series) over your home Wi-Fi, with directional and app-launch controls. Get HiRemote on the App Store.
Method 1: Update All Apps and Your Roku Software at Once
This is the fastest way to catch every pending update in one pass. Press Home on your remote. Open Settings, then System, then Software update. Select Check Now.
Roku's own support page explains what happens next: if new software is available, or there are updates for your apps, your Roku device downloads and installs them automatically. (Source: Roku Support)
The catch is simple. This only works if you can get into the Settings menu, which means you need a working remote or another way to navigate the TV. If your remote is missing or broken, see our guide on fixes for a lost Roku remote.
Method 2: Update a Single App From the Home Screen
Sometimes only one app is acting up, and you don't want to wait on a full system check. On the Home screen, point to that app's tile. Press the Star button on your remote. Select Check for updates.
Roku documents this exact path for fixing problems inside a single streaming app. (Source: Roku Support)
This method checks and updates one app only. If several apps need attention, Check Now in Settings handles all of them at once instead. If you don't see a Check for updates option, that app is likely already running its latest version.
If the app is missing from your Home screen entirely, that's a different problem — see how to download apps on Roku TV.
Why Roku Apps Are Usually Already Current
You may rarely need either method above, and there's a reason why. Roku's system software checks itself for new versions during setup, every time the TV powers on, and then randomly every 24 to 36 hours afterward.
That automatic schedule applies to the Roku operating system itself — not to individual channel apps. Apps only update when you run Check Now in Settings or use the Star button on that app, which is exactly why the two methods above exist.
Prefer not to install anything at all? There's also a free browser-based Roku remote — type your TV's IP address and control it from any browser, no app or account needed.
Check Now vs. the Star Button: Which Should You Use?
| Method | What It Updates | Where to Find It | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check Now | System software and every app with a pending update | Settings > System > Software update | Updating everything in one pass |
| Star button on an app | That one app only | Home screen, point to the app tile | Fixing a single app without a full check |
| Background system check | Roku system software only, not apps | Runs automatically, no menu needed | No action — happens every 24-36 hours |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I force an app to update on my Roku TV?
Point to the app on your Home screen, press the Star button on your remote, and select Check for updates. This checks that one app only. For a faster option that updates every app with a pending update at the same time, use Settings > System > Software update > Check Now instead.
Does Roku update apps automatically in the background?
Not confirmed for apps specifically. Roku's system software checks for new versions automatically during setup, at every power-on, and then randomly every 24 to 36 hours, but that automatic check is for the Roku operating system, not individual channel apps. To update an app, use Check Now in Settings or the Star-button menu on the app itself.
What does Check Now do on a Roku TV?
Check Now, found under Settings > System > Software update, checks for new Roku system software and for updates to any installed apps at the same time. If updates exist, your Roku TV downloads and installs them automatically without you doing anything else.
Why isn't there a Check for Updates option on one of my apps?
That usually means the app is already running its latest version, so there's nothing to check. Point to the app, press Star, and look again after a few minutes, or back out and try Check Now in Settings > System > Software update instead, since that method refreshes every app at once.
How often does Roku check for software updates?
Roku checks during initial setup, every time the TV powers on, and then randomly every 24 to 36 hours after that. That schedule applies to the Roku system software itself, not to individual apps, which is why you may still need to check an app manually with the Star button or Check Now.
