You just came home and decided to stream some content on your Roku device. However, when you try adding a new channel, it just doesn’t work.
So, you came here, trying to find the answer to this question:
Why is Roku not adding channels?
You don’t need to worry too much about this, because this happened to me a few weeks ago, and I managed to fix the issue. Keep reading to find out how I did that.
So, I don’t want to keep you waiting any longer. Just grab a cup of coffee and keep in mind that you need to read every part otherwise you might end up feeling confused.
How To Fix Roku Not Adding Channels?
You can fix Roku not adding channels by disabling your VPN if you are using one or creating a new Roku account in case your old Roku account got corrupted. In the worst case scenario, you have to reset Roku back to its default settings to add channels properly.
Before you go ahead with the fixes, make sure that you have not used an incorrect method to add channels. The easiest method is to go to your Roku device and search and add the channel in the Streaming channels section.
You can also add channels to Roku using their mobile app, as long as you are signed into the same account on both the Roku device and mobile.
Here are the ways to fix Roku not adding channels:
1. Reboot Your Roku Device
I know how stupidly simple this sounds but it worked for a few users so it’s definitely worth trying out.
If you are in doubt about how to reboot your Roku device, follow these steps:
- Go to your Home menu and go to the Settings menu at the bottom using your remote. Once you are there press the OK button.
- Next, you need to scroll down to the System option on the right side of your screen and press OK.
- After that, scroll down again but this time press OK when you find the System Restart option.
- That’s it! You should see that your Roku device is restarting now.
Follow our guide to Fix Roku Channel Failed to Load Content.
2. Check Channel Geo-Restrictions
There is a good chance that you might have overlooked the region restrictions of the channel that you are trying to add. Of course, this is unlikely for channels like Youtube and Netflix since those are available worldwide.
However, the same cannot be said for other channels so you need to reach out to the channel provider to find out more about the channel availability in your area.
3. Disconnect Your VPN
Roku won’t add channels if it detects that you are using a VPN to add channels.
You might be doing this to get access to geo-restricted content but you should know that VPNs tend to put a strain on your connection which has the potential to cause problems while buffering content.
That’s not the main problem with VPN, however. The main reason why you shouldn’t use VPN with Roku is that Roku flags that as a failed attempt to get around the geo-restrictions. This leads to some features getting disabled.
If you did use a VPN, disconnect it and then update your current location and then try adding your channel again.
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4. Remove Cache Files
You may or may not know that whenever we use any application or device, it stores a bunch of temporary files as cache files.
Why is this a problem? Well, sometimes cache files take up too much memory and cause issues with the application. In those cases, all you need to do is simply delete all the cache data.
Don’t worry about your data being deleted because these are just unnecessary files.
Here’s how you can get rid of the useless files:
- Go to the Home screen of your Roku.
- Find the channel that’s causing issues and select it with your remote.
- Once that’s selected, press the asterisk button on your Roku remote and select the Remove channel option.
- After that, restart your Roku device by following Step 1 again.
- Once Roku boots up, reinstall your channel from the Roku channel store and check if the issue is fixed now.
Check out the easiest way how to Fix HBO MAX Not Working on Roku.
5. Remove Unnecessary Channels
If you are the kind of person who installs a bunch of channels that you never really use, you need to stop that now.
Too many channels could be problematic for Roku so I suggest you go to your Homescreen and all the channels that you haven’t used in a while.
Once that’s done, reboot your Roku device and see if the issue is fixed now.
6. Create a New Roku Account
This has been reported to work by several users. If you are working with a Roku profile that got corrupter somehow, then you need to get yourself a new account.
To do that, you need to visit the Roku website and click on Signup. Once that’s done, you can link your Roku device to your new account and try adding channels.
7. Reset Your Roku Device
This is the most extreme option which is exactly why I kept this as the last method.
You only need to do this if none of the other methods provided any improvements. Keep in mind that if you do this, you will be removing all your saved preferences including settings, and you will also unlink your account from Roku.
There are two ways to do this. The first method is to simply locate the reset button at the back of your Roku device and press it.
If you don’t see it or it got broken or is not working for some reason, follow these steps:
- Go to the Home screen of your Roku device.
- On your Roku remote, press the Home button 5 times and then press the Up button.
- Immediately after that, press the Rewind button two times and then the Fast Forward button two times.
- You need to wait around one minute for the reset process to complete and then you are free to restart the device.
In the rare case where this step also didn’t solve your problem, you can always contact Roku support with your Roku account. Remember to include the serial number of your Roku device in your message. You can find the serial number in the About section of the settings.
FAQ
How do you know when your Roku is bad?
You know when your Roku is bad by diagnosing the problem that you are having. For instance, you can tell that something is wrong with your picture or signal by checking the white LED which means that Roku is on.
What is the lifespan of a Roku?
The lifespan of a Roku is about three to five years after which they need to be replaced. The problems can be as simple as having to get a new remote or it can be something more complicated.
Does unplugging a Roku reset it?
No, unplugging a Roku doesn’t reset it. If you get a power cut while the TV is running, the settings and preferences are still there when the power comes back on. The same thing happens if you unplug it.
Final Thoughts
I know how frustrating it must be to not be able to enjoy the channels that you want on Roku because they simply don’t add but I hope you found a way to get around that frustration by following the methods provided in this article.
If this article helped you, you can check our website for more articles like these whenever you have an issue.
