How to Turn Off Roku Device

By Sruthy

By Sruthy

Sruthy, with her 10+ years of experience, is a dynamic professional who seamlessly blends her creative soul with technical prowess. With a Technical Degree in Graphics Design and Communications and a Bachelor’s Degree in Electronics and Communication, she brings a unique combination of artistic flair…

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Updated July 14, 2025
Edited by Kamila

Edited by Kamila

Kamila is an AI-based technical expert, author, and trainer with a Master’s degree in CRM. She has over 15 years of work experience in several top-notch IT companies. She has published more than 500 articles on various Software Testing Related Topics, Programming Languages, AI Concepts,…

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Understand what a Roku device is and how it works along with the clear instructions to power down Roku TV. This guide will explain How to Turn Off Roku Device to disable it permanently:

How to Turn Off Roku? If you’ve never used a Roku device, this question might come off as a head-scratcher. With streaming technology becoming a staple of daily lives in recent years, surely turning a device on and off seems like a no-brainer that doesn’t necessitate a special tutorial, right?

Yet, this question is frequently asked on the Internet and in various online forums, largely because it can be tricky to switch off a Roku device.

How to Shut My Roku Off: With/Without Remote

How to Turn Off Roku

Does Roku have a power-off button? Not really. A typical Roku is designed to remain switched on from the moment it is plugged in. It never turns off unless you pull the plug on it with your bare hands.

Here is the video tutorial:

Your Roku device doesn’t come with a special Power button that you can press to shut the device down instantly.

This does not mean you lack the option to turn off the device completely. Those options are what I’ll be sharing with you in this little guide on how to turn off Roku.

Before we do that, let’s first understand what Roku is and how it works.

What is Roku and How it Works?

Roku entails a range of streaming devices that let you enjoy a diverse range of content on the internet via your TV. Roku essentially turns your device into a one-stop hub for content in the form of TV shows, live sports, movies, news, etc. All of this content is spread across a wide network of paid and free channels.

Roku

[image source]

If you’ve subscribed to popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Disney+ +, you can access their content through your Roku account as well. This convenience of having all your entertainment covered under a single platform is ultimately what makes Roku so popular.

Simply put, Roku turns your TV into a treasure trove of content. It is also very easy to set up a Roku device. All you need to do is power up your Roku device, plug it into your TV, and make sure it is connected to a super-fast internet.

Once that’s taken care of, the only thing you need to do is open your Roku account and start streaming.

How to Turn Off Roku

Now that you know what a Roku device is and how it works, let’s look at the various things you can do to turn off Roku.

device

#1) Turn the Power Off

While a Roku device doesn’t come with a special on/off button, your TV to which a Roku device is connected does. So if you want to turn off Roku, simply turn your TV off. Turning off your TV will result in your Roku device being switched off in an instant as well.

Suggested Reading => How to Connect Roku TV to Wifi without Remote

i) Turning off a Roku 4 Device

Turning off a Roku 4 Device

You can turn off a Roku 4 device by simply unplugging it. Alternatively, you can switch the device off using internal settings.

For this, follow the below guide step-by-step:

  1. On your Roku remote, press the home button.
  2. Select Settings -> System.
  3. Under System, navigate to “Power”
  4. Select the “Power Off” button to switch off the device.

You also have the “Auto Power” option, which will result in the device switching off automatically after 30 minutes of inactivity.

ii) Turning Off Roku TV

Turning Off Roku TV

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Roku TV refers to the actual streaming interface and not the physical device. As such, the power button on your Roku remote is enough to turn it off. Alternatively, you can configure the settings in a manner that results in Roku TV switching off automatically after some hours of inactivity.

Here is how to turn off Roku TV automatically:

1. Hit the home button on your remote.

2. Select Settings -> Power

3. In the Power section, select Auto Power Saving.

auto power savings

4. Here, you’ll be provided with the option to either “Turn Off After 4 Hours” or “Reduce Power after 15 minutes”.

You can select both of these options at the same time too. In the case of both Roku 4 and Roku TV, learning how to turn off Roku with a remote can be useful wisdom that might come in handy.

#2) Simply Unplug

A typical Roku streaming is connected to a TV via either an AC cord or HDMI port. Turning off Roku in such cases is simple. If a Roku streaming player is connected to your TV via an AC cord, simply unplug it.

If you are using a Roku streaming stick connected to your TV, unplug it and consider your Roku system turned off. You can completely cut off the power to your Roku device by unplugging its A/C power adapter.

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#3) Using a Smart Plug

Smart Plugs are amazing little devices that you can plug into your home and control all of your electrical appliances with. Once set up, these devices let you control everything from air conditioners to smart TVs within your home through a smartphone app. Some modern smart plugs even let you use voice commands to control the various electrical appliances in your home.

So obviously, you can use these smart plugs to turn your Roku device on and off as well. You don’t even have to go through various options online as Roku offers a reliable smart plug of its own. It is called the Roku Indoor Smart Plug SE.

Here is the video tutorial;

Here’s how you can use it to turn off Roku:

  1. Download the Roku Smart Home app and set it up.
  2. Once set up, tap on “Add Devices” and select “Indoor Smart Plug”.
  3. Plug the Smart Plug into an outlet and wait until the status light on it starts flashing. This means the device is ready to pair.
  4. Make sure the Bluetooth on your smartphone is on to pair the Smart Plug with the app on your phone.
  5. Once the pairing is complete, your mobile phone will turn into a remote controller for your Roku player.

You can use this smart plug to not just control a Roku device but any electronic appliance in your home.

How to Restart a Roku Device

I’ve talked about turning a Roku device off in great detail. So it only makes sense that we briefly discuss the topic of restarting these devices.

Here are the things you can do to restart your Roku device:

#1) Unplug and Plug Again

Sometimes the most convenient trick to accomplishing something is also the most mundane one. If you wish to restart your Roku device. Simply unplug the device from its A/C cord or the TV it is connected to and then plug it back in again after some time.

#2) Using the Remote

You’ll need to familiarize a pattern of buttons in sequential order to pull this trick off. To restart a Roku device using a remote, start by pressing the home button 5 times. Follow it up by pressing the up button once and the rewind button twice. Finally, press the fast-forward button two times. This should initiate a reboot.

Further Reading => How to Reset your Roku Remote

#3) Rely on Roku’s System Interface

This will only work if your Roku system has been updated to the 6.0 version. Roku 6.0 affords you the privilege of rebooting the system from the main menu interface. If you have Roku 6.0, then do the following:

1. Open Settings -> System

Rely on Roku’s System Interface

2. Under System, select “System Restart”

Hitting the button should reboot your Roku device. If you clean up your Roku system, you can follow the same steps but select “Factory Reset” under the System section.

How do I Turn My Roku Ultra Device Off

As I mentioned before, Roku devices are designed to remain switched on unless they are unplugged. The Roku Ultra device is no exception. Pressing the power button on a Roku remote will only turn the TV off while the main device continues to stream and consume data.

That said, you could still prevent your Roku from consuming bandwidth by pressing the Home button on your remote once you are done streaming. The Roku Ultra device will automatically go into sleep mode after a while.

You could also try enabling the Bandwidth Saver mode in Settings. Once enabled, your Roku device will automatically stop streaming after 4 hours if you’ve just left it on without any action.

Standby Mode

Roku devices do not come with a button that spells out “Standby”. However, there are things you can do or not do to put your Roku system into standby mode.

The easiest thing you can do to put your device on Standby is leave your device inactive for a while. You’ll notice your Roku screen slowly drift into sleep mode or screensaver mode after some time once your stream has concluded.

If you wish to manually force Roku into a standby, you’ll need to use the power button on your Roku remote. Simply press and hold the power button for a while and Roku will enter standby mode. Do the same thing again to disable the standby mode.

Why Turn Off a Roku Device

As we mentioned, Roku devices are designed to remain on once they are set up. However, there are little to no downsides to such devices remaining on. These devices are known to consume very little power. So even if they remain on, you can stop worrying about a huge electricity bill as a direct result of your plugged-in Roku device.

You also don’t have to worry about your Roku device exhausting bandwidth as even if the device is on, internet bandwidth will only be used if you are streaming content.

In fact, I would argue there are more upsides to keeping the device on than switching it off. Firstly, you get instant access to your Roku account whenever you wish to use it. You don’t have to wait even a second for Roku’s home page or interface to load.

Moreover, Roku being on also means it will receive automatic updates whenever they become available.

That being said, some situations could warrant turning the power off on a Roku device.

1. Concerned About Electricity Usage

Although Roku devices are designed to consume less power, they still consume power nonetheless. If like me, you too are conscious about electricity usage within your home, you want these devices turned off if they are not in use.

2. System Issues

As is the case with most devices, your Roku device or system might misbehave, lag, or stop functioning altogether. In such a scenario, a simple device reboot is often the right answer. You might have to switch the device off and turn it back on to take care of any error that might arise when using a Roku streaming player.

3. No One’s Home

It makes sense to switch off all electrical appliances in your home if you are going to be out for a long period. There have been instances before of electronic devices catching fire. Although rare, it is still possible for your Roku device to short-circuit and catch fire. This little mishap could gradually engulf your entire home in an inferno with no one to contain the flames.


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FAQ’s on Turn Off Roku 

1. How to Turn Off Roku Express?

Roku Express is a toned-down version of the original Roku streaming device. It is ideal for those users who want a cheaper alternative to Roku or have a standard HDTV. Roku Express contains all of the same features as the original Roku, albeit with the absence of voice search and the ability to control volume through the remote.
As there isn’t much difference when it comes to hardware, you can use some of the methods I’ve already shared in this article to turn your Roku Express device off. Simply unplug the device from your TV or from the outlet it is connected to.

2. How to turn off Screen Reader on Roku?

Screen Reader, also known as Audio Guide, is a voice that spells out just about everything on Roku’s interface as you navigate it. Some users, including myself, find this voice assistant quite annoying. Fortunately, you can shut it up with a few simple steps.
1. Press the Home button on your remote
2. Select Settings -> Accessibility
3. In the Accessibility section, select “Screen Reader”
4. Check the “Off” option to disable this feature.

3. Does Roku need to be turned off?

Frankly, I would say no. The device is designed to consume low power and stay on to receive updates automatically. As it consumes low power and no internet bandwidth at all, no harm will come with having it turned on.
You may consider turning the device off if you are going to be away from your home for a while or wish to reboot the device for whatever reason.

4. How do I make my Roku stay on all the time?

Your Roku device stays on unless you’ve unplugged it. However, your Roku’s main menu will drift into sleep mode to save bandwidth. To make sure your screen doesn’t blackout, you can do the following:
1. Press home on your Roku button
2. Select Settings
3. Select Network -> Bandwidth Saver
4. Switch it Off.

5. Does a Roku turn off by itself?

The Roku device itself is on all the time. However, the main interface will go into sleep mode after 20 minutes of inactivity to save power and bandwidth. It operates like a screen saver on computers. The screen will be back on if you tap any button on your remote.

6. Why won’t my Roku remote turn off my TV?

There could be several reasons behind a Roku remote failing to switch off a TV. The first thing you need to do is check your Roku remote’s batteries. If the batteries are fine, maybe your remote didn’t pair with the TV.
Also, check whether there is any object blocking the remote’s signal from reaching the TV. Try re-pairing the remote or rebooting the TV by unplugging the device and plugging it back in. If all else fails, it is perhaps best to order a new remote or contact support.


Conclusion

How do I shut my Roku off? This is a question that’s frequently asked on online forums. My goal with this article is to clear any doubts revolving around this conundrum. So I hope this guide can be of some help to you.

Roku devices are low-power-consuming devices that are designed to stay on no matter what. That doesn’t mean you cannot switch them off at all. Simply unplugging the streaming devices from their source is sometimes all you need to do to get the deed done.

If unplugging feels a bit extreme, you can use the main menu interface or employ a smart plug instead to control the device better. You’ll find a detailed guide to both of these methods in my article above. Typically, I would suggest letting your Roku device be and only turn it off if you must.

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