Engadget: Roku app crashes before playback often have simple fixes

According to Engadget, one possible cause is buggy app or operating system software. The publication said testing is never perfect, particularly with many potential hardware and software combinations. Roku devices normally update automatically when a user performs a cold boot or leaves the device on for at least 24 to 36 hours, Engadget reported. To speed up the process, users can navigate to Settings > System > Software update > Check Now, though a patch can take days or weeks to be developed.

If updates do not resolve the problem, Engadget recommends restarting the Roku through Settings > System > Power > System restart; the publication noted that the Power menu might be skipped on some devices. A restart gives background processes and the system cache a fresh start, which Engadget said may be enough to deal with less severe glitches. The publication also said users should restart periodically to keep the device running smoothly.

Engadget also suggests deleting unused apps as part of general housekeeping. It said Roku apps are not especially large, but even the 2024 Roku Ultra has only 4GB of storage, and older or cheaper devices may have less. Users could be running into the swap space the operating system needs, a risk the publication said is not worth taking for an app that may never be opened again.

For cases in which those steps fail, Engadget described a factory reset as a last-ditch option. The process wipes the device completely and returns it to the state it was in out of the box, requiring users to redownload apps, reconfigure settings and log back into their accounts. Users can find the option under System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset, Engadget reported; Roku also offers hardware-based reset commands if the operating system has become unusable.

Engadget said a device that is many years old may no longer be able to keep up with the latest software. Although Roku maintains extensive update support, newer features and graphics can push the limits of RAM and processor power, the publication said, leaving some users with no choice but to buy new streaming gear. Engadget added that streaming services may cut off older app versions for security or other reasons, so users should keep updating apps as long as possible.