Fix Smart home power issues

Your Roku^® Smart Home devices are set up, controlled, and configured through the Roku Smart Home mobile app, but power-related issues can get in the way leading to setup and connection failures and other unexpected behavior. This article provides troubleshooting suggestions should you run into any of the following issues.

Device fails to power on
Device cannot be powered on or off in the app
Device turns off and on unexpectedly
Device does not turn on after a power outage

Smart home device fails to power on

If your Roku Smart Home device fails to power on during setup or will not power on at a later time, review the suggestions below.

Inspect the power connection

Check that the receptacle used to power your smart home device is working properly.

Power outlet:
- Test your device in a different power outlet. Alternatively, you can see if a different electronic device works in the same outlet.
- Unplug your device from any power strips and connect it directly to a power wall outlet.
Light switch: When connected to an outlet controlled by a light switch, be sure the switch is on.
Dimmer switch: A dimmer switch is not recommended since it can cause flickering or intermittent blinking. If connected to an outlet controlled by a dimmer switch, make sure to set the dimmer to its highest level. Your smart home lights should only be dimmed using the smart home app or a voice command.
GFCI outlet: A GFCI outlet can cut off power during a surge or outage. Check that the outlet does not need to be reset.
Junction box: Check the main electric panel for a tripped breaker.
Rechargeable battery: Before setting up a device with a rechargeable battery such as a Roku Outdoor Camera SE, it is recommended to fully charge the battery.
Standard batteries (AA or AAA): For a device that uses standard batteries, such as a home monitoring accessory, make sure batteries are fully charged and inserted properly.
Solar panel: Learn how to fix solar panel issues.

Tip: Use a voltmeter to check that the power outlet, light socket, or junction box provides adequate voltage. If you need help, consult a licensed electrician.

Securely attach all cables

Inspect all connections, and if necessary, remove and reattach the cables providing power to your smart home device.

Power adaptor: Only use the power adaptor included in the box, and make sure it is securely and firmly connected to both your smart home device and a working power outlet.
In-wall wiring: With a device that uses in-wall wiring such as a video doorbell, inspect the screw terminals to make sure each wire is attached properly and securely. Refer to your device's setup instructions for help identifying if your wiring is correct. For assistance, consult a licensed electrician.
Junction box: For a device connected to a junction box like a Roku Floodlight Camera SE, inspect each wire nut and the ground wire and make sure all wires are attached correctly and securely. If you need help, consult a licensed electrician.

Restart your device

If your device does not use a built-in rechargeable battery, try restarting your smart home device manually using the instructions below.

Power outlet: Remove the power adaptor for your device from the power outlet for roughly 10 seconds and then plug it back in.
Light socket: Remove your smart bulb from the socket for roughly 10 seconds and then plug it back in.
Junction box: Go to the main electrical panel and turn the breaker off for about 10 seconds and then turn it back on.
Standard batteries: Remove the batteries and then reinsert them, making sure they are facing the correct direction.

If after checking all the suggestions above, your smart home device does not power on and it is under warranty, contact Roku Customer Support to get a replacement.

Smart home device cannot be powered on or off in the app

If you open the smart home mobile app and cannot control power on one of your smart home devices, start by checking if the device is powered on. With some smart home devices you can look at the status light to help determine this. If the device is OFF, review the suggestions in the previous section to get your device powered on. If the device is ON, go through the troubleshooting steps below to try and restore control.

Update and restart the app

Make sure the app is running the latest version by visiting the appropriate app store.

iOS^®: Open the App Store^® on your iOS device and search for "Roku Smart Home mobile app", or visit the online App Store and download the latest version.
Android^™: Open the Google Play^™ store on your Android device and search for "Roku Smart Home mobile app", or visit the online Google Play store and download the latest version.

If the problem continues, try restarting the smart home app using the following instructions.

Close the app on your mobile device
- iOS: Swipe up (or double tap the home button on older devices) and then swipe the app to close it
- Android: Swipe up (or press the Recents button on older devices) and then swipe the app to close it
Re-launch the smart home app and try again

Check device firmware

Confirm that the software running on your smart home device is up to date.

Open the smart home app
Tap Account from the navigation bar
Select Firmware update

If you notice that your device is listed in the STATUS UNKNOWN section, it is offline and likely disconnected from Wi-Fi. For more help, learn why a smart home device may be offline.

If an update is available for your device, tap Update. After the update is complete, check again to see if your device can be powered on and off from the app.

Test Wi-Fi connection

Open a web browser on your mobile device and try visiting a public website such as www.roku.com. If this fails, check with your internet service provider (ISP) to inquire about an outage, or contact them directly. If they are not aware of an outage, try resetting your Wi-Fi router* and modem.

If you recently moved, upgraded any network equipment, or changed the network name and/or password, you likely need to update the Wi-Fi settings for your smart home device.

Smart home device turns off and on unexpectedly

If your Roku Smart Home device is turning off and on unexpectedly, check the following in the Roku Smart Home mobile app.

Review any automation: Open rules and look at any that include your device. Specifically check for a schedule that powers the device on and off at specific times, or a trigger that turns the device on and off when motion is detected or another smart home device performs an action. For help, learn how rules can help automate your Roku Smart Home experience.
Disable vacation mode: Vacation mode is designed to make it look like you are home when away by randomly turning your smart lights and plugs on and off randomly. Turn vacation mode off to test if this is causing the unexpected behavior.

If a setting does not explain the behavior, determine if it happens with any of your other smart home devices. If only some devices are affected, try moving them closer to your Wi-Fi router. If all your smart home devices are affected, network instability or power fluctuations are typically to blame. Try testing the affected devices at another location, like a friend's home, to help rule out your network and power as the culprit.

Smart home device does not turn on after a power outage

Some Roku Smart Home devices have a setting called power loss recovery that allows you to configure the power state after an outage. This means you can either choose to have your device turn on automatically when recovering from a power outage, or return to the state it was in before power went out. Use the steps below to adjust the power loss recovery setting

Open the smart home app
Tap Home from the navigation bar
Choose your device
Tap Settings
Select Power loss recovery
Choose the recovery power state

Note: If you do not see the Power loss recovery selection, the feature is not supported on your device.

If your device is configured to maintain the last power state and it was off before a recent power outage, then it will still be off when power is restored. You must turn the device on manually, and you may want to change the power loss recovery setting to turn on your device after the next power outage. If you are not able to turn on your device manually, try restarting it by unplugging the power adaptor or turning the breaker off and back on.

Advanced troubleshooting steps

If you were not able to resolve your issue from the information in the previous sections, the general suggestions below are known to solve various issues.

Set up your device again

You do not need to remove your smart home device from the mobile app to set it up again. Simply follow the steps below and see if that resolves your issue.

Open the Home screen
Tap the plus sign from the navigation bar
Select Add device
Select your device categoryand then select a device
Follow the on-screen instructions

If you need help completing the setup process, refer to the appropriate setup article on the smart home devices category page.

Reset your device

If setting up your smart home device again did not resolve the issue, you can factory reset it and then set it up again. This should be a last resort for troubleshooting purposes since it removes all preferences and settings. For help, learn how to reset your smart home device.

If it is difficult to access your smart home device to perform a reset, delete it from the smart home app instead.

Open the Home screen
Select your device
Tap Settings
Scroll to the bottom of the page and tap Delete device

After your device is reset or deleted from the app, visit the smart home devices category page and open the appropriate article to help you set up your device again.

*A note on terminology:

To access your network and ultimately the internet, you will typically connect to a device called a router but it may also be referred to as a wireless router, wireless access point, home gateway or cable modem. In some cases, your internet service provider (ISP) may have provided you with a single integrated device that includes a cable modem and a router, or you may have purchased a stand-alone router from a company such as Linksys, NETGEAR, ASUS, Belkin or D-Link. In this article, the term router is used as a generic term to refer to the network device that your Roku device must connect to access the internet. For more information refer to the documentation provided by your ISP or router manufacturer.