How to Fix a Roku Low Power Warning

We'll highlight what you need to do to get your streaming device back up and working.

Almost all the smaller Roku devices can be powered via the USB ports on your TV. This is very useful if you are short of power outlets behind your television, but can lead to low power warnings. This is particularly true if your TV is more than 10 years old.

Here's what leads to the low power warning and what you can do to fix the problem.

Choosing to plug your Roku into a USB port on the back of the TV instead of a power outlet means the device draws all of its operating power from that port. Unfortunately, not all USB ports can supply your Roku with the wattage it needs.

Older televisions might only have USB 2.0 or USB 1.0 ports. These can only supply 2.5W to the connected device, which is unlikely to be enough power to keep your Roku running smoothly. The problem can also be caused by a USB cable that isn't rated to carry the power required by your streaming device.

There are two simple ways to tell that your Roku doesn't have enough power to work correctly. The first, the status light, is encountered if the device doesn't even have enough juice to start up. The light will slowly flash red to let you know the problem is a lack of power.

A solid red status light means your Roku is overheating. You should immediately power it down and allow it to cool off. Prolonged use, when the Roku is overheating, can lead to it being permanently damaged.

You might also see an on-screen message displaying a power icon or text that says Insufficient Power. Depending on the Roku device you are using, this message might also suggest one of the ways you can fix the low power error.

Now you know what the problem is with your Roku, let's look at the different ways you can fix the Low Power warning.

The USB cable supplied with the Roku isn't particularly long, so it can be tempting to use a different cable. Just like USB ports, not all USB cables are the same. Some USB cables can carry more power than others, so make sure the one you use is up to the task. If not, switch back to the cable supplied with your Roku streaming device.

The connectivity panel at the rear of your TV is likely to have more than one USB port. And if several ports exist, they might not all be the same. Check the labeling on the sockets to find USB 3.0 or 3.1, and switch the USB cable into that port. If the individual ports aren't labeled, you can identify a USB 3.0 port by the color, which is most commonly blue.

If neither of the previous two fixes helped, you will have to power the Roku from an outlet. All Roku devices are supplied with a USB to main power adapter, but you can use an alternative adapter and cable if they match the power rating (5V/1A) of the one supplied.

An added benefit of using main power rather than USB is that the Roku doesn't need to start up every time. It will be powered up and ready when you turn on your TV. A more consistent power supply will also prevent problems such as your remote not being detected by the receiver box.

The ability to power your Roku, Express, or Express 4K, using the USB ports on your TV gives you some setup flexibility. Unfortunately, the power supplied through older USB ports isn't always sufficient. Now you know what causes the low power warning and how to fix it, up to and including changing to main power.

Russ has been writing about technology for more than 15 years. He specializes in creating guides that help users get more from their software and devices, but enjoys writing about almost anything. When not working on his next article, he can be found building websites, trying to learn Danish, or relaxing with a true crime book.