Your Roku app freezes right at the good part. Annoying, right?
Knowing how to restart an app on Roku saves you from staring at a buffering wheel when Netflix, Hulu, or Disney Plus stops responding.
A quick channel restart clears cached data and fixes most playback errors without touching your other streaming apps or device settings.
This guide covers five methods that work on Roku players, Roku TVs, and Roku Streaming Sticks.
You will learn the star button shortcut, the Settings menu path, the power cycle trick, and a secret remote code most people never hear about.
Each method takes under two minutes. Pick whatever fits your situation.
How to Restart an App on Roku
Restarting an app on Roku closes and refreshes the streaming channel without touching your other installed apps or device settings.
You need this when Netflix freezes mid-show. Or when Hulu keeps buffering. Maybe Disney Plus shows a black screen, or the Peacock app crashes right before kickoff.
This guide covers 5 methods. Takes under 2 minutes. Works on Roku players, Roku TVs, and Roku Streaming Sticks running Roku OS 9.0 or later.
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have:
- Roku device (player, TV, or Streaming Stick)
- Roku remote with working batteries
- Roku OS 9.0 or later for the Settings menu method
- Active WiFi connection if reinstalling
- Streaming service login credentials (only for reinstall method)
Method One: Using the Star Button
This is the fastest way to force close a Roku channel. No unplugging required.
Step One: How Do You Find the App on Your Roku Home Screen?
Press the Home button on your Roku remote. Use the arrow keys to scroll through your channels until the problem app is highlighted.
The app icon should have a visible border around it when selected.
Step Two: How Do You Access the App Options Menu?
Press the star button () on your remote. A popup menu appears on the right side of your screen with several options including Close, Move channel, and Remove channel.
Step Three: How Do You Close the App?
Select “Close” from the options menu. The streaming app shuts down immediately.
This clears cached session data and stops any background processes the channel was running.
Step Four: How Do You Reopen the App?
With the app still highlighted, press OK on your remote. The channel launches fresh with a clean session.
Your login should still be active. If the app asks for credentials again, that is normal for some streaming services after a force close.
Method Two: Remove and Reinstall the App
When closing the app does not fix your Roku app frozen issue, a full reinstall often does. This method wipes all channel data and replaces corrupted files.
Step One: How Do You Remove the App from Your Roku?
Highlight the problem channel on your home screen. Press the star button, then select “Remove channel” from the menu.
Confirm when prompted. The app disappears from your channel list.
Step Two: How Do You Find the App in the Roku Channel Store?
Go to Streaming Channels from your home screen. Select “Search Channels” and type the app name using your remote.
The official channel appears in search results. Make sure you pick the verified version, not a third-party clone.
Step Three: How Do You Reinstall the App?
Select the channel from your search results. Click “Add Channel” and wait for the download to complete.
Installation takes 10 to 30 seconds depending on your internet speed and the app size.
Step Four: How Do You Log Back Into the App?
Open the freshly installed channel. Enter your login credentials or follow the activation code process on your computer.
For Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max, you typically need to visit an activation URL and enter the code shown on your Roku screen.
After logging in, your watchlists and preferences sync back automatically from the streaming service servers.
Method Three: System Restart from Settings
A full system restart refreshes all running channels at once. Use this when multiple apps experience problems or when the Roku device feels sluggish.
Step One: How Do You Open the Roku Settings Menu?
Press the Home button on your Roku remote. Scroll left to highlight Settings in the sidebar menu.
Step Two: How Do You Navigate to System Restart?
Select Settings > System > System Restart.
On some Roku TV models (TCL, Hisense, Onn), the path is Settings > System > Power > System Restart.
Step Three: How Do You Confirm the Restart?
Select “Restart” when prompted. Your Roku powers off, then displays the bouncing Roku logo during boot.
Takes 30 to 60 seconds. All streaming channels reload with fresh sessions.
Method Four: Power Cycle the Roku Device
The classic unplug method. Works when your Roku is completely unresponsive or frozen on a black screen.
Step One: How Do You Disconnect the Roku from Power?
Unplug the power cable from the back of your Roku player or from the wall outlet. For Roku TVs, unplug the TV power cord entirely.
Step Two: How Long Should You Wait Before Reconnecting?
Wait at least 10 seconds for minor glitches. For persistent streaming issues or app crash problems, wait a full 2 minutes.
The longer wait lets internal capacitors fully discharge and clears stubborn cached data.
Step Three: How Do You Reconnect and Verify the Restart?
Plug the power cable back in. Wait for the Roku logo to appear, then test your problem app.
Your WiFi connection and Roku account settings stay intact after a power cycle.
Method Five: Secret Remote Code Restart
Roku has a hidden button sequence that forces an immediate restart. Useful when the Settings menu will not load.
Step One: What Button Sequence Triggers a Restart?
Press these buttons in order on your Roku remote:
- Home button: 5 times
- Up arrow: 1 time
- Rewind: 2 times
- Fast Forward: 2 times
Step Two: What Happens After Entering the Code?
The screen goes dark immediately. Your Roku restarts without any confirmation prompt.
No menu navigation required. Works even when the Roku home screen is frozen or unresponsive.
Verification
After restarting, check these indicators to confirm success:
- App opens without the previous error or freeze
- Video playback starts without buffering loops
- Menu navigation responds normally to remote input
- Login session remains active (close method) or prompts re-login (reinstall method)
If YouTube, Spotify, or Apple TV Plus still misbehave after restart, the issue may be server-side. Check the streaming service status page.
Troubleshooting
Issue: App still freezes after restart
Solution: Delete the app completely and reinstall from the Roku Channel Store.
Issue: Close option not appearing in star menu
Solution: Use System Restart (Method Three) or Power Cycle (Method Four) instead. Some older Roku OS versions lack the Close feature.
Issue: App asks for activation code after reinstall
Solution: Visit the streaming service activation page on your phone or computer. Enter the code displayed on your Roku screen.
Issue: All apps experiencing playback errors
Solution: Check your WiFi network connection first. Then update your Roku apps via Settings > System > System Update.
Issue: Roku device completely unresponsive to remote
Solution: Power cycle using Method Four. Wait the full 2 minutes before reconnecting power.
Issue: Netflix or Hulu login not working after restart
Solution: Sign out of Netflix through the app settings, then log back in with fresh credentials.
Related Processes
Managing your Roku channels goes beyond restarting apps. You might also need to:
- Move apps on Roku to organize your home screen
- Install apps on Roku TV from the Channel Store
- Cancel a Roku subscription for channels you no longer use
For persistent Roku streaming device problems that restarts cannot fix, a factory reset returns everything to default settings. You will need to re-add all channels and sign into your Roku account again.
FAQ on How To Restart An App On Roku
How do I force close an app on Roku?
Press the Home button on your Roku remote. Highlight the frozen app, press the star button (), then select “Close” from the options menu.
The channel shuts down immediately and clears cached session data.
Why does my Roku app keep freezing?
Outdated app versions, weak WiFi signals, or corrupted cache files cause most freezing issues. Your Roku device may also need a software update.
Try restarting the app first. If problems persist, reinstall the channel.
Will restarting an app on Roku delete my account?
No. Closing or restarting a streaming app keeps your login credentials intact on most channels like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
Only removing and reinstalling the app requires re-entering your password.
How do I restart Netflix on my Roku TV?
Highlight Netflix on your Roku home screen. Press the star button, select “Close,” then reopen the app.
For TCL, Hisense, or Onn Roku TVs, this method works identically to standalone Roku players.
What is the Roku secret restart code?
Press Home 5 times, Up arrow once, Rewind twice, then Fast Forward twice. Your Roku device restarts instantly without navigating menus.
Works when the Roku interface is frozen or unresponsive to normal commands.
How do I clear cache on Roku streaming apps?
Roku lacks a direct cache-clearing option. Restarting the app through the star button menu clears temporary data.
For deeper cleaning, remove the channel completely and reinstall from the Roku Channel Store.
Does unplugging my Roku restart all apps?
Yes. A power cycle restarts your entire Roku device and refreshes all installed streaming channels simultaneously.
Wait 10 to 30 seconds before reconnecting for best results. Two minutes for stubborn issues.
Why is there no Close option in my Roku app menu?
Older Roku OS versions do not include the Close feature. Check Settings > System > System Update to install the latest Roku software.
Use system restart or power cycle as alternatives.
How do I fix a Roku app that keeps crashing?
Start with a simple restart using the star button. If the app still crashes, remove it and reinstall a fresh copy.
Check your internet connection and verify the streaming service servers are online.
Can I restart Roku apps using the mobile app?
The Roku mobile app works as a remote replacement. Navigate to the problem channel, access the options menu, and select Close.
Useful when your physical Roku remote has dead batteries or stops responding.
Conclusion
Fixing a frozen or glitchy streaming channel takes less than two minutes when you know how to restart an app on Roku.
The star button method handles most situations. System restart works when multiple channels act up. Power cycling fixes unresponsive Roku Express or Roku Ultra devices.
Keep the secret remote code in your back pocket for emergencies.
If Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, Peacock, or YouTube keep crashing after a restart, reinstall from the Roku Channel Store for a clean slate.
Check your WiFi connection and Roku OS version when problems spread across all channels.
Most streaming issues come down to cached data or outdated software. A quick force close usually does the trick.
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