How to Update Your Roku TV or Streaming Device

Jordan Gloor
Technical Editor

Jordan Gloor is Technical Editor at How-To Geek. He's been tinkering with computers and other technology since childhood when his rural Arkansas home got dial-up internet. Jordan combines his skills in written communication with his penchant for tech to help create our informative how-to guides. Read more...

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Nov 23, 2021, 2:00 pm EDT | 1 min read

A Roku remote laying on a table — Ilze_Lucero/Shutterstock.com

Want to force an update on your Roku TV or streaming stick? Your device regularly checks for updates in the background, but a manual update can sometimes be necessary, like when streaming issues arise. Here’s how to do it.

Force an Update on Roku Smart TV or Streaming Stick

Make sure your device is connected to the internet, either by Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Then, open the home screen on your device by pressing the house-shaped button on your Roku remote. In the navigation menu on the left, navigate to Settings > System > System Update.

"System Update" option in the Roku system settings menu.

Here you’ll see your current installed version and other technical info. Select “Check Now” to initiate a manual check for any available updates.

If there’s an update available, you’ll see a prompt asking if you want to install the update now or later. If you’re ready, go ahead and select “Update Now.”

Select Update Now to download and install an update to your Roku device.

Your update will begin. Depending on your internet connection, this can take some time. Once it’s complete, your device will reboot, and the reboot may take some time as well, as the update needs time to fully install.

A Roku device updating.