If your Roku TV or Roku TV Stick screen is black, there are multiple ways to fix this issue. I find that it’s a process of elimination, where I work through the simplest solutions until I find what’s causing my Roku TV screen problems.
You May Be Using the Wrong Input On Your Roku TV
Let’s get this one out of the way immediately. Are you on the right input channel? Like most modern TVs, Roku TVs have at least two HDMI ports. If you’ve plugged in a new device, you’ll have to switch to said channel, such as HDMI 1, HDMI 2, etc.
Look where the HDMI ports are located at the back of your Roku TV, and you’ll see that they’re labeled. If a device is plugged into HDMI 1, use the Input button to switch to HDMI 1.
Perform a Power Cycle
Power cycling might sound pointless, but the results speak for themselves. Your Roku TV is a smart TV, which makes it closer to a computer than a dumb TV. And like computers, they can act up without pointing to underlying problems.
You’ll have to do more than turn your Roku TV off and on. Unplug your TV for a couple of minutes, press and hold the Power button a couple of times to discharge any leftover static electricity, and then plug it back in. This general Roku troubleshooting step can help to fix a wide range of issues, so it’s always worth completing.
Check All the Connections and Reboot
Even if you set your Roku TV to the right input, and there’s still a black screen, it’s still possible your HDMI cables are simply dirty and not making a proper connection. This can quickly be solved by wiping the end of the HDMI cable with a microfiber cable.
You should also clean out the HDMI port itself, either with an electric air duster—I swear by the XPOWER A-2 Airrow Pro—or with compressed air. Dust can build up in the HDMI ports, especially if they are placed along the sides rather than facing down.
Try a Different Roku TV or Roku Device
This process narrows down the source of the issue. If your Roku TV screen remains black after connecting a device, unplug it and try a different TV. If you get another black screen, the problem is likely the device and not your Roku TV.
You can do this the other way, too. Connect a different device to your Roku TV (one you know works) and see if you can recreate the problem. If the black screen issue persists, you can be confident it’s your TV.
Try the Flashlight Method on Your Roku TV
While the flashlight method doesn’t fix your Roku TV’s black screen, it’ll at least tell you if there’s a hardware problem. You’re checking for burned-out backlighting by flashing a flashlight over the TV while it’s on. If it’s a backlight problem, the flashlight will reveal images.
That said, there’s a chance your TV has low brightness, too. Shine the light on your television, open the main menu, and double-check if your brightness settings were lowered. If that’s not the case, then you have a faulty Roku TV and should check your warranty or take it to a professional.
Factory Reset Your Roku TV and TV Stick
Factory resetting your Roku TV and Roku TV device should be a last-ditch effort—a Hail Mary before you take it to the shop or replace it with a new one.
- With a Roku TV, you can press the Reset button at the back, near the ports, for ten seconds or by opening Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset. You want to reset everything.
- Resetting a Roku streaming device, like the Roku Express 4K+, is identical to resetting a Roku TV. Either find the Reset button at the back or access the device’s menu and head to Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset. Do be sure to reset everything.
Once you’ve burned through all these solutions and your Roku TV still has a black screen, it’s time to either visit a repair shop or invest in a new TV. If you’re on a strict budget, you can use any old TV and just plug in a Roku TV device. That said, some Roku TVs are getting smart camera integration if that interests you.
