Fix Roku Without Adding Channels: 7 Fixes That Work [2023] (2023)

You just got home and decided to stream something on your Roku device. But when you try to add a new channel it just doesn't work.

So, you come here, trying to find an answer to this question:

Why isn't Roku adding channels?

Roku has not added the channel due to a temporary software issue or an issue with your account. This can also happen if you try to add a blocked channel in your region.

You don't have to worry too much about this as this happened to me a few weeks ago and I was able to fix it. Read on to find out how I did it.

So I don't want you to wait any longer. Grab a cup of coffee and remind yourself that you must read each section or you might get confused.

How to fix Roku not adding channels?

If you are using a VPN, you can fix Roku not adding channels by disabling the VPN or creating a new Roku account in case your old Roku account gets compromised. Worst case scenario, you'll have to reset Roku to its default settings to successfully add channels.

Before proceeding with the fix, make sure you didn't add the channel the wrong way. The easiest way to do this is to go to your Roku device, find and add the channel under the Streaming Channels section.

You can also add channels to Roku using the Roku mobile app, as long as you're signed in to the same account on Roku and your mobile device.

Here's how to fix Roku not adding channels:

1. Reboot your Roku device

I know how simple this sounds, but it works for some users, so it's definitely worth a try.

If you have questions about resetting your Roku device, follow these steps:

• Go to the Start menu and use your remote to access the Settings menu at the bottom. Once there, press the OK button.
• Then you need to scroll down to the System option on the right side of the screen and press OK.

• After that, scroll down again, but this time click "OK" when you find the "Reboot system" option.

• that is all! You should see your Roku device restarting.

follow our guideFix Roku Channel Cannot Load Content.

2. Check the channel's geographic restrictions

You've probably ignored the region restrictions for the channel you're trying to add. This is obviously less likely for channels like Youtube and Netflix as they are available worldwide.

However, this is not the case for other channels, so you should contact the channel provider for more information about channel availability in your region.

3. Disconnect your VPN

If Roku detects that you are using a VPN to add a channel, it will not add the channel.

You may be doing this to access geo-restricted content, but you should be aware that VPNs tend to overload your connection, which can lead to content buffering issues.

However, this is not the main problem with VPNs. The main reason why you shouldn't use a VPN with Roku is that Roku flags it as a failed attempt to bypass geo-restrictions. This will cause some functionality to be disabled.

If you use a VPN, disconnect and update your current location and try adding your channel again.

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4. Delete cache files

As you may or may not know, whenever we use any app or device, it stores various temporary files as cache files.

Why is this a problem? Well, sometimes cache files can take up too much memory and cause problems with the app. In such cases, all you need to do is delete all data from the cache.

Don't worry about deleting your data as it is just unnecessary files.

Here's how to get rid of junk files:

• Go to your Roku home screen.
• Find the channel that is causing the problem and select it with your remote.
• Once selected, press the star button on your Roku remote and select the Delete Channel option.
• After that, restart your Roku device by following step 1 again.
• Once Roku boots up, reinstall your channel from the Roku Channel Store and check if the issue is resolved.

Check out the easy wayFix HBO MAX not working on Roku.

5. Delete unwanted channels

If you're the type of person who installs a bunch of channels that you never use, you should stop doing that now.

Too many channels can be a problem for Roku, so I recommend going to your home screen and any channels you haven't used in a while.

Once you've done that, restart your Roku device and see if the issue is resolved.

6. Create a new Roku account

Some users reported that this worked. If you're using a Roku profile that's corrupted in any way, you'll need to get a new account.

To do this, you need to visit the Roku website and click "Sign Up". Once that's done, you can link your Roku device to your new account and try adding channels.

7. Reboot your Roku device

This is the most extreme option, which is why I keep it as the last method.

You only need to do this if none of the other methods provide any improvement. Please note that doing so will delete all of your saved preferences, including settings, and will also unlink your Roku account.

There are two ways to do this. The first method is simply to find the reset button on the back of your Roku device and press it.

If you can't see it or it's corrupted or not working for some reason then follow these steps:

• Go to your Roku device's home screen.
• On the Roku remote, press the Home button 5 times, then press the Up button.
• After that press the rewind button twice and then the fast forward button twice.
• You need to wait for about a minute for the reset process to complete, after which you can restart your device.

In the rare event that this step does not resolve your issue, you can always contact Roku Support using your Roku account. Remember to include your Roku device's serial number in the message. You can find the serial number in the "About" section of Settings.

common questions

How do you know when your Roku is broken?

By diagnosing the issue you are having, you will know when your Roku is broken. For example, you can tell there's a problem with your image or signal by checking the white LED, which means your Roku is on.

What is the lifespan of Roku?

A Roku has a lifespan of about three to five years, after which it must be replaced. The problem could be as simple as buying a new remote, or it could be more complex.

Does disconnecting Roku reset it?

No, disconnecting your Roku will not reset it. If the TV loses power during operation, your settings and preferences will still be there when you turn it back on. The same thing happens if you turn it off.

final thoughts

I know how frustrating it can be not being able to enjoy the channels you want on your Roku because they just weren't added, but I hope you found a solution to that frustration by following the methods provided in this article.

If this article was helpful to you, you can check our website for more articles of this type if you encounter any issues.