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- Roku TVs and devices can slow down when cache builds.
- Hidden remote shortcut resets my Roku and clears cache.
- Clearing the cache is a quick first step, as long as I remember to do it.
I have two Roku TVs, one 4K TV with a Roku streaming stick, and a Roku sound bar connected to several Roku speakers. I also have way too many Roku streaming devices lying around in old tech cabinets that I desperately need to get rid of. Speaking of clearing out the trash, it’s time to clear the cache on my Roku devices again. Why? If I remember to do it, there is a huge improvement in performance.
I obviously love Roku devices, but my biggest complaint is that they can be tethered and slow to start. Sometimes Netflix takes a few seconds to open. Even Disney+ hangs on its logo long enough for me to wonder if I should restart my TV. I understand there are worse things in life, but it’s annoying right now.
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A while back, I saw a ZDNET guide on how to clear cache on a Roku. I’ve looked for this setting before, but noticed that the Roku doesn’t have a “clear cache” button like the Amazon Fire TV devices do. I read that, on the Roku, I have to use a remote shortcut to “soft reset” my device. That will remove any temporary system clutter that might be causing things to slow down. So, I tried it, and wow.
Let’s just say that clearing the cache on my Roku is like giving the whole system a much-needed jolt.
Why does Roku have a cache?
Like a PC or phone, Roku devices store temporary data, called a cache, to help apps load faster. So, when I open a streaming app, instead of re-downloading features like images, icons, and login, my Roku remembers that information, allowing the app to load faster. Ironically, the cache can build up, get full and corrupt, and cause problems.
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When I experience sluggish performance like apps freezing, audio and video sync issues, or error messages, I know it’s time to clear the cache. Unlike the browser on my PC or phone, however, I can’t dig into the settings to find a clear cache button. There is no screen where I can clear cache, clear storage, or anything like that. Instead, I was given the option to do a soft reset or reboot.
The button sequence is awkward, but it works
We all know how to restart a Roku, or should, anyway. I can unplug it to do a full power cycle, which is the best way because it allows any electrical charge on the capacitors to dissipate, completely clearing the cache, or I can go to Settings > System > System Restart > Restart with my remote. I can use the Roku app remote or my laptop remote, which I’ve long since lost.
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But there’s another way I can use my remote to do what’s called a soft reset, and it involves pressing a weird sequence of buttons:
- Home five times.
- At the top once.
- Double down.
- Forward Forward twice.
That’s all. Unfortunately, whenever I do, I don’t see a confirmation screen or a satisfying “cache cleared” notification. Instead, my Roku just freezes for a while and then restarts. This clears any problematic cache, and I find my system runs better after that. Are you lazy? It’s gone. A crash? I won’t do it again. Everything sounds as good as new. Why is this trick hidden from the world?
Also, I don’t need a Roku remote. I can just use the Roku mobile app remote to enter the button sequence.
It won’t fix everything
After performing a soft reset, apps that hang on the splash screen or do all the wrong things suddenly work fine. They are quick and not too sticky. Everything is good, right? Not immediately. While clearing the cache is necessary, sometimes I need to do a few more cleanup tasks.
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If the app still opens slowly after that, then the problem was not temporary data. In those cases, I’ll uninstall and reinstall the app, which forces a new download and usually fixes any remaining issues. Roku devices also have limited storage and memory, so when I see unused apps piling up on my home screen, I need to go through and delete any I haven’t used in months.
Still, clearing the cache is a good first step because it’s quick, free, and only takes a minute to do.
I remember clearing my cache
Creating habits is difficult for many people, including me. I don’t need to clear my Roku cache every day. Restarting my device constantly can be more annoying than helpful. But I have to do it once a month instead of waiting for my Roku to start acting noticeably. So, I set a reminder on my iPhone. I turn it off in the evening, when I’m more likely to watch TV.
Otherwise, if I’m working during the day and I’m notified to do it, I’ll ignore it, and I won’t do it. But then again, if I’m watching something and get a reminder, I won’t want to reset my Roku right then, so I’ll swipe away the alert and forget about it until next month.
That brings me now.
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I’ve been ignoring my reminders and I really need to clear the cache on all my Roku devices. A low-risk fix that solves my biggest complaint: that slow, sticky, sluggish feeling that builds up with Rokus over time. It makes my apps more responsive and solves a lot of problems. So, if your Roku is still lagging, freezing, or taking a long time to open apps, give it a try.
Then set a reminder to do it regularly. Just don’t be like me and ignore it for too long.
