How to Set Up and Update your Roku Device Firmware

If you are familiar with using a Roku device, you know just how important it is for it to update the firmware. As you read on, you will get more information on the following questions: What is Roku? Why should I update it often? What are the steps to take when updating my device firmware?

Take note that even though you have learned how to update your Roku, there could still be something new to learn as you read further. First, let’s explain what Roku is.

What is Roku?

Roku Remote

You may have been hearing or seeing Roku Express, Roku Stream Stick 4K, Roku Streambar, Roku Ultra, and others like those names. When you think about Roku, think of a brand of hardware digital media players. Roku is the name of the company behind the product itself. It is a company situated in the USA.

The Roku brand of three major categories include the following:

• The Roku streaming Players – These are Roku Express, Roku Streambar, Roku Ultra, etc.
• Roku Audio – Roku Wireless Speaker, Roku Wireless Subwoofer, Roku Streambar, and Roku Streambar Pro.
• Roku TV – This is a smart TV with the Roku Operating System (OS) built in. This also has an instinctual interface that lets you stream content over the internet, and with this option, you have so many to choose from, like Hulu, Netflix, ESPN, and more. In effect, when you hear Roku TV, it isn’t really a TV in a sense we all know but a streaming device or a streaming player.

The online services used with Roku are many. Once you have a Roku device, you have a solid, smart TV that can be streamed using the internet. For many people today, the devices offer the best and most straightforward way to satisfy their streaming needs.

Why update Roku device firmware?

Roku

When you perform an update, it renews the software. You can get the latest fixes or replacements from the manufacturer. Most times, this type of updating is totally free. You need to actively look for updates from Roku so that you can avoid needless challenges. In a nutshell, find the benefits of updating your Roku firmware below:

• Updating enables an upgrade to your device with advanced technical improvements.
• When you update Roku firmware, you enable the introduction of new features, and you may also get a new, revamped interface. If for you it is more user-friendly, that makes a lot of sense.
• Updating is capable of improving the stability of the Roku software and removing old or outdated features.
• User experience gets a boost each time an update is completed.
• Updating regularly protects your Roku device from third parties who may want to break into it and disrupt the peace of operations.

How to update Roku device firmware

Now, let’s move into the actual phase of steps needed for the Roku firmware update to begin and finish. Carefully observe the following steps.

• Use the paired Roku remote. Press the Home Button. That takes you to the Roku first page. You will see a couple of commands pop up to the left side.
• Scroll down to find the Settings. Click on it to find System. Select it.
• Once you get to see System Update, click on it to see the current version of Roku you’re using and the date that it was updated last.
• Next, click Check Now, and that will explore the system to find a new update if it is available.
• Roku will run a brief check to see if there are any updates. It will automatically detect, download, and install the updates if it finds any. Then it will reboot, and there you go, your device is up to date!
• You should now see a congratulatory message.

That’s it. As you can see, more of the task is finding if there’s an update. If there are, all of the work of updating is done by Roku itself.

How to set up Roku device (when newly purchased)

Before we end or remarks on how to update Roku firmware, let’s examine how to set it up. It is vital to know this because anyone who buys it will first think about how to set it up. The process is fairly simple as you shall see below.

• Turn on your Roku TV (or the TV your Roku is connected to). You will see the Roku welcome page, with the company logo beaming.
• Next, you will be required to select your desirable Language. I think yours is English, as much as mine is. The language you select is the one you will use for viewing your streaming channels on Roku.
• Now, you will be asked to select your country. Remember that what you select will determine the type of entertainment served. However, it is best to choose the country in which you reside.
• You will need to connect your Roku device to the network at this stage. You will have to connect to your internet router for online access. Roku boxes and TVs use both Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity options, while Roku Streaming Sticks use only Wi-Fi. Roku will search all Wi-Fi networks nearby if that’s what you intend to use. Choose your own network and enter the password as you would normally do.
• Once the internet connection is established, you may most likely see a message pop up that shows notification of available firmware updates. It is best to allow Roku to go through with the updating.
• After the update is done, you may now select the Setup the Display type. If you’re using HDMI, Roku will detect the resolution that works best automatically, the aspect ratio of the TV, and it will also detect the video output signal and set them.

Roku 3

• At this stage, you need to pair your Roku Remote. You will get the instructions on the TV screen. Just follow the steps to accomplish your purpose.
• You can now create a Roku account and activate the device once you’ve filled your credentials on the signup page. Typically, you will need a username and password for your other information, such as your address and payment information.
• Check your Roku TV screen and follow the rest of the instructions. That will include an activation code. Use your laptop or smartphone to visit Roku.com/link. Just enter the code given to you.
• At this point, a message should appear on your TV screen informing you that your Roku device has been activated.
• Activation will show the Roku Home menu appears. Now you’re able to operate your device fully, navigating through the channels and apps section.

Conclusion

There you go, you have learned what Roku device is, how to set it up, and how to update its firmware. You also learned why you should frequently update the firmware. At least once or twice every week, try to search and install updates for your Roku device.