Roku TV turning on by itself? Common causes and fixes explained

Why Roku TVs are waking up on their own

Some Roku TV and Roku streaming device owners have reported their equipment switching itself on without anyone touching a remote. According to Engadget, the reports began after Roku OS version 15.3 arrived in August 2026, and the timing appears more than coincidental.

The odd part is that the 15.3 update contained nothing related to autoplay or power management, so in theory it should not have caused the problem. Even so, software updates sometimes introduce bugs without an obvious reason, and Engadget suggests this is the most plausible explanation. Roku has not officially identified a root cause, so no guaranteed fix exists yet.

HDMI-CEC could be the culprit

Another likely cause is HDMI-CEC, a standard that links devices such as soundbars, games consoles and receivers over HDMI so they can be controlled with one remote. When one device powers on, it tells the rest of the chain to do the same. A single faulty signal can confuse the whole chain and trigger a random power-up.

Manufacturers sell this feature under different names, including Samsung Anynet+, Sony BRAVIA Sync, LG SimpLink and Roku 1-Touch Play. Compatibility problems can arise when connected devices come from different companies, and HDMI-CEC has a history of causing input switching and phantom power-ons.

Fast TV Start may also play a part

Fast TV Start is a Roku power-management setting that keeps the operating system running in the background after the screen goes dark. It lets the TV start instantly and stay ready for voice commands.

Engadget reports that Fast TV Start has seemingly contributed to phantom power-ons alongside the Roku OS 15.3 update, because its always-on network connection left the door open for overnight glitches.

What to try if your TV keeps switching on

The first step is to update the TV to Roku OS 16, released in October 2026. Fixing the 15.3 bug was not part of that update and no reports say it patched the power-on problem, but keeping the software current is worthwhile anyway.

Next, disable 1-Touch Play on the Roku TV and on every connected component, whatever the brand. On a Roku TV, go to Settings, then System, then Control other devices, and uncheck 1-Touch Play. Also turn off Fast TV Start under Settings, then System, then Power, then Fast TV Start.

If the problem persists, Engadget suggests unplugging the TV each night, using a smart plug to cut power automatically, or contacting Roku through its support portal at support.roku.com. Because the root cause is unconfirmed, none of these steps is guaranteed to work.

Why it matters

A television that switches itself on in the middle of the night is more than a nuisance. It wastes power, can disturb sleep and may play content at full volume without warning.

Until Roku confirms a cause, the practical advice is to rule out the settings above one at a time. Owners who cannot resolve the issue should report it to Roku so the company has a clearer picture of the scale of the problem.