Roku Won’t Play 4K or HDR? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• Your TV’s HDMI port set to HDMI 1.4 mode, 4K and HDR turned off for that port, or a port limited to 30fps
• A TV, soundbar or receiver that doesn’t support HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2
• FreeSync turned on for the TV’s HDMI port, which can disable Dolby Vision
• An older HDMI cable that isn’t adequate for 4K HDR at 60fps
• A movie or show that isn’t available in 4K or HDR

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start with the quick checks on the show and your Roku player, then work through your TV, soundbar and cable settings, checking what your player detects after each change.

1. 1

   Step 1: Check that the show is in 4K or HDR

   Only certain shows have 4K and HDR, even if your streaming service supports it.

   Before you change any settings, look for the 4K or HDR logos in the streaming app to check that the title is available in 4K or HDR.

   There are different types of HDR, like HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG. Not all Roku players or TVs support every format of HDR, so check that your Roku player supports 4K and HDR and that your TV supports the format you want.

   Good to know

   To find out if your player supports Dolby Vision, Roku points to its product comparison chart.

2. 2

   Step 2: See what your Roku player detects

   Your Roku player automatically checks the capabilities of the HDMI connection whenever it’s connected.

   On your Roku player, go to Settings, then Display type, then Automatic to see the automatic settings it found.

   After each change to your TV, soundbar or receiver settings below, come back here to check the capabilities of the HDMI connection again.

3. 3

   Step 3: Check every device supports HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2

   All connected devices, like your TV, soundbar or receiver, must support HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2, or 4K HDR won’t work.

   You need a 4K HDR TV with an HDMI 2.0 port and HDCP 2.2 support. Check that your TV inputs support HDCP 2.2 in the TV manual, or contact the manufacturer for help.

   Confirm that your other devices, such as a soundbar or receiver, support HDMI 2.0. Contact the manufacturer if you’re unsure.

4. 4

   Step 4: Turn on HDMI 2.0 mode for your Roku’s input

   Many 4K TVs come set to HDMI 1.4 mode, which limits 4K HDR playback to 30fps.

   If your Roku player goes through a soundbar or receiver, it’s best to temporarily connect it directly to your TV and adjust the TV’s HDMI settings first.

   Go to the settings menu on your TV and enable HDMI 2.0 mode or later on the specific input you are using. Some TVs need 4K and HDR turned on for each HDMI port, so make sure you change the settings for the input where your Roku player is connected.

   Roku gives these sample settings for popular TV brands:

   • Hisense: switch to the Roku player input, then open Menu, Picture, HDMI 2.0 Format and choose Enhanced Format.
   • LG: go to Home, HDMI, Settings, Advanced, Picture, HDMI ULTRA DEEP COLOR, turn it On, then Restart. Or go to All Settings, Picture, Additional Settings, HDMI ULTRA HD Deep Color, select the Roku player input and turn it On.
   • Philips: go to Preferences, HDMI mode, select the Roku player input and choose 4K Mode.
   • Roku TVs: go to Settings, TV Inputs, select the Roku player input, then HDMI Mode and choose Standard or Auto.
   • Samsung: go to Menu, Picture, Picture Options, HDMI UHD Color, turn it On, then Restart. Or go to Settings, General, External Device Manager, HDMI UHD Color and turn it On.
   • Sony: go to Home, Settings, Apps & Inputs, External inputs, HDMI signal format, HDMI, select the Roku player input and choose Enhanced mode. The TV will reboot.
   • Toshiba: go to Home, Picture, Advanced Settings, HDMI Input Mode and choose Mode 2 (2.0).
   • Vizio: go to Menu, Input Settings, select the Roku player input, then turn Full HD Color On.

   Good to know

   The steps may vary from model to model and may change when the TV’s software is updated. When in doubt, refer to the user manual or online documentation for your make and model.

5. 5

   Step 5: Use an HDMI port that supports 4K at 60fps

   Some TVs limit 4K support to 30fps on select HDMI ports, so the port you use matters.

   If the capabilities your Roku player detects still aren’t what you expect, check which HDMI ports on your TV support 4K at 60fps.

   If you are using an HDMI port that doesn’t support Dolby Vision at 60fps, try a different HDMI port and make sure it is enabled for HDMI 2.0 mode or later. Then check Settings, Display type, Automatic on your Roku player again.

6. 6

   Step 6: Turn off FreeSync for Dolby Vision

   On some TV models, FreeSync may disable Dolby Vision.

   FreeSync is designed to enhance your experience with a connected game console, such as Xbox or PlayStation. If your TV supports Dolby Vision but the HDMI connection doesn’t support 4K Dolby Vision, you may need to adjust this setting on your TV.

   Turn off FreeSync on the HDMI port where your Roku player is connected. On LG TVs, Roku’s sample steps are: go to Home, HDMI, Settings, Advanced, Picture, Additional Settings, FreeSync, choose Off, then Restart.

   Good to know

   The steps may vary from model to model. For other TV brands, refer to the user manual or online documentation for your make and model.

7. 7

   Step 7: Set up your soundbar or receiver for 4K HDR

   If your Roku player connects through a soundbar or audio/video receiver (AVR), its HDMI connection must also use HDMI 2.0 mode or later.

   Once the capabilities your Roku player detects match your TV’s specifications, reconnect your AVR or soundbar. Connect your Roku player to an HDMI input on the soundbar or AVR that supports HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2, then adjust the HDMI settings on that device. Roku gives these sample settings:

   • Denon: go to Setup, Video, 4K Signal Format and choose Enhanced.
   • Sony: go to Home, Setup, HDMI Settings, HDMI Signal Format and choose Enhanced Format.
   • Yamaha: go to Advanced Setup, 4K Mode and choose Mode 1.

   Good to know

   Some models limit 4K support to 30fps on certain ports, specifically HDMI ports on the front panel of an AVR. If you have an older AVR or soundbar and aren’t sure it supports HDMI 2.0 mode, connect your Roku player directly to your TV and connect the AVR or soundbar separately to the TV’s HDMI ARC (or eARC) port.

8. 8

   Step 8: Use a Premium High Speed HDMI cable

   Older cables may not be adequate for 4K HDR10, HDR10+ or Dolby Vision content at 60fps.

   If you see poor performance and video degradation with a 4K HDR signal, replace any older cables with a Premium High Speed HDMI Cable or Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable. Cables that aren’t labeled, or are labeled “high speed” or “standard speed,” may not be adequate.

   Good to know

   You don’t need a Premium High Speed HDMI Cable if you use a Roku Streaming Stick, which plugs directly into the TV.

9. 9

   Step 9: Update your TV and restart your Roku player

   Make sure your TV’s software is up to date, then restart your Roku player.

   Check that your TV’s software is up to date.

   To restart your Roku player, go to Settings, then System, then Power, then System Restart.

Frequently Asked Questions

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