How to Access Roku’s Secret Screens

Your Roku is full of mysteries, which you should know if you’ve ever explored its seemingly endless channels. But unless you’ve heard of its secret screens or sat on your remote at just the right angle, you might not be aware that the right combination of keys can unlock new controls.

Roku’s secret screens hold some features not accessible any other way. While they may be beyond what you generally need to use your device, it’s nice to know what they are. We’ve got the most useful ones below. Unfortunately, the one that used to control ads on the device appears to no longer work, but there’s probably something you’ll find helpful below.

Get Local Channels on a Roku TV

(Credit: PCMag)

If you have a Roku TV, such as one made by Hisense or TCL, you can face a lot of frustration if you bought a digital antenna to watch local channels, attached it, but can’t find the setting to access it. Pick up your Roku remote, press Home > Home > Home > Home > Up > Right > Down > Up > Left > Right. You’ll then see TV Secret Screen. Select Tuner Screen > Begin Tuner Scan and it will add your local broadcast channels.

Soft Reset

(Credit: PCMag)

If your Roku is acting up, resetting it can often restore it to working order. To reset your Roku, press the Home button five times, then hit the up arrow once, hit Rewind twice, and Fast Forward twice. The screen will go black after a bit and then the Roku screen will come back up. (This will not erase your settings or preferences, unlike a full factory reset.) 

Full Reset and Update

(Credit: PCMag)

You can do a factory reset the normal way by pressing Home > Settings > System Advanced System Settings > Factory Reset and then following the onscreen instructions. Or you could use a secret menu by pressing Home > Home > Home > Home > Home > Home > Fast Forward > Fast Forward > Fast Forward > Rewind > Rewind. This will get you a menu that has options for a Factory Reset, USB test, Cycle Channel Store Server, Cycle Software Update Server, and Update Software.

See All Your Channels

(Credit: PCMag)

For a list of all the channels that you have downloaded to your Roku, as well as which version and build you have, press Home > Home > Home > Up > Up > Left > Right > Left > Right > Left. This will display the list and then you can click on each one for the option to uninstall it.

Speed Test

(Credit: PCMag)

If you’re wondering why your streaming seems slow, you can check your Roku’s speed. Press Home > Home > Home > Home > Home > Up > Down > Up > Down > Up. You’ll get access to Resets, Logging, and an AP Speed Test.

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About Chandra Steele

Senior Features Writer

My title is Senior Features Writer, which is a license to write about absolutely anything if I can connect it to technology (I can). I’ve been at PCMag since 2011 and have covered the surveillance state, vaccination cards, ghost guns, voting, ISIS, art, fashion, film, design, gender bias, and more. You might have seen me on TV talking about these topics or heard me on your commute home on the radio or a podcast. Or maybe you’ve just seen my Bernie meme. 

I strive to explain topics that you might come across in the news but not fully understand, such as NFTs and meme stocks. I’ve had the pleasure of talking tech with Jeff Goldblum, Ang Lee, and other celebrities who have brought a different perspective to it. I put great care into writing gift guides and am always touched by the notes I get from people who’ve used them to choose presents that have been well-received. Though I love that I get to write about the tech industry every day, it’s touched by gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequality and I try to bring these topics to light. 

Outside of PCMag, I write fiction, poetry, humor, and essays on culture.

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