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Spectrum App is Not Working on Roku TV: How to Fix?

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Are you currently experiencing issues accessing the Spectrum app on your Roku TV? In some instances, it may not open or function properly and this quickly becomes an irritation and inconvenience. If any of this sounds familiar, know that you’re not alone.

Luckily, the following guide has been created in order to resolve any of the issues that you might be experiencing when using the Spectrum app on your Roku TV, resulting in a seamless and more enjoyable streaming experience.


Why is the Spectrum App not Working on Roku TV? Main Causes Explained

There are three main causes as to why the Spectrum App may not be working on your Roku TV:

  • Compatibility -Some apps do not work on older Roku streaming devices
  • Connectivity -Poor internet speed or router errors can prevent the Spectrum app from working properly
  • Bug – Outdated apps, bad cache or errors within the Roku account settings can contribute towards potential Spectrum app issues


11 Solutions to Make the Spectrum App Work on Roku TV Again

After researching numerous reports from Roku TV users that have encountered issues with the Spectrum app, we’ve managed to compile a comprehensive list of troubleshooting options to assist in solving such an issue permanently.

The following solutions have been ordered according to their ability to resolve most known issues and as such, it is recommended you work through the list from top to bottom for optimal results.


1) Update the Spectrum App

In case you are using an older version of the Spectrum app that is no longer functional, the best suggestion is to first update the Spectrum app on your Roku TV. To update the Spectrum app:

  • Turn on your TV
  • Highlight the Spectrum app on your Home screen
  • Press the star (*) button on your Roku remote
  • Select the “Check for Updates” option
Update the Spectrum App on Roku TV
Check for updates on Spectrum app / Image: Pigtou.com


The process will start checking for any available updates that can be applied to the Spectrum app and commence with the update immediately. You should receive an on-screen notification upon any successful update, once completed.


2) Clear Roku Cache

Corrupted or bad cache can be one of the leading causes of poor performance in the Spectrum app. Enter the following commands on your Roku TV remote in order to dump your current cache:

  • Turn on your TV
  • Press the “Homebutton of your Roku TVremote five times
  • Press the “Up” button once
  • Press the “Rewind” button twice
  • Press the “Fast Forward” button twice
Clear Roku TV Cache with the Remote Combination
Follow the steps to clear the cache on Roku / Image: Pigtou.com


After momentarily freezing, your TV should turn off and back on multiple times, eventually restoring to the Roku home screen.


3) Factory Reset Roku Streaming Device/Stick

Bugs affecting Roku devices can sometimes prevent certain apps from functioning and resetting the device can often solve this problem. The steps to conduct a reset process on the Roku device will depend on your specific model. Should you have a Roku device such as the Roku Ultra, Roku Express or Express+ you can follow these steps to reset:

  • Turn on the TV
  • Locate the “Reset” button on the back of the device.
  • Press and hold the button, with the aid of a pin or pen point, until the Roku logo appears on the screen
Reset-Roku-Streaming-Device
Reset the Roku streaming device / Image: Pigtou.com


The reset process is somewhat different for those of you who might own a Roku stick, such as the Roku Streaming Stick or Streaming Stick+:

  • Turn on the TV
  • Press and hold the “Reset” button found on the stick for roughly 10 seconds, until a light flashes
  • The “Let’s get Started” menu should then appear on the TV screen 
Reset-Roku-Streaming-Stick
Reset the Roku streaming stick / Image: Pigtou.com


It is extremely important to keep in mind that performing any of the above reset processes will erase all stored data and settings from your device. Please note that you will have to reconfigure device settings as well as sign back into your user accounts once the reset process is complete.


4) Reset Roku from the Settings Menu

Available via the settings menu of your Roku TV device is the “Factory Reset” option, providing another alternative way to reboot your Roku device. To do so:

  • Press the “Home” button on your Roku TV remote
  • Advance to Settings – System – Advanced System Settings – Factory Reset – Factory Reset Everything
  • Enter the code shown on the screen and your Roku TV will start resetting


5) Delete and Reinstall the Spectrum App

A number of Roku TV users have reported that deleting the old version of the Spectrum app and reinstalling with the latest available Spectrum app version has proven to solve the issue:

  • Find the Spectrum app on your Home screen
  • Highlight the Spectrum app
  • Press the “Start” (*) button on your Roku TV remote
  • Select “Remove Channel”
  • Press on the “Home” button on your Roku TV remote
  • Go to “Search” and type “Spectrum TV”
  • Select “Spectrum TV” and click on “Add channel”
  • Select “OK” upon notification
  • Open the Spectrum TV app from the Roku home screen
  • Enter your Spectrum username and password or select “Sign in Automatically”. Create a Spectrum account, if you don’t have one.
  • Accept the license agreement

Upon completing the above steps, you should be able to verify that the Spectrum app is now working properly.


6) Reboot TV and Roku Device

In some cases, rebooting your TV and Roku device can result in getting rid of any potential bugs preventing the Spectrum app from opening properly.

  • While both the TV and Roku streaming device are switched on, remove the TV’s power cable from the electrical socket
  • Remove the power cable of the Roku device from the electrical socket as well
  • Wait for a few minutes
  • Plug both the power cables of the TV and Roku device back into their allocated electricity sockets
  • Assess whether or not the above steps have resolved the issue


7) Verify Your WiFi Network and Measure Internet Speed

According to the official website of the Spectrum app, a minimum internet speed of 10 Mbps is required in order to watch Spectrum TV and seamlessly use the Spectrum app.

As a first step, verify that your Roku device is connected to the correct WiFi network and not to a publicly-accessible WiFi:

  • Go to Settings – Network – Set up Connection
  • Choose the wireless option (or wired, if your TV is connected to the internet via an Ethernet cable)
  • Choose the desired WiFi network and enter the required password
  • Click on “Connect”
Verify your WiFi network on Roku
Verify your WiFi network on Roku / Image: Pigtou.com


You can then measure the internet speed using your connected smartphone, laptop or another device:

  • Confirm that your device is connected to the same network as your Roku TV
  • Go to Ookla: and click on the “Go” button
  • Should the results showcase that your internet speed is above 10 Mbps, the current connection is suitable for streaming Spectrum TV channels


8) Verify the Compatibility of Your Roku Device

The Spectrum app is not compatible with the 1st and 2nd generation of Roku streaming devices. To ensure that your device is not one of these specified models:

  • Go to Settings – System – About
  • Look out for the model number shown next to the model description
Check the model of your Roku device
Check the model of your Roku device / Image: Pigtou.com


The Spectrum app is not compatible with the following Roku models:

  • N1000
  • N1050
  • N1100
  • N1101
  • 2000
  • 2050
  • 2100
  • 2400
  •  2450
  • 2500
  • 3000
  • 3050
  • 3100
  • 3400
  • 3420
  • 3500


All other available Roku streaming devices and models should not have any issues running the Spectrum app. If you have found that your current Roku TV model is too old to work with the Spectrum app, you will have to purchase the most recent model on Amazon.


9) Create a New Roku Account

It may be possible that your Roku account’s regional settings are aligned to a different region than the one you’re based within. In such instances, apps like Spectrum TV will not work. To fix this:

  • Create a new Roku account (make sure to set the country region to the United States as Roku does not operate outside of the US)
  • Perform a factory reset of your device, as described in solution #3
  • Follow the on-screen instructions on how to sign-in to your new Roku account


10) Reset Your WiFi Router

A full reset of your router device has also been proven to fix existing connectivity issues that may be preventing the Spectrum app from working on your Roku TV. Follow the steps below to reset your router:

  • Locate a dedicated “Reset” button at the back of your WiFi router and press and hold it for 30 seconds, using a pin or pen point
  • Please allow roughly 15 minutes for your router to fully reboot
  • Verify that you have a working WiFi connection on your smartphone or another smart device
  • Then proceed with a factory reset of your Roku device, as described in solution #3
  • Follow the on-screen instructions on how to sign-in to your new Roku account and ensure to connect to the desired WiFi network
Reset your router
Reset your WiFi router by holding a dedicated reset or WPS button / Image: Pigtou.com


11) Update Your Streaming Equipment

If you have still not managed to get the Spectrum app working properly on your Roku TV, there is a very good chance that you may have faulty or outdated streaming equipment that could be due for an upgrade. In such instances, we highly recommend getting a newer, more recent version of the Roku streaming device.

If you are subsequently looking for an alternative to Roku TV, users have also highlighted Google Chromecast or Apple TV as worthy substitutes. You can find them on Amazon, via the following links:


Roku:

Roku Streaming Stick 4K | Streaming Device 4K/HDR/Dolby Vision with Roku Voice Remote and TV Controls


Google Chromecast:

Chromecast with Google TV (4K)- Streaming Stick Entertainment with Voice Search - Watch Movies, Shows, and Live TV in 4K HDR - Snow


Apple TV:

Apple TV 4K HD 32GB Streaming Media Player HDMI with Dolby Digital and Voice search by Asking the Siri Remote, Black, MQD22LL/A-32G (Renewed)

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Pigtou Editorial Team

A group of tech enthusiasts who find pleasure in troubleshooting and resolving various issues. When we're not engaged in writing, we typically enjoy playing table football or spending time with our office dog.
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