# Your Roku shuts itself off. Here's why

> A hidden 20-minute timer is probably killing your stream, and it takes four clicks to stop it.
- Title: Your Roku shuts itself off. Here's why · Engadget | Shortify
- Summary: A hidden 20-minute timer is probably killing your stream, and it takes four clicks to stop it. Auto power savings turns your Roku off after 20 minutes of no…
- Keywords: roku, streaming, tv settings, troubleshooting, hdmi-cec, technology, shuts, itself, Here's, Engadget
- Source: Engadget — https://engadget.com/2252813/roku-tv-randomly-turns-off-fixes
- Author: Deven McClure
- Published: 2026-09-13T12:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: roku, streaming, tv settings, troubleshooting, hdmi-cec, technology
## The 20-minute assassin
If your Roku goes dark on its own, auto power saving is usually the reason. After 20 minutes without input, it drops to low power mode and tries to switch off your TV too.

> With this setting turned on, your Roku will enter a low power mode after 20 minutes when you're not streaming content or otherwise controlling it.
## Waking it back up
Turn the TV on, press any button on the remote, use the mobile app, or cast something over AirPlay or YouTube. Any of those brings the Roku back.
## Check if yours has it
Only some models ship the feature: Express 4K and 4K+, Streaming Stick 4K and 4K+, Roku 4, Roku Ultra, and Ultra LT. If yours isn't listed, the cause is elsewhere.
## Four clicks to fix
Press Home, open Settings, go to Power, then Auto power savings. Uncheck "After 20 minutes of no interaction." Reset the Roku later and you'll have to do it again.
## Then suspect the power
A TV's USB port often can't feed the device enough juice, so plug the Roku into the wall instead. Reseat the HDMI cable and every connection to rule out a loose one.

> The USB port on your TV might not supply enough power to keep your Roku going.
## Remote, TV, or a CEC neighbor
Pull the remote batteries and see if it stops. Check your TV's own power saver. Then unplug every HDMI device and add them back one by one to find the CEC culprit.
## Key takeaway

Auto power savings turns your Roku off after 20 minutes of no input. Uncheck it under Settings, Power, and the random shutdowns stop.