Roku Ultra Stuck On Bouncing Logo? (Try Easy Solutions!)
We know the frustration when your Roku Ultra stuck on bouncing logo for over 5 minutes, leaving you with no clue what has gone wrong.
The bouncing logo appears when your Roku Ultra is booting (starting up) the operating system, and when something is preventing the process, it gets stuck.
This typically happens because of a software glitch, power problem, or hardware error.
Don’t worry–the issue is surely easy to solve, so let’s jump into the solutions and get it working!
How to Fix Roku Ultra Stuck On Bouncing Logo?
Note: Have you checked if the Roku Ultra responds to pressing any buttons on the remote?
1. Power Cycle the Roku Ultra Player
Sometimes, software glitches or an unstable internet connection could prevent your Roku from passing the boot screen.
In those cases, performing complete power cycling eliminates minor glitches by rebooting the software and relaunching all of the Roku Ultra services in an instant.
Here’s how to power cycle Roku Ultra:
- Unplug the A/C power cord from the Roku Ultra.
- Now, disconnect the power cord from the adapter.
- Now, take out the batteries from the Roku remote.
- Wait for ~3–4 minutes before inserting them back.
- Now, connect the Roku Ultra power adapter cable.
- Power on your Roku Ultra using the Power button.
Tip: ZontSound recommends rebooting the network router along with the Roku Ultra for an even better service refresh.
2. “Reset” the Roku Ultra HDMI Connection
Since the Roku Ultra connects over HDMI, a problem with the HDMI cable or even the TV could cause the player to freeze during startup.
This does not mean that the player is not working, but rather that the fault is with the video connection between both devices.
Here’s how to reconnect the Roku Ultra HDMI cable:
- Disconnect both the Roku and the TV from the wall outlet.
- Disconnect the HDMI cable from the Roku unit and the TV.
- Wait for 3 minutes and reconnect the cord in both devices.
- Now, check if the Roku Ultra is still stuck during startup.
Pro Tip: Switch the HDMI cable connector ends and perform an “HDMI Shake Down”.
3. Soft Reset the Roku Without an HDMI
Well, sometimes your TV or HDMI setup interferes with each other’s startup process. If the Roku Ultra is stuck on the loading screen, we advise restarting the Roku Ultra while the HDMI is unplugged.
This method resolves any boot-related errors with the streaming player!
Here’s how to restart Roku Ultra without an HDMI cable:
- Disconnect the HDMI cable from your Roku and the TV.
- Leave the Roku Ultra connected only to the power outlet.
- Wait for about 2 minutes for complete power discharge.
- Reconnect the HDMI cable and turn on your TV.
Alert: Do not unplug the power supply of the Roku Ultra during the HDMI reset!
4. Use a different HDMI Cable or Port
When the Roku has trouble establishing a connection with your TV, it often gets stuck on the bouncing logo screen.
So, we recommend testing the player with a replacement HDMI cable and, respectively, testing it in one of the remaining HDMI inputs on the TV.
Here’s how to use a different HDMI cable and port:
- Unplug your Roku and TV from the power source.
- Next, disconnect the HDMI cable from both units.
- Connect a new HDMI cable to your Roku and TV.
- Connect the Roku to an alternative port on the TV.
- Power on the Roku and check if the issue persists.
Tip: Always use a high-speed HDMI cable for higher-quality signal transmission!
5. Plug the Roku into an Alternative A/C Outlet
If the issue persists, your Roku player might be losing power during startup, which causes it to freeze midway through the bouncing logo animation.
To determine if that’s the case, we advise temporarily plugging the player into an alternative power outlet, preferably in another room.
Follow these steps to reconnect the Roku Ultra:
- Unplug the Roku Ultra from the current wall socket.
- Plug it directly into a different functional power outlet.
- Power on both devices and check if the Roku boots.
ZontSound strongly advises against using third-party power equipment for delivering power to the Roku Ultra.
Only use a direct outlet connection for both the Roku Ultra and TV if possible.
Note: Double-check if the Roku power adapter is working fine or overheating.
6. Test the Roku Ultra on a Different TV
If you have already tested replacing the power outlet, the HDMI cable, and the used HDMI port, but your player does not get past the bouncing logo, it could be your TV.
All you need to do is relocate the Roku along with all of its equipment and test it on another TV or even a monitor.
Here’s how to test Roku Ultra with a different TV:
- Disconnect the Roku player from your current TV setup.
- Now, disconnect the Roku power cord and HDMI cable.
- Plug it into a different TV using power and HDMI cables.
- Power on the Roku and check if it boots up successfully.
If the Roku Ultra manages to get past the bootup screen, the problem is likely with the HDMI ports of your original TV or even the display settings.
Tip: Test the Ultra player on a TV that supports HDCP, as Roku recommends it for streaming!
7. Factory Reset Your Roku Ultra
If the issue is software-related, then it almost certainly can be fixed with a factory reset.
This process permanently deletes all data on the Roku, including system preferences, downloaded files, and configurations, so be sure to back up before proceeding.
If you are confident about losing all data, here’s how to factory reset the Roku Ultra:
- Unplug the Roku Ultra from the electrical power source.
- Locate the dedicated Reset button on the back panel.
- Press the Reset button for about 10 seconds to reset.
- Wait until the Roku display goes blank and then release.
After a factory reset is complete, your Roku Ultra should boot up shortly.
If the device still does not get past the bouncing logo screen, we recommend testing the player under Recovery…
8. Boot the Roku Ultra Under “Recovery”
If you have performed a reset and all methods but your Roku Ultra is stuck on the bouncing logo, ZontSound recommends booting the player under the “Recovery” mode.
In this functionality state, the player will not have access to any of the data, but only a graphic settings interface.
Here’s how to use recovery mode on the Roku Ultra:
- Locate the Reset button on the back of the Roku.
- Press and hold the button for at least 20 seconds.
- Release once the Recovery Mode screen shows.
- Use the remote to choose your desired language.
- Then, press the OK button on your Roku remote.
- Follow the steps to reconnect the Roku with Wi-Fi.
- Once connected, choose the Update now button.
- Your device will download and install the latest OS.
So, if you’ve gone through every method and your Roku Ultra is still stuck on the bouncing logo, there could be a hardware-related issue.
We advise you to check if your warranty is still intact and get in touch with the Roku customer support for further professional assistance.
Finn Wheatley, a Master’s graduate in Computer Science from UCL, London, honed his skills at small data science consultancies. There, he helped large corporations enhance their data capabilities by deploying cutting-edge machine learning analytics and resolving technical hurdles.