How to Fix TCL Roku TV Error 003? (Easy Solutions!)

The TCL Roku TV error 003 only appears when a software update fails to download or install. 

The error is accompanied by the message “Can’t update software. Please try again later.” and the main reason for it is an unstable/fluctuating internet connection.

In this quick guide, we will carry you through the most effective and chronological list of fixes against Roku error 003.

Here’s a quick list of everything that we’ll be attempting:

How to Fix TCL Roku TV Error 003? – 6 Working Solutions

Note: Have you tried restarting your TCL Roku TV and retrying to update the system firmware?

1. Verify Your Internet Connectivity

Whenever you encounter error 003 on TCL Roku TV, the first step is to ensure that the TV is online and connected to an accessible network.

The simplest way to check whether your broadband and Wi-Fi are accessible is by taking your smartphone and connecting to the Wi-Fi.

• If you can access the web, the broadband and Wi-Fi are online.
• If you cannot access the web your Wi-Fi or broadband is offline.

If you’re unsure whether your Wi-Fi or broadband is the culprit, follow the instructions below:

1.1 Inspect your Broadband

The broadband is the actual internet supply from your ISP. The easiest way to check whether it works or not is by using a PC connected via Ethernet cable to the router.

If you have no internet when connected directly to the router via wire, then it’s highly likely that the broadband is down.

Tip: If your broadband is down, contact your internet supplier!

1.2 Check Wireless Network

If your internet supply (broadband) is online, but your Wi-Fi is not accessible or offline, you may need to restart your router via unplugging.

So, press the Power button on the router to power it off and then unplug the power cable from the outlet for 〜60 seconds to perform a power cycle.

Note: When you turn the router back on, wait 2–3 minutes for the Wi-Fi to become online!

2. Ensure TCL Roku TV is Connected

If you still can’t update the firmware and encounter TCL Roku TV error code 003, perhaps your TV is not connected to the router.

So, based on whether your TCL Roku TV is connected to the router via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, you must undergo a specific set of instructions for troubleshooting.

Note: All TCL Roku TVs support Wi-Fi, but only the TCL Roku 4K TVs have an Ethernet port.

2.1 Check the TCL Roku TV Wi-Fi

Your TCL Roku TV might be disconnected from the Wi-Fi, so follow these steps to reconnect:

1. On your TCL Roku TV go to “Settings.”
2. Then, navigate to the “Network” section.
3. Choose “Wireless (Wi-Fi)” from the tab.
4. Select “Set up new Wi-Fi connection.”
5. Choose the Wi-Fi of your network router.
6. Insert the password and connect the TV.

2.2 Check TCL Roku TV Ethernet

If you have the TCL Roku TV 4K and you’re using an Ethernet connection, you must reconnect the cable on both sides.

First, disconnect the Ethernet cable from your TCL Roku TV and then from the back of the router (LAN port). Wait for 〜60 seconds and reconnect the Ethernet wire.

Tip: If your TCL Roku TV is connected but offline, go to Settings → Network → Wired → Set up new wired connection.

3. Switch from 5 GHz to the 2.4 GHz

One of the main reasons for a failed firmware update and error 003 on TCL Roku TV is internet fluctuations during the upgrade.

So, if you’re using Wi-Fi and you have a dual-band Wi-Fi router, the next step would be to switch from the faster 5 GHz Wi-Fi to the slower 2.4 GHz frequency.

Why? Well, because even though the 5 GHz Wi-Fi is faster, this frequency is unstable, especially regarding distance and interference.

In turn, the slower 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi frequency is robust and it can travel further than the 5 GHz, guaranteeing the internet won’t fluctuate during the update.

Note: Skip this step if you’re using a TCL Roku 4K TV with an Ethernet cable connection!

4. Close the Wireless (Wi-Fi) Distance

If you are using Wi-Fi, regardless of the band’s frequency, the wireless connection is prone to interference and can prevent your TCL Roku TV from updating.

So, if possible, we recommend shortening the distance between your wireless router and TCL Roku TV to retry the update.

If you’re unable to relocate your TCL Roku TV or router, there is another quick thing to attempt!

Try Updating TCL Roku TV via Hotspot

If your Wi-Fi is unreliable and you are receiving error 003 when attempting to update your TCL Roku TV, you can try sharing mobile internet.

Whether you have an Android or iOS smartphone, you share a hotspot (portable Wi-Fi), connect the TCL Roku TV to it, and re-attempt the update.

How to Share Hotspot on Android?

1. On your Android go to “Settings.”
2. Head to the “Network & internet.”
3. Then, select “Hotspot & tethering.”

How to Share a Hotspot on iPhone?

1. On your iPhone go to the “Settings.”
2. Then, press on “Personal Hotspot.”
3. Tap the toggle “Allow Others to Join.”

Reminder: When your mobile phone is sharing a hotspot, on your TCL Roku TV go to Settings → Network → Wireless (Wi-Fi) → Set up new wired connection.

5. Update Your TCL Roku TV Offline

Well, if nothing helps and you keep getting the TCL Roku TV 003 error, you can update the firmware without using the internet at all.

However, you will still need a computer with an active internet connection/access as well as a USB flash drive, with at least 3 GB of available storage.

If you have all that’s needed, follow the instructions below:

5.1 Downloading the TCL Roku Firmware

1. From a computer (not a phone), visit this link.
2. From the menu, select the model of your TV.
3. Then, you must insert the TV model number.
4. Select Download Software to get the update.
5. You must have the update.roku downloaded.

Tip: To discover the model number, on your Roku TV go to Settings → System → Software update → I can’t connect.

5.2 Formatting the Drive & Uploading File

Before uploading the update.roku file onto the USB flash drive, you must format it first.

So, plug the USB flash drive into an available port on your PC and open any folder (File Explorer).

Then, from the left pane, click on This PC and right-click the USB flash drive that you have connected.

From the options that occur, select Format, and based on the USB flash drive storage capacity, select FAT32 (more than 2GB) or FAT16 (less than 2 GB).

Then, click Format, confirm and wait. When the flash drive is formatted, upload the update.roku update file to the USB drive storage.

Important: The update.roku, must be the ONLY file on the USB flash drive!

5.3 Updating TCL Roku TV via Flash Drive

When the USB flash drive is ready, connect it to the USB port of your TCL Roku TV and head to Settings → System → System update → I can’t connect.

Your TCL Roku TV will read the update file from the flash drive, bypassing the networking entirely, and updating the firmware.

Note: If you see an error “invalid contents”, you did something wrong, so start the steps over!

6. Factory Reset your TCL Roku TV

If you have tried everything but nothing works and you’re constantly getting the TCL Roku TV error 003, it’s time for a factory reset.

We only recommend this solution as a last resort, since all of your data and settings will be permanently erased from the TCL Roku TV.

Here’s how to factory reset TCL Roku TV in easy steps:

1. First, navigate to “Settings” → “System.”
2. Then go to “Advanced System Settings.”
3. Finally, select “Factory Reset” and confirm.

That’s it. Your TCL Roku TV will now factory reset and when the process is over, hopefully, you will connect to the internet and update the TV without error 003.

If not, perhaps the firmware that you are attempting to install is faulty and Roku will soon release a hotfix allowing you to update.