If you’re facing difficulties with Hulu on your Roku, there could be several common reasons for the problem. The primary issues include an outdated version of the Hulu app or encountering internet connectivity issues. Apart from this, users may even come across compatibility problems between Roku and Hulu, running outdated system software on your Roku, facing cache or data corruption within the Hulu app, or encountering installation errors or glitches. By identifying and resolving these potential issues, you can fix the problem and can get rid of Hulu Not Working on Roku. Once you recover from the issue, you can enjoy uninterrupted streaming of Hulu on your Roku device.
Try the below-mentioned solutions one after another. If a solution fails to fix the issue, move on to the next one.
Check Internet Speed
Hulu requires a stable internet/WiFi connection for an uninterrupted streaming experience. When you find Hulu not working or loading, you must check for the internet speed.
- To check internet speed on Roku: Press the Home button on the remote → Select Settings → Choose Network → Select About.
- Check for the Internet Speed and Signal Strength. If they are low, you may find streaming issues.
So, ensure to use WiFi or internet with high speed on Roku to fix the Hulu not working issue.
You can even disable and enable the WiFi connection and check if the internet speed gets better.
Restart WiFi Router
When the internet connection speed drops, there may be an issue with the WiFi router, and it may be the cause of Hulu not working on Roku properly. In such a case, Roku users shall restart or power cycle their WiFi router.
- To restart the router: Unplug the ethernet cable from the modem and plug it back in after 2-3 minutes.
Check if Hulu is working on Roku TV without buffering or loading issues.
Use a Different WiFi
Try connecting your Roku TV to a different WiFi and check if you can use Hulu without any issues. If the issue persists, the problem is with the device and not with the WiFi connection or router. So, you shall try out the fixes related to the device and check if the Hulu Not Working is resolved.
Restart Hulu
Restarting the app will reboot the Hulu app for a fresh start. It will resolve the temporary bugs and glitches in the app.
To restart Hulu: Press the Home button on the remote → move to the Hulu app among available channels → Press the * button → Select Close → Choose the Hulu app to open again.
It will also force close the app whenever you cannot access any options in the app.
Hulu Server Down
The server down is a common issue among streaming apps. There is no best fix available for the server-down issue unless it is solved by the creators. You can probably check whether the site is stable or not. Downdetector is an effective site for finding the working status of any site. You can visit the Downdetector Website to verify the server-down issue of Hulu.
If there is any server issue, you have to wait for some time to resolve the condition.
Unblock Geo-Restriction
Hulu streaming is restricted to certain countries. You can use the VPN to bypass the geo-restriction of Hulu. It is advisable to go for Premium VPN such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN for stable connectivity.
Suppose you are using VPN in a streamable country and switching to some other location. Then, you have to turn off the VPN to access the Hulu content.
Relogin to Hulu on Roku
When the issue is with the Hulu user account, log out of your account on Roku. Re-login and check if you can watch Hulu on Roku TV Stick. If the issue doesn’t resolve, you may need to check other fixes to resolve Hulu not working.
Subscription Expired
The Hulu app may not work on your Roku device due to an expired subscription. So, check if the Hulu subscription is active. If it isn’t active, you should renew to the premium plan of Hulu and check if you can access Hulu on Roku.
Update Hulu App
The outdated firmware could be the reason for Hulu not working on Roku TV. It is necessary to update the apps on Roku at regular intervals.
- To Update Hulu: Go to Channels on Roku → Select Hulu → Press * button on Roku remote → Choose Check for Updates → Update the app if the update is available.
Uninstall and Reinstall Hulu
Installation error could be the reason for the app not working or loading. It is better to remove the app on your Roku device and install the app again from the Roku Channel Store.
- To Uninstall Hulu: Select Hulu on the Home screen → Press the * button on Roku remote → Select Remove Channel to uninstall.
- To Reinstall Hulu: Go to Roku Channel Store → Search for Hulu → Select Add Channel to reinstall.
Check Simultaneous Streaming Limit
Simultaneous stream limit might be the cause for not being able to access or log in to Hulu. You have to understand that there are only 3 allowed simultaneous streaming for the Hulu app.
In case you have reached the simultaneous streaming limit, then log out from any one of the devices. Now, log in to the app on your Roku device.
Device Compatibility
The Hulu service is only compatible with certain Roku models. Visit this support page to find the compatibility. You can’t download the Hulu app if you have an incompatible model. You can find the model number of Roku on the back side of the device. If not, you can find it on the device by navigating to Home → Settings → System → About.
If your device is incompatible, replace it with the compatible one and easily access the Hulu app. If it is compatible, move to the next solution.
Clear Cache on Roku
When the cache files of Hulu become corrupted, the application may not work properly on Roku. In that situation, you need to clear them from your device. Unfortunately, you can’t clear the cache on Roku for a specific app. So, you need to clear them for the entire device.
To clear the cache files on Roku,
- Head to the Home menu on your Roku by tapping the Home button on the remote.
- Press the following keys on your remote in order.
- Home button – 5 times
- Up button – Once
- Rewin button – 2 times
- Fast forward – 2 times
- Wait for Roku to restart. Then relaunch the app to check whether the issue is fixed.
Try the next solution if the issue is unresolved after clearing the cache file.
Restart Roku
Restarting the Roku device is one of the simple solutions to fix the temporary issues associated with Hulu and other apps installed on the device. To restart the device,
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Choose Settings and select the System menu.
- Now, select System Restart on the right-hand side.
- Click on Restart.
If you had any issues with accessing the settings menu, force restart Roku by unplugging the power cable from the source and then connecting it back after a few minutes.
Update Roku
Using outdated firmware on your Roku device is another reason behind Hulu not working properly. So checking the device for regular updates is essential to use the installed apps without any issues. Updating the Roku device also updates the app installed on the device.
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Go to Settings → System.
- Select System Update and tap on Check Now.
- Choose Update Now and wait for the device to install the latest firmware.
After updating the firmware, launch the Hulu app and check whether it works properly. If it fails to work again, try resetting the firmware on Roku.
Reset Roku Firmware
Resetting the Roku device is the final solution to fix the Hulu app not working issue. Please note that the firmware reset will remove the installed apps and data from the device.
- On the home screen of Roku, tap on the Settings menu.
- Go to System → Advanced system settings → Factory reset.
- Confirm the reset and wait for the process to complete.
After resetting, set up your Roku device from scratch and install the Hulu app again to use it without any issues.
Customer Support
When none of the above-discussed workarounds helps in fixing up the Hulu not working on Roku, you shall reach out the customer support for help. You can contact them via live chat and ask for assistance. They will help resolve the issue with technical assistance.
Try the Alternatives
If you find no solution to resolve Hulu not working on Roku TV, you shall look for better alternatives for an endless streaming experience.
| Streaming Service | Pricing Per Month | Free Trial | Installation Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| FuboTV | Starts at $74.99 | 7 Days | fuboTV on Roku |
| Paramount Plus | Starts at $4.99 | 7 Days | Paramount Plus on Roku |
| Pluto TV | Free | – | Pluto TV on Roku |
Hulu Error Codes
Apologies for the previous errors. Here’s the updated table with corrected grammar:
| Error Code | Description | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| rununck13 | Buffering and Playback Issue | – Reinstall the Hulu app. |
| Error 5003 | Playback Issue (Roku) | – Delete and reinstall the Hulu app on Roku. – Restart the Roku device and router. |
| Error 3, 5 | Internet connection issue | – Restart the Roku device. – Unplug the modem and router for one minute. – Reinstall the Hulu app on Roku. – Update the Roku device. |
| Error 016 | Invalid region issue | – Ensure that you are in the US. – Turn off VPN or proxy if in the US. |
| Error 400 | Account issue | – Check the internet connection. – Reinstall the Hulu app on Roku. – Remove the Roku device from the Hulu account and add it back in through hulu.com > Account > Manage Devices. |
