Does Roku Use Data When TV is Off? Answered

If you have noticed that your Roku still consumes a lot of internet bandwidth even when the TV is turned off, then you’ll want to know if Roku uses data when TV is off and also how to reduce data usage.

Roku will keep streaming even when the TV is off. This is because the Roku device is powered by a different power source. However, USB-powered Roku devices will stop streaming when the TV is off.

So Roku will still use data when your TV is off, and Roku is powered by a different power source since the streaming player is still active. But you can prevent this from happening in some ways. One of these ways is manually turning off the video stream using the Roku remote.

In the sections below, I have provided a more detailed explanation as to why your Roku uses data when the TV is off, and how to reduce data usage on Roku.

Why Does Roku Use Data When TV is Off?

You might be thinking your Roku will stop streaming once you turn off your TV since your TV is no longer active.

But the truth is that if you turn off your TV before turning off the content you were streaming, your Roku device will continue streaming the content in the background.

This is possible because Roku has a different power source from your TV and can’t know when your TV is turned off or on.

So the simplest way to stop your Roku from streaming and consuming data when the TV is off is to pause the service you were streaming or turn it off before turning off the TV.

You can use the Roku remote to navigate through your settings menu and power off the device, but this depends on the current model you use.

How to Turn Off Roku Devices

Roku streaming players do not feature is a visible power button that can be used to turn them off. This is because Roku players are low-powered devices that are designed to remain on and always connected to the internet.

Although there is no power button on your Roku device, there is a workaround to put the device in inactive mode. Here’s how to achieve this on different Roku players.

Roku premiere 4K

1. First, click go to the Home menu using your Roku remote.
2. Next, click Settings, and then System.
3. Select Power, and then choose Auto power off.

Roku Ultra

1. First, press the Home button on your Roku remote.
2. Navigate to the Settings menu, and then System.
3. Select Power, and then select Auto power off.

The auto power off option allows your Roku streaming box to enter an inactive mode after being idle for 20 minutes. This means it’ll remain inactive when it is not streaming content or being controlled by a remote or mobile app.

Roku 4

You can turn off the Roku 4 by going to Settings > System > Power, then choosing power off from the three options:

Auto power off: This option will put the device in an inactive state after it stays idle for 20 minutes.

System reset: this option will reboot the system.

Power off: this option will shut the system off completely.

Roku 3 And Older Versions

The Roku 3 and older versions like Roku 2XS, Roku SE, and Roku stick, do not have a power button.

Although these models of Roku also go inactive after staying idle for 20 minutes, the workaround to turn them off is to unplug the device from the power outlet.

The best way to make sure a device in your home is completely powered off is to use a Smart Power Strip.

Smart power strips can assess your power usage and automatically disable things that are not needed at the moment. For example, when you turn off your TV, a smart power strip will switch off power to any device connected to your TV screen.

To be on the safe side, in the next section, I’ll be sharing best practices to reduce data usage on Roku without affecting stream quality.

How to Reduce Data Usage on Roku

1. Enable Bandwidth Saver Mode on Roku

Even if your Roku is still streaming in the background, the bandwidth saver mode is the best option for reducing data usage.

The Bandwidth Saver mode simply works by sending out a message prompt to shut down the Roku after every 4 hours of inactivity.

This means you’ll get a prompt with the “Keep Watching” option after 4 hours of being inactive, and if you do not respond to the prompt, the Roku will automatically shut down.

This is a great way to save data and also shut down your Roku when it has been idle for a while. Follow the steps below to enable “bandwidth saver mode” on your Roku.

1. First, open the Home menu on your Roku.
2. Next, click on the Settings option.
3. Now, select the Network option, and then proceed to the Bandwidth Saver option and turn it on.

That’s all.

2. Change the Playback Bitrate

If you’re running on a budget, then the playback bitrate settings can help reduce data usage by forcing the stream to adjust the quality to a lower option.

If you have updated your bitrate and bandwidth saver settings, then you can rest assured that your data usage will be reduced whenever the TV is turned off and your Roku is idle.

Follow the steps below to change your bitrate settings.

1. First, open the Home screen of the Roku.
2. Next, you’ll need to press some buttons on the Roku Remote. On your remote, press the Home button 5 times, the Rewind button 3 times, Fast forward button 2 times.
3. This will open the Bit Rate Override screen. Once you’re on the screen, tap on “Manual Selection” to select your desired bit rate.

That’s all. The bit rate on your Roku also impacts data consumption while streaming. This means that as the bit rate improves, so will the quality and data consumption.

Video Guide

Final Thoughts

At this point, I have answered the question, “Does Roku Use Data When TV is Off?” with helpful guides and best practices to reduce data usage on Roku.

If this article was helpful, let us know in the comment section below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Roku turn off when TV turns off?

Yes, USB-powered Roku streaming players can turn off when your TV turns off. This means they’ll automatically power off when you turn off the television and boot up again when you turn on the television.

Some of the USB-powered Roku streaming players are Roku Express, Roku Express 4K, Roku Express 4K+, Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Roku Streaming Stick 4K+, and Roku Streaming Stick+ Headphone Edition.

Does Roku use a lot of data?

Yes, Roku devices can use a lot of data if you’re streaming content, especially if you’re watching 4K content. The amount of data used will depend on several factors, such as the type of content being streamed, the video resolution, and the length of time you are streaming.

For example, streaming a two-hour movie in HD resolution can use up to 3.2GB of data, while streaming a two-hour show in SD resolution will use up to 1.3GB of data.

How long does it take for Roku to turn off automatically?

Roku will automatically turn off after 20 minutes of being idle if the auto power off (auto power saving) feature is enabled and it is not streaming content or being controlled by a remote or mobile app.

Louis Ojibe

Hey! I’m Louis, a Java Developer and Mobile App Developer who has an interest in smart home automation.