What to do if your Roku Smart Home Camera or Video Doorbell will not power on

Step 1: Make sure your device is actually getting power

Start with the basics. If your device isn’t showing lights or activity, it might not be getting power.

• Unplug your device for about ten seconds, then plug it back in. Many devices will restart and reconnect automatically after this quick reset.
• Press the reset button. It is located in different places depending on your device.
• Try a different outlet that you know works. If another device powers on, you know the outlet is fine.
• Skip the power strip and plug your camera or doorbell directly into the wall.
• If it’s plugged into a GFCI outlet (the type with TEST/RESET buttons), press the RESET button.
• Check your breaker box. Sometimes a tripped switch cuts power to a whole area.
• If you use a solar panel, make sure it’s connected firmly and getting direct sunlight. Learn more about setting up your Roku Solar Panel.

Step 2: Inspect cables and connections

Loose or incorrect wiring is one of the most common reasons a camera or doorbell won’t power up.

• Make sure you’re using the original power adapter that came with your Roku device. Third-party adapters might not deliver the right power level.
• If your doorbell is wired into your home’s electrical system, check that each wire is firmly attached to the screw terminals. Tug gently; they shouldn’t move.
• For the Roku Floodlight Camera SE, double-check that all wire nuts are secure and the ground wire is connected properly. Review the setup guide for video instructions.
• If you’re not comfortable checking wiring or breaker connections, call a licensed electrician for help.

Step 3: Restart the device

Sometimes your device just needs a reset to clear a power or connection hiccup.

• Plug-in model: Unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in.
• Battery model: Remove the batteries, wait 10 seconds, then reinsert them.
• Wired model: Turn the breaker controlling that circuit off for 10 seconds, then back on.

Wait a minute or two for the device to reboot and reconnect to Wi-Fi. Learn what to do if you can't connect.

Step 4: Check if the app can see your device

If your camera seems to have power but you can’t control it in the Roku Smart Home app, the issue may be with the app or Wi-Fi connection.

• Update the Roku Smart Home app to the latest version in your device’s app store.
  • Search "Roku Smart Home mobile app" in either the Google Play or the iPhone App Store and click Update
• Close the app completely, then reopen it.
• If your camera or doorbell still doesn’t respond, open another website on your phone or computer (like roku.com) to confirm your internet is working.
• If you recently changed your Wi-Fi name or password, update your device’s network info in the app.
• You can also check for firmware updates in the Roku Smart Home app under Account > Firmwareupdate. If your device shows as “Status Unknown,” it’s probably offline and just needs to reconnect to Wi-Fi.
• Learn what to do if you can't connect.

Step 5: If your device turns off and on by itself

Unexpected restarts can usually be traced back to an automation or a network issue.

• Open the Roku Smart Home app select your device and tap Settings > Rules. You might find a schedule or trigger that powers the device on or off at certain times, or a motion trigger that causes it to turn off.
• If you’re using Vacation Mode, try turning it off temporarily. It can randomly toggle lights and plugs to make your home look occupied.
• If none of these explain it, think about where the device is located. Cameras placed far from the Wi-Fi router can drop their connection and appear to reboot. Try moving your router or testing the camera closer to it. If all your devices are rebooting, unstable power or Internet service may be the cause.

Step 6: After a power outage

When power returns after an outage, some Roku devices have a setting called Power Loss Recovery.

To check:

• Open the Roku Smart Home app.
• Select your device then navigate to Settings > Power loss recovery.
• Choose whether you want your device to:
  • Turn on automatically after power returns, or
  • Stay in its last state (if it was off before, it stays off)

If your device doesn’t turn back on and you don’t see this setting, unplug it for 10 seconds and plug it back in to restart it manually.

Step 7: When nothing else works

If you’ve tried all the steps above and your device still won’t power on or stay on:

• Perform a factory reset. This clears your settings and lets you start fresh.
  • Open the Smart Home app, Home > Your device > Settings > Delete device
  • Then set up your device again. Learn how to set up your specific camera model.

If your device still doesn’t respond and it’s under warranty, reach out to Roku Customer Support. They can help you check your warranty or send a replacement if needed.