After every long tiring day at work, I love catching up on old episodes of The Simpsons on Disney Plus.
The show has been my stress buster for a long time now and I can’t get enough of this hilarious animated sitcom.
Last evening, after one such stressful day, I turned on my Roku device and tapped on the Disney Plus app icon.
I waited for the app to load but it returned to the home screen suddenly.
Even reopening the app several times didn’t help with the issue.
I was so annoyed but didn’t want to give up on trying to get back to Homer and his antics.
The next moment, I had over ten tabs open on my browser with several community forums and solution articles.
After about two hours of research, I learned that a lot of folks had to factory reset their device to solve the Disney Plus app crash on Roku.
However, I found the easiest solution that does not require a complete factory reset.
Here’s how I got the Disney Plus app running perfectly on my Roku in no time:
If Disney Plus is not working on Roku, system restart your Roku device. Press the Home button on the Roku Remote. Go to Settings and select System. Click on System Restart.
System Restart Your Roku Device
Performing a reset on your Roku device closes all applications, background processes, and clears cache files.
This can help solve issues with the Disney+ app such as app freezing, app crashing, or slow streaming.
There are two ways to restart your Roku device– Via the settings menu and using a remote combination.
To system restart your Roku device via Settings:
- Press the Home button on your Roku Remote
- Go to Settings and select System
- Navigate to Power (if the Power submenu is not available, skip to the next step)
- Finally, click on System Restart
Follow this remote combination to system restart your Roku:
- Press the Home button on your Roku Remote to go to the Home Screen
- Now, follow a combination of keys on your remote (press all buttons one by one without a pause)
- Press Home 5 times, Up button 1 time, Rewind 2 times, and Fast Forward 2 times
- Once done, your Roku device should reboot automatically
- Wait for it to turn back on and try using the Disney Plus app again
Power Cycle the Roku Device and TV
The easiest way to rid your Roku device or TV of minor bugs or technical glitches is power cycling them.
(In case you own a Roku TV instead of the device, you’ll just need to power cycle it.)
Follow these steps to power cycle your Roku device and TV:
- Unplug both the Roku device and TV from the power socket
- Wait for at least 60 seconds to pass
- Meanwhile, press and hold the power button on your TV for 30 seconds (if your TV doesn’t have a power button, you can skip this step)
- Plug the TV and Roku back in and turn them on
- The Disney Plus app should be working properly now
Power cycling is also an effective solution for Disney Plus not working on a Fire Stick.
Check if Your Roku Device is Compatible With Disney Plus
One major reason why Disney Plus may not work on Roku is device incompatibility.
Though the Disney Plus app supports all recent Roku devices and TVs, I’d recommend that you check the list of available devices to confirm it once.
Here’s the list of Roku devices that support Disney Plus:
- Roku LT (2700X)
- Roku 1,2,3,4
- Roku Express
- Roku Express+
- 4K Roku Premiere
- 4K Roku Premiere+
- 4K Roku Ultra
- 4K Roku Ultra LT
- Roku Streaming Stick
- 4K Roku Streaming Stick+
- Roku TV
- 4K Roku Smart Speaker
To verify if your Roku device is compatible with Disney Plus, check its device model number:
- Press the Home button on Roku Remote
- Navigate down to Settings and select System
- Finally, view the about section and verify if your device is listed above
In case your device model number isn’t mentioned above, unfortunately, your device doesn’t support Disney Plus, and you will not be able to use it.
Try upgrading your Roku device if you need to start streaming Disney Plus content on it.
You can also watch content on a TCL Roku TV via Chromecast.
Update Roku Software and Disney Plus Channel (If Available)
Software updates are specially released to fix any bugs or issues reported by Roku users.
If your Roku device or TV isn’t up to date, you may have trouble streaming Disney Plus content on it.
Follow these instructions to update your Roku OS:
- Press the Home Button on your Roku Remote
- Navigate down to Settings
- Press OK or Right Arrow button and go to System
- Now select System Updates and click OK
- Now select Check Now to let Roku check for updates
- If the update is available, download and install it
Consider checking if your Disney Plus app is up to date as well:
- Press the Home button on the Roku remote
- Once on the Roku Home screen, search for the Disney Plus Channel and select it
- Now press the Options (*) button on the Remote
- Click on Check for updates from the options menu
- Download and install the update if available
Reinstall the Disney Plus Channel on Roku
If the Disney Plus Channel keeps crashing or freezing every time you try streaming content, consider reinstalling it on your Roku.
Reinstalling removes complete app data including corrupt cache files that may prevent the smooth functioning of the app.
The process of reinstalling Disney Plus is divided into three parts– Removing Disney Plus, Restarting Roku, and Reinstalling Disney Plus Channel
Removing Disney Plus:
- Press the Home Button on Roku remote to go to the Roku Home Screen
- Press the Right arrow and search for the Disney Plus app icon
- Now press the Star (*) button on the Roku remote open channel options
- Choose Remove Channel from the options dialog box that appears
- Finally, click on Remove to confirm
Restarting Roku:
- Once the Disney Plus Channel is removed, go to Settings
- Now select System and click on System Restart
- Finally, click on Restart
Reinstalling Disney Plus Channel:
- Now go to Streaming Channels section and press OK
- Search for Disney Plus app icon from the list
- Click the OK button and select Add Channel
- Try using Disney Plus again and check if the issue is resolved
Check Your Internet Connection
An unstable or slow internet connection might be the reason why Disney Plus is not working on your Roku.
Roku recommends about 3.0 Mbps speed for SD streaming while up to 9.0 Mbps for HD streaming.
Ensure that you’re connected to a high-speed network (at least up to 3.0 Mbps) and that the internet is working properly.
Here’s how:
- Try using the internet on other devices such as smartphones or laptops to verify connection stability
- Use other apps that require high-speed internet such as YouTube or Netflix
- Run a speed test on Google or speedtest.net
Moreover, you can also perform an internal connection test on your Roku as well:
- Once on the Roku Home Screen, select Settings
- Now go to Network and click on the About section
- Make a note of the Signal Strength in the network connection details
- Ensure that it’s either Good or Excellent
- Find the Check connection option and click on it
- Once the check is complete verify if the two green check marks appear on the screen
In case these manual or internal checks reveal that your connection is slow, you’re most likely to experience slowness or buffering issues on Disney Plus while streaming.
A quick and easy fix for such internet issues is simply performing a soft reset on your WiFi router:
- Unplug your WiFi router from the power outlet
- Wait for about 30 seconds and then plug it back in
- Connect your Roku device to the router and try using Disney Plus again
However, if your internet connection is stable, move on to the next solution.
Check if Disney Plus Servers Are Down
Though not common, server unavailability can also lead to errors while streaming.
It’s always better to verify if the Disney Plus servers are down.
You can visit the official social media handles of Disney Plus such as Twitter to check if there is any update about server issues and when they may resume.
Additionally, websites such as Downdetector can help you with real-time updates and user reports about Disney Plus server issues.
If you find any information about server issues, all you can do is wait till they fix it before you can start streaming again.
Factory Reset Your Roku
If none of the above solutions have helped fix issues related to Disney Plus on your Roku, I’m afraid that it’s time to factory reset it.
I’d recommend a factory reset only as a last option if nothing has worked till now.
A factory reset would remove all installed applications, app data, and account information from Roku.
Follow the steps to factory reset your Roku:
- Press the Home button on your Roku remote
- Now navigate to Settings and go to System
- Select Advanced System Settings
- Finally, click on Factory Reset
- You may need to enter a code written on your screen to confirm the factory reset
As an alternative, you can also use the physical button located at the back or bottom of your Roku device to factory reset it.
The physical reset button is tactile or has a pinhole design that requires a straightened paperclip.
Follow this guide to factory reset your Roku via the reset button:
- Ensure that your Roku device is turned on
- Now use a straightened paperclip to press and hold the reset button for about 10 seconds
- Once the factory reset is complete, you may notice a rapidly blinking status LED on your Roku device
Connect with Roku or Disney Plus Support
Assuming no solution has worked for you, you may choose to visit Roku Support regarding your issue.
Try reading discussion threads on the official Roku Community forums to get help from other Roku users and experts.
You can also opt for agent support based on your problem once you sign into your Roku account.
Alternatively, for app-related issues, you can connect with the support team at Disney Plus Help Center via WhatsApp or by filling out a query form describing your issue.
Once you submit the form, the support team will get in touch with you by phone or email.
Dive into The World of Disney, Again
Disney Plus not working on Roku can be due to several reasons such as corrupt cache files, outdated app or software version, unstable internet, etc.
The most effective solution to fix black screen, app crashing or app freezing issues with Disney Plus is to system restart your Roku device.
This clears cache files on the device and also closes background apps.
If resetting the Roku device doesn’t help, try reinstalling the Disney Plus Channel and logging into your account again.
This helps fix certain in-app issues such as slow streaming, buffering, black screen with no sound issues, etc.
Ensure that both the Roku device and Disney Plus app are up to date to rule out any technical glitches or minor bugs caused due to an outdated app or software versions.
You can also try factory resetting your Roku to solve the Disney Plus app lagging, stuck at loading, or app freezing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Disney Plus suddenly not working on my Roku?
Disney Plus not working on Roku can be due to server issues, outdated app versions, slow or unstable internet, or corrupt cache files.
The best and most effective way to fix Disney Plus not working on Roku is to reset the device or power cycle both your TV and Roku.
Is Disney Plus Down Right Now?
You can check the official social media handles of Disney Plus to confirm if there’s any news regarding service outages on Twitter.
Additionally, a few third-party websites such as Downdetector and IsItDownRightNow provide real-time status regarding service issues or other streaming problems reported by OTT platform users such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, etc.
Why does Disney Plus keep crashing?
Crashing issues on Disney Plus app may be due to outdated app versions or build-up of corrupt cache files.
Try reinstalling the Disney Plus app on your device and using it again. Check for updates in case you’re using an outdated version.
Additionally, verify if your internet connection is working correctly in case the app may not be able to load due to slow internet.
How do I clear cache on my Roku TV?
Performing a reset on your Roku TV or device will clear cache files and close all background applications as well.
Here’s how to clear cache on your Roku TV:
- Press the Home button on your Roku Remote to go to the Home Screen
- Now, follow a combination of keys on your remote (press all buttons one by one without a pause)
- Press Home 5 times, Up button 1 time, Rewind 2 times, and Fast Forward 2 times
- Once done, your Roku device should reboot automatically
- The cache on your Roku TV/device has been cleared now
Is my Roku device compatible with Disney Plus?
Here’s a list of Roku devices that support Disney Plus:
- Roku LT (2700X)
- Roku 1, 2, 3, 4
- Roku Express, Express+
- 4K Roku Premiere, Premiere+
- 4K Roku Ultra, Ultra LT
- Roku Streaming Stick
- 4K Roku Streaming Stick+
- 4K Roku Smart Speaker
- Roku TV
To ensure your device is compatible with Roku, you must check your device model.
A simple way to do this is to go to your Roku Settings and then select System.
Finally, go to the About section and check if your device model is mentioned in the above list.
