Roku is one of the best streaming devices where you can get some of the more popular streaming apps, including Hulu. Yes, Hulu is a great choice for unlimited hours of movies and TV shows, but it comes with a few setbacks on Roku. Many users have complained about Hulu not working on Roku. The app and the device crash frequently, or even Hulu is stuck on a constant loading loop.
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These issues of Hulu on Roku not working have caused quite a stir of frustration when trying to set up or sign in, but it can be fixed. Also, note that before jumping into the fixes, the main cause of Hulu not working on Roku devices is if the device model is outdated or has old system updates.
Everything you’d need or want to know about the “Hulu not working on Roku” issue is highlighted in this guide.
Before getting to the tutorials, let’s get past some basic questions that will hopefully help you understand the situation a little more clearly.
Does Hulu usually have loading issues?
Yes, Hulu, among some streaming services, does come with loading or buffering issues. At times, users often blame the streaming device or console they use for Hulu or other apps like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Disney+, but that’s never always the case.
Hulu itself has many buffering issues, as seen through user reviews and personal testing. But again, it’s also because the Hulu app is outdated, your internet connection is unstable, or a corrupted web browser cache restricts access to Hulu.
Is Hulu available on Roku?
Yes, Hulu is easily available on the Roku channel. You can access over 75+ Live TV and On Demand channels from the store, other than what’s already available in the library section. To access these Hulu Originals, TV shows, kids specials, and other content on Roku, you must have:
- Roku TV
- Roku 3
- Roku 4
- Roku streaming sticks (3600 or higher)
- 4K Roku TV
- Roku Ultra
- Roku Express
- Roku Express+
- Roku Premiere
- Roku Premiere+
Why is Hulu not working on Roku?
There are many apps that often don’t work on Roku or other streaming devices, and in this case, Hulu often crashes on Roku or stops working because the app is out of date. It could also be that the version of the Hulu app you downloaded came with a corrupted file.
If you have a number of apps on Roku and all seem to work fine, but Hulu is not working on Roku, then the app needs some fixes. The simplest fix to get Hulu working on Roku is to either update the app, or uninstall and reinstall it.
Reinstall Hulu on Roku
This step is required when Hulu is not working on Roku, and other apps seem to be working fine. As mentioned above, the simplest fix would be to reinstall the Hulu app. Here’s how you can do it:
- On your Roku device, go to the Hulu app.
- Highlight it and click on the “ * ” button on your Roku remote.
- Click on “Remove Channel.”
- Turn off the Roku device for 1 minute.
- Then power it on again.
- Go to the Roku Channel Store, look for Hulu and click on “Add Channel.”
You’ve now reinstalled Hulu on Roku. If, however, you’ve reinstalled the app, and Hulu is still not working on Roku, try the 7 troubleshooting steps below.
Hulu not working on Roku – Fix the issue in 7 methods
These solutions have been tried and tested to get Hulu working on Roku again. We’ve mentioned reinstalling the Hulu app on Roku, but if that still doesn’t work, these 7 troubleshooting measures should fix the issue:
Check your internet connection
Before heading to the bigger fixes, you must first check if your internet is working fine. Sometimes we blame the device and the streaming app when it stops loading, whereas the issue lies in a poor internet connection. So, if Hulu is not loading on Roku, check to see if the internet is the issue. If yes, contact your service provider.
Use a supported Roku device for Hulu
I mentioned at the start that Hulu only works on some Roku devices that are updated or are the latest versions. If you’re using an outdated model and Hulu isn’t working on Roku, make sure you update to these models: Roku Express and Express+, Roku Premiere and Premiere+, 4K Roku TV, Roku 3 and Roku 4, Roku Streaming Stick (model 3500 or later), Roku TV, Roku 2 (model 4210), and Roku Ultra.
Playback issue? Troubleshoot it!
Hulu comes with playback issues that stop the videos from loading. If this is something you encounter on Roku, then troubleshoot it. To do that, you need to unplug your Roku device for a few minutes. Reconnect it and then go to its settings. Now, head to system settings and click on the power option. Select the system restart option and give it a few minutes or even seconds. Restart the Hulu app on Roku and it should work.
Check for a Roku or Hulu system update
We mentioned that Hulu stops working on Roku if either of its versions are not updated. If either is old, go to the app’s or the Roku device settings and check for required updates.
Reset Roku by clearing the cache
If Roku needs a simple reset, all you need to do is click on the Roku remote home button 5 times. Then click on the “Up” button and twice on the “Rewind” button. Now, press the “Fast forward” button twice and give it a few minutes. That’s it. Check to see if Hulu is working on Roku. If this still doesn’t work, go for a hard reset; the tutorial is below.
Hard reset Roku
If the lighter steps on the top don’t work, and Hulu does not work on Roku still, you need to give the hard reset a try. To do that:
- Open your Roku device and head to settings.
- Go to system > Advance settings.
- Click on “Factory reset”
- View the settings
- Click on “Yes” and give it a few minutes
- After the factory reset is done, relaunch the Hulu app on Roku and see if it works.
Seek help from the Hulu customer service
If Hulu is not working on Roku, and none of the steps above have helped, it’s time you sought for help. Contact the Hulu Customer support and mention your concerns. Once you report your issue, the staff will bring out solutions accordingly.
Use a VPN to Access Hulu on Roku
Hulu is one of the best streaming services, but it’s also only available in the US and Japan. It could also be the reason Hulu is not working on Roku. If this happens while you’re outside the US, it means your blocked by geo-restrictions. The best solution around this is using the best Hulu VPN.
A VPN for Hulu allows you to trick a Hulu live location, meaning the service will assume you’re from the US since your IP address has changed. You should then easily be able to access the Roku store and get the app.
Right now, Surfshark is the number one best Hulu VPN. With it, you’d be able to watch Hulu on devices other than Roku, like Samsung Smart TV, Chromecast, Apple TV, and others. The Surfshark speeds are the fastest, the security high-end, and the device support is vast. Plus, it offers more than 3200 servers, with 500 in the US and others in 94 countries, with the inclusion of Hulu optimized servers. It’s why Surfshark works with Hulu and is labeled as the best.
How to use Surfshark to watch Hulu on Roku
Note that you can not install any VPN directly on Roku. You need to set up a VPN connection on a supported router and extend it to your Roku device. Here’s how:
- Subscribe to Surfshark and create your account.
- Set up Surfshark on your router and configure it, connecting to a US server.
- Launch your Roku and connect to the VPN WiFi router.
- Go to the Roku Store and get the Hulu app.
You can now enjoy Hulu on Roku with extra protection from Surfshark. If, however, you’d like other options, we recommend NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
FAQs – Hulu not working on Roku
Why is Hulu on Roku not working?
Hulu is not working on Roku due to a number of reasons. In most cases, Hulu on Roku stops working because of outdated versions of both the streaming appp and device. You might even encounter playback issues, but it can easily be fixed.
Why is Hulu not loading?
Hulu is a great streaming service but it comes with some setbacks that can be addressed. You can clear the app’s cache or reinstall the app to get it working again. Once you reinstall the Hulu app, restart your streaming device and try accessing the Hulu app again. Check to see if the content is loading.
How to update Hulu app on Roku?
To make sure Hulu works well on Roku, you need to update it. It’s pretty easy to do. To get started you need to go to the Hulu support site and look for system updates. If there’s any, you can get started on it. If you’re planning on updating Hulu manually on Roku, you can highlight the app on your Roku device, click the ( * ) button on your Roku remote, and then click on the “Check for updates” tab.
Why is Hulu suddenly not working?
Hulu often stops working and even though there are a couple of reasons, the two reasons that are often noted are because the internet connection is bad, or the Hulu app itself needs fixing. By fixing, you can either run updates on your own. But, if that doesn’t work, the Hulu service itself needs to undergo a change.
Why is Hulu sound not working on Roku TV?
Sometimes you just need to check your audio settings. To do that, go to the device you’re using for Hulu and see if the settings are set to Normal, or Stereo.
Conclusion – Hulu Not Working on Roku
And that’s a wrap! We have discussed various solutions to address the issue of Hulu not working on Roku. Throughout this guide, we have provided nine possible fixes, which include using a VPN like Surfshark and reinstalling the Hulu app on Roku. By implementing these steps, you should be able to restore Hulu functionality on your Roku device. Therefore, If you continue to experience difficulties, it is advisable to contact Hulu support and share your concerns with them. Lastly, Feel free to leave any additional suggestions or questions in the comments section below.
