Have you ever tried watching a movie on Tubi TV, only to be frustrated by endless buffering, error messages or a blank screen? Don’t worry – you’re not alone. As a free streaming service, Tubi is susceptible to more technical issues compared to premium platforms.
But that doesn’t mean you should give up. With over 20,000 movies and TV shows to access, it’s worth putting in some troubleshooting time to get Tubi working again on your Roku device.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the top 11 reasons why Tubi TV may not be working on your Roku and provide fixes to get you back watching your favorite shows in no time.
Overview of Main Reasons Tubi Not Working on Roku
From my experience helping thousands of readers troubleshoot streaming issues, these are the most common culprits behind Tubi failure on Roku:
- Poor internet connection
- Outdated Tubi app
- Too many channels installed
- Incompatible Roku model
- Outdated Roku firmware
- DNS server conflicts
- Faulty HDMI cable
- Roku performance lagging
- Tubi server outages
- Account login errors
- Restrictive parental controls
The good news is that most Tubi problems can be easily resolved with some basic troubleshooting once you identify the source of the issue.
I’ll now explain each reason in more depth, along with the best solutions to try on your end. Follow the tips step-by-step until Tubi starts working properly again.
If Tubi fails to load on your Roku, don’t immediately assume the issue is with your streaming box. Learn what to try if Tubi won’t open on smart TVs either.
1. Check Your Internet Speed
The number one reason Tubi buffers endlessly or won’t load content at all is an unreliable internet connection.
Tubi requires a minimum internet speed of 5 Mbps for smooth SD streaming and 25 Mbps for HD content without constant interruptions.
Anything below this threshold can cause freezing, long load times or playback failures – especially if someone else in your household is also connecting devices to the WiFi at the same time.
To test if poor connectivity is behind your Tubi troubles on Roku, run an internet speed test at SpeedTest.net or the Measurement Lab site directly on your streaming device.
If speeds fall below 5 Mbps, contact your internet service provider about upgrading to faster fiber or cable at least 25 Mbps to support smooth streaming.
Also try connecting your Roku directly to the router via ethernet cable which provides more stable speeds than using WiFi.
2. Update or Reinstall Tubi App
Another easy fix – make sure you’re running the latest version of the Tubi channel.
The developers often release updates to squash playback bugs, boost performance and improve stability. But the app won’t automatically update itself.
On your Roku home screen select Settings > System > System update to download the newest firmware and channel updates.
Alternatively, you can manually check for Tubi updates by going to Settings > System > System update.
If that doesn’t work, uninstall and reinstall a fresh copy of the Tubi channel from the Roku Channel Store. This clears out any corrupt cached data that could be causing crashes or buffering issues.
3. Remove Unused Channels
Did you know keeping too many unused channels installed can slow down your Roku and lead to playback failures?
This is because the more bloatware you have, the more system resources get consumed, resulting in sluggish performance and apps crashing unexpectedly when memory runs low.
I recommend removing any channels you haven’t opened in the past 3 months. The fewer services running in the background, the better speeds your Roku can allocate to streaming video without lag or glitches.
Navigate to Settings > Apps > Manage installed applications and delete channels you no longer need. After decluttering, restart your Roku and check if Tubi starts running more smoothly.
4. Ensure Your Roku Model Supports Tubi
Before we go any further, let’s check for basic compatibility issues. Believe it or not, Tubi actually doesn’t support every Roku model ever made.
As of January 2023, Tubi works on:
- Roku Express/Express+
- Roku Streaming Stick/Stick+
- Roku 1 to 4
- Roku Premiere/Premiere+
- Roku Ultra
- Roku TV models
So if you’re rocking an ancient Roku HD or Roku SD, you won’t be able to install Tubi.
Time to upgrade your device. The good news is you can snag a latest generation Roku Express for under $30 these days.
Besides Roku devices, Tubi comes pre-installed on many smart TVs from top brands like LG. Check out their dedicated channel store listing for the Tubi app.
5. Update Roku Firmware
Here’s another quick fix to try – updating your system software.
Roku periodically rolls out firmware updates with bug fixes, security patches and improved stability across all channels including Tubi.
But it doesn’t force install updates automatically without your permission. So it’s easy to miss critical patches if you don’t manually check from time to time.
Go to Settings > System > System update and click “Check now” to download the newest firmware version containing enhancements for Tubi and other streaming apps.
6. Change DNS Server
This may sound complicated but I promise it’s not. Roku devices use something called a DNS server to translate website names into IP addresses.
It’s essentially the internet traffic controller that tells your Roku which route to take to fetch data from Tubi’s content servers.
Sometimes the default DNS gets overloaded or routes data inefficiently, resulting in slow buffering and playback failures across multiple apps including Tubi.
Luckily, you can easily override the default by assigning a faster public DNS server that optimizes traffic routing and speeds:
- On your Roku, go to Settings > Network > Set up new connection
- Select custom
- Change the DNS server to:
- 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS)
- 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare DNS)
Many readers have reported significant improvements in streaming stability across channels including Tubi after switching to Google or Cloudflare public DNS. Well worth a try!
7.Inspect HDMI Ports and Cables
Here’s an easy hardware fix to consider. If the HDMI cable connecting your Roku to the TV is loose, old or faulty, it can disrupt video signal transfer between the devices.
This manifests as seemingly random lag, static images or screen cutouts that come and go unpredictably. But the root cause is simply bad physical connectivity rather than software issues within Tubi itself.
Start by removing any dust buildup from the HDMI ports on both TV and Roku using compressed air.
Next, unplug the HDMI cable from both ends and examine it closely for any tears, cracks or bent connectors. If it looks damaged, invest $10-15 in a brand new Premium High Speed HDMI Cable.
While you’re there, take a peek at the HDMI sockets themselves and confirm no pins are broken or askew. If ports appear damaged, you may need to request a replacement Roku or TV from the manufacturer.
8. Restart Your Roku
Like any gadget, Roku boxes start to stutter and act up when left powered on 24/7. Background processes get gummed up over time and eat into resources needed for smooth video playback.
Try restarting your Roku using one of these methods:
- Unplug power cable for 10 seconds
- Go to Settings > System > Power > System restart
Allow about 30 seconds for full reboot. Then load Tubi again to see if channel behavior improves.
Force restarting flushes out bad cache data and memory leaks to reclaim peak performance across all channels. Make this a habit every few days.
9. Check Tubi Server Status Page
Once in a while, buffering and error messages across all user devices point to wider outages on Tubi’s backend servers.
When their content delivery network or databases fail, none of the client-side troubleshooting steps will get videos playing again. You’ll have to patiently wait for their engineers to fix things on their end.
Before getting too frustrated, visit Tubi’s system status page at https://status.tubi.tv/ to check for any reported issues.
If you see a red notice indicating degraded performance or an outright service disruption, bookmark the page and keep refreshing every 30 minutes until systems recover.
As soon as Tubi flips the indicator green again, you should be able to stream content once more.
10. Log Out and Back Into Tubi
On rare occasions, server-side account glitches can prevent Tubi from playing content or throwing up error screens.
Clearing your credentials and logging back in often resolves any authorization issues.
On the Tubi home screen select the profile icon > Sign out.
Close and reopen the app, then choose Sign in again using your preferred social media account or email.
Upon successful login, you may need to reactivate your devices as a security measure via Tubi’s website.
11. Check Parental Controls
If Tubi was working fine earlier but suddenly stopped loading one day, parental controls might have been enabled without your knowledge.
Maybe a family member restricted the Tubi channel with a PIN to prevent kids from accessing mature content.
Go to Settings > Parental controls and enter your PIN or Roku account password to override any existing limitations.
Getting Tubi up and running on your Roku is just the first step. Take a look at this in-depth review covering Tubi’s content, interface, supporting devices and more.
Quick Diagnosis Guide
Follow my step-by-step troubleshooting guide below to identify why Tubi TV isn’t working on your Roku:
Advanced Troubleshooting Tips
If you’re technically inclined, some advanced users have resolved stubborn Tubi issues on Roku by:
- Scanning for malware using a free network analysis tool
- Assigning static IP instead of dynamic DHCP
- Setting up port forwarding on their router
- Placing the Roku on Roku’s guest network
- Using a VPN service while streaming Tubi
I can provide details on implementing these more complex fixes if the basic troubleshooting guide doesn’t get your Tubi channel back up and running.
If you enjoy Tubi but want to upgrade to an ad-free premium experience, see how it compares to top services like Netflix and YouTube TV.
Key Takeaways to Fix Tubi TV Not Working on Roku:
- Check internet speeds and upgrade plan if below 25 Mbps
- Update Tubi app to latest version
- Remove unused channels cluttering up memory
- Confirm Roku model supports Tubi
- Install newest Roku firmware updates
- Change DNS server to Google or Cloudflare
- Inspect condition of HDMI cable and ports
- Force restart your Roku
- Check if Tubi status page reports outages
- Log out and back into Tubi account
- Disable any enabled parental controls
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common troubleshooting questions based on my decade of cord cutting experience:
Q: Why does Tubi play for a few minutes then buffer?
A: Constant buffering after a few minutes of playback points to network connectivity issues. Restart router and Roku box. Connect via ethernet if on WiFi.
Q: Why does Tubi keep showing error code errors?
A: Error codes indicate the channel is having issues retrieving data from Tubi’s servers. Check Tubi Status Page for reported outages or update app.
Q: How can I get Tubi to stop buffering on my Roku TV?
A: For buffering on Roku TV models, first ensure TV firmware is updated. Then switch Roku DNS server to Google or Cloudflare to optimize traffic routing.
Q: Does using a VPN help fix Tubi problems on Roku?
A: Yes, connecting Roku to a VPN masks your IP address, resolves geo-restrictions and reroutes traffic which reduces buffering for some users.
Q: Why does Tubi play perfectly on my phone but not on Roku?
A: If streaming fine on mobile but not Roku, the issue is isolated to your streaming box. Could be outdated firmware, too many channels installed, DNS conflict or another local problem.
Q: What can I do if Tubi is not supported in my country?
A: Tubi has licensing restrictions in many regions internationally. Consider using a premium VPN service to bypass geo-blocks and access full US library.
Q: How do I retry activation on Tubi if it gets stuck?
A: Close Tubi app and web browser completely. Then relaunch Tubi app to generate a fresh new activation code. Input that latest code on Tubi website for retry.
I hope this troubleshooting advice helps you get Tubi TV channel back up and running smoothly on your Roku once again. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!