The basic way to add channels to Roku

Adding a channel to Roku means installing an app on your streaming device so you can watch that service. You do this through the Roku Channel Store, which is built into your device. The process takes about two minutes and works the same way whether you're using a Roku stick, box, or TV with Roku built in.

Start by pressing the Home button on your Roku remote. Navigate to "Streaming Channels" or "Channels" (the exact name depends on your Roku model and software version). Select "Search Channels" or "Browse All Channels". Find the channel you want — Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Disney+, or hundreds of others — and select it. Then choose "Add Channel". Roku will read and install it automatically, and the channel appears on your home screen within seconds.

You do not need to pay Roku to add channels. Some channels are free to watch (like Pluto TV or Tubi), some require a subscription you pay directly to that service (like Netflix), and some are free with ads. Roku itself does not charge for the installation process.

Key Takeaways

  • You add channels through the Roku Channel Store by pressing Home, navigating to Channels, searching for what you want, and selecting "Add Channel".
  • Installation is free and takes less than a minute; Roku does not charge you to add channels to your device.
  • Some channels are free to watch, some require you to pay the channel's company directly for a subscription, and some show ads instead.
  • You can remove a channel by highlighting it on your home screen, pressing the Options button (star icon), and selecting "Remove Channel".
  • If a channel does not appear in the Channel Store, it may not be available in your country or on your specific Roku model.

Finding channels that are not on your home screen

If you have used Roku before, you may have removed a channel and now want it back. You do not need to set up your device again — just go back to the Channel Store and add it a second time. Roku remembers your account, so any subscription you paid for (like a Netflix membership) stays active.

If you are looking for a specific channel and cannot find it in the Channel Store, check whether it is available in your region. Some channels, like certain sports apps or international services, only work in specific countries. You can also search by the service name — for example, typing "HBO" will show you HBO Max even if you were looking for it under a different name.

What happens when you add a channel

When you add a channel, Roku downloads a small app file to your device and creates a shortcut on your home screen. The channel itself does not take up much space — most channels use between 10 and 100 megabytes, which is tiny compared to what a modern TV can hold. You can add dozens of channels without running out of room.

The channel then appears in your home screen in the order Roku places it, usually at the end of your existing channels. You can rearrange channels by pressing the Options button (the star icon on most remotes) while a channel is highlighted, then selecting "Move Channel". This lets you put your most-watched services at the front.

Channels that require a subscription or login

Some channels, like Netflix or Hulu, require you to have a paid account before you can watch anything. When you add one of these channels, Roku installs it but you will see a login screen the first time you open it. You enter your email and password for that service — the same login you use on your phone or computer.

You pay the channel's company directly, not Roku. If you already subscribe to Netflix on your phone, you use that same subscription on Roku. If you do not have a subscription yet, the channel will usually offer a link to sign up, and you can do that from your phone or computer and then log in on Roku.

Free channels with ads, like Pluto TV or Tubi, do not require a login or payment. You can start watching when ready after adding them.

Removing channels you no longer watch

If you want to clean up your home screen, you can remove any channel. Press the Options button (star icon) while the channel is highlighted, then select "Remove Channel". The channel disappears from your screen when ready, but you can add it back anytime by going to the Channel Store again.

Removing a channel does not cancel any subscription you have. If you remove Netflix and add it back later, your Netflix account is still active and you can log back in. The only thing that changes is what appears on your home screen.

Troubleshooting channels that will not install

If you try to add a channel and it gets stuck or shows an error, restart your Roku device. Unplug it from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Once it finishes restarting, try adding the channel again.

If the channel still will not install, check that your Roku is connected to the internet. Go to Settings, then Network, and make sure you see a connected Wi-Fi network. If your internet is working but the channel still will not install, the problem may be on the channel's side — their servers might be temporarily down, or the channel might not be available in your country or on your specific Roku model.

You can also try removing the channel (if it partially installed) and adding it again. If nothing works after two attempts, wait a few hours and try once more, or contact the channel's support team directly — for example, Netflix support if it is a Netflix problem.

Adding channels from your phone or computer

You can add channels to your Roku without touching the remote. Go to the Roku website or open the Roku mobile app on your phone, log into your Roku account, and browse the Channel Store from there. When you find a channel you want, select "Add Channel" and it will install on your device automatically within a few seconds.

This is useful if you are away from home or if your remote is not working. The channel appears on your Roku's home screen even though you added it from your phone. You need to be logged into the same Roku account on both your phone and your device for this to work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay Roku to add channels?

No. Roku does not charge you to add channels to your device. Some channels are free to watch, some require you to pay that channel's company for a subscription, and some show ads. But the act of installing a channel on Roku costs nothing.

Can I add channels that are not in the Channel Store?

Not through the normal process. Roku only lets you install channels from the official Channel Store. If a channel is not there, it is not available for Roku, either because the company has not built a Roku version or because it is not available in your country.

What if I add a channel by mistake?

Press the Options button (star icon) while the channel is highlighted on your home screen and select "Remove Channel". It disappears when ready. You can add it back anytime if you change your mind.

Will adding too many channels slow down my Roku?

No. Channels take up very little space and do not affect how fast your Roku runs. You can safely add dozens of channels without noticing any slowdown.

Do I need a Roku account to add channels?

Yes. Your Roku device is linked to a Roku account, and that account keeps track of which channels you have added. You set this up when you first turned on your device. If you forgot your password, you can reset it on the Roku website.