What happens when you cancel a Roku account

Canceling your Roku account removes your login from the Roku system and disconnects any devices linked to it. Your Roku player, Roku TV, or Roku streaming stick will no longer be able to access channels, your watch history, or saved preferences. The device itself still works — you can factory reset it and set it up as a new account later — but until you do, it will show an error when you try to use it.

Roku stores your account information on their servers, including which channels you've installed, your payment method if you've made purchases, and your viewing history. Canceling the account deletes the link between your device and Roku's system, but does not automatically erase the device's local storage. If you plan to sell or give away the device, you'll need to factory reset it separately to remove any personal information stored on the hardware itself.

Key Takeaways

  • You cancel a Roku account through the Roku website or the Roku mobile app, not through the device itself.
  • Canceling your account disconnects all devices linked to it, but the physical device will still power on — it just won't stream anything.
  • If you're selling or giving away a Roku device, you must factory reset it separately to remove your personal data from the hardware.
  • You can reactivate a canceled account within 90 days by logging back in with the same email and password.

How to cancel through the Roku website

Go to my.roku.com and sign in with the email address and password you use for your Roku account. Once you're logged in, look for your account settings — this is usually found in the upper right corner or in a menu labeled "Account" or "Settings." Click on it.

Find the option that says "Close account," "Delete account," or "Cancel account" — the exact wording varies depending on when your account was created. Roku will ask you to confirm that you want to close the account and may ask why you're leaving. You can skip the survey if you don't want to answer. Click the final confirmation button, and your account will be canceled when ready.

How to cancel through the Roku mobile app

Open the official Roku app on your phone or tablet and sign in if you're not already logged in. Tap the profile icon or menu button, usually in the bottom right or top left corner depending on your device. Look for "Account settings" or "Settings."

Scroll down until you find the account closure option — it may be labeled "Close account," "Delete account," or "Deactivate account." Tap it and confirm your choice. The app will process the cancellation and log you out. Like the website method, this takes effect when ready.

What to do with your Roku device after canceling

If you're keeping the device, you can set it up again with a new Roku account whenever you want. Just power it on, go through the initial setup process, and create a new account or sign in with a different email address. Your old account cancellation won't prevent you from using the device again.

If you're selling, donating, or giving away the device, you should factory reset it before handing it over. This erases all data stored on the device itself, including any cached passwords or personal information. To factory reset, go to the device's settings menu (using the remote), find "System" or "Advanced system settings," and select "Factory reset" or "Reset to factory defaults." The device will restart and return to its original state, as if it just came out of the box.

Reactivating your account if you change your mind

Roku keeps canceled accounts in a recovery state for 90 days. If you change your mind within that window, you can reactivate by going to my.roku.com, clicking "Sign in," and entering the email and password you used before. Your account will come back online with all your channels and settings restored.

After 90 days, the account is permanently deleted and cannot be recovered. If you want to use Roku again after that point, you'll need to create a brand new account with a fresh email address.

Removing devices from your account before canceling

If you have multiple Roku devices and only want to disconnect one of them, you don't need to cancel your entire account. Instead, go to my.roku.com, sign in, and look for "Manage devices" or "My devices." Find the device you want to remove from your account and select the option to unlink or remove it. That specific device will be disconnected, but your account and other devices will remain active.

This is useful if you're selling one device but keeping others, or if a device is no longer working and you want to clean up your account. The device you remove will need to be factory reset and set up with a new account if someone else is going to use it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will canceling my Roku account delete my channels and watch history?

Yes. Your channels, watch history, saved preferences, and any custom settings are stored on Roku's servers and linked to your account. When you cancel, that information is deleted. If you reactivate within 90 days, it will be restored.

Can I cancel my account if I have an active Roku Channel subscription?

You can cancel your account, but you should cancel any paid subscriptions through Roku first. If you have an active subscription and cancel your account, you may still be charged until the subscription period ends. Check your subscriptions in account settings before you cancel.

What if I forgot my Roku password?

Go to my.roku.com and click "Forgot password" on the sign-in page. Roku will send a reset link to the email address associated with your account. Follow the link to create a new password, then sign in and proceed with cancellation.

Do I need to unplug my Roku device after canceling the account?

No. The device will power off and on normally, but it won't be able to stream anything until you set it up with a new account. You can leave it plugged in or unplug it — either way, the cancellation is complete.

Can someone else use my Roku device after I cancel my account?

Yes, but they'll need to factory reset it first and set it up with their own Roku account. If you don't factory reset it, the device will show an error because it's no longer linked to any account.