Why and when to log out of Roku

You log out of Roku when you sell the device, give it to someone else, or want to stop a particular account from being active on that box. Unlike some streaming services, Roku doesn't let you straightforward sign out and stay signed in to Netflix or other apps — logging out of Roku itself removes your account from the device entirely, which also clears your saved passwords and preferences.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you're using a Roku TV (a television with Roku built in) or a Roku streaming device (a separate box or stick plugged into any TV). Both take about two minutes. You'll need the remote that came with your device.

Key Takeaways

  • Logging out of Roku removes your account from the device and clears all saved passwords, so apps like Netflix will ask you to sign in again.
  • On a Roku streaming device, go to Settings, then System, then Sign Out, and confirm your choice.
  • On a Roku TV, the path is Settings, then System, then Power, then Sign Out.
  • After you sign out, the device returns to the initial setup screen and is ready for a new account or user.
  • If you forget to sign out before selling or giving away your device, you can remotely sign out through your Roku account online.

Signing out on a Roku streaming device

Start at the home screen — the main menu you see when you turn on your Roku. Press the Home button on your remote if you're in an app. Look at the top of the screen for a row of options. Move right until you reach Settings and press OK.

Inside Settings, scroll down to System and press OK. You'll see several options including Power, Display, and others. Look for Sign Out and press OK. Roku will ask you to confirm — you'll see a message saying something like "Are you sure you want to sign out?" Press OK to confirm, or press Back if you change your mind.

The device will restart and return to the initial setup screen, the same one you saw when you first plugged it in. At this point, no account is active on the device. If you're keeping the Roku, you can sign in with a different account. If you're giving it away or selling it, leave it here for the next person.

Signing out on a Roku TV

Press the Home button on your Roku TV remote. From the home screen, scroll left to find Settings and press OK. Navigate to System and press OK again.

Inside System, look for Power and press OK. This menu controls power-related settings, and it also contains the sign-out option. Scroll down to Sign Out and press OK. Confirm your choice when Roku asks. The TV will restart and return to the setup screen.

The steps are nearly identical to a streaming device — the only difference is that the sign-out option lives under the Power submenu on Roku TVs rather than directly in System.

What happens after you sign out

Once you've signed out, the Roku device or TV is no longer connected to your account. All your saved passwords are gone. If you open Netflix, Disney+, or any other app, you'll need to sign in from scratch — the app won't remember you.

Your watch history, saved shows, and preferences tied to your Roku account are still stored in your online Roku account, but they won't appear on this device until you sign back in with that same account. If someone else signs in with their own Roku account, they'll see their own watch history and preferences instead.

The device itself is not deleted or damaged. It's straightforward in the same state as when it came out of the box, waiting for someone to set it up.

Signing out remotely if you forgot

If you've already given away or sold your Roku device and forgot to sign out, you can still remove your account from it. Go to my.roku.com in a web browser on your computer or phone and sign in with your Roku account.

Look for a section called My Devices or Devices. You'll see a list of all devices that have ever been signed in to your account. Find the device you want to remove and look for an option to delete it, remove it, or sign out. Click that option. Your account will be removed from that device when ready, even if it's in someone else's home.

This is useful if you realize after the fact that you left your account active. It also prevents someone from accessing your Roku account or seeing your watch history on that device.

Signing out without losing your apps

If you want to stop using your Roku account but keep your apps and settings, you have a different option: remove individual apps instead of signing out of Roku itself. This keeps you signed into Roku but removes apps like Netflix or Hulu from your home screen.

From the home screen, highlight an app, press the Options button (the star or three-line button on your remote), and select Remove Channel or Remove App. The app is deleted from your device but remains in the Roku Channel Store, so you can reinstall it later if you want.

This approach is useful if you're sharing a Roku with family members and want to remove apps you don't use, but you don't want to sign out your entire account. However, if your goal is to completely disconnect your account from the device — such as before selling it — you need to sign out of Roku itself, not just remove apps.

Troubleshooting sign-out problems

If the Sign Out option doesn't appear in Settings, your Roku device may be running an older software version. Restart the device by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Once it restarts, try the sign-out steps again.

If you're still stuck, check whether you're looking in the right menu. On streaming devices, sign-out is under Settings > System > Sign Out. On Roku TVs, it's under Settings > System > Power > Sign Out. The exact wording may vary slightly depending on your Roku model and software version, but the path is consistent.

If you can't find the option at all and the device is very old, it may not support remote sign-out. In that case, use the remote sign-out method through my.roku.com instead. You can remove the device from your account online even if the device itself doesn't have a sign-out button.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does signing out of Roku also sign me out of Netflix and other apps?

No — signing out of Roku removes your account from the device, but Netflix and other apps remain installed. However, you'll need to sign into each app again because Roku no longer stores your passwords. The next person who uses the device will see those apps but won't be able to use them without their own login.

Can I sign out of just one app without signing out of Roku?

Yes. From the home screen, highlight the app, press the Options button on your remote, and select Remove Channel. This deletes the app from your device but keeps your Roku account active. You can reinstall the app later from the Roku Channel Store.

What if I sign out and then want to sign back in?

After you sign out, the device returns to the setup screen. You can sign in again with the same Roku account or a different one. Just follow the on-screen prompts and enter your account email and password. Your watch history and preferences will return once you're signed in.

Will the person I give my Roku to see my watch history?

Only if you don't sign out first. If you sign out before giving them the device, they'll see a blank slate. If you forget to sign out, they can see your watch history and saved shows until you remotely sign out through my.roku.com.

How do I know if I'm actually signed out?

After signing out, the device will restart and show the initial setup screen with options to set up a new device or sign in. If you see your home screen with apps and channels, you're still signed in. Go back to Settings and try signing out again.