Roku Streaming Stick F13 Error Code Fix Guide

by

What This Error Means

F13 on a Roku Streaming Stick usually means: the Wi‑Fi / network module failed to start.

Plain English: the stick boots, but the wireless radio crashes or never comes up, so it can’t see or join your Wi‑Fi and may loop back to an error screen.

Roku doesn’t publish F13 as a friendly user code, but when it shows up, techs treat it as a Wi‑Fi hardware or power/heat stability problem, not just a simple signal issue.

Official Fix

Roku’s playbook is simple: power, network, reset, then replace.
  • 1. Do a hard reboot.
    – Unplug the Roku from HDMI and from power.
    – Leave it dead for at least 60 seconds.
    – Plug the USB power back in first, then HDMI into the TV.
  • 2. Use proper power (skip the TV USB for now).
    – Plug the Roku’s USB cable into the original Roku wall adapter if you have it.
    – Go straight into a wall outlet, not a weak TV USB port or sketchy power strip.
    – If you don’t have the original adapter, use a good 5 V / 1 A (or higher) phone charger just for testing.
  • 3. Reboot the router.
    – Unplug the router’s power for 30 seconds.
    – Plug it back in and wait 2–3 minutes until Wi‑Fi is fully up (all lights stable).
    – Keep the Roku powered off during this, then power it up after the router is ready.
  • 4. If you can reach the Roku menu, reset the network.
    – From the Roku Home screen: Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Network connection reset > Reset connection.
    – The box will reboot. Reconnect to Wi‑Fi and test streaming.
    – If F13 appears before you ever reach Home, skip this step.
  • 5. Factory reset the Roku.
    – If you can reach menus: Settings > System > Advanced system settings > Factory reset, then follow the on‑screen code steps.
    – If you’re stuck on an error screen: locate the reset button or pinhole on the stick, hold it for ~10–15 seconds until the Roku logo appears.
    – Set it up again from scratch and test Wi‑Fi.
  • 6. If F13 still comes back, Roku treats it as hardware failure.
    – At this point, the official answer is: contact Roku support to check warranty / replacement options.
    – Out of warranty, the “official” path is basically: replace the streaming stick.

The Technician’s Trick

Here’s how a field tech fast-tracks this instead of wasting an hour.
  • 1. Rule out power and heat in one shot.
    – These sticks bake behind the TV. Weak USB power + heat makes the Wi‑Fi chip crash and throw nonsense codes.
    – Unplug the Roku and let it cool for 10 minutes. If it feels really hot, aim a fan at it for a few minutes (don’t put it in a freezer or on ice).
    – Now run this test setup:
    • Roku plugged into the TV via an HDMI extender so it hangs in open air, not flush against the back of the TV.
    • USB power cable plugged into a solid 5 V / 1 A+ wall charger, not the TV’s USB port.
    – If F13 disappears in this “cool + strong power” setup but comes back when you go back to TV USB, your fix is simple: keep using a proper wall adapter and (ideally) the extender.
  • 2. Isolate the Wi‑Fi.
    – Take the Roku to another TV if you can, or at least another room.
    – Try connecting it to a phone hotspot just for testing.
    – If it works fine on a hotspot or on a different router, the stick’s OK and your main router/Wi‑Fi environment is the real issue (interference, bad channel, MAC blocking, etc.). Tweak router settings or talk to your ISP instead of blaming the Roku.
  • 3. Call hardware death fast.
    – If you still get F13 after:
    • Wall power
    • Different USB cable
    • HDMI extender / different TV port
    • Different Wi‑Fi or hotspot
    – then a pro stops right there. The Wi‑Fi module or main board is unstable.
    – Board-level repair on a cheap streaming stick is a money pit. The real-world fix is: replace the unit.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Still under warranty, or F13 disappears once you use a proper wall adapter / new USB cable / HDMI extender. Also worth it if it was a one-time glitch after a power outage.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Stick is 2–3 years old, out of warranty, and only behaves when you baby it (perfect power, lots of airflow). You can squeeze more life out of it, but don’t sink much time or money.
  • ❌ Replace: F13 survives factory reset, different TV, different cable, wall power, and another Wi‑Fi network. Or the stick runs scorching hot all the time. At that point, just buy a new streaming stick instead of chasing a dying board.

Parts You Might Need

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

See also

Dealing with other devices throwing mystery codes? These breakdowns might save you more time: