Roku Streaming Stick F20 Error Code Fix Guide

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What This Error Means

F20 on a Roku Streaming Stick means the HDMI/HDCP handshake failed.

In plain English: your TV and the Roku can’t agree on a protected video signal, so you get a purple/black screen, flickering, or a “HDCP error” message instead of your show.

Official Fix

Roku’s official line for HDMI / HDCP errors is basically: reset the handshake and clean up the connection.

  • Turn the TV off fully (power button or unplug).
  • Unplug the Roku power cable.
  • Pull the Roku out of the HDMI port and wait 30 seconds.
  • Check the HDMI port and Stick contacts; blow out dust, no liquids.
  • Use a wall adapter for Roku power, not the TV’s USB port.
  • Plug the Stick into a different TV HDMI port, no receiver/soundbar in between.
  • Turn the TV on, then plug Roku power back in and let it boot.
  • On Roku, go to Settings > Display type and set 1080p TV (not Auto or 4K while testing).
  • Restart Roku: Settings > System > Power > System restart (or just “System restart”).

If the picture is now stable and the error is gone, the F20 was just a bad HDMI/HDCP handshake or marginal power.

The Technician’s Trick

When the official routine doesn’t stick, here’s what techs actually do to beat F20 on stubborn setups:

  • Bypass extras. If you use a receiver/soundbar, skip it: go Roku → TV HDMI 1 only. If that works, the extra box is the issue.
  • Use the HDMI extender. If the Stick is crammed behind the TV, use the Roku HDMI extender so it hangs free and runs cooler.
  • Tame the HDMI input. On the TV’s HDMI settings for that port, turn off “Enhanced/Deep Color/Ultra HD” and use “Standard/Compatibility”, then power-cycle TV and Roku.
  • Run the secret reboot. On the remote press: Home 5x, Up, Rewind 2x, Fast Forward 2x, then use the menu there to restart.
  • Drop to 720p. If 1080p still fails, set Display type to 720p and test; some older panels only behave at 720p.

Nine times out of ten, direct-to-TV plus a locked 1080p or 720p signal makes F20 disappear for good.

Is It Worth Fixing? (The Financial Verdict)

  • ✅ Fix: Roku and TV both work fine otherwise; F20 only appears on this setup and goes away when you swap ports/cables.
  • ⚠️ Debatable: Stick is a few years old and F20 keeps coming back even after clean cables, wall power, and direct-to-TV tests.
  • ❌ Replace: F20 (or no picture) follows the Stick to every TV and cable you try, or the Roku is freezing and rebooting constantly.

Parts You Might Need

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See also

Dealing with other gadgets throwing strange F-codes or device errors? These guides might help: