Your Roku streaming media player is packed with electronics, and like any computer, it may get hot from time to time. But don't worry if your Roku just feels warm to the touch — this is normal and all streaming players will do this. If your Roku is getting too hot, though, it'll tell you. Some Roku players have a status light that turns red if it's too hot, and all Rokus will display a warning message on screen. 

If you see a message that says "Your device is overheating," there are a few simple steps you can take to keep your Roku cool so you can continue to binge the latest shows on your favorite streaming channel. 

If you see a warning that your Roku is overheating, the first thing you should do is unplug the device immediately. Remove the power cord and disconnect it from your TV, and let it cool back down all the way to room temperature. This won't solve any long-term overheating problems, but it'll prevent any heat-related damage from happening right now. 

After your Roku has returned to room temperature, you can plug it back in. But before that, evaluate where it's located and consider moving it to a new position. Avoid storing it inside a closed cabinet or other enclosed space, and don't put it somewhere that it'll be bombarded by direct sunlight at any time during the day. And avoid setting it on top of other home theater components (like an AV receiver or Blu-ray player) that also get hot. Ideally, find a spot that's open and gets some ventilation. 

While you want to keep your Roku device away from other hot electronic components and somewhere that's well ventilated, that can be hard to do with some Roku devices. Specifically, Roku Streaming Sticks plug directly into the TV's HDMI port, making it hard to put some distance between them.

There's actually an easy solution to this problem; Roku offers a free HDMI extender to Streaming Stick customers who need that extra distance. If you get an overheating warning and want to separate your Streaming Stick from your warm TV, you can order a free HDMI extender directly from Roku. It will be shipped to you free of charge.  

Don't discount the benefit of occasionally cleaning your Roku device. As it accumulates dust and grime, the dirt can act as an insulator, trapping heat in your Roku and lowering its performance. Every few months, you should unplug your Roku and clean it with a damp cloth to remove any built-up debris. 

Finally, your Roku is designed to be left plugged in and powered on 24/7. The device will go to sleep when it's not being used, and that helps it come to life very quickly when you sit down to watch some streaming video. But if you won't be using your Roku for a while — such as if you are going on a trip and no one will be home to watch it — it's not a bad idea to turn off the Roku device by unplugging it in order to let the electronics power down and stay cool until you need it again.