Deleting a channel from Roku takes about 30 seconds

To remove a channel from your Roku, go to the home screen, highlight the channel you want to delete, press the Options button (the star icon) on your remote, and select "Remove channel" from the menu that appears. The channel disappears immediately, though you can reinstall it later from the Roku Channel Store if you change your mind.

The process is the same whether you're using a Roku TV, a Roku streaming stick, or a Roku box. The channel is removed from your device only — it doesn't affect your Roku account or any other devices you own.

Key Takeaways

  • Press the Options button (star icon) on your remote while a channel is highlighted to see the remove option.
  • Deleting a channel removes it from your device but doesn't cancel any subscription or account tied to that channel.
  • You can reinstall any channel you delete by searching for it in the Roku Channel Store.
  • Removing channels frees up space on your Roku device and makes your home screen less cluttered.

Step-by-step removal on any Roku device

Start from your Roku home screen. Use the arrow buttons on your remote to highlight the channel you want to remove — it will have a colored border around it when selected.

Once the channel is highlighted, press the Options button. On most Roku remotes, this is the button with a star icon. A small menu will pop up with several choices. Look for "Remove channel" in that menu and press OK to select it. A confirmation message may appear asking if you're sure — press OK again to confirm the deletion.

The channel is now gone from your home screen. If you ever want it back, you can search for it by name in the Roku Channel Store and add it again without losing any saved preferences or login information.

What happens to your accounts and subscriptions

Removing a channel from your Roku device does not cancel any subscription you have with that service. If you pay for Netflix, Disney+, or any other streaming service, your account remains active and you'll continue to be charged. Deleting the channel just removes the app from your device.

If you want to actually cancel a subscription, you need to go to that service's website or app on another device and manage your account there. For example, to cancel Netflix, you would log into Netflix.com and change your plan settings — removing the Netflix app from Roku won't stop the charges.

Your login information for each channel is usually saved in Roku's system. When you reinstall a channel later, you may not have to log in again, depending on how that particular service handles authentication.

Freeing up storage space on your Roku

Roku devices have limited storage, and channels take up space. Removing channels you don't use regularly can help your device run more smoothly, especially if you have an older Roku model or one with a smaller storage capacity.

You don't need to delete channels to make room for new ones — Roku will usually manage storage automatically. But if your device is running slowly or you're getting storage warnings, removing unused channels is a practical first step. You can always add them back later.

Organizing your home screen instead of deleting

If you want to keep a channel but don't want to see it on your home screen, you can move it instead of deleting it. Highlight the channel, press Options, and select "Move channel." You can then place it further down your home screen or in a custom folder, keeping it out of the way without losing it.

This approach is useful for channels you use occasionally but don't need front and center. You can still find them quickly by scrolling, and they remain installed on your device.

Reinstalling a channel you deleted

To add back a channel you removed, go to the Roku Channel Store (usually found on your home screen or in the main menu). Search for the channel by name using the search function. When you find it, select it and choose "Add channel" or "Install." The channel will reappear on your home screen within a few seconds.

There's no penalty for removing and reinstalling channels. You can do this as many times as you want. The only thing to keep in mind is that if the channel required a login, you may need to sign in again after reinstalling it, depending on how long it's been since you removed it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does deleting a channel from Roku cancel my subscription?

No. Removing the app from your device does not cancel any subscription. You must go to the service's website or contact them directly to cancel. Your charges will continue until you officially cancel through the service itself.

Can I delete a pre-installed channel that came with my Roku?

Most pre-installed channels like Roku itself cannot be deleted, but many others can be. Try highlighting it and pressing Options — if "Remove channel" appears, you can delete it. If the option doesn't show up, that channel is locked and cannot be removed.

Will I lose my saved shows or watch history if I delete a channel?

Your watch history and saved content are stored on the channel's service (like Netflix or Hulu), not on your Roku device. Deleting the app from Roku doesn't affect them. When you reinstall the channel and log back in, your history and saved items will still be there.

What if the Options button doesn't work on my remote?

Try a different remote if you have one, or check that your remote has fresh batteries. If you're using a voice remote, the Options button may be in a different location — check your remote's manual. You can also use the Roku mobile app as a remote and try the same steps from there.