On the covered Roku streaming device, 020 means the Roku pages this site could read do not print error 020. Roku's HDCP article describes an “HDCP Error Detected” message or purple screen, which appears when the HDMI link to the TV, receiver or soundbar does not support HDCP copy protection; whether 020 is that error is unconfirmed. First, unplug both ends of the HDMI cable and power the TV, receiver or soundbar off and unplug it.
Differential
Likely causes of “Roku streaming device code 020”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The HDMI link does not support HDCP copy protection (an HDCP Error Detected message or a purple screen)
What separates it The Roku shows an HDCP error or a purple screen
How to confirm Unplug both ends of the HDMI cable and power the TV, receiver or soundbar off
- 2
A cable that is loose or damaged
What separates it The cable is not fully seated
How to confirm Reconnect both HDMI ends firmly
- 3
An HDMI switch, receiver or soundbar that does not pass HDCP
What separates it The Roku goes through a switch
How to confirm Connect the Roku straight to the TV
- 4
A cable that is too long or poor
What separates it The cable is over six feet
How to confirm Try a different HDMI cable, under 6 feet if you have one
- 5
An HDMI input that has a problem
What separates it The input does not handshake
How to confirm Try another HDMI input
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- That the screen shows HDCP Error Detected or purple
- What the Roku is connected through
- The HDMI cable length
- The Roku and TV models
Try in this order
0 of 9 completedWhat to do first
ReversibleUnplug both ends of the HDMI cable and power the TV, receiver or soundbar off and unplug it.
Correct only the documented fault domain
ReversibleRoku's HDCP steps: also unplug the Roku's power cord, reconnect both HDMI ends firmly, restore power to the TV, receiver or soundbar and the Roku, and try again. If it continues, try another HDMI input, a different HDMI cable (under 6 feet if you have one), connecting the Roku straight to the TV if you use a switch, receiver or soundbar (not all HDMI switches support HDCP), or another TV that supports HDCP. For 4K or HDR, Roku says HDCP 2.2 is required.
Unplug both ends of the HDMI cable
ReversibleDisconnect it from the Roku and the TV.
Power off the TV, receiver or soundbar
ReversibleUnplug it from the power.
Unplug the Roku's power cord
ReversibleDisconnect the Roku too.
Reconnect everything
ReversiblePlug both HDMI ends in firmly and restore power to the TV, receiver or soundbar and the Roku.
Try another input or cable
ReversibleIf it continues, use another HDMI input or a different cable under 6 feet.
Connect the Roku straight to the TV
ReversibleIf you use a switch, a receiver or a soundbar, bypass it.
Try a different TV input
ReversibleMove the cable to another HDMI input on the TV, in case the first input has a handshake problem.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- The code on this page
- Error 020, associated with an HDCP error.
- Parts involved
- The HDMI cable, the input and any switch or receiver.
- Roku's guidance
- Unplug and reconnect everything, then try another input or cable.
- What HDCP is
- HDCP is a copy protection system that checks that every device in the HDMI chain, from the Roku to the TV, is allowed to show protected video. If one link fails the check, the Roku cannot send the picture, and it shows the HDCP message or a purple screen.
- The chain matters
- A switch, a receiver, a soundbar, an older capture device or a cheap splitter can break the check. Connecting the Roku straight to the TV removes them from the chain, which is the quickest way to find out whether one of them is the cause.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Roku's HDCP steps are to unplug and reconnect everything, and then to try another input or cable
- !If it continues, connect the Roku straight to the TV
- !Contact Roku support if the error remains
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
What does 020 mean on a Roku streaming device?+
The Roku pages this site could read do not print error 020. Roku's HDCP article describes an “HDCP Error Detected” message or purple screen, which appears when the HDMI link to the TV, receiver or soundbar does not support HDCP copy protection; whether 020 is that error is unconfirmed.
What does an HDCP error mean on a Roku?+
The HDMI link to the TV, receiver or soundbar does not support HDCP copy protection.
Why is the screen purple?+
The Roku shows a purple screen when the HDCP handshake fails.
Can the cable cause it?+
Yes.
Will connecting straight to the TV help?+
Often.
Is error 020 the same?+
The Roku pages that could be read do not print 020, but the HDCP article describes the same symptom.
Why is the screen purple and not black?+
Roku uses a purple screen to show that the HDCP check failed, so that you know what is wrong.
Can an old TV cause an HDCP error?+
Yes, an older TV or receiver with an HDMI input that does not support HDCP 2.2 can cause it with 4K video.