Roku Error Code 220 — What It Means & How to Fix It

What Does This Error Mean?

Roku error code 220 is a bandwidth-related playback error. It means the Roku did not have enough sustained bandwidth to keep the video buffer filled, causing playback to fail. This is different from a connection error — the Roku is connected to the internet, but the connection speed is too inconsistent or too slow for the content being streamed. Reducing stream quality or improving your Wi-Fi connection resolves this in most cases.

Affected Models

Roku Express
Roku Streaming Stick
Roku Ultra
Roku TV
Roku Premiere
Roku Express 4K

Common Causes

Your internet download speed is insufficient for the streaming quality selected
Wi-Fi signal interference or a weak signal is causing inconsistent data rates to the Roku
Multiple devices are sharing bandwidth and leaving the Roku with too little for smooth streaming
Your ISP is throttling streaming video traffic, intentionally reducing speeds to streaming services
The CDN (Content Delivery Network) node serving your content is overloaded, delivering data slowly

How to Fix It

Reduce the video quality in your streaming app. Open the streaming channel (Netflix, Hulu, etc.), go to its settings or your account settings within the app, and reduce video quality from Auto or High to Medium or Low. This dramatically reduces the bandwidth needed.

Most users cannot tell the difference between Good and High quality streaming on a standard TV. Reducing quality eliminates bandwidth errors and often results in a smoother overall experience.
Check your Roku's network signal. Go to Settings > Network > Check connection. Look at the download speed shown. If it is below 5 Mbps, you have insufficient bandwidth for HD streaming. Also look at signal strength — Fair or Poor means the Wi-Fi signal itself is too weak.

Roku's built-in speed test gives you the speed at the Roku's location — which may be much lower than what your router receives from your ISP due to Wi-Fi signal loss.
Move the Roku closer to your Wi-Fi router, or move the router closer to the TV. Each wall, floor, or appliance between them reduces signal strength. Try streaming with the Roku as close to the router as a test — if error 220 stops, Wi-Fi distance or interference is the cause.

Even moving the router by a few feet to reduce the number of walls in the signal path can make a significant difference. Optimal router placement is in the center of your home at a moderate height, away from other electronics.
Pause all other internet activity during streaming. Ask others in the home to pause large downloads, stop video calls, and minimize online gaming while you are streaming. Then retry. If error 220 clears, bandwidth sharing is the issue.

A router with QoS (Quality of Service) settings can automatically prioritize streaming traffic. Check your router settings or consider a router upgrade if bandwidth sharing is a regular problem.
Test on a wired connection if you have a Roku Ultra. Connect an Ethernet cable directly from your router to the Roku Ultra's Ethernet port. Wired connections eliminate all Wi-Fi interference and provide the most stable bandwidth. If error 220 stops on a wired connection, the Wi-Fi signal is definitively the cause.

The Roku Ultra is the only standard Roku model with a built-in Ethernet port. Other models require a USB Ethernet adapter that may or may not be compatible.

When to Call a Professional

If you consistently get error 220 despite having a fast internet plan and a strong Wi-Fi signal, your ISP may be throttling streaming services. Contact your ISP and ask about video streaming throttling policies. Using a VPN temporarily to test if speeds improve to streaming sites can confirm ISP throttling.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ISP throttling and how do I know if that is my problem?

Some ISPs intentionally slow down (throttle) traffic to specific streaming services — usually Netflix, YouTube, or Hulu. They do this to manage network load or as a business practice. You can test for throttling: run a normal speed test at speedtest.net, then run a test using the Fast.com speed test (which uses Netflix's own servers). If Fast.com shows significantly lower speeds than speedtest.net, your ISP is likely throttling Netflix traffic. Using a VPN temporarily bypasses this throttling — if speeds improve on VPN, throttling is confirmed.

My internet is 500 Mbps but I get error 220. How is that possible?

The speed your ISP delivers to your modem and the speed your Roku actually gets are often very different. Wi-Fi introduces speed loss — a Roku at the far end of a house may only get 10 to 30 Mbps from a 500 Mbps connection due to signal attenuation. Also, if many devices are connected simultaneously, they split the available bandwidth. Check the actual speed at the Roku using Settings > Network > Check connection — not just the router's rated speed.

Does error 220 damage my Roku or affect my streaming account?

No — error 220 is a temporary playback failure with no lasting effects. It does not damage your device, your streaming account, or your subscription. The Roku simply stops attempting the stream when bandwidth is insufficient and shows you the error. Once you address the bandwidth issue, everything returns to normal. Your watch history and account status are completely unaffected.