Your old Roku may be long past its expiration date, here's how to check

Adam Davidson

Tue, July 7, 2026 at 12:15 PM UTC

Close up of a Roku Streaming Stick+ on a desk. — Adam Davidson / How-To Geek

Roku has been making streaming players since 2008, so some of the earliest models are almost two decades old. While many of these devices still work perfectly well, some older models are not supported by Roku anymore. It's worth checking if your faithful streaming device is due for retirement.

Check your Roku's model number

You can find it on the device or in the settings

Roku home screen on LG TV with arrow pointing to Settings.

The model number is the key to learning about the support for your Roku device . The model number is the information you need to determine whether your device is on Roku's legacy list of unsupported devices.

If your Roku is still connected to your TV, you can easily find your model number through the UI. Power on your TV and your Roku device and go to Settings > System > About. The screen will display the model name, model number, and other information, such as the current OS that the device is running.

The key information to note is the model number. The model name alone isn't enough. Some legacy models with the same name as other models are still supported.

If your Roku isn't currently connected to your TV or is easily accessible, you should also be able to find the model number on the device itself, either directly on the casing or on a sticker attached to the device. You want to note the model number, not the serial number.

Look up your model on Roku's support list

Many discontinued models are still supported

A list of legacy Roku models on the Roku developers website.

Once you have the model number for your Roku, you can determine whether it's still supported or not. There's a useful page on Roku's developer website that lists every model by model number and groups them into three categories: Current, Updatable, and Legacy.

Roku is still manufacturing and supporting Currentmodels. Updatablemodels are no longer being produced but can still run the latest versions of Roku OS. Legacymodels are discontinued models that cannot support the newest versions of Roku OS.

Look through the list to find your model number and see which of the three categories it falls under. You'll then know for certain whether Roku now considers your device to be a legacy model.

Update Roku OS

Legacy models can't download newer Roku OS versions

Whether your Roku is still supported or not, it's a good idea to be running the latest version of Roku OS that your device can run. You can see which version you're currently running and update if possible through the Roku UI.

Go to Settings > System > Software Update > Check Now. Your streaming device will contact Roku's servers to see whether a newer version of Roku OS is available. You can also see when the device last checked for updates and which version of Roku OS is currently installed.

Legacy models may still report that they're up-to-date if they're running the newest version of Roku OS they support, even if it's not the latest version available for newer devices. That's why it's important to check using the model number to see if your device is now considered a legacy device.

Don't panic if your Roku is no longer supported

Legacy devices can still be usable

Person holding a Roku remote. — Corbin Davenport / How-To Geek

It's not the end of the world if you find that your device is on the legacy list. Your Roku isn't going to suddenly stop working overnight. Many unsupported Roku devices continue to stream popular services for some time after they lose support, although compatibility ultimately depends on the individual streaming service.

They may not keep working forever, however. Unsupported devices lose access to new features and security updates , and there may come a point where streaming services no longer support older devices, meaning you won't be able to watch that streaming service through your legacy Roku.

If you're not yet experiencing any noticeable issues, you don't necessarily need to rush out and upgrade your Roku. Still, you should be aware that at some point, your Roku may stop working with streaming services and will also lack the more recent security updates. You may also be missing out on some of the better features .

If your device is still classed as Updatable, it should continue to receive the latest Roku OS updates, so there's no immediate need to replace it. Over time, more devices are likely to move to the legacy list, so it's worth setting a reminder to check the website again at some point in the future to see if your device remains supported or has joined the list.

All good things come to an end

Roku streaming devices can give you years of loyal service, but eventually, all tech products reach their expiration date. Even if your Roku is still working fine, it's worth checking whether it's on the legacy list. That way, you can make an informed decision about how long to keep using the device and whether you should consider upgrading .

Check out Yahoo's latest streaming advice, based on hands-on testing.

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