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Pluto TV is available on Roku, and you can add it free from the Roku Streaming Store. On your Roku, press Home, open Streaming Store (sometimes labeled Store), search for Pluto TV, select the official app, and choose Add app. The app usually appears at the bottom of your Home screen when installation finishes.
Before you start
Your Roku player, Streaming Stick, or Roku TV needs an internet connection and completed Roku setup. You’ll also need access to the Roku account linked to the device. Creating a Roku account and activating a Roku device are free; if you have set an account PIN, Roku may ask for it when you add an app. If your Roku is not set up yet, complete its on-screen setup first.
Install Pluto TV on your Roku
- Turn on your TV and Roku, then press Home on the Roku remote.
- Open Streaming Store. Depending on your Roku model or software, it may be called Store; you may also be able to search directly.
- Choose Apps if a store category screen appears, then select Search.
- Enter Pluto TV and select the official Pluto TV listing. Do not choose a similarly named, unofficial app.
- Select Add app and wait for the installation to finish.
- Press Home, find Pluto TV in your app list, and press OK to open it.
New apps normally appear at the bottom of the Home-screen app list. Menu names and placement can vary slightly with Roku software.
Move Pluto TV higher on the Home screen
Highlight Pluto TV, press the * button on the remote, and choose Move app if that option appears. Use the arrow buttons to place it where you want, then press OK. The wording may differ on some Roku versions.
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- Compact without compromises: The sleek design of Roku Streaming Stick won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
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Add Pluto TV from the Roku website
If searching on your TV is inconvenient or the listing does not appear there, use Roku’s Streaming Store app-installation options:
- Open the Roku Streaming Store website and sign in to the Roku account linked to your device.
- Search for Pluto TV, open its official listing, and select Add app.
- Return to your Roku. If the app does not appear after it has had time to sync, check for a software update using Home > Settings > System > Software update > Check Now.
Make sure you signed in to the right Roku account. Roku says apps added or removed on one device can be applied to all Roku devices linked to that same account, so a household with multiple Rokus may see the change on more than one device.
Rank #2
- 4K streaming made simple:With America’s number 1 TV streaming platform,* exploring popular apps—plus tons of free movies, shows, and live TV—is as easy as it is fun. *Based on hours streamed—Hypothesis Group
- 4K picture quality: With Roku Streaming Stick Plus, watch your favorites with brilliant 4K picture and vivid HDR color.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, and it even powers from your TV alone, plugging into the back and staying out of sight. No wall outlet, no extra cords, no clutter.
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku device with one remote. Use your voice to quickly search, play entertainment, and more.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
Add Pluto TV with the Roku mobile app
The official Roku mobile app for iOS and Android can manage streaming apps. Connect it to the Roku you want to use, then open Apps on Roku, choose Store, search for Pluto TV, and select Add app. If the phone cannot find the Roku, confirm that the phone and Roku are connected in a way that lets the app discover the device. Roku’s mobile-app instructions cover app management.
Is Pluto TV free on Roku?
Pluto TV presents its service as free, ad-supported streaming with live channels and on-demand titles. Adding the app does not require buying a Roku subscription. Roku account creation and device activation are also free, according to Roku’s account guidance.
Rank #3
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- Breathtaking picture quality: Stunningly sharp 4K picture brings out rich detail in your entertainment with four times the resolution of HD. Watch as colors pop off your screen and enjoy lifelike clarity with Dolby Vision and HDR10+.
- Seamless streaming for any room: With Roku Streaming Stick 4K, watch your favorite entertainment on any TV in the house, even in rooms farther from your router thanks to the long-range Wi-Fi receiver.
- Shows on the go: Take your TV to-go when traveling—without needing to log into someone else’s device.
- Compact without compromises: Our sleek design won’t block neighboring HDMI ports, so you can switch from streaming to gaming with ease. Plus, it’s designed to stay hidden behind your TV, keeping wires neatly out of sight
Roku activation is part of setting up the Roku device; installing Pluto TV is a separate step. After you open Pluto TV, follow any sign-in or setup prompt the app actually displays. The available official information does not establish that every Roku user must create a Pluto TV account or enter an activation code, so do not assume one is required if no prompt appears.
If Pluto TV does not appear in search
- Search the exact name. Enter “Pluto TV” and check that the result is the official Pluto TV app.
- Consider your region. Pluto TV lists Roku as a supported platform, but app availability and content can vary by country. These instructions are primarily for Roku users in the United States; the app may not be listed in every region.
- Check the Roku account. If you are using the website or mobile app, confirm it is the account linked to the target Roku.
- Update Roku. Go to Home > Settings > System > Software update > Check Now.
- Restart the device. Look under Settings > System for System restart. Some models put it under Power; menu paths vary.
- Try the website. Sign in to the linked Roku account and add Pluto TV from the Streaming Store.
If Pluto TV remains unavailable after an update, availability in your region or compatibility with older Roku hardware may be a factor. Do not use unofficial downloads or third-party activation pages.
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- Hides behind your TV: The all-new design plugs right into your TV with a simple setup
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- Long-range Wi-Fi: Enjoy fast, smooth TV streaming in any room with a strong Wi-Fi connection, now up to 2x faster
- No more juggling remotes: Power up your TV, adjust the volume, and control your Roku Streaming Stick with the Roku remote
- Voice search & control: Quickly search, play entertainment, and control your streaming device with the voice remote
If Pluto TV is installed but missing from Home
Press Home and scroll through the full app list, especially to its bottom, where new apps normally appear. If it is still missing, restart the Roku, check for a software update, and confirm that the device is linked to the account used to add the app. An app added remotely may need time to sync. If necessary, try adding it again from the Roku Store.
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If Pluto TV will not open, crashes, or buffers
Installation and playback are different problems. For an app that will not open or keeps crashing, try these steps in order:
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- Close Pluto TV and open it again.
- Check that the Roku is connected to the internet.
- Restart the Roku and check for software updates.
- If the problem continues, highlight Pluto TV on Home, press *, choose Remove app, and confirm. Restart the Roku, then reinstall Pluto TV from the Streaming Store.
Removing an app may also remove it from other devices linked to the same Roku account. Avoid a factory reset as an early fix: it erases device configuration and is better reserved for broader Roku problems after less disruptive steps have failed.
For buffering, check whether other apps also stream poorly and whether the problem affects all Pluto TV content or only one channel. Check the Roku’s connection, router distance, and Wi-Fi congestion; update and restart the Roku. If internet access is failing, Roku’s setup guidance recommends disconnecting the router and Roku player for about 10 seconds, then reconnecting them. Streaming quality depends on the device, network, content stream, and region, so these steps cannot guarantee a particular result.
Pluto TV and The Roku Channel are different apps
Pluto TV is a separate streaming service with its own live channels and on-demand catalog. The Roku Channel is Roku’s service. Installing or opening The Roku Channel does not install Pluto TV; search for the official Pluto TV listing if that is the app you want. Roku provides separate information about The Roku Channel.
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