- Roku streaming sticks don’t come with an HDMI cable in their box
- …but you can always get one for free if you ask
- The application process is simple and should only take a few minutes
If you’ve tried different brands of streaming sticks, you’ll have noticed that Roku sticks don’t have a bonus HDMI cable that you’d get for free with an Amazon Fire Stick. Well, it turns out you can also get this cable for free with Roku Sticks – if you know where to ask.
Whether you’re upgrading an older TV, want access to your favorite streaming content when you’re traveling, or just need it, streaming sticks from Amazon and Roku can come in handy.
But depending on the design and port layout of your TV and other devices you have connected, it can be difficult to plug a streaming stick directly into your screen. That’s why Amazon Fire Sticks and others may come with an HDMI extender, a short extra cable that creates more space between your stick and the screen.
In the box of your Roku stick you won’t find an extender, but you can request one for free on an official Roku HDMI page. All you have to do is fill out the form with your name, address, telephone number and the serial number of your streaming key.
The serial number will be printed on the key itself, with a label “SN:#####” – the serial number of your device replacing the #####. Alternatively, your drive’s serial number should appear in the Roku app; Go to your devices page, tap the three-dot menu icon next to the streaming stick, then tap to view system information.
Once you fill out all of your information, the HDMI extender will be shipped to your home for free – you shouldn’t even have to pay shipping costs.
Cord Cutters News recently reported on this hidden feature, and while the request form has been around for a while, it has reportedly become a much simpler process to request an extension.
While it’s not as simple as including the HDMI cable in the box, this approach saves Roku some costs and reduces technology waste. This obviously means for us consumers that setting up a Roku streaming stick may take a little longer, since we have to wait for a second package to arrive at our house.
Not including this tool in the box could also reduce the effectiveness of Roku’s streaming sticks, as an extender can improve airflow to the stick, which improves performance.
However, if you are having issues with the Roku stick, this might be the solution you needed.
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