Roamio Won't Boot

Thunderclap · Sep 3, 2025

I decided to dust off my Roamio. I plugged it in and it booted up fine, however, when trying to update, I kept getting an error. Thinking it was because it hadn't been used since 2021, I decided to do a factory reset. Now all it does is sit on the Welcome! Starting up... screen. I've tried using kickstart codes 52 and 56 but all that happens is the system reboots and nothing. I also tried 57 for good measure but, again, nothing. The drive in it was manufactured in 2020, less than a year after I put the TiVo away.

The fan wasn't spinning so I did install a replacement hoping that would fix it but no go.

Anyone have a suggestion in getting the Roamio up and running?

cwoody222 · Sep 3, 2025

It probably won’t. Probably too old of OS and won’t update.

That’s why you don’t leave things that require a 24/7 internet connection in a box for 4 years.

Thunderclap · Sep 4, 2025

I've deleted all partitions, too. So essentially a "new" drive. I assume the basic principle is the same, in that the TiVo should phone home and grab the latest software to install. Is that not accurate?

cwoody222 · Sep 4, 2025

Not exactly.

The OS is stored in flash memory, not the HD.

If your OS is too old and no longer supports upgrading, anything you do to the HD won’t matter and you’ll be SOL.

ThAbtO · Sep 4, 2025

Do a Kickstart 58.

Thunderclap · Sep 4, 2025

No go. I did 58, the green and amber lights flashed and then let it sit overnight. Still sitting on Welcome! Starting up...

ungivenglory · Sep 4, 2025

I have successfully completed the guided setup on 2 Ota roamios that were 12 years old. They were never touched new in box & they worked fine in late 2024/early 2025 when I set them up.

No issues with the guided setup. If I remember right they both rebooted one additional time during setup compared to a unit that is plugged in all the time.

The devices lifetime service was on my parents TiVo account even with them never using them & like I mentioned the roamios were still factory sealed, never used, new in box etc.

Something wrong with the dvr is my guess but that’s a guess. Again complete guess. I would send it to weakness if you can’t figure it out with these guys help. Luckily they are 2 of the most knowledgeable guys around so I would defer to them.

Just wanted to share my experience. Best of luck.

Thunderclap · Sep 4, 2025

ungivenglory said:
I would send it to weakness if you can’t figure it out with these guys help.

I considered that but I think I'll just cut my loss and put it on eBay. I'm sure someone that has more time than me will be interested in a lifetime unit and know how to get it working.

ThAbtO · Sep 4, 2025

What is the exact model of the hard drive you are using?

SMR drives does not work in Tivos.

Thunderclap · Sep 5, 2025

It's a WD Red 2TB drive, WD20EFAX-68FB5N0. I'm 90% I purchased it through Weaknees in 2020, but it's possible I'm misremembering.

ThAbtO · Sep 5, 2025

WD Red are now SMR, while WD Red Plus are CMR and that is what works in Tivo. (CMR)

Thunderclap · Sep 6, 2025

ThAbtO said:
What is the exact model of the hard drive you are using?

SMR drives does not work in Tivos.

ThAbtO said:
WD Red are now SMR, while WD Red Plus are CMR and that is what works in Tivo. (CMR)

Thank you both. It was the 2TB drive. Installed a 1TB that is CMR and TiVo installed the software no problem.

Roamio Won't Boot

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