Cord Cutting and Sleep: How to Manage Streaming While You Snooze

Lots of people like to fall asleep with the TV on – myself included. It's comforting, and that constant stream of sound can drown out those little noises that might otherwise wake you up. But leaving the TV on all night can be a problem, especially for cord cutters.

Here's a look at how to manage your streaming while you sleep:

Sleep Timers: Your First Line of Defense

Most Smart TVs these days, including those powered by Roku (which, by the way, is still the top dog in the streaming world!), have built-in sleep timers. Here's how to set one on your Roku TV:

1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
2. Scroll down and select Settings.
3. Select System.
4. Select Time.
5. Select Sleep timer.
6. Choose a time interval (30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.).

Easy peasy! Your TV will turn off automatically after the set time. And don't worry if you're not using a Roku TV; most other brands offer similar functionality. Check your TV's settings menu.

The Quirks of External Streaming Devices

Things get a bit trickier if you're using an external streaming device like a Roku stick or box plugged into your TV. In the past, turning off your TV wouldn't always stop the Roku from streaming. Thankfully, with improvements in HDMI-CEC technology, most devices now communicate better. Turning off your TV often signals the Roku to stop streaming too.

However, I wouldn't rely on this 100%. Compatibility issues can still occur. If your Roku keeps streaming after your TV is off, you could be wasting bandwidth and potentially exceeding your data cap (if you have one).

Roku's Bandwidth Saver: A Safety Net

Roku has a handy feature called Bandwidth Saver that can help. It's usually on by default, but it's worth double-checking:

1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select Network.
4. Select Bandwidth saver.
5. Select On to enable or Off to disable.

With Bandwidth Saver enabled, your Roku will automatically stop streaming after four hours of inactivity. You'll get a warning before it cuts out, giving you a chance to keep watching if you're still awake.

Beyond Roku: Other Streaming Devices and Smart Home Solutions

Of course, Roku isn't the only game in town. If you're using an Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, or another device, they likely have their own power-saving features or sleep timer options. Explore the settings to see what's available.

For the ultimate control, consider integrating your streaming device with a smart home ecosystem like Google Home or Amazon Alexa. You can then use voice commands to turn off your devices or set sleep timers.

Sweet Dreams, Cord Cutters!

My Streaming Life sometimes involves going to sleep with the TV on. These tips have helped me. Hopefully, these tips will help you enjoy your favorite shows before bed without worrying about wasted data or your streaming device working overtime while you sleep. Sleep well and happy streaming!