NowTV Stick overheating - more than 110C?!!?!

[Anonymous User]

Hello

I bought a NowTV stick a few months back and it's been used regularly with no problem.

I recently bought a second one and while my daughter was watching youtube, a warning kept coming up on the screen saying it was overheating.  I'd never even considered this might happen before.

I checked the stick and sure enough, it was red hot - like, barely touchable hot.  The exposed metal on the HDMI plug was burning hot - I could not physically keep my hand on it.

Thinking it was faulty I swapped it immediately for the other one, and checked the temperature less than half an hour later in the "secret screen".  There was no warning during this time but the temperature of the stick was a scorching 111°C. 

The NowTV stick isn't plugged direct into the TV - TV only has one HDMI so I'm using a 3-in-1 extender which is a good foot away from the TV.

I read somewhere to try powering it from the TV's USB port, but the NowTV stick then complains it isn't getting enough power.

I've read that these things have destroyed TVs - statements I'd normally take with a pinch of salt but something in direct contact with the inner electronics of a TV, running at over 100C?  This cannot possibly be safe.

Have I just dropped on two faulty ones?  Or is this normal?  If this is as good as it gets then I simply won't be using them as I'm sure the heat is going to cause damage in one form or another.

Ta!

[schnapps]

Hi @Anonymous User 

The NowTV stick does run hot, otherwise i doubt there would be this help article written below.

https://help.nowtv.com/article/red-light-overheating-warning

111 deg seems excessively hot to me and i would be inclined after trying all the different HDMI port configurations on both your HDMI Hub switcher and Television to maybe look at an alternative way of watching nowtv on your TV.

Perhaps get a full refund for the stick and look at either the older nowtv black box or new 4K smart box where i know both these two devices that i own run cool (even during the hot summer months from my experience using these two nowtv devices).

Sorry i couldn't offer any help with regards to this matter.

[Anonymous User]

I would have thought that if the stick was overheating, then it might malfunction or freeze. Some people report on NowTV sticks dropping back to the menu during watching, but this is probably more to do with the devices having a bug and being in need of another system update.

I bought a basic NowTV stick a few days ago, but I haven't checked the temperature in any system menu just yet. I suppose the real way to test will be with a lot of use. In my opinion they shouldn't really be going much above 70C. In comparison, my laptop's processor throttles at 90C to protect itself from internal damage. It normally runs between 45C-70C max.

The latest NowTV sticks are made by Roku. Roku give away mini hdmi extension cables to try and keep their own devices cool (NowTV customers don't apply). I think Amazon firetv sticks also have extension cables now bundled. I doubt any of this does much to fix the problem in the long run. Giving away free cables is surely a big hint that the manufacturers know their devices have trouble maintaining a reasonable temperature though.

All these sticks use fast processors which will generate much heat in time, yet are compact into such a small space with no real ventilation at all. They are highly likely to get very hot over prolonged usage. I think many of these devices may not be that fit for purpose when viewing for very long periods. If yours is scolding hot-painful to touch, then yes, I would avoid using it to prevent damage to the tv. If it's overheating faster than before, then the stick may be damaged or in need of repair (not worth your time).

The solution is to probably avoid sticks from now on and try popular tv boxes instead. NowTV seem to have one, but I would research the reviews and ask within the tech forums to make sure they don't have the same overheating issues.

[Anonymous User]

Yeah I expect heat.  Even 60, 70.... possibly even 80C on a hot day.  But over 110C?  Handling the thing at that temperature is down right dangerous.  It's a serious burn risk.  OK the casing may not be quite 110C but the exposed metal on the HDMI plug certainly is.

NowTV seem to have largely ignored the problem.  Their only solution is to "stop using it if it overheats".  So that's precisely what I'm going to do, and go to Amazon Prime instead.

They've completely buried their heads on the issue, which by the look of it, is widespread.  They've completely ignored my pleas for advice on Twitter, too.

Maybe the box is better.  More scope for ventilation, heatsinks and active cooling.  But I'm not willing to give them another £40 just to find out.

Thanks for the replies, people.  More helpful than you realise.

[Anonymous User]

I wonder if there was a software upgrade that caused this.  Mine was OK up until last week and then got overheating. Replaced it and the new one is OK. 

[RoyB]

The stated purpose of the Amazon Fire TV extender is to improve the WiFi signal, and secondarily to enable it to be used in places where it won’t fit into an HDMI port, or it fouls the plugs for devices on either side (being rather bigger than a NowTV Stick.

There is no clue to the temperatures it might reach in the product name 

But sooner or later, someone is going to be referring to the NowTV OnFire Stick, if this thing keeps going above the temperature of boiling water 

[Anonymous User]

Videos from channels and apps on the NowTV stick surely use a variety of video codecs, which will put more or less strain on the processor. A higher resolution / higher video quality may also put more strain on the cpu and lead to a higher temperature. According to the packaging, NowTV seems to only stream at 720p. I'm not sure if youtube or any other apps are capable of higher. If so, then perhaps watching 1080p content, whether on youtube or in general, is an issue.

There seems to be a variety of secret menus on the boxes. I don't know if they are the same menus are found on the sticks. If so, then there might be something in there to limit the resolution to 720p or lower to reduce the cpu load. If there is a way to limit the internet bitrate, that will probably not make a difference unless the resolution automatically adjusts itself.  I'll have to test it out tomorrow to see what is available, if anything.

A stress test on a competitor stick (Amazon Fire) shows 200F (90C) at full cpu usage here

Relating to the NowTV manufacturer, one Roku user only noted a drop in around 8C using the free hdmi extenders they started shipping, linked to their page on overheating. The page however relates to 'DirectTVNow', a US service. A link on that page takes them to the Roku homepage which relates the extenders as a last resort to overheating

[Anonymous User]

An update (since I don't seem to be able to edit any posts:

I've tried it out properly for the first time. I use the power adapter, and connect it to an hdmi port on the tv that allows the stick to have space on all sides for heat to escape properly.

Idle, within seconds of powering up, the hidden menu shows the stick to be at 80C. It slowly creeps up to around 85C.

Using youtube, I choose a long video that shouldn't stress it too much (one of those 'train driver's view videos'), and played it for a good twenty mins or so, followed by some random music videos for around half an hour. Reverting back to the temperature menu, the stick is now at 101C.

After the normal menu appears, pressing Home five times then FF, PLAY, RW, PLAY, FF should show the temperature, but it also has a colour bar to indicate safety. 101C is in orange, rather than red to indicate a critical or danger zone, so it would seem the stick can go higher, but not by much.

Given the immediate reading of 80C which is in lighter orange, I believe the temperature reading to be a higher estimate than the reality. Turning off at 101C, the stick was very warm, but not hot to the touch.

I cannot say I trust it however, as I am certain with wear that the same videos may stress it further, possibly causing real damage . If in doubt, eventually update to a tv box with a cooling fan, and in the meantime try not to use the stick for long periods of time.

[Anonymous User]

I had noticed it, when it failed, it was very hot, it definitely needs a heat sink. Thinking of designing one that radiates heat away via the HDMI or perhaps venting the casing. This kind of temperature might damage the circuit boards in the TV. Additionally, the power down does not work on mine.

[RoyB]

@Anonymous User 

Although it slightly defeats the point of having a Stick at all, if you are worried about this hot thing near your TV then you can put it out on a long HDMI cable, M/F, or a regular M/M cable with an F/F coupler, and have it as far from the TV as you like.

With room, possibly, to treat it like a CPU, and couple a heatsink to it with thermal paste.

However, I think it’s faulty; I have a NowTV Stick which is always powered, though it sits in free air on a short HDMI extender off a Samsung One Connect box, and it never gets above being slightly warm to the touch.

I will get and post some secret menu measurements later on.

[RoyB]

I’m clocking 101 degrees C with the Stick on, but just quietly idling.

I don’t know if it goes up if I start streaming; if it works like a PC , it would. I’m trying that next.

But the Stick is gently warm to the touch, not the boiling hot that the temperature reading above indicates.

And very comparable to what the back of the TV is at anyway, given the warmth rising from the vents.

This is on a 32in Samsung HD TV, wall mounted across a corner on a double extending arm, so running in free air.

The comparable downstairs TV with nothing plugged in to it feels the same, so it’s not the load from the Stick making the TV warm.

Further bulletins as events warrant.

[RoyB]

An hour of Big Little Lies, a suitably steamy drama, got it up to 102. The metal of the HDMI connector was uncomfortable, but not impossible, to hold, which would put it in the 50s.

[Anonymous User]

This is just ridiculous. I bought a NOW TV Stick to be able to watch the new F1 season in Full HD. First few weekends, fine. Watched some football last week and the warning suddenly appears, watch 30 minutes of practice today and it appears again.

How on earth is this product allowed on the market when it is so clearly unfit for purpose? I can understand overheating if it's been in use for HOURS, but not minutes.

It is clear that Now TV did not anticipate the demands of streaming Full HD content and so tried to retrofit older hardware with newer software.

It's 2020 for goodness sake and they can't stream 1080p without problems? Daylight robbery.

What a complete joke. I will not be purchasing any more passes because there is simply no way this experience will improve. Performance will only degrade as the product is no doubt damaged after every overheating cycle.

I will stick to sharing Sky Go with a family member, despite the quality being pathetically poor at 720p25. It will be a far better experience than this literal dumpster fire.

I had poor expectations even before I started with NOW TV. It's been apparent for a long time that Sky/NowTV lack any consumer-focus, and after only one month (!) they have reaffirmed my opinion. Superb.

Streaming sticks aren't exactly rocket science. This isn't some newfangled technology. Once again the archaic processes of this "premium service" are exposed for what they are - a blatant moneygrab with no regard for the customer.

Charging extortionate rates for access to pay TV, as if it is the apex of audiovisual luxury. ###### hell.

The most basic feature of NOW TV - watching television - and they can't even deliver that.

Ridiculous.

[Anonymous User]

hi today i have noticed the same problem. its a stick and it is not used regular however the hdmi port end has melted. i have never used one before and i have always needed to have the stick connected to the mains as it would not work otherwise. what actions are the makers doing as this is serious and could of been dangerous

[Anonymous User]

i think we are all missing the point. this is a potential fire hazard and lives could be lost. action needs to be taken regarding this. i will be reporting this to which and watchdog . its a danger to lives

[sh-X]

I’ve had the same problem past 2 nights, not doing nothing I wasn’t for the past few months, warning signs first night I unplugged right away, tonight I didn’t right away as I was at other side of the room maybe left it 10/15 seconds and the warning flashed up again, it’s cooling very fast I’d say 5 mins; I’m leaving it the full 15 suggested, never had this before on any of my now tv devices in the past, I never checked temperature on the secret screen however it was burning too hot to handle for any length of time.

[Anonymous User]

Hi,

I saw this for the first time recently, when my family and I were using the stick heavily but also after I put it on the 5GHz WiFi band channel 36.

It might just have pushed the temperature too high.

I didn't know about the secret menus at the time so didn't record what the temperature was.

The stick was very warm/ hot to the touch, so I turned it off.

It was plugged into an HDMI port of a 32 inch wall-mounted flat screen TV (a Sony Bravia) so was probably not in free air.

I have bought a could of short HDMI extenders through Amazon and now the stick is working well and hanging below the TV, so more in free air.

The platform secret menu now says that it is idling at 90C.

Is it a fire hazard?

      - maybe, maybe not 

           - maybe not, because you get a warning about overheating.

           - maybe not, because a software update could be deployed to turn it off before it catches fire.

           - maybe, if it does not turn off automatically or give prominent warnings or have a workaround provided by the manufacturer.

Kind regards Tony

[Anonymous User]

My Roku 2XS streaming box is running much cooler and is idling at 50C.

But it is physically a bit larger.

Kind regards Tony

[Anonymous User]

It's now one year on from my earlier reply in this post. The stick is still working. I receive similar temperature estimates from the hidden menus. Other than what I suspect were app or device software bugs as mentioned before forcing me to reset. I have only had to reset a couple of times in one year, so this was not a problem. This may be because I do not add-delete channels often (which may create glitches) and am using the basic version 3801UK stick, so I am not running anything at a super high resolution which could increase temperature. I am not running video constantly for more than 2-3 hours at a time. I have noticed a blurry image with the Sky content before, but this is rare and probably down to their own servers (too many viewers?) rather than the stick itself.

Yet I would expect all electronic devices used extensively to eventually wear , and too many updates could put more strain on the stick if eventually running an operating system that demanded more processing, and made it run slower and warmer, but so far everything has been ok. 

[Anonymous User]

It's not just the OP that has experienced this problem. My stick is overheating & after about 20 mins in use - the picture simply goes blank. It's as if the unit has just switched/powered off. If I touch it - it is too hot to hold for a extended period of time. I reset it - tried different hdmi ports & even tested it on two different TV's - same result. We've been using it extensively during the lockdown. I tired Chat - but only get the bot. Is there any way to get in touch with NowTV & have the stick swapped out - as it came directly from them? Zody

[Anonymous User]

Having stripped mine from its case it's running at 113 and has disfigured at the end. Incredible. Feel annoyed  . . Do I buy another one and it does it again?