How to Fix NFL 403 Forbidden Error Code on Roku?

Many NFL viewers on Roku have encountered a “403 Forbidden” error across various Roku devices and TVs, particularly during live broadcasts. This issue has been reported with different NFL subscriptions and sometimes affects only specific channels.

To address the issue, try restarting the Roku device or updating the app. If the problem persists, consider reinstalling the app, resetting your NFL account password, or resetting the Roku device. Before troubleshooting, confirm that NFL and Roku services are operational in your region.

1. Restart the Roku Device and Router

If you encounter a 403 error on the NFL app on Roku, it may be due to a malfunction in the device’s or router’s communication modules, preventing proper request relay to the servers. Restarting both the Roku device and the router should resolve the issue.

1. Go to the Roku device Settings > System > Restart and restart Roku.

   

2. Launch the NFL app and see if the problem is solved.
3. If not, switch off the Roku device, router, and TV (if applicable).
4. Unplug their power cables from the power sources and wait for a minute.
5. Plug back the power cables and power on the router.
6. Once its status lights are stable, power on the TV and then the Roku device.
7. Launch NFL and confirm if its forbidden error code is cleared.

2. Update the NFL App and Roku Firmware

The NFL channel on Roku may display a “403 forbidden” error if the app or the Roku firmware is outdated, leading to incompatibility and connection refusal by the app’s servers. Updating both the NFL app and the Roku firmware should resolve the issue.

Update the NFL App

1. Go to the Roku’s home screen and select the NFL app.
2. Press the * button and select Check for Updates.

   

3. Install the update (if shown) and restart the device through its menu.
4. Launch NFL and verify if the issue is resolved.

Update the Firmware of the Roku Device

1. Go to the Roku Settings > System > System Updates.
2. Select Check for Updates and install all the available updates.

   

3. Go to Settings > System > Restart and restart Roku.
4. Launch NFL and verify if it is clear of the 403 error.

3. Re-log into the Service Provider

If the NFL app cannot authorize your profile with the service providers, you will receive a 403 Forbidden error. To resolve this, re-login to the service provider to re-establish authorization.

1. Launch the NFL app and go to Settings > Account > Providers.

   

2. Log out of the service provider and restart Roku through the System menu.
3. Log back into the service provider and see if this clears the issue.

4. Change the Service Provider

If your profile is not authorized by a specific service provider, or if there is a communication failure with the app, you may encounter a 403 error. Changing the service provider should resolve this issue.

1. Launch NFL and go to Settings > Account > Service Providers.
2. Change it to another one (e.g., Sling TV to Paramount+) and restart Roku through the menu.

   

3. Launch NFL and see if its 403 error is cleared.

5. Disable Limit Ad Tracking

Roku delivers personalized ads based on your device data. Disabling this feature may disrupt the NFL app if it relies on the default ad settings. To resolve this, disable the ‘Limit Ad Tracking’ option.

1. Launch the Roku Settings > Privacy > Advertising.
2. Disable Limit Ad Tracking and Reset Advertising Identifier.

   

3. Restart the device through its menu and launch NFL. Verify if the issue is resolved.
4. If not, enable Limit Ad Tracking and check if that gets the issue resolved. 

6. Reinstall the NFL App

If you receive a 403 forbidden error on Roku while using the NFL app or channel, it typically indicates that the installation is no longer valid. To fix this, reinstall the NFL app or channel on your Roku device.

1. On the Home screen of the Roku device, select the NFL app or channel.
2. Press the * button on the remote and select Remove Channel.

   

3. Confirm to remove the channel and go to the Roku Settings > System > Restart.
4. Confirm to restart the device and reinstall NFL.

   

5. Launch NFL and see if it is clear of 403 error.

7. Activate NFL through YouTube TV

An NFL 403 Forbidden error on Roku typically occurs if the app fails to activate your account properly. Activating the NFL app through YouTube TV should resolve this issue.

1. Log out of the NFL app and uninstall it.
2. Restart the Roku device and reinstall NFL.
3. Launch NFL and at the activate streaming service screen, select YouTubeTV.

   

4. Select the email associated with your YouTube account and see if this solves the problem.

8. Reset the Password of the NFL Account

If NFL servers cannot authorize your account, they will issue a 403 Forbidden error. Resetting your NFL account password should resolve this by re-establishing the necessary authorization.

1. Log out of the NFL account on the Roku device and uninstall NFL.
2. Restart the Roku device and go to the NFL website using a desktop browser.
3. Login using your credentials and go to the Change Password link.

   

4. Change the password and reinstall NFL on Roku.
5. Launch NFL and see if it is clear of the 403 forbidden code.

9. Resubscribe to the Service

If a bug or malfunction prevents Roku from authorizing your subscription, it may trigger a 403 error due to the servers detecting what appears to be unauthorized access. To resolve this, re-subscribe to the service.

Note that you might incur subscription charges. If you have an NFL subscription through a different provider, you can cancel it directly with them.

1. Launch a web browser and go to the Roku website.
2. Login using your credentials and go to the Manage Your Subscriptions section.
3. Locate your NFL subscription under Active Subscriptions and turn its Auto-Renewal to off.

   

4. Restart Roku (Settings > System > Restart) and enable auto-renewal of the subscription.
5. Uninstall the NFL app and restart Roku through the menu.
6. Reinstall the NFL app and launch the app.
7. Log into it and add the TV provider. Verify if the problem is solved.

10. Reset the Roku Device to the Factory Defaults

The NFL 403 forbidden error code on Roku typically indicates damage to the device’s firmware, often resulting from a failed update. To fix this, reset the Roku to its factory settings, ensuring you back up any essential data beforehand.

1. Launch the Roku device Settings and go to System > Advanced System Settings > Factory Reset.

   

2. Confirm to reset the device and once done, set it up as per your requirements.
3. Install NFL and launch it. Hopefully, it will be working correctly.

If the issue persists, try accessing your NFL account on a different device to check its functionality. Additionally, consider reaching out to Roku Support or NFL Support for further assistance.