Roku users say the latest software update has made their streaming suck

Date:
Tue, 06 May 2025 11:22:21 +0000

Description:
Roku users are reporting problems with Disney Plus, Prime Video and YouTube too, following a recent software update.

FULL STORY ======================================================================4K HDR streaming appears "washed out" on some Roku TVs HD and SDR content seems to
be fine The culprit may be the latest firmware update

If you're a Roku TV owner and you think your 4K HDR streaming doesn't look right, it could be a software fault. Since the latest software update there have been multiple reports of "washed-out" HDR across multiple streaming services.

The first reports, shared on the Roku issue tracking board and reported by
The Verge , were about problems with the video while streaming from Disney Plus on TCL TVs. But more reports have since emerged of video issues with Prime Video, YouTube TV, Netflix, Apple TV Plus and others, and on Hisense Roku TVs, too.

The good news is that it's clearly a software issue: some users reporting problems also say that their Blu-Ray players are working just fine, and
others say there are no issues with non-4K HDR. So the TVs themselves appear to be okay. What's wrong with Roku's streaming? This photo shows how lush greens and brown buildings all appear to be washed with grey on an affected Roku TV. (Image credit: Squinky / Roku Community)

The common denominator appears to be the Roku software version 14.5, with streaming services suffering from what The Verge describes as "desaturated, almost black-and-white images" with HDR enabled. Some other users are finding their streaming video is overly bright.

It does look like there is an issue that kicks in when the video starts to stream: this post on the Roku Community pages shows the dramatic difference between affected and unaffected TVs, and replies from other affected users
say that everything's fine with the app's menus and static images. It's only once you start watching the actual movie or show that the problems occur.

Roku is aware of the reports, although at the time of writing it apparently hasn't responded to press requests for comment. We've asked Roku directly and will update this story when we hear back.

This seems to be yet another example of automatic updates apparently introducing problems to people's A/V kit: just a few weeks ago Samsung owners found their expensive soundbars were being bricked by a firmware update . You might also like Google TV and Chromecast users are finally getting a great free upgrade for smart home control Roku's new streaming stick lineup is needlessly confusing Brace yourselves, Fire TV Stick fans Amazon may make a huge, risky software change later this year



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/audio/wireless-headphones/roku-users-say-the-latest- software-update-has-made-their-streaming-suck


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