Sarah's Friday night plans were ruined. The moment she settled onto her couch with a bowl of popcorn, ready to binge her favorite streaming series, her Roku-powered TCL TV went black. "Not now," she muttered, hitting the power button repeatedly. Nothing. The TV was completely dead--just a black screen where her entertainment should be. What Sarah didn't know yet was that her TV was these TVs are part of a growing class action lawsuit affecting thousands of consumers nationwide.
This scenario is becoming increasingly common according to a recent class action lawsuit filed in California federal court. The case, led by plaintiff Terri Else, alleges that Roku and TCL issued software updates that were "repetitively defective," rendering certain TVs completely unusable--a phenomenon commonly referred to as "bricking" in tech circles. These updates allegedly "materially impair" the functionality of Roku's devices, despite both companies marketing these products as "reliable" smart TVs that would "keep getting better over time…thanks to [ongoing] automatic software updates." (Consumer Reports, 2024)
Think about it this way: You buy a television expecting it to last for years, only to have a mandatory update turn it into an expensive paperweight. That's exactly what thousands of Roku and TCL TV owners are claiming happened to them. These TVs are part of a growing list of electronics where software updates have unintended consequences for consumers.
Unlike Sarah, whose TV simply died, some owners experience different symptoms. One customer reported that their Roku TV would randomly turn off and require multiple attempts to power back on. Another mentioned that their device only worked when connected to the internet, and even then, many channels displayed blank screens. "I just disposed of a 65″ Roku branded TV that went black in less than 3 years after purchase," wrote one frustrated commenter on the Top Class Actions report. These TVs are part of a pattern that suggests a systemic issue with how software updates are implemented and tested.
What makes this situation particularly challenging for consumers is the lack of recourse. According to the lawsuit, Roku and TCL offer no solutions for customers whose TVs become inoperable, despite warranties that claim to cover software defects. Else seeks to represent a nationwide class action suit with a jury trial, with potential monetary compensation for all affected owners.
While the lawsuit is still in its early stages, we do know which specific models are named in the complaint. If you purchased any of these Roku or TCL TVs between December 16, 2024, and today, your set may be affected:
- Roku Select Series
- Roku Plus Series
- TCL 3 Series Roku TV
- TCL 4 Series Roku TV
- TCL 5 Series Roku TV
- TCL 6 Series Roku TV
Interestingly, this isn't the only legal trouble Roku is facing. Another customer is currently suing the company for removing a feature from its smart home cameras and requiring a new subscription to restore it--a move that has drawn criticism for creating artificial obsolescence in products consumers have already purchased.
As this case unfolds, what should you do if your TV is exhibiting these issues? First, document everything--take photos of error messages, record video of the problems, and keep all purchase documents. Second, monitor the lawsuit's progress through legal news outlets. Most importantly, consider joining the class action if you're eligible, as strength in numbers may lead to a more favorable outcome for all affected consumers.
The relationship between consumers and their smart devices continues to evolve, with software updates playing an increasingly crucial role in functionality. This case highlights the growing tension between automatic updates and consumer rights--a conversation that will likely become more prominent as our homes become increasingly connected.
