Roku sued for allegedly bricking TVs - see which models are affected, and your best alternatives

A class action lawsuit filed in California accuses Roku and TCL North America of issuing defective software updates that render certain TV models unusable. The plaintiff reports black screens, boot loops, and constant freezing after updates, with a replacement set suffering the same fate. The complaint specifically targets six models purchased from December 16, 2024, onward: Roku Select Series, Roku Plus Series, and TCL 3, 4, 5, and 6 Series Roku TVs. Dozens of users on TopClassActions.com and Reddit corroborate the issues, with many describing their TVs as "laggy," "unusable without a set-top box," or completely dead within months.

As the case progresses, affected owners have no immediate action to take but should watch for a potential settlement or claims process. Roku has not responded to requests for comment. Despite the lawsuit, Roku remains the most popular TV operating system, but alternatives exist. ZDNET recommends the Samsung QN90F (powered by Tizen OS) for its excellent streaming and gaming performance. If you own one of the listed models, back up your settings and consider a separate streaming device until the issue is resolved.