Roku’s Latest Update Has Everyone Upset

A couple of weeks ago, I fired up the Roku TV in the living room and plopped down on the couch, only to be greeted by a tutorial screen announcing a major update to the home screen and user interface. I wasn’t a fan right off the bat, but I thought I’d get used to it after a few days. Spoiler alert: I still can’t stand the new design. It seems like a lot of other Roku users are equally frustrated, as one of the best smart TV interfaces has been cluttered with ads and algorithm-driven suggestions, all while introducing a slew of annoying bugs.

Before last month’s update, the Roku home screen was refreshingly straightforward. You had your apps and inputs neatly organized, clearly labeled sections on the left, and three boxes at the top showcasing “recommended” shows or movies. It was quick, user-friendly, and easy to customize.

Now, however, the home screen is a chaotic jumble that changes every time I turn it on. My HDMI inputs have been shoved into a confusing “Quick Access” section, making them harder to reach and customize. Plus, there are new areas on the home screen that Roku controls entirely, serving as additional spots to push content and generate revenue. I really don’t need my TV suggesting five different shows from services I don’t even subscribe to. It’s just unnecessary.

Some users have found ways to revert the home screen to resemble the old layout and shared their methods, but the results aren’t quite the same. In some cases, features that were removed, like a “Soccer Zone” that pops up during the World Cup, keep reappearing no matter how many times you delete them.

As more people have updated their TVs over the past few weeks, many have discovered the new, cluttered interface and expressed their dissatisfaction. A lot of users are clamoring for the old home screen and questioning why it was changed in the first place.

“The new Roku update is terrible. Lost my settings on the Home Screen, cannot change the position of apps,” one user vented on a forum.

“Does anyone actually like this new Roku home screen layout?” another user asked on social media. “It’s awful and clearly designed to push more ads. I’ve been a supporter since day one, but all good things come to an end.”

“Can you bring back the old interface as an option for those who don’t want this?” was a top comment on a video about the update.

“All I see is more ads – and the software keeps getting laggier! When will there be more focus on the speed of the apps and the OS?” another user lamented.

If you dig a little deeper, you’ll find complaints about various new bugs. One that I’m dealing with frequently is a squished screen that appears whenever I turn on my PS5 or Xbox or switch between them. The only fix is to unplug the TV and let it reboot. It’s so frustrating that I’m seriously considering buying a new TV for the living room, ideally one that isn’t a Roku.

The challenge is that finding a decent smart TV in 2026 is becoming increasingly difficult. My old 4K LG TV in the office is still mostly functional, but it recently received an update that introduced literal ads at the bottom of the screen when I turn it on or switch inputs. I tried out a Google TV, and it felt even worse than the current Roku mess, which doesn’t give me much hope for a replacement.

I know I might sound nostalgic, but I miss the simplicity of basic TVs. Just a few inputs to switch between. All my devices have YouTube, Netflix, and the like; I don’t need them built into my TV. But even if I decided to buy a new TV, the prices for electronics in 2026 keep climbing. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: the future is looking grim. The folks at Roku City definitely deserve better.