Roku and TCL are being sued for allegedly bricking smart TVs with bad updates
Source: Android Authority
TL;DR
- Roku and TCL are being sued after firmware updates allegedly bricked TVs.
- The class‑action suit claims both companies pushed updates without proper quality checks.
- Affected models include Roku Select and Plus Series, plus TCL 3‑, 4‑, 5‑, and 6‑Series TVs.
A routine software update should improve your tech, not turn your main TV into a useless device. That’s what some Roku and TCL owners say is happening. A new class‑action lawsuit targets both companies, claiming recent firmware updates have bricked smart TVs.
A complaint filed in a California federal court says Roku and TCL released software updates that made some smart‑TV models freeze, restart repeatedly, or not turn on at all, according to Top Class Actions. “Bricking” is the term for when a software problem renders a device completely inoperable.
Roku’s operating system runs on millions of affordable TVs, and TCL is one of its main hardware partners. The lawsuit alleges the companies did not test these updates sufficiently before release. Owners report that after the update, their TVs simply went black.
Affected Models
- Roku Select Series
- Roku Plus Series – see details on the series here
- TCL 3‑Series, 4‑Series, 5‑Series, and 6‑Series TVs that run Roku OS
These models are popular budget choices, especially for consumers who have cut the cord.
Allegations and Claims
- Problems began one to two years after purchase, far sooner than most owners expect.
- Despite marketing promises and warranty language that the companies would fix software issues, plaintiffs say neither Roku nor TCL has provided satisfactory solutions.
- The lawsuit seeks to represent affected owners nationwide, requesting compensation for the lost value of the TVs and accountability for alleged negligence.