Roku, TCL face class action over software updates that allegedly ‘brick’ smart TVs

Roku class action lawsuit overview:

• Who: A consumer has filed a class action lawsuit against Roku Inc. and TTE Technology Inc., doing business as TCL North America.
• Why: The plaintiff claims Roku and TCL are responsible for selling televisions that are rendered unusable due to defective software updates.
• Where: The Roku class action lawsuit was filed in California federal court.

A new class action lawsuit alleges Roku and TTE Technology, doing business as TCL North America, are responsible for selling televisions that are rendered unusable due to defective software updates.

Plaintiff Terri Else claims Roku and TCL knowingly sold televisions that have software defects, which corrupt user experience to the point of inoperability.

Else argues the software defects are a result of a platform that “cuts corners” and fails to ensure that the software updates are free of defects both in testing stages and at scale.

“Roku’s software updates are repetitively defective, materially impairing the functionality of Roku products, rendering many consumers’ televisions either entirely unusable (‘bricked’), blacked out or otherwise substantially degraded in terms of device performance,” the Roku class action lawsuit says.

Else wants to represent a nationwide class and California subclass of consumers who purchased Roku TV products manufactured by Roku or TCL, including Roku Select Series, Roku Plus Series and TCL 3/4/5/6 Series Roku TVs, from Dec. 16, 2024, to the present.

Roku, TCL failed to disclose software defects, class action alleges

Else argues Roku and TCL failed to disclose the software defects to consumers prior to purchase while continuing to market Roku televisions as reliable smart TVs designed to “keep getting better over time…thanks to [ongoing] automatic software updates.” 

“Despite consumers’ persistent complaints of repeated system failures, often leaving their TVs completely inoperable, defendants offer no recourse,” the Roku class action lawsuit says. “This is inconsistent with representations made in express warranties, which promise to repair, correct or otherwise remediate the software defect.”

Else claims Roku and TCL are guilty of breach of express and implied warranties and violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law and Consumers Legal Remedies Act.

She demands a jury trial and requests declaratory and injunctive relief and an award of actual and statutory damages and restitution for herself and all class members.

In a separate class action lawsuit, a consumer has accused Roku of removing a key feature from its Smart Home Cameras, forcing customers to pay for a subscription to access it.

Have you had a problem with a Roku TV? Let us know in the comments.

The plaintiff is represented by Helen I. Zeldes, Susan G. Taylor and Summer Wright of Schonbrun Seplow Harris Hoffman & Zeldes LLP.

The Roku class action lawsuit is Else v. Roku, Inc., et al., Case No. 8:26-cv-00748, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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