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Roku Investigates Washed-Out HDR Streaming Issues After Software Update

Roku is investigating widespread complaints about washed-out HDR colors affecting multiple streaming apps, including Disney Plus, Netflix, and YouTube TV. The issue appears linked to a recent Roku software update impacting TCL and Hisense Roku TVs. Users report desaturated, grayish images during HDR playback, while non-HDR content and HDMI sources remain unaffected. Roku is requesting detailed user feedback to diagnose and resolve the problem.

Published May 4, 2025 at 07:03 PM EDT in Software Development

Roku has recently come under scrutiny from users reporting washed-out colors when streaming HDR content. The problem surfaced after a recent software update and has affected multiple streaming apps, including Disney Plus, Netflix, YouTube TV, Apple TV Plus, and Amazon Prime Video.

Initially, the issue was reported primarily on TCL Roku TVs and seemed limited to Disney Plus HDR content. However, further user reports have expanded the scope to include Hisense Roku TVs and multiple streaming services. The washed-out effect manifests as desaturated, grayish, or almost black-and-white images during HDR playback, while non-HDR content and app menus appear normal.

Users have noted that HDR content streamed via Roku is affected, but HDR playback through HDMI inputs from devices like PS5 consoles or 4K Blu-Ray players remains unaffected. This suggests the issue is specific to Roku's streaming software rather than the TV hardware or firmware.

The Roku community and moderators have acknowledged the problem and are actively investigating. RokuEmmanuel-D, a community moderator, has requested affected users to provide detailed information about their TV models, software versions, and specific content examples to aid in troubleshooting.

This issue highlights the challenges streaming platforms face in maintaining consistent HDR quality across diverse hardware and software environments. Washed-out HDR images can significantly degrade the viewing experience, especially for users expecting vibrant and accurate colors.

For developers and manufacturers, this situation underscores the importance of rigorous software testing and quality assurance, particularly when deploying updates that affect video processing and display technologies. It also demonstrates the value of active user feedback channels to quickly identify and address issues.

QuarkyByte provides comprehensive insights and tools to monitor software update impacts on streaming devices, enabling faster diagnosis and resolution of video quality issues. Our expertise helps technology leaders optimize HDR streaming performance and enhance user satisfaction across platforms.

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