Roku looking into MAX sign-in issue when you access the app

If you’re a MAX subscriber using Roku, chances are you’ve been playing an unwanted game of digital musical chairs lately. Since December, users have been grappling with a particularly annoying glitch that forces them to log in every time they open the MAX app. The issue seems to persist across multiple Roku devices, from the humble Roku Express to the feature-packed Roku Ultra, leaving users exasperated and, in some cases, threatening to cancel their subscriptions altogether.

What makes this issue particularly maddening is its specificity. It only affects the MAX app on Roku devices, sparing users on other platforms like iPhones, Fire TVs, and even gaming consoles. One theory that’s gained traction among the disgruntled is that Roku devices fail to generate unique identifiers for each unit. As a result, MAX servers treat all Roku devices in a household as a single device, leading to the frequent logouts. This has led to suspicions of a compatibility clash between MAX’s new account-sharing crackdown and Roku’s device ID system.

Roku support has finally acknowledged the issue, calling for detailed reports from users to aid their investigation. They’ve asked for device models, serial numbers, tracker IDs, and even photos or videos documenting the glitch. However, this request for user cooperation has not entirely pacified the frustrated masses. After all, providing this information doesn’t guarantee an immediate fix.

The issue has led to a barrage of complaints, with users venting their frustrations on forums. Some have gone as far as to highlight how the inconvenience has impacted elderly family members who rely on the service for entertainment. The manual login process each time — without even a quick QR code option — adds to the aggravation.

This isn’t the first time Roku users have faced app-specific woes. Roku’s OS 14 update has caused hiccups with other apps like Tablo TV. The MAX app glitch seems to be another chapter in Roku’s ongoing struggle to maintain seamless app integration amid updates and new feature rollouts.

Adding salt to the wound, users have reported performance issues and a surge in ads, which some claim have slowed down their devices. This cocktail of technical difficulties and intrusive ads has some users contemplating a switch to other streaming platforms, with Apple TV emerging as a popular alternative due to its speed and lack of ads.

For now, if you’re a MAX user on Roku, it might be worth bookmarking our article on what’s leaving MAX in January 2025 — because by the time you finally log in again, your favorite show might have vanished. As the investigation continues, the ball is in Roku and MAX’s court to deliver a fix ASAP.