It seems like quite a few Roku users are dealing with a frustrating picture quality issue lately. I’m seeing multiple reports pop up online, especially in Roku’s own community forums, describing HDR streams looking dull, grayish, and washed-out.
The problem appears to have surfaced after a recent Roku software update, as highlighted by The Verge earlier today. Initially, many users, like ‘Squinky’, pointed fingers at the Disney Plus app, noting that colors looked fine in the app menus and on non-HDR content, but 4K HDR shows suddenly lost their vibrancy. Squinky even shared comparison photos showing a stark difference, noting their TCL Roku TV was running software version 14.5.
However, the issue doesn’t seem limited to just Disney Plus or TCL TVs. User ‘Deadrocks’ confirmed experiencing the same thing, adding, “Anything that is streaming in HDR/ 4K. That’s shows and movies, etc.” They specifically mentioned problems with “Turning Red and Snow White (Classic) on Disney+” and even saw issues on Fandango at Home.
Others soon chimed in, reporting similar washed-out HDR visuals on apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV Plus, affecting different Roku TV brands including Sharp and Hisense. User ‘noob99999’ described it perfectly, saying it “makes a ton of shows simply unwatchable.”
Thankfully, Roku is aware of the situation. Roku Community Moderators, including RokuEmmanuel-D, have responded in the forum threads. On May 1, an update stated, “We’re investigating the Disney Plus HDR content that was washed out after the recent update.” They are actively asking affected users for details like their Roku device model, software version, specific content examples, and tracker IDs to help pinpoint the cause.
While HDR can sometimes look less impressive on TVs without the brightness to really make it pop, users insist this is different – a significant desaturation seemingly tied directly to the Roku streaming software post-update. Some noted that HDR content from external devices like a PS5 or a 4K Blu-ray player connected via HDMI still looks fine, further suggesting the bug lies within Roku’s streaming platform itself.
What’s interesting is that this isn’t even the first time the bug has appeared. I found a Reddit thread from five years ago describing a similar problem. But since there are no follow-ups on that thread, I guess the problem was fixed shortly thereafter.
Nevertheless, it’s definitely an annoying situation for those affected, making high-quality streams look worse than standard ones. Users are sharing their device information and hoping Roku can roll out a fix quickly. We’ll have to wait and see how soon Roku resolves this HDR hiccup.
Dwayne Cubbins
921 Posts
For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.
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