Edgar Cervantes/Android Authority
TL;DR
- Roku and TCL are being sued after a firmware update allegedly caused TVs to malfunction.
- The class action suit claims both companies pushed the update without proper quality checks.
- Affected models include the Roku Select and Plus series, plus TCL 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-series TVs.
A regular software update should improve your technology, not turn your main TV into a useless device. But some Roku and TCL owners say that’s what’s happening. A new class-action lawsuit targets both companies, claiming that recent firmware updates have broken smart TVs.
A complaint filed in California federal court says Roku and TCL released software updates that caused some smart TV models to freeze, turn on repeatedly, or not turn on at all. Top class activities. “Bricking” is the term for when a software issue causes a device to stop working completely.
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Roku’s operating system runs on millions of affordable TVs, and TCL is one of its main hardware partners. This partnership is usually beneficial, but the lawsuit claims that the companies did not test these updates thoroughly before releasing them. Owners say that after the update, their TVs went completely black.
The complaint lists several TCL models such as the Roku Select series, the Roku Plus series, and the 3-, 4-, 5- and 6-series with Roku OS. These TVs are popular budget choices, especially for those who have cut cable.
Owners say these problems started just a year or two after they bought their TV, which is much sooner than most people expect. Although companies promised to fix software problems in their marketing and warranty, no one has provided a complete solution.
The lawsuit now aims to represent affected owners across the country. It demands compensation for the lost value of the TV and redress for the alleged negligence.
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