Roku’s HDR Playback Appears To Be Failing To Deliver After A Recent Update

Roku offers a complete streaming setup for all users, from upgrading regular TVs to smart TVs with streaming devices like Roku Streaming Stick to offering TVs with streaming technology built-in. In addition to the hardware, the user-friendly UI of the Roku OS is one of the major reasons behind its success.

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However, even with all these positives, it currently doesn’t seem to guarantee the best streaming experience, especially if you’ve a Roku TV with the recent update. That’s because Roku TV users are now complaining on the company’s Issue Tracking Board about washed-out colors on HDR content after installing the software version 14.5. Most of the complaints are coming from TCL-branded TVs, though some users have also reportedly encountered the issue on Hisense Roku TVs (via The Verge).

While Roku has started investigating what’s causing the issue, there are conflicting reports about whether the issue is limited to all streaming apps. Most of the complaints suggest that the washed-out colors are specifically prominent on HDR content on Disney+, though some users also reported the same issue while watching HDR on platforms like YouTube TV, Netflix, Apple TV Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and others.

Interestingly, Roku menus and application menus show accurate colors as you’d expect. The muted colors appear only when users start watching HDR content. “I’m having the same issue, started just this week. Roku menu and application (Disney+, Netflix, etc.) menus all have the correct colour, but upon starting an episode of something the colours will be completely washed out,” wrote one user on the company’s community page. “The bright red netflix N will be orange. If I pause the episode the overlay will show the correct colours but the show in the background will be still incorrect.”

What can you do to avoid Roku’s washed-out colors on HDR content?

If we go by the statements of all the users who are experiencing washed-out colors on HDR content, it seems to suggest that something went wrong in the recent update. However, since updates are downloaded and installed automatically, you can’t prevent this. Other Roku devices like the Roku Stick can save you from this if you have one, as this bug seems to be originating from and limited to the Roku firmware on the TVs. Unfortunately, that’s the only workaround available until Roku pushes a fix to this problem.

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The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is one of the company’s only devices that doesn’t require a separate HDMI. Simply plug the Stick itself into your TV, and get ready to enjoy hours upon hours of movies, shows, and streaming apps. The Streaming Stick 4K also features some of the best internet performance you’ll find on Roku hardware, and is capable of playing HDR10+ and Dolby Vision content.