If you recently turned on your Roku TV and felt like the interface looked completely different, you aren't alone. A major update pushed out by Roku in June has replaced the previous, clean home screen with a cluttered, ad-heavy layout, and the reaction from the user base has been overwhelmingly negative.

Before the update, the Roku home screen was widely regarded as one of the best in the smart TV space. It was simple, snappy, and allowed users to manually organize their apps and inputs. That no-frills experience has been replaced by a system now filled with algorithm-powered slots and advertisements, forcing content recommendations from services that users may not even subscribe to.

Quick Facts

  • The update was rolled out in June 2026.
  • Users report that HDMI inputs are no longer pinned to the top and are now buried in a "Quick Access" section.
  • The new interface includes persistent, algorithm-driven slots for content recommendations.
  • New technical bugs, including a "squished screen" issue when switching console inputs, are affecting some users.

A Decline in User Experience

The core of the frustration lies in the loss of control. Users who previously enjoyed a custom-tailored home screen are now finding their apps shuffled and their preferred settings overridden by Roku’s own promotional content. Social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit have been flooded with complaints from long-time users calling the new design "dogshit" and expressing frustration over the inability to revert to the previous version.

Technical stability has also taken a hit. Beyond the layout changes, users are reporting that the software feels laggier than before. A particularly frustrating bug affects users with external devices like the PS5 or Xbox; switching inputs can result in a squished, distorted display. Currently, there is no official patch for this issue, and the only temporary fix is to manually unplug the TV to force a complete system restart.

Is There a Way to Fix It?

While some dedicated users on sites like Reddit have posted workarounds to try and clean up the new UI, the results are rarely perfect. Even when users manage to remove certain sections, some elements—like the "Soccer Zone" that appeared during the World Cup—seem to be forced back onto the home screen by Roku regardless of user preferences. For many, the update has become a tipping point, with some users even considering switching to non-Roku hardware for their next living room TV.

The irony isn't lost on the community: as smart TVs become more expensive in 2026, the software running them seems to be prioritizing ad revenue over the basic functionality that made these devices popular in the first place.