Forum Discussion
This issue seemed to appear right around the time of the latest software update on my TCL 43" TV;
Software version: 14.6.4
Build: 9911
Updated 6/20/25 at 3:35 pm
This happens while watching OTA/antenna broadcast channels via the "Live TV" channel guide (with the streaming channels disabled/hidden via system settings);
At the end of each and every show being watched, the broadcast signal is seemingly "lost" - the screen goes blank/black, with no audio or video. This happens exactly at the very minute the program ends; if, say, it's a 1 hour show from 9:30 to 10:30, it'll happen exactly at 10:30 (plus a few seconds). If a half-hour show - say from 2:00 until 2:30 - it'll happen at exactly 2:30 (plus a few seconds).
This occurs every time (every half-hour/hour), regardless of channel number and regardless of network being watched. If left alone (blank screen) for a few minutes, the screensaver will show up (floating analog clock, in my case).
Switching to another channel and back again revives the lost broadcast channel, until the next half-hour/hour comes around and the TV just quietly goes completely blank, yet again. Over, and over, and over, and... 😠
Needless to say, this is a significant, pronounced and incredibly irritating bug.
I have restarted/rebooted the TV numerous times via System Settings and the normal power button, cleared the cache (press Home 5 times, Up 1 time, etc.), checked for updates - to no avail.
Info;
TCL model 43S431
Hardware ID C133X
Serial number X00000AWK2AX
Software version 14.6
Device ID S02RT16WK2AX
Zip code 48813
Issue report tracker;
Model: C133X - Roku TV
Serial number: X00000AWK2AX (S02RT16WK2AX)
Software version: 14.6.4 - build 9911-93
GC version: 13.18.11
Timestamp: 2025-06-22T11:14:25Z
Issue ID: AX-248-354
My wild guess is that a network-interrupting software bug was likely introduced as a result of changes attempting to;
a) implement telemetry that attempts to determine what OTA programming we're watching, or...
b) determine what commercials are being broadcast between OTA programs/during commercial breaks, or...
c) determine when to update Roku's own pushed channel guide advertisements/favorites/etc banner, or...
d) Roku is attempting to "break in" to OTA broadcast TV's advertisements, disable/override them, and insert their own ads (likely very illegal and definitely underhanded, if so - but I wouldn't put it past 'em).
.....
moat. is there a support ticket we can fill out to alert Roku developers?
also took to red.dit to read possible community fixes and found others there having same issue with no solution. so its not just TCL brand.