Forum Discussion

KentM's avatar
KentM
Reel Rookie
5 months ago
Solved

Installed apps are not showing up on the home screen

So, I just attempted add Real Americas Voice via a PC web browser. I don't normally add channels this way, but I have in the past and it worked as intended. The issue this time is that it did successfully add the channel, but unfortunately, it isn't showing up on any of my ROKU devices. If I search for the channel to add, it shows that it is already added, but it is not showing up on the home screen. I would remove and re-add it, but there's no way to do this except from the home screen, and it isn't there. Is there any way to force this to show up, or refresh the device short of a factory reset? Maybe there's an alternate method of removing a channel that I'm not aware of, but I haven't found this option on the device or online account.

  • RokuEmmanuel-D's avatar
    RokuEmmanuel-D
    4 months ago

    Hey everyone!

    Thanks for reporting it to us!

    Status Update 3/27/2025: Great news! We believe that the issue should now be resolved. 

    Just double-check that you’ve got the latest software version.

    Here’s how:

    1. Press Home on your Roku remote
    2. Scroll and select Settings
    3. Select System
    4. Select Software update
    5. Select Check Now to manually check for updates

    Still, having issues? Please let us know so we can look into it further.

    Thanks,
    Roku Community Team

92 Replies

  • rd36mnm's avatar
    rd36mnm
    Channel Surfer
    4 months ago

    I subscribe to Britbox directly, not thru Roku channel. I have a Roku Ultra. Never any problem until yesterday. Icon has disappeared from home screen. Search for the app in the streaming store and it is there, but no option to add channel so it appears on home screen, only option there is to open channel. So to view Britbox, I have to open search window and open from there. Crazy and ridiculous.

    • AvsGunnar's avatar
      AvsGunnar
      Community Streaming Expert
      4 months ago

      rd36mnm 

      Reports of this behavior with channels/apps seemed to diminish so thought Roku had fixed this issue.

      Using your Roku Remote, make sure you are on the Home Screen.  Press Home at least 3x.  Then press Up 2x.  Then press Left, Right, Left, Right, Left.

      When a "Channel Info" screen appears, scroll down and see if Britbox is located there.  Select it by pressing OK and then select "Remove App".  Press Home again to exit the Channel Info screen.  Restart your Roku device or RokuTV.  (Settings/System/System Restart or Settings/System/Power/System Restart).

      After your device reboots, search for and install Britbox (or any affected app) from the device Search. (this bug/issue seemed to be occurring more when installing apps from the online Roku Channel Store). 

  • Tweedy's avatar
    Tweedy
    Reel Rookie
    4 months ago

    Thank you all in the Roku community. My issue with the Paramount+ app not appearing on the Home Screen on my tv has been resolved. I hope all issues happening with others and different apps are resolved soon. This is a great support feature. 

  • Micky5555's avatar
    Micky5555
    Reel Rookie
    4 months ago

    I have downloaded a new app and it is not showing on Home Screen list.  The only way to find it is in the search bar and to open it from there.  This is going on with my Roku ultra and a new TLC tv purchased in 2024. What is the solution?

  • JohnP1960's avatar
    JohnP1960
    Newbie
    4 months ago

    Hi, not sure if right place as first time on and can’t see anything resembling my Roku problem so apologies if in wrong place. 
    anyway

    my Disney Plus app has disappeared, when searching and selecting it says open with no download option so it must be hidden somewhere. 
    Device is up to date and have reset a few times but don’t know what’s happened to it

    any help would be appreciated Thanks

  • alcena's avatar
    alcena
    Newbie
    4 months ago

    App issue with Roku tv. Added and not on home. Can search and use. App is MHz choice topic. Sticks work. 
    TV info

    device id S043F06K53M

    OS 14.1

    tracker 3M-103-488

     

    • RokuRiamie-D's avatar
      RokuRiamie-D
      Community Moderator
      4 months ago

      Welcome alcena,

      Thank you for providing your device information. We appreciate you for letting us know that you're having an issue with your added apps not showing on the Roku home screen.

      To help us investigate the issue further we would also like to have the following:

      • Roku device model and Serial number (can be found by going to Settings> System > About)
      • OS build version (can be found by going to Settings > System > Software Update  > Check Update)

      We look forward to your response.

      Cheers,
      Roku Community Team

  • keithrosenfeld's avatar
    keithrosenfeld
    Reel Rookie
    4 months ago

    I am having the same problem.  Have successfully added about 12 apps to the home screen, but YouTubeTV and Kanopy (among others) just will not appear.  It's almost like Roku has put them on a 'banned' list.

    If I hit SEARCH from the main Roku window (on the left), it shows KANOPY and YOUTUBETV under 'Recent Search Selections.'  I can start the apps from there, but I cannot add either to my home screen. 

    I have used Roku for many years and gone through about 7 boxes (they seem to have a finite life ... as do the remotes)..  I have never had this much trouble setting one up.  (This is one I used on my upstairs TV, but had to move downstairs because my main Roku started throwing up white static screens and making audio noises tonight.)

    I'd hate to go back to the controller built into my Sony TV, but this is driving me crazy and I just don't have time for it.

    • AvsGunnar's avatar
      AvsGunnar
      Community Streaming Expert
      4 months ago

      keithrosenfeld 

      Try removing them using a hidden menu option. (channel info screen).

      1. Go to your Home Screen.

      2. On Roku remote, press Home at least 3x.  Then press Up 2x.  Then press Left, Right, Left, Right, Left.

      3. Scroll through the list in the Channel Info screen and find the affected app.  Press OK, then select 'Remove App'.

      4. Press Home to close screen/menu.

      5. Perform System Restart on the Roku device. (Settings/System/System Restart or Settings/System/Power/System Restart).

      6. After Roku reboots, try to install the channel/app again, but this time use the device Search to install.  (do not install it from the online Roku Channel Store).

  • FrankyBigBalls's avatar
    FrankyBigBalls
    Reel Rookie
    5 months ago

    I've been having this problem across all five of my Roku devices for the last week. Installing an app may or may not have it show up on the home screen of the device I'm currently using, but it doesn't ever show up on the other four devices linked to my account. It will be installed but won't ever show up on the home screen.

    Uninstalling and reinstalling makes zero difference. Doing it from the website or from the store on the device itself makes zero difference.

    This is getting very old very fast. I'm already considering just switching to Fire TV or Google devices and forgetting Roku exists.

    • pdh77's avatar
      pdh77
      Newbie
      4 months ago

      i made the switch to gogle tv streamer love it 

    • RokuJharra-Q's avatar
      RokuJharra-Q
      Retired Moderator
      5 months ago

      Hey Roku Community Users,

      We know some of you are having trouble with your installed apps not showing up on the home screen.

      Could you help us out by providing the following details?

      • Your Roku device info (DID and OS build) – found in Settings > System > About
      • Your Tracker ID (press Home 5 times, then Back 5 times)

      Your info will help us get this sorted!

      Thanks,
      The Roku Community Team

      • redbassett's avatar
        redbassett
        Newbie
        4 months ago

        Seeing this with apps on an old Roku Ultra I just dug out of storage and updated to the latest OS:

         

        DID: CK4877301587

        OS Build: 14.1 build 7709-46

        Tracker ID (Issue ID): 87-108-063

  • JimmieBaker's avatar
    JimmieBaker
    Newbie
    5 months ago

    I have purchased subscription to RFD Now and when I search I find the channel and I'm able to play the content by opening the app.  The thing is when I return to home the channel tile is not present to select.  I'm needing this to work for my father who is 86 does not navigate drill down to search for something well.  If the channel tile was on the home screen he could easily select it to watch.  Can anyone help with this issues please?

  • Zeke007's avatar
    Zeke007
    Channel Surfer
    5 months ago

    I subscribed to a channel on roku.com and roku.com shows that it is installed but it does not appear on my list of subscribed channels when I connect to my TV thought my Roku Express+. I followed the steps recommended in a roku faq ("If the app does not appear on your Roku device, go to your Roku device and select Settings > System > System update > Check now.") and the channel did not appear. I did that three times. I also did a system restart three times. 

    I thought I'd add the channel directly from the streaming store on my TV but I couldn't find a search screen and don't want to scroll though thousands of channels to find it. Am I missing the channel search feature? (There is one on roku.com.) If so, how can I access it?

    I've read somewhere that you can subscribe to some channels by using a code. If I get the code for the channel, where would I input it? 

    And what else can I do to get the channel on my TV when roku's recommended solution fails?

    If this helps, the channel is Metrograph, a local movie theater that streams films to roku devices. 

    Thanks for any help.

    • AvsGunnar's avatar
      AvsGunnar
      Community Streaming Expert
      5 months ago

      Zeke007 

      On the left hand side of the Home Screen, you should see a "Search" feature. (if you are in an unsupported region/country, then the Search option may not be available).  Should be able to type in the name of movies/content and name of apps.  https://support.roku.com/article/208756398

      ----

      However, seems to be an increasing number of issues when trying to install apps from the online Streaming Store. (actually is installed but invisible/not showing on the Home Screen).   Recommended to install channels/apps from the Roku directly using the Search feature on the device Home Screen until Roku acknowledges and fixes this bug.

      Try removing MetroGraph using a hidden menu (channel info screen) available via the Roku remote.  From your Home Screen, press the Home button at least 3x, then Up 2x, then Left, Right, Left, Right, Left.

      Once the Channel Info screen appears, scroll through the screen (using up or down arrows, or FF/Rew) and select the desired app (ie. Metrograph), by pressing OK.  Then Select "Remove App".  Press Home again to Exit the Channel Info screen.

      Restart your Roku device. (Settings/System/System Restart or Settings/System/Power/System Restart) and then use the Search feature from the Roku device left side to find and install your channel/app.  This method should now make the app visible on the Home Screen.

      ----

      An alternative method to the above can be accomplished via the Roku Mobile app as referenced in the following thread/solution.  https://community.roku.com/t5/Channels-viewing/Installed-apps-are-not-showing-up-on-the-home-screen/m-p/1045650#M184540

        

      • Zeke007's avatar
        Zeke007
        Channel Surfer
        5 months ago

        Thanks for this. I didn't know they combined search for shows and search for channels in one search bar. I found the app by searching and was able to log in and use it but it did not appear on my home screen. I tried the system and software restart again and that didn't work either. Later today I'll give your longer more detailed instructions a try and report back.

  • punkin3's avatar
    punkin3
    Newbie
    5 months ago

    I can search Paramount+ in the App Store, it has it checked and when I click it, I can open the app.  How do I get the tile back on my Home Screen?