Forum Discussion

RobynV's avatar
RobynV
Binge Watcher
2 years ago
Solved

Channel numbers missing in Roku Live TV

The other day I noticed the channel numbers were missing from Roku live tv. I searched this problem and found this had happened back in Oct 2023 and Dec 2023 and Roku supposedly brought the channel numbers back, so why am I experiencing this now. I did a system reboot and checked to ensure I had the latest software update but this didn't bring the channel numbers back. Anyone have an idea on how I can get the numbers back? Thank you!

  • RokuMaryEF's avatar
    RokuMaryEF
    2 years ago

    Hi Community users,

    We look forward to your thoughts and experiences with the new Live TV Guide. Your feedback helps us with our continuous improvement.

    If you're inquiring about the channel number setting in the Live TV Guide, follow these steps:

    1. Navigate to the Channel logos in your Live TV guide.
    2. Press the * button to open the Channel Options menu.
    3. Select the "Sort channel list" setting.
    4. Choose between "As recommended by Roku" and "By Channel Number".
    5. Select your preferred option to apply the changes.

    By default, this setting is "As recommended by Roku," which removes channel numbers from the Guide display. If you prefer a sequential order that displays channel numbers, select "By Channel Number".

    We hope you find this information helpful. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.


    Best regards,
    Mary

     

  • RokuArjiemar's avatar
    RokuArjiemar
    12 months ago

    Hello! southwestmsry,

    Thanks for your post in the Roku Community!

    We appreciate you reaching out to us through the channel guide about the New feature in the TRC FAST stations. We're pleased to assist.

    If you want to revert to the channel numbers listed in your channel guide, follow these steps: 

    • Navigate to the Channel logos in your Live TV guide.
    • Press the * button to open the Channel Options menu.

    • Select the "Sort channel list" setting

    • Select "By Channel Number". 

      • By default, this setting is "As recommended by Roku," which removes channel numbers from the Guide display

    By default, this setting is "As recommended by Roku," which removes channel numbers from the Guide display. If you prefer a sequential order that displays channel numbers, select "By Channel Number". 

    When you choose "By Channel Number"

    • The TV guide will refresh and display channels in a sequential order using Channel numbers in ascending order.  

    When you choose "As recommended by Roku"

    • The TV guide uses machine learning to personalize your TV viewing experience. It rearranges channel orders based on your viewing history and preferences. The algorithm learns from your interactions to prioritize channels you are likely to enjoy.

    You can change these modes in the settings menu at any time. If you want to try a different approach or go back to the traditional sequential listing, you can revisit the settings and make your choice.

    Thanks,
    Arjiemar

138 Replies

  • FFSSBB's avatar
    FFSSBB
    Newbie
    2 years ago

    Last year, the numbers associated with the Roku channels all of a sudden disappeared- so many people complained that Roku quickly put the numbers back. They have now all disappeared AGAIN - I can no longer find channels I used to watch because I knew them by number, not by channel name or category. This is a terrible and unorganized viewing experience! Why were the numbers removed AGAIN?! Please put them back!

    • HissyFitz's avatar
      HissyFitz
      Reel Rookie
      2 years ago

      I just found when in the Roku channels tv guide; go to the left to highlight (any) station; press the * key on the remote; go to 'sort channel list'; then click on sort 'by channel number'. The channel numbers showed back up again!  🙂 

      • elayne1126's avatar
        elayne1126
        Binge Watcher
        2 years ago

        We shouldn't have to jump thru this. ON my home page, it was posted about the glitches and how to fix it maybe. That's not my job. Roku did this let them fix it. I guess if the developers don't screw something up, they won't be needed. Ruko needs new techs and developers.

    • Christeen420's avatar
      Christeen420
      Binge Watcher
      2 years ago

      This is totally unacceptable, Roku! We went thru this for over a month last year Dec 2023. Did you not get the message from your consumers or you don't give a rats ass about the issue? It's getting time for a new TV... You can bet your life-savings it will NOT be a Roku!! 

      • KiwiSue's avatar
        KiwiSue
        Newbie
        2 years ago

        GRRRRRRRRRRRRR this is frustrating and unacceptable - if you want to hold on to your customers please put things back as they were or give us the option to do it ourselves !

      • StevenCee's avatar
        StevenCee
        Roku Guru
        2 years ago

        I still have the menu, however, when it's set to "All Channels" they are all scrambled in no order whatsoever, making finding a channel's location, something requiring a psychic on-hand.  It seems when I click on Favorites, they will show up in the order they always have been, so why the All Channels menu has them ALL messed up, is a good question. Why do digital technology companies, like Roku (& Apple) seem so hot to make changes, add more bells & whistles, change up how existing features, working perfectly fine, so they don't anymore?

        I feel it's developers, so immersed in their own nerd-world, that almost to prove their worth, are obsessed with constant changes! No matter if these "advancements" have been thoroughly tested before their release, which means just more, and unneeded headaches for their users. I know my Apple digital devices, which I've been using for 30 years, no longer work as consistently, nor are anywhere near as "intuitive" as they used to be, and that many of their changes have just made using products & features more of a hassle, complicated, and confusing! Hey developers, slow down your coffee/Adderall/whatever use, relax, and take your time to make only constructive changes, don't add extra steps to apps that work just fine, & simplify instead of complicate, OK?

  • Eyke's avatar
    Eyke
    Newbie
    2 years ago

    Yes, please restore the channel numbers to the LiveTV guide. Many of us use the channel numbers to remember what show is where, not the channel name. Also, many of us have smaller TV screens and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to see what the channel icons are. 

     

    Please listen to what was discussed the last time you did this. Restore the channel numbers and please do not remove them again. I don't know why this is so hard for Roku management to understand. You are driving people away to other platforms, like FireTV, Chromecast, and the like.

    Thank you.

  • Mariv's avatar
    Mariv
    Channel Surfer
    2 years ago

    Yes, I experienced this las October and Roku took too long to fix the issue. Supposedly it was a programming update which makes no sense. Roku please undue whatever you did so we get the channel numbers back quickly this time. 

  • Martha31's avatar
    Martha31
    Reel Rookie
    2 years ago

    My channel numbers are also missing, and I also did a system reboot and made sure I had the latest software update. But not only are my channel numbers missing, but my channels are now in a different order than they were before. I have NO IDEA where to find any specific channel. Although I did not know specific channel numbers, I knew that certain channels were in the six hundreds, for example, and others were in the three hundreds. Now they're completely mis-ordered, and I have no idea if I'm scrolling in the right direction to find what I want. This is so frustrating that I've pretty much given up even trying to watch tv.

  • CRSTPRST's avatar
    CRSTPRST
    Newbie
    2 years ago

    I don't think they care. They 9nly care about pay channels. Their original philosophy is gone.

    • RokuMaryEF's avatar
      RokuMaryEF
      Community Moderator
      2 years ago

      Hi Community users,

      We look forward to your thoughts and experiences with the new Live TV Guide. Your feedback helps us with our continuous improvement.

      If you're inquiring about the channel number setting in the Live TV Guide, follow these steps:

      1. Navigate to the Channel logos in your Live TV guide.
      2. Press the * button to open the Channel Options menu.
      3. Select the "Sort channel list" setting.
      4. Choose between "As recommended by Roku" and "By Channel Number".
      5. Select your preferred option to apply the changes.

      By default, this setting is "As recommended by Roku," which removes channel numbers from the Guide display. If you prefer a sequential order that displays channel numbers, select "By Channel Number".

      We hope you find this information helpful. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask.


      Best regards,
      Mary

       

      • Jdhjab's avatar
        Jdhjab
        Channel Surfer
        2 years ago

        Replaced defective Roku stick with a new Roku Express.  After setup I found several of my apps are missing from the home screen.  Tried the following:

        1 power cycle the device

        2 power cycle both tv and device

        3 factory reset of the device

        4 manually add the apps

        5 exit home screen using the left arrow and return to the home screen waiting 30 seconds

        6 switching networks; tried bit 2.4 and 5G

        Note: the apps are actually there, if you click on the blank box the icons work. 

        Issue report tracker

        Model: 3941X2 - Roku Express 4K+

        Serial number: X0220035A62C (SOHAK435A62C)

        Software version: 12.5.5 • build 4174-E4

        GC version: 11.5.25

        Timestamp: 2024-05-20T21:34:21Z

        Please use issue ID 2C-202-894 to report the current issue.

        OK

        Mt on

        channel

        STARZ on RokuChannel

        +

        more!

        Please advise.  I have 4 devices and this is the only one giving me issues.

         

    • HissyFitz's avatar
      HissyFitz
      Reel Rookie
      2 years ago

      I found out that when you're on the Roku channels tv guide; go to the left to highlight (any) station; press the asterisk symbol  * on the remote; go to 'sort channel list'; then click on sort 'by channel number'. The channel numbers showed back up again! This worked on two of our Roku tv's anyway, haven't checked the other, lol. Hope Roku doesn't keep changing things!

      • Derff44's avatar
        Derff44
        Reel Rookie
        2 years ago

        You're the real mvp. I'm glad the channel numbers are back, but the out of order numbers were screwing with my OCD. 

    • PITBULL95's avatar
      PITBULL95
      Binge Watcher
      2 years ago

      Mine haven't disappeared as of this morning. Who knows what will happen later, LOL

      • winston3338's avatar
        winston3338
        Roku Guru
        2 years ago

        I saw the channel numbers were scrambled but I didn't know they were disappearing again. I contacted Onn to ask if this was something the TV manufacturers were doing or was it that dirt bomb Tony Wood from Roku. The guy's an ungrateful clown.

        We gave him a billion dollars, and he gave us a billion headaches. Like battery killing remotes and units that were poorly made because he was busy playing games and  redesigning the remote. I hope the manufacturers are doing this and not Tony. Us dinosaurs have had enough of him and his screwball company.

  • rush2000's avatar
    rush2000
    Newbie
    2 years ago

    The Roku channels are not listed in numerical order anymore. As of a few days ago they became out of order. Also the program actually shown on a channel is not what's listed in the channel guide at that time. What's going on?

    • RokuArjiemar's avatar
      RokuArjiemar
      Retired Moderator
      12 months ago

      Hello! southwestmsry,

      Thanks for your post in the Roku Community!

      We appreciate you reaching out to us through the channel guide about the New feature in the TRC FAST stations. We're pleased to assist.

      If you want to revert to the channel numbers listed in your channel guide, follow these steps: 

      • Navigate to the Channel logos in your Live TV guide.
      • Press the * button to open the Channel Options menu.

      • Select the "Sort channel list" setting

      • Select "By Channel Number". 

        • By default, this setting is "As recommended by Roku," which removes channel numbers from the Guide display

      By default, this setting is "As recommended by Roku," which removes channel numbers from the Guide display. If you prefer a sequential order that displays channel numbers, select "By Channel Number". 

      When you choose "By Channel Number"

      • The TV guide will refresh and display channels in a sequential order using Channel numbers in ascending order.  

      When you choose "As recommended by Roku"

      • The TV guide uses machine learning to personalize your TV viewing experience. It rearranges channel orders based on your viewing history and preferences. The algorithm learns from your interactions to prioritize channels you are likely to enjoy.

      You can change these modes in the settings menu at any time. If you want to try a different approach or go back to the traditional sequential listing, you can revisit the settings and make your choice.

      Thanks,
      Arjiemar

      • bratface's avatar
        bratface
        Roku Guru
        12 months ago

        I wish you people WOULD STOP FORCING CHANGES ON US!! WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO KEEP CHANGING THINGS BACK TO THE WAY WE WANT THEM!!!!

  • 111000's avatar
    111000
    Newbie
    2 months ago

    Great to find a solution. Roku recommends many things I don’t like, such as allowing me to choose a screen style then “secretly preferring” to change it periodically.

    but not displaying channel numbers? Roku is trying to attract CABLE USERS who are deep rooted in numbers and navigated by them for years.. Roku shoots itself in the foot with this change. And this was a change that was also secretly preferred onto my Roku tv with no help from Roku, no warning. Shot in the foot again Roku.

    for these reason I do not recommend Roku to my friends. I secretly tolerate it, but my preferred system architecture is Samsung.