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odditude
Channel Surfer

Wallpaper replaced with full-screen ad despite "Sponsored wallpapers" being set to "Off"

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As of today, my selected wallpaper has been replaced by an intrusive full-screen ad for Severance, and this ignores any attempt to change back to my selected wallpaper. Besides the aggravation factor, this poses an accessibility issue for light-sensitive customers. I personally am light-sensitive, and was expecting to see a dark background instead of the very bright ad - triggering a minor tension headache.

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RokuEmmanuel-D
Community Moderator
Community Moderator

Re: Wallpaper replaced with full-screen ad

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Hi Community Team!

Thanks for reporting this issue to us. We believe that this is now resolved for most users.

If you still encounter this issue, please feel free to let us know so we can assist you further. 

Thanks for your continued support and participation here in the Roku Community!

Happy Streaming!💜

Best,
The Roku Community Team

Emmanuel-D.
Roku Community Moderator

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AvsGunnar
Community Streaming Expert

Re: Wallpaper replaced with full-screen ad

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@odditude 

You can control your wallpaper preferences under Settings/Theme.

Disable both Seasonal Wallpapers and Sponsored Wallpapers if you never want your wallpaper to change. 

The Severance wallpaper is an example of the Sponsored Wallpaper. (usually hangs around for a couple of days before reverting back to your original wallpaper).

Roku Community Streaming Expert
Just another Roku user... I am not a Roku employee.
Insignia RokuTV, Ultra 4660, 4802, 4850, Premiere+ 3921, Express 4k+ 3941, Streambar 9102

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odditude
Channel Surfer

Re: Wallpaper replaced with full-screen ad

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Both Seasonal and Sponsored Wallpaper settings were already set to Off. Toggling them On and back to Off did not have the desired effect, either.

AvsGunnar
Community Streaming Expert

Re: Wallpaper replaced with full-screen ad

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@odditude 

Currently, I am seeing a little Severance ad in the lower left side of my screen. (with my regular wallpaper as the background).

I am pretty sure the other day I had a Severance background since I allow the seasonal and sponsored wallpapers. (honestly, I really do not notice these things anymore).

If the lower left ad is what you are talking about (as opposed to an entire background wallpaper), then there is no way to remove that ad.  The lower left ads are usually temporary in nature and will disappear/be replaced in two or three days usually.

EDITED TO ADD...  Just noticed a Severance Menu Item also.  Try going to Settings/Home Screen and under Severence S2, select "Hide".  See if that helps with your issue. (highlighting the Severance menu item while on Home Screen does toggle an ad/wallpaper change so this is your likely culprit).

Roku Community Streaming Expert
Just another Roku user... I am not a Roku employee.
Insignia RokuTV, Ultra 4660, 4802, 4850, Premiere+ 3921, Express 4k+ 3941, Streambar 9102

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odditude
Channel Surfer

Re: Wallpaper replaced with full-screen ad

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@AvsGunnar No, I'm not speaking about the small ad in the lower left below the menu, which is also present (and almost always present in some fashion). I am in fact speaking about full-screen wallpaper replacement which is disregarding the seasonal and sponsored wallpaper settings.

AvsGunnar
Community Streaming Expert

Re: Wallpaper replaced with full-screen ad

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@odditude 

Did you see my "Edit" in the previous post about the Settings/Home Screen/Severance S2/ [Hide] setting?

I think that may be your culprit.

----

Otherwise, I think we need a screenshot to see what else is going on.  Use the little camera icon above to upload a photo.

Roku Community Streaming Expert
Just another Roku user... I am not a Roku employee.
Insignia RokuTV, Ultra 4660, 4802, 4850, Premiere+ 3921, Express 4k+ 3941, Streambar 9102

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odditude
Channel Surfer

Re: Wallpaper replaced with full-screen ad

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@AvsGunnar I had not seen your edit, but I had already toggled that setting to remove the Severance S2 option from the main menu (as I do with all of the period advertising extras that get added to the menu).

See attached photos.

PXL_20250117_225733613_small.jpgPXL_20250117_225708957.MP_small.jpgPXL_20250117_225716492.MP_small.jpg

 

AvsGunnar
Community Streaming Expert

Re: Wallpaper replaced with full-screen ad

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@odditude 

Definitely looks stuck.  I will try a few things and see if I can replicate that.  Assuming now that you have everything disabled/off, you already tried a System Restart? (Settings/System/System Restart or Settings/System/Power/System Restart).

Other thing I would try is changing to another Roku default wallpaper and also changing the Display Type under Settings/Display Type/720p and then trying another System Restart.  Which wallpaper and display setting were you using when this occured?

Also, under Settings/Themes, do you have an option for "Seasonal Themes" (not seasonal or sponsored wallpaper) available to you?

Finally, what is model number of your Roku device from Settings/System/About

Roku Community Streaming Expert
Just another Roku user... I am not a Roku employee.
Insignia RokuTV, Ultra 4660, 4802, 4850, Premiere+ 3921, Express 4k+ 3941, Streambar 9102

odditude
Channel Surfer

Re: Wallpaper replaced with full-screen ad

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Settings when issue originally occurred:

  • Theme
    • Theme packs: Default
    • Wallpapers: Roku | Graphite
    • Seasonal wallpapers: Off
    • Sponsored wallpapers: Off
  • Display type: Auto (4K Dolby Vision)
  • About
    • Model: 4801RW - Roku Ultra (it's actually an Ultra LT)

As previously noted, toggling the above settings had no effect. Bouncing the Roku via Settings / System / Power / System Restart did resolve the issue.

There's clearly a bug regarding adherence to the Theme / Sponsored wallpapers setting (or an intentional ability to override it until the next system restart), which should be looked into by tech support / the developers.

 

Edit: Updated original post title for improved clarity.

GrumpyOlMan1
Channel Surfer

Re: Wallpaper replaced with full-screen ad

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Another reason I'm experimenting with the competition and am seriously looking for a new solution to content providers.  I get Apple TV for free.  Apple TV has very little compelling content.  I don't want unwanted ads forced on me.  Severance is not something I'll ever watch.  QUIT PUSHING GARBAGE ON US.

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