Roku legacy products

[user54321]

The Roku company should regression test all software updates so that it does not damage the functionality of its products that it sold to consumers. I have multiple 3500 Series Roku Sticks that have the same Home Screen navigation issue running Software Version 11.0.0 Build 4195. Either with the Roku phone app or the Roku Remote, I cannot navigate and select any Roku channel app square on the Home Screen. This functionality always worked previously.

Please send out a software update to currect this bug.

[makaiguy]

@user54321-

The 3500 was released over 10 years ago, in March 2014.  With all the feature and capability additions to the product line since then, the last Roku software version 3500 sticks can run is 11.0 from March 2022.  The 3500 reached "Legacy" status (i.e. no longer receiving updates) when version 11.5 was released in September, 2022 - 8,5 years, a pretty good run for current electronics in a still-developing field like video streaming.  Current models are running version 14.0 and some are updating to 14.5. 

Sorry, but it's time to update to a current model.  You'll be astounded how much faster and more capable the current products are.

[user54321]

I appreciate your enthusiasm for new products, but a company shouldn't damage their legacy products to generate sales of new ones. The 3500 Series met my needs until a Roku software update. To put this  problem in perspective, should your automobile maker shut down your engine just to force you to buy a  new vehicle?

[renojim]

@user54321, given that the 3500 hasn't received an update in years, why do you think an update affected them?  I think it's more likely that the Wi-Fi hardware just died (required for the remote or the app to function).

As for car makers, I'm sure it's coming.  🙂  BMW tried to require a subscription to use seat heaters.  Wait until they require one to start the car.

[user54321]

It was a software update because multiple sticks show the same problem and there are new left menu items like Roku Rewind which weren't original to the product. A better analogy than a car maker breaking their engine to  sell a new car is a maker of your plates, bowls and cups. I can't stop Roku from entering my home to automatically update their product. Should your plate, cup and bowl maker be allowed to enter your home, smash your dishes and then tell you to buy a new set of dishes. Should their customers like you and the previous poster be defending the manufacturer? The pool of "experts" in this forum should offer solutions or let the company reply. This is a customer support problem. Breaking products to sell new ones doesn't make me a loyal customer. Making long lasting products and offering new ones with more features would instill my confidencee any company.

[user54321]

Roku Company:

I was  soimpressed with Roku, I equipped my TV sets with 3500 Series sticks when they were new. Now all three exhibit a bug in your software update. My Home Screen Navigation problem began when a software update introduced Roku Rewind. Since then, I cannot navigate to any channel app square on the Home Screen. I also cannot delete the square for Crackle. I rebooted the 3500 series stick and a reboot or repairing of the remote or using the Roku Android phone app won't solve the problem. If I factory reset the device, I expect it to automatically download and update to the broken navigation functionality. Please issue an update that corrects this bug.

Thank you

[renojim]

@user54321, if your 3500 sticks are getting new features, that would be a surprise and certainly flies against the idea that they're no longer receiving updates.  However, it seems that at this point there's no indication that they're still connected to your network, so there's no way they're going to receive anything that could possible fix whatever's broken.  Do they still show up in your router's connected devices?  If not, I'm sorry to say it, but they're toast.  I'm guessing the only response you'll get from Roku, if you get any, is that the 3500 devices are no longer supported.  At best, I'd expect you'll get an offer for a deal on a new device.

[user54321]

My Roku 3500 sticks have new menu features like Roku Rewind. The software version displayed on the system update page may not be correct since the navigation sysmptom ocurred in the last 24 hours of this post.. My sticks aren't toast. They are online and stream the live feeds. I just can't navigate the channel app squares on the Home screen.

[renojim]

Interesting.  I've never seen "Roku Rewind", but it is interesting that Roku is pushing out features to devices that aren't otherwise receiving updates.  If they're still connected to the Internet, I guess there's hope that they'll fix whatever they broke.  Getting them to acknowledge it may be next to impossible.

[user54321]

Roku Company,

My inability to Navigate the Home Screen Channel App Squares on my 3500 Series Roku Sticks began on 7 Dec 2024 when the left menu included Roku Rewind. On 9 Dec 2024, the Roku Rewind menu item was gone but the Navigation issue persists.  I can navigate and stream Live TV but not the Home Screen. My Roku Sticks are connected to the internet 24/7. The software update screen shows Software Version 11.0.0 Build 4195 with the last update being 12 May which doesn't make sense because the sticks were fine until the left menu changed by itself on 7 Dec. Repairing the remote and restarting the sticks did not solve the problem. I'm concerned that if I Factory Reset my sticks, they will automatically update to software that doesn't Navigate the Home Screen. Please offer a solution.