Update: Roku is aware of the problem and issuing an update to fix it.
A frustrating new bug has emerged for Roku TV users relying on over-the-air (OTA) antennas, interrupting their viewing with unexpected screen saver activations. Reports have surfaced nationwide of the Roku screen saver randomly activating every 10 to 15 minutes during antenna use, stopping broadcasts and forcing users to navigate back to their antenna input from the home screen. The issue, which has been confirmed by Cord Cutters News and Redditors, has sparked annoyance among cord-cutters who depend on free OTA television for live events like sports, news, and entertainment.
Roku TVs, popular for their seamless streaming integration and built-in OTA tuners, have long been a go-to for those ditching cable subscriptions. The antenna feature allows users to access free local channels through an antenna, blending live TV with streaming apps in a single interface. However, this new bug undermines that convenience by treating antenna viewing as an idle state, triggering the screen saver despite active use. Typically, the screen saver is designed to kick in only during periods of inactivity, such as when a streaming app is paused for an extended time or the Roku homescreen was left up, but now it has started to happen even when watching TV with an antenna.
Right now, this bug seems to be limited to antenna viewers. Roku TV owners streaming programs through Netflix, Max, and more are not seeing this issue.
For now, irritated viewers are seeking workarounds. Some have found temporary relief by disabling the screen saver entirely through Settings > Theme > Screensaver, though this sacrifices the feature’s aesthetic appeal when the TV is genuinely idle. Until Roku addresses the bug with a firmware patch, antenna users may face ongoing disruptions to their free TV enjoyment—a bitter pill for those who prize the simplicity of OTA broadcasts. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
Cord Cutters News has reached out to Roku for comment and will update our story as we learn more.
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