Some owners of Roku-powered televisions remain unable to access free over-the-air broadcasts from major networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC through connected HDTV antennas unless their sets maintain an active internet connection. This ongoing limitation, which first gained widespread attention in March 2026 after Cord Cutters News reported on it, persists on some devices despite earlier assurances from Roku that a software remedy would arrive within weeks.
Many Roku TVs already have received the fix, letting Roku TV owners once again watch TV with their antenna without internet. Now, though, Roku has confirmed to Cord Cutters News that some Roku TV owners are seeing the issue again, and Roku is rolling out a fix over the coming days to fix it.
The problem emerged following platform updates that enhanced the Live TV Guide by blending traditional antenna signals with a slate of free ad-supported streaming channels. These changes integrated over-the-air content more deeply into the unified interface, along with improved search and recommendation features. However, the modifications introduced a dependency on internet connectivity for the guide to load properly. Without a connection, users often encounter blank or unresponsive screens when attempting to tune into antenna channels or navigate the guide.
In practice, this means that during internet outages from storms, infrastructure failures, or service disruptions, viewers lose access to local programming that should function independently via the TV’s built-in tuner. The antenna receives signals directly through the coaxial input, but the software prevents the interface from displaying or switching channels offline. Brief connectivity, such as via a mobile hotspot, can populate the guide and allow viewing, but full offline functionality for channel surfing often remains restricted. This behavior contradicts the long-standing appeal of antenna television as a no-cost, no-subscription backup during emergencies or for budget-conscious households.
Roku acknowledged the issue shortly after initial reports in late March and committed to deploying a fix aimed at decoupling the tuner functions from internet-dependent elements. The team planned a phased rollout over the following weeks to restore offline capabilities across affected models, including those from brands like TCL, Hisense, and others that incorporate the Roku operating system. Yet months later, the fix has still not fully rolled out.
By April 2026, some updates began reaching devices, and reports indicated progress in restoring independent antenna operation for certain users. Roku encouraged manual checks for system updates through the settings menu to accelerate installation. Yet, as of mid-July 2026, the patch has not reached all televisions. User complaints continue to surface online, with individuals describing situations where local news, weather, or major sporting events on broadcast affiliates become inaccessible without Wi-Fi. Recent discussions highlight frustration among cord-cutters who value the reliability of over-the-air signals precisely because they do not rely on broadband infrastructure.
As Roku expands its ecosystem with additional free channels and guide enhancements, maintaining robust offline support for antenna users remains essential to retaining trust among cord-cutting audiences. Now, though, Roku says they are working hard to make sure everyone can access their antenna with their Roku TVs even if the internet goes down.
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