Now TV will not launch on Roku Express

[Anonymous User]

Now tv has performed

an update on Roku Express but now the app won’t launch. I have switched off , rebooted , removed and added now tv , performed software update via secret menu but still Will not lunch. It also does not show on Home Screen. Roku simply beeps when I try and launch  app after from the install screen. 

[Frannn]

Thank you - not sure I will give them much longer - I may just cancel instead of paying for something that does not deliver.

[schnapps]

Hi @Frannn 

Looking over on NOW Twitter in the last hour NOW have tweeted back to a couple of customers saying they are looking to push out a software patch fix in the next 24 hours.

Hopefully they will be good for their word and there is some light at the end of the tunnel for old purple Roku Stick owners.

[Anonymous User]

A week with no service is pretty appalling.  Do we know if they are going to offer refunds?

[Anonymous User]

So I wanted to watch some Now (TV) app on my Roku and just like everyone else it doesn't work.

The app worked fine until the update (mine was updated/released on the 26th), now I get the dreaded "Sorry Now TV,... currently unavailable..." BS.

I have an Apple TV in the living room, that Now TV app (is absolutely awful but it) still works.

FYI don't think this is limited to a Roku Express, it's my Roku Soundbar that's having issues.

[schnapps]

Hi @Anonymous User 

The Sorry NOWTV is currently unavailable is a different issue to the Roku owners that can't open the new NOW App where the App jumps back to the Roku home screen page immediately.

I think most Roku Streambar owners can run the new NOW App, where the CPU is one of the fastest processors that Roku use in their products.

I have no problems with my Roku Stick + and Roku Express (only the older purple Stick model 3500EU).

Are you using some sort of third party adblocking software on your Router such has Pi-Hole for example or using a BT Hub Router and haven't enabled file sharing in the BT Router settings ?

These seems to be the cause of this error message reported by forum members over a number of various supported playback platforms.

[schnapps]

Hi @Anonymous User 

See if anything in this linked thread below helps with your particular error message.

https://community.nowtv.com/t5/NOW-Stick/Sorry-Now-TV-is-currently-unavailable/td-p/537921/page/5 

[Anonymous User]

@schnapps thanks for your  prompt reply.

I am actually using a Pi-Hole on my network to stamp out unwanted tracking, I didn't even consider it until you mentioned it.

Going on what you said, I'd assume that if I temporarily disabled the Pi-Hole the connection would be restored.

This however raises some red flags on my part, why block the app if the tracking DNS can't be resolved? My account isn't being authenticated against these tracking servers.

Do I get the option to opt out of this tracking? My guess is they are for "legitimate interest" and to "improve the app", regardless users should be able to opt-out (even this forum displays the cookie popup).

Again, thanks for your help, I'll have a look at it in the morning and com back with my findings.

[Anonymous User]

Cancelled NOW subscription as there is little point in paying for something the family can't use.

Got a reply back from NOW saying they are looking int my account?  Replied asking why they think it is something to do with my account as I havent not suggested it is an account problem - It seems to me to be a stall tactic.

Tried again last night still not working and no updates available.

a

[Anonymous User]

There is no solution currently – the new Now app doesn’t work on at least some Roku devices, despite being advertised as available on all of them

[Anonymous User]

There are multiple threads about this issue but here’s what I’ve posted elsewhere.

It seems be affecting quite a few users since the App update. NowTV have been informed and are looking in to it…

[MarkEastwood]

Thanks for the reply.

Looks like it's been resolved now; I've now got the new version open on my Roku.  As a massive DC fan this couldn't have happened on a worse day.  Okay, so I'll have to wait a little bit longer to watch Justice League but it'll still be there tomorrow night (hopefully).

[Anonymous User]

Cheers for the update. Yep. New update works. Annoying but resolved. 

[Anonymous User]

Still won't load on my Roku 2. Anyone any ideas?

[Anonymous User]

Still also not working on my Roku 3810EU player.  Starts up, thinks for a minute, then "Sorry, NowTV is not currently available".

[commanda6]

Hi @Anonymous User  @Anonymous User 

A new version of the app has recently been released normally a Roku were only check for updates once every 24 hours, but you can check for updates manually.

Go to 

settings > system > system update

If the app gets updated, you'll find that it simply has the new name of 'now' 

[Anonymous User]

I have the same issue as above with Now disappearing from my menu. When I go to add it again it says ‘Go to channel’, implying it’s already added but nothing happens when I pick this option. I have followed all the guidance on unplugging, resetting etc. and still the same problem. Then followed this advice:

“Go to 

settings > system > system update”

and now Now is agin an option on my menu and is ‘added’ as a channel. When I go to open it nothing happens. Second day now with no Now TV

[Anonymous User]

@commanda6 Nope.  I just checked for updates, and there was indeed a "Now" update, which I downloaded... and it's still broken.  "Sorry, Now is currently unavailable. Please try again later".

It's fitting they took "TV" out of the name of the app, because I can't watch TV with it anymore.

[Anonymous User]

Having the same with my app via Roku 3 days now tried everything 

[Anonymous User]

I have emailed support and after 2 days I got a stall message back
saying They will look into my account if I supply XYZ....  Annoyingly I
didn't mention anything about my account, checking the email I sent I
clearly said the fault was with the Roku app failing to launch.

I cant say I'm confident with their "knock and wait" support model.  I
urge all people with the problem to save your money, cancel their
subscription and just try app in a few months time, if it works you can
sign back up if you want.

[Anonymous User]

I have had the exact same problem since my Roku updated last week. I thought after a few resets etc etc it would eventually work. But by the looks of this it’s not going to. I pay for entertainment and movies and getting nothing at the moment so will have to cancel. 

[Anonymous User]

I have exactly the same problem. I get a message to say "Now TV is not available at present please try later." There is a Retry button but this does no good. I have tried resetting my Roku stick, my router and I have even taken out a Now TV adapter that worked for one day then failed as the Roku stick.  Okay so I have now cancelled my subscription to Now TV but the annoying thing is that Now TV know full well I have paid for service because I can still watch Now TV on my iPhone until 11 April. What also annoys me intensely is that having now reported that "Now TV fails to launch" at least 6 times, all I get from Now TV is "We are sorry to see you go. What service are you going to use now?"

Also the email they send acknowledging the cancellation has no way of replying to NOW TV so they do not know why I am leaving. Nor do they really care, I am sure. I may rejoin after 11 April but only after a free trial and to see if I can get NOW TV on a TV.