Upgrading Paramount Plus on Roku takes three steps: open the Paramount Plus app, go to your account settings, and select a new plan tier
The upgrade process happens inside the Paramount Plus app itself, not through Roku's main menu. You'll need your Paramount Plus login, and the change takes effect when ready. If you're billed through Roku, the new price appears on your next billing date. If you pay Paramount Plus directly, the upgrade charges right away and adjusts your next billing cycle.
The whole process takes about two minutes. You don't need to uninstall or reinstall the app, and your watch history and saved shows stay exactly where they are.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Paramount Plus app on your Roku device and sign in to your account to start the upgrade.
- Navigate to Account Settings (usually found in the app's menu or profile section) and select Plan or Subscription.
- Choose your new plan tier—the app shows the price difference and when the charge takes effect.
- If you subscribed through Roku Channel, the upgrade bill appears on your Roku bill; if you subscribed directly to Paramount Plus, it charges your payment method on file.
Step-by-step upgrade process on your Roku device
Start by opening the Paramount Plus app on your Roku. If you're not already signed in, enter your email and password. Once you're in, look for a menu icon—usually three horizontal lines or a gear symbol—in the top corner or bottom of the screen. The exact location varies slightly depending on your Roku model and the app version, but it's always in the main navigation area.
Tap that menu and look for "Account," "Settings," or "Profile." Select it, then find the option labeled "Plan," "Subscription," or "Manage Subscription." This is where Paramount Plus displays your current plan and shows you the available upgrades. Select the tier you want—for example, moving from the ad-supported plan to the ad-free plan, or adding the Premium add-on for live sports and events.
The app will show you the new price and confirm when the charge takes effect. Review the details, then select "Upgrade" or "Confirm." That's it. You'll see a confirmation message, and your new plan is active when ready.
Understanding Paramount Plus plan tiers and what each includes
Paramount Plus offers several plan options, and which one you can upgrade to depends on what you currently have. The Essential plan includes the full library of shows and movies but displays ads during playback. The Premium plan removes ads and adds live TV access, including CBS, sports, and news. The Premium Plus add-on (available on top of Premium) includes offline downloads and simultaneous streams on multiple devices.
Most people upgrade from Essential to Premium to remove ads. Some upgrade to add the Premium Plus add-on if they want to read episodes to watch offline or stream on multiple screens at the same time. Check your current plan in the Account Settings to see which upgrades are available to you—you can't downgrade through the app, so if you want a lower tier, you'll need to contact Paramount Plus support.
Billing: when the charge appears on your account
The timing of your charge depends on how you originally subscribed. If you signed up through the Roku Channel, your Paramount Plus subscription is billed through your Roku account. When you upgrade, the price difference is prorated—meaning you pay only for the days remaining in your current billing cycle. The full new price appears on your next billing date.
If you subscribed directly to Paramount Plus (not through Roku), the upgrade charges your payment method on file when ready. Your next billing date stays the same, but the amount you're charged reflects the new plan price. You can see your billing history and payment method in the Account Settings section of the app.
What to do if the upgrade button doesn't appear
If you don't see an upgrade option in your Account Settings, the most common reason is that you're not signed in as the account owner. Paramount Plus only allows the person who created the account to change the plan. If someone else set up the account, ask them to make the change, or contact Paramount Plus support to transfer ownership.
Another reason the upgrade option might be missing is if you're using a free trial. You can't upgrade during a trial period—you have to wait until the trial ends and your paid plan begins. If you're on a promotional rate, upgrading may end the promotion and charge you the full price when ready, so check the confirmation message carefully before confirming.
If you've checked both of these and still don't see the upgrade option, try signing out of the app completely, restarting your Roku device, and signing back in. If that doesn't work, uninstall the Paramount Plus app from your Roku, restart the device, and reinstall it from the Roku Channel Store. This clears any temporary glitches that might be blocking the upgrade menu.
Downgrading or canceling if you change your mind
The Paramount Plus app on Roku doesn't allow you to downgrade your plan through the same Account Settings menu. If you upgrade and then decide you want a lower tier, you'll need to contact Paramount Plus support directly through their website or call their customer service line. They can downgrade your plan and adjust your billing accordingly.
If you want to cancel entirely, you can do that through the Account Settings menu on your Roku device. Select "Manage Subscription" and look for a "Cancel" or "End Subscription" option. Your access ends at the end of your current billing cycle, and you won't be charged again. If you cancel and then change your mind, you can resubscribe at any time through the same upgrade process.
Troubleshooting common upgrade problems
If your upgrade fails with a payment error, the issue is usually an expired or invalid payment method on file. Go to your Paramount Plus account settings and update your credit card or payment information. Then try the upgrade again. If the error persists, try upgrading through the Paramount Plus website instead of the Roku app—sometimes a browser upgrade goes through when the app version doesn't.
If your upgrade went through but you're still seeing ads or don't have access to the features you paid for, wait a few minutes and restart the app. Sometimes the app needs to refresh to reflect the new plan. If you restart and still don't see the upgrade reflected, sign out completely, wait 30 seconds, and sign back in. If that doesn't work, restart your Roku device entirely.
If you're billed through Roku and the new price doesn't appear on your next Roku bill, check your Paramount Plus account settings to confirm the upgrade was saved. Then check your Roku account settings to make sure your billing information is current. If everything looks correct but the charge is missing, contact Roku support—they handle billing for subscriptions purchased through the Roku Channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upgrade Paramount Plus on my Roku without a credit card?
No. You need a valid payment method on file to upgrade, whether you're billed through Roku or directly by Paramount Plus. If you don't have a credit card, you can use a debit card or, in some cases, a digital payment method like PayPal if Paramount Plus accepts it in your region. Check your payment options in Account Settings.
Will upgrading delete my watch history or saved shows?
No. Your watch history, saved shows, and all your preferences stay exactly the same when you upgrade. The upgrade only changes your plan tier and removes ads or adds features—it doesn't touch any of your personal data or viewing history.
What happens if I upgrade mid-billing cycle?
If you're billed through Roku, you pay a prorated amount for the remaining days of your current cycle, then the full new price on your next billing date. If you're billed directly by Paramount Plus, the upgrade charges when ready to your payment method, and your next billing date stays the same but at the new price.
Can I upgrade to Premium Plus add-on without Premium?
No. The Premium Plus add-on is only available if you have the Premium plan. If you're on Essential, you need to upgrade to Premium first, then add the Premium Plus add-on. The app will guide you through this in the correct order.
How do I know if my upgrade went through?
You'll see a confirmation message in the app when ready after you select "Upgrade." Check your Account Settings—your plan should now show the new tier. If you're billed through Roku, you'll also see the change reflected in your Roku account billing section within a few hours.