firmware update bricks Samsung soundbars - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2025, 12:54:57 pm
content: Most reports are about the Q990D, but there are also a few about different models:- Samsung soundbar owners report major problems after latest firmware update,https://www.theverge.com/news/630647/samsung-q990d-soundbar-freezing-bricked-firmware-update- Samsung’s faulty update bricks soundbars, including flagship models,https://www.sammobile.com/news/samsungs-faulty-update-bricks-soundbars/- An Automatic Update Is Breaking Samsung Soundbars,https://www.howtogeek.com/automatic-update-breaking-samsung-soundbars/- Samsung Q990D unresponsive after 1020 firmware update,https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Home-Theater/Samsung-Q990D-unresponsive-after-1020-firmware-update/td-p/3168571Samsung's response so far: tumbleweed rolling across a desert

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2025, 09:37:44 am
content: Update:- Samsung admits its bad software update bricked a lot of soundbars,https://www.theverge.com/news/634052/samsung-soundbar-bricked-repair-software-updateBased on an answer in Samsung's support forum (https://eu.community.samsung.com/t5/audio-video/soundbar-probleme-thread-d-serie/td-p/11916851?src=ShareByUserCM,in German) 21 different models are affected. Samsung will repair the soundbars for free and also provide prepaid shipping labels while the customers have to take care about the packaging at their own expense. And of course, no apology.Affected models:- HW-S810GD- HW-B660GD- HW-B760GD- HW-Q995GD- HW-Q935GD- HW-Q810GD- HW-Q710GD- HW-S811GD- HW-S711GD- HW-S710GD- HW-S67GD- HW-S66GD- HW-LS60D- HW-Q800D- HW-Q930D- HW-Q990D- HW-Q700D- HW-S800D- HW-S700D- HW-S60D- HW-LS60D

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2025, 09:44:14 am
content: This is why whenever I build a firmware update process into a device of mine, I provide a way to override the bootloader auto-starting the main application. For instance, on a soundbar it might be that holding the power and volume keys whilst the device is first plugged in would make it accept a replacement update via the USB port. Samsung would then just need to provide firmware images, or in the worst case, send out anyone who asks for one a 5€ memory stick with the firmware preloaded.That they have to go back to base suggests that they have totally screwed the pooch on this one.

author: madires
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2025, 03:04:04 pm
content: Won't happen at Samsung as they are too focused on profit maximization. I hear a lot about poor customer experience with Samsung's service. It's so bad that (many?) customers who had the pleasure of dealing with Samsung's service won't buy anything Samsung any more. Some years ago I found a stupid design flaw in one of their side-by-side fridge-freezer combos. The fix was a small piece of aluminum sheet for the drain hole below the fridge evaporator unit, attached to the defrost heater. I guess many owners just replaced the old fridge when it started to ice up too often, which usually happened after a few years (after the warranty has expired). My guess is that the defrost heater's power decreased over time. Later on I noticed in a service manual the exactly same fix as optional spare part. I can't remember Samsung ever telling customers about the design flaw and offering the small piece of aluminum sheet as remedy. Instead they seemed to hope that affected customers simply buy a new fridge or pay a service technician, because providing good customer service would reduce their profit.

author: RJSV
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2025, 09:43:26 pm
content: Oh wait: Samsung ?? That's the crappy interface with remote, that is chock full of buggy functionality!Highlights the menu channel above the actual selected one. Back key does not take you back into the grouping you left from.. That means that you have to find your way back to the topic grouping, before you can figure out what you want. That is for a group like 'favorites' or 'movies'.Plus these functional remote control things are flakey,...often some button pressing stops working and maybe starts working properly with no clue why.