Samsung’s Flagship Soundbar, HW-Q990D, Rendered Useless for Some Owners Due to Faulty Firmware Update
Issue Affects Multiple Regions, Including the US, Austria, and Philippines
Customers of Samsung’s flagship soundbar, the HW-Q990D, are reporting that a recent firmware update has rendered their devices useless. The problem is widespread, with numerous complaints on Samsung’s community forums, Reddit, and AVSForum.
Symptoms of the Issue
Customers are experiencing the following symptoms:
- The soundbar becomes unresponsive and fails to respond to normal reset methods
- The device powers on, but appears to freeze on the TV eARC input
- No sound output is available
- The device is inaccessible via Samsung’s SmartThings app
Culprit: Latest Firmware Update (Version 1020.7)
The affected firmware release, version 1020.7, seems to be the culprit behind the issue. Many Q990D devices are set to automatically install new updates, which has led to widespread complaints over the last several days.
Other Samsung Models Affected
Reports of the same bug have been scattered for other Samsung soundbars, including the HW-Q800D and HW-S801D. However, the majority of complaints pertain to the Q990D, one of the most well-reviewed soundbars on the market.
What Can You Do?
To avoid any potential issues, it is recommended that you disable automatic updates for your Samsung soundbar until the situation is resolved.
Samsung’s Response
The Verge has reached out to Samsung for comment, and some customers have already been instructed to send in their Q990D hardware for repair. However, it is hoped that Samsung will provide an easier, at-home solution once the scope of the problem is understood.
Conclusion
The malfunction is a significant setback for Samsung, and it is essential that the company provides a swift and effective solution to restore functionality to affected devices. With the holidays approaching, this issue could not have come at a worse time for Samsung.
FAQs
Q: What is the affected firmware version?
A: The affected firmware version is 1020.7.
Q: What are the symptoms of the issue?
A: The symptoms include the soundbar becoming unresponsive, failing to respond to normal reset methods, and being inaccessible via Samsung’s SmartThings app.
Q: Are other Samsung soundbars affected?
A: Reports of the same bug have been scattered for other Samsung soundbars, including the HW-Q800D and HW-S801D. However, the majority of complaints pertain to the Q990D.
Q: What can I do to avoid the issue?
A: It is recommended that you disable automatic updates for your Samsung soundbar until the situation is resolved.
