Samsung’s Flagship Soundbar Bricked by Faulty Firmware Update: What You Need to Know

In a shocking turn of events, Samsung’s premium Dolby Atmos soundbar, the HW-Q990D, has been rendered useless for some owners after a faulty firmware update was rolled out this week. The issue has left customers in a state of frustration, with many reporting that their soundbars have gone unresponsive and are inaccessible via Samsung’s SmartThings app.

The Problem: A Faulty Firmware Update

The culprit behind this issue appears to be the latest firmware release, version 1020.7. Many Q990Ds are set to automatically install new updates, which has led to widespread complaints about the bad software over the last several days. The update seems to have caused the soundbar to freeze on the TV eARC input, with no sound output to speak of.

The Impact: A Global Problem

The issue isn’t limited to any specific region, with customers in the United States, Austria, the Philippines, Malaysia, and other countries all sharing in the frustration. The sheer number of reports on Samsung’s community forums, Reddit, and AVSForum confirm that something has gone very wrong with the premium Dolby Atmos system in recent days.

What You Can Do: Disable Automatic Updates

If you’ve got a Samsung soundbar, it might be wise to disable automatic updates for the time being until this situation has cleared up. This will prevent your soundbar from installing the faulty firmware and potentially causing further issues.

The Future: A Resolution in Sight?

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’s unclear whether this is the only solution available. Hopefully, Samsung will have an easier, at-home solution once it realizes the scope of this problem. Can the malfunction be resolved with another firmware update in the coming days? Only time will tell.

Actionable Insights

• Disable automatic updates on your Samsung soundbar to prevent further issues.
• Keep an eye on Samsung’s community forums and official statements for updates on the situation.
• If you’re experiencing issues with your soundbar, try performing a factory reset or contacting Samsung support for assistance.

Conclusion

The bricking of Samsung’s flagship soundbar is an unfortunate development, especially considering its reputation as one of the most well-reviewed soundbars on the market. However, by disabling automatic updates and keeping an eye on official statements, you can minimize the impact of this issue. Stay tuned for further updates on the situation, and hopefully, Samsung will have a solution in place soon.