Samsung acknowledges soundbar bricking issue
After a series of reports of $2000 soundbars being completely destroyed after being updated with firmware, Samsung, the manufacturer of the soundbar, has acknowledged the problem and apologized. Samsung has promised free repairs, but it appears that physical repairs will be required.
Samsung admits its bad software update bricked a lot of soundbars | The Verge
Samsung admits a bad software update has been bricking its soundbars | TechSpot
On March 13, 2025, a case was reported on Samsung's official forum that 'After updating the firmware of the soundbar 'Q990D', it stopped working and could not be reset.' This report received a large number of 'supportive' opinions, and similar reports such as 'The buttons on the main unit cannot be used,' 'There is no response even when the power cable is unplugged and plugged in,' and 'The system was turned on but froze at the eARC input of the TV and then became unresponsive' were reported one after another.
The firmware in question was version 1020.7, which was released around March 2025. Because the device's firmware is set to update automatically, many users experienced the same problem, and it also occurred on other models such as the Q800D and S801D.
In response to this issue, Jim Kizek, head of the audio division at Samsung Electronics America, acknowledged that there was an error in the software update and issued a statement saying that 'all affected devices will be repaired free of charge, regardless of warranty status.'
The error is so serious that it cannot be fixed by simply applying a new firmware update and may require physical repair.
The official retail price of the Q990D is $1,499.99 (approximately 225,000 yen).
HW-Q990D Soundbar | Audio | Samsung US
https://www.samsung.com/us/televisions-home-theater/home-theater/sound-bars/q-series-11-1-4-ch-wireless-dolby-atmos-soundbar-rear-speakers-wq-symphony-hw-q990d-hw-q990d-za/
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