Samsung forum: Samsung Known power cycling issue- DO NOT BUY A SAMSUNG!

I have been given an "appointment number", which is 629044. After we spent the weekend on the phone with the techs, calling back and fourth, waiting for phonecalls, them calling the wrong number, etc. they finally gave us to one "Tech" who suggested upgrading the firmware.

AGHHHH! After I explained to him that we had already tried that fix, but that the television DOES NOT TURN ON LONG ENOUGH TO LOAD ANYTHING, let alone have time to talk to the USB drive. It simply turns on and off.

He insisted we try this again, and call him back when it was completed. He directed me to the firmware that "he was sure would fix the problem." I downloaded and complied with this idiots instructions, and wasted another 20 minutes trying to upgrade firmware on a television that does not have POWER.

I call back, AND THEY HAVE CLOSED THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE TECH THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. I had to call Samsung, AGAIN, to wait for another ticket number, in order for the idiots at AT&T Tech to talk to me. So after another couple hours of calling Samsucks, I finally get another ticket number, and a manager, who tells me a power supply will be sent to my house this coming Tuesday. A tech will be here on Wednesday to install. I have my doubts.

This is the 2nd time we were supposed to have a tech in route, only to have the call "cancelled" by Samsung or AT&T on a whim. Everytime it's a different answer. "We thought it was resolved", "You didn't answer the phone so we cancelled it", "Logged as resolved because firmware update fixed problem", etc.

Did I mention I am never buying another Samsung?

Couple of suggestions:

(1) Check the following link: http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases09/pr20090804c.html

(2) File a formal online complaint against Samsung here: http://www.nj.gov/oag/ca/ocp/ocpform2.htm

NOTE: The State Of New Jersey, Office of Attorney General, has been after Samsung for sometime because of: "the companys business practices related to repairing home appliances under warranty or service contracts."

Well Jonah,

I am pretty sure you don't need to read my posts if you don't want too. However, I am sure the people out there who are getting screwed by Samsung don't mind me informing them.

My television will be fixed at their cost-by hook or by crook. Part of the payback for being a poor company is to have bad reviews of your products and services by your former customers.

I hope I have the same luck. I have the same TV and the same issue. Only resolution they gave me is to call support and get a technician here.

Thanks for the post. There is a definitely a lot of noice online about the power cycling issue and Samsung does not appear to want to address it. It is an expensive fix. I would not be buying Samsung products ever in the future that is for sure.

carlsonr,

If you're a U.S. customer and you have owned your set for only 14 months, log on the website and register your television. Doing so would give you three additional months. Once you do that, call back and mention you have the three months additional coverage on top of the 12 month warranty.

http://www.samsung.com/us/mysamsung/product/myssMyProductRegist2.do

I'm not a member of service, but it may be worth trying.

--HDTech

Online Brand Ambassador

- Click here to visit the Samsung forum
- Click here to visit the Samsung store on CNET

My repair just cost me $400. Firmware also BLOWS

I am having the same problem with a Samsung LN40A530 that is 1yr6mo old! I was just playing a game and my Wii and it started cycling on and off. I unplug it and as soon as I plug it back in the wall (no matter how long its unplugged) it will start cycling on and off, with the red light coming on and off. I do not have to press the power button, it automatically gets power and starts cycling when I plug it in. I ordered the Power board (BN44-00197) because 1ea capacitor was bad.It did not fix the problem. What else could it be???? I was thinking of ordering the controller (V400H1-C01) or the video output board (BN41-00975B) but I am hesitant about throwing any more money at this POS. What have people done to fix this problem??

I found the following links for a different type of Samsung TV. That say you can clear the memory of the eeprom and it will fix the TV. Has any body heard of this or tried this?
http://www.tv.quuq.org/forum/index.php?topic=2377.0;topicseen
http://www.tv.quuq.org/forum/index.php?topic=2377.15

Does anybody know where the eeprom would be on a LN40A530 Samsung TV?

Did you get your LN40A530P working? I have the same set that is having the same problem, tried replacing the power board but it didn't work. I know this is an old post, but maybe someone can help...thanks.

I egree had the same problem.Samsung not returning calls. Blames you for product problems.Yes I will not buy Samsung again, unless they change their attitude and improve product .It is over priced and warranties are useless just scrabble on peace of paper.I bought Samsung TV and Blue ray player.What a mistake ,firmware outdated even after upgrade, not plying BR movies only HD and regular DVD.What a waist of money
Makers of HD TV, HD plasma or HD LCD [or yet new not on a market 3D?]and BR video market in general including makers of disks, are not cooperating.Market is mess. Never mind cable comp. On full 1080p HD TV you get at most on some channels 1080i.Whole market needs cooperation and respect for customers.Right now market is milking cow. I am very disappointed customer.

You'd "buy another in a second" huh? Well, I would be willing to help you out with that. Just reply with how you want to pay, and I will have it delivered promptly.

Hell, I'll even throw in the "warranty." I'll be waiting for your contact information. Thanks!

This set was purchased in Feb. 2009. It has a power problem that requires it to take a rest every 4 or 5 days . It is about 5 months off warranty. After reading about Samsung doing a one time fix on these problems , I called them and gave all the info on set and the problem. After consultation the gentleman in the call centre told me they would have a tech come to my home to do a 1 time repair. Sounded good to me . I received a copy of the work order by email and called the repair shop to set up a time for the repair. I was told they only do house calls on sets 40 and bigger, and I would have to take it to the shop . I did that ...about a 1.5 hour drive from my home . After 5 days, the shop called and said it was not a capacitor problem , the power board would have to be replaced at a cost of $155 to me....not Samsung. I called Samsung and after being shunted from the initial call center to an oriental sounding one, I was told, because the set was not built in 2008 , they couldn't do anything for me (bought in Mar.2009). ...They were so sorry that I was not aware that the it had to be built in 2008. From what I have been reading, Samsung better improve its quality assurance and provide better customer service or they will soon become a big joke.So , I still don't know whether I have been fleeced by the repair shop(replacing power board instead of a 5 buck capacitor).or the victim of Samsung's poor quality and customer service. One thing is certain my next electronic purchase of any sort will not be a Samsung.

I too had this same problem. The light going on and off is not usually a power cycling issue, but a flashing light to indicate the TV is not fully powered up, or is still in the power-up stage. The light continues to flash until the TV eventually powers up (sometimes as long as 10 minutes). There are cheap/incorrectly sized capacitors installed on the power supply board from the factory. If they replace the power supply board, it fixes the problem. However, it will eventually happen again once the new capacitors on the new board fail. If you or someone you know has basic soldering skills, it is easy to fix. There are numerous places on the web to by replacement capacitors. The power supply board is easy to get to once the back of the TV is removed.

This is a design flaw by Samsung, and they are beginning to pay for it in the form of class action lawsuits. There is currently a class action suit against them from the state of Oklahoma. You may be entitled to some form of compensation there.