They say it’s good to update your TV regularly…
However, I don’t think it’s normal that my TV is constantly updating.
Even when I don’t want it to.
I just want to watch my favorite shows.
Instead, I’m stuck watching the progress bar.
If you’re in the same pickle as me…
Keep reading to discover:
- 7 quick fixes to solve the Samsung update issue.
- A secret method to reset your TV when it’s stuck updating.
- Which settings can disrupt your update, and how to turn them off.
- 3 methods to repair your network connection when it’s stopping your update.
- And so much more…
Why does my Smart Hub keep updating?
Your Smart Hub keeps updating because you have a bad internet connection or auto-update. Turning on Demo Mode can also cause this issue. Furthermore, having no storage space could also stop your update from installing. It’s also possible that your TV has bugs that can be solved with a reset.
Samsung Smart Hub is being updated: 7 fixes
#1: Power cycle
I’ve had many gadgets acting up in my life.
But do you know the first course of action when that happens?
A restart.
No, not just any restart. I power cycle them.
What’s that, you ask?
A power cycle removes all residual charge in your device.
Which then frees up the clogged processes in your system.
Great, isn’t it?
Now, how can we power cycle your Samsung TV?
- Turn your TV off.
- Unplug it from the socket.
- Wait 30 seconds.
- Plug it back in.
- Turn it on.
#2: Turn off Demo Mode
Next, you need to get rid of Demo Mode.
“Wait, hold on. What’s Demo Mode? And how is it the reason for my problem?”
Demo Mode (or Retail Mode) returns your settings to default after every restart.
Why?
Like the name suggests, this mode is for stores only.
The TVs you see displayed on shop windows? They have Demo Mode so that the retailers don’t accidentally change their system settings.
The store should turn this off after purchase…
However, we’re human. Sometimes we forget.
And, when the store does, your Samsung TV will keep updating its Smart Hub…
Because it forgets the update after you turn it off.
So, what can you do?
Simple. Turn demo mode off. Just:
- Press the Settings button on your remote.
- Head to General.
- Go to System Manager.
- Select Usage Mode.
- Set your TV to Home Mode.
- If applicable, enter your PIN to confirm.
#3: Turn off Auto Update
What if the reason your Samsung TV keeps updating is…
Because you’re letting it?
Let me explain.
An option on your Samsung TV allows it to update without your consent automatically. How is this possible?
Well, here’s the thing:
It’s turned on by default.
So, how about we turn it off?
- Press the Settings menu on your remote.
- Head to Support.
- Go to Software Update.
- Select Auto Update.
- Toggle it off.
#4: Reset your Smart Hub
Next, let’s try to reset your Smart Hub, Samsung’s application drawer.
Why?
Because the reason your Samsung TV keeps updating might be that it can’t complete the update.
And many factors can contribute to this, 1 of which is lack of storage.
What does that have to do with a Smart Hub reset?
Well, this type of reset gets rid of every downloaded app and data on your TV.
Meaning that your Samsung frees up space in an instant.
Now, here’s how you can fully reset your Smart Hub:
For 2020 or newer Samsung TV models
- Press the Home button on your remote.
- Head to your Settings menu.
- Go to Support.
- Select Device Care.
- Under Self Diagnosis, tap Reset Smart Hub.
- If applicable, enter your PIN to confirm reset.
For older models
Follow these simple directions if you have a Samsung TV older than 2020:
- 2012 (E, EH, ES): Smart Hub > Tools > Settings > Reset.
- 2013 (F): Menu > Smart Hub > Smart Hub Reset.
- 2014 (H, HU, F): Menu > Smart Features > Smart Hub Reset.
- 2015 (J, JU, JS): Menu > Smart Hub > Reset Smart Hub.
- 2016 to 2019: Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset Smart Hub.
You may also be interested in: Samsung TV Memory Full
#5: Factory reset
As a last resort, do you know what else you can do?
Factory reset your Samsung TV.
Now, I know what you might ask:
“Isn’t that what you just did with the Smart Hub reset?”
Not quite.
You see, a factory reset will do everything a Smart Hub reset does…
But more intensive.
Once you’re finished with a factory reset, your TV will essentially be a blank canvas.
Like those TVs you see in the store.
If you’re okay with that, proceed to:
For 2020 or newer Samsung TV models
- Go to Home.
- Boot up your Settings page.
- Head to General.
- Tap Reset.
- If applicable, enter your PIN to confirm.
For older models
- 2012 (E): Menu > Support > Self Diagnosis.
- 2013 (F): Screen Menu > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset.
- 2014 (H): Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset.
- 2015 (J): Menu/123 > Menu > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset.
- 2016-2019 (K, M, NU, Q): Home > Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset.
Secret method
Now, what if you don’t have access to your TV’s settings?
For example, you’re locked out because your TV keeps updating.
What do you do then?
Shh. I’m going to let you in on a little secret.
Have you heard of the Service Menu?
It’s how customer service accesses your TV’s software when it won’t turn on.
But, here’s the thing:
You can access it too. Pretty easily, in fact. All you have to do is:
- Make sure that your TV is plugged in.
- Turn the TV off.
- Press the Info, Menu/Home, Mute, and Power buttons on your remote at the same time.
- Next, press these buttons in this sequence: Mute, 1, 8, 2, Power.
If you’re successful, you should have access to the Service Menu.
Cool, huh?
From there, just go to Options and press Factory Reset.
Do you want to see someone factory resetting their TV? Look no further.
#6: Fix your network connection
Ever had a download interrupted by a bad internet connection?
Notice how the process either stops or restarts from the beginning?
The same principle applies to Samsung TV updates.
So, it would help to improve your network so that your Samsung can finish the update.
But how?
Remove interference
First things first…
Look around your Samsung TV and your router.
Are there any:
- Mirrors.
- Radios.
- Thick metals.
- Baby monitors.
- Infrared-emitting objects.
If so, remove them. Or, at least, what you can.
Why?
Because these objects are known to interfere with your Wi-Fi signal.
Removing even a single 1 could help your signal reach the TV.
Configure DNS settings
Let’s talk about DNS.
“DN-what?”
Think of it this way:
The Domain Name System (or DNS) is how your device communicates with network servers.
However, your network connection can become spotty when these servers go down.
When that happens, how can you fix it?
Easy. Just trust Google.
Allow me to elaborate…
You see, some engineers at Google already foresaw this issue.
So what they did was create public DNS servers that everyone can connect to that are:
- Faster.
- More secure.
- More reliable.
- Cloud-based.
And, most importantly, they don’t go down.
Here’s how you can connect your Samsung TV to these servers:
- Open your Settings menu.
- Under Network, head to Network Status.
- Select IP Settings.
- Press DNS Settings, and choose Enter Manually.
- Type and enter either ‘8.8.8.8’ or ‘8.8.4.4’.
Use an ethernet connection
Lastly, do you know you could use ethernet cables on your Samsung TV?
Yes. You can.
It’s such a handy tool too, considering that ethernet is known to be:
- Faster.
- More stable.
- Have less bandwidth thinning.
Now, the only question is:
Which ethernet cable should you get?
For that, use this list:
- Cat 3: 10 Mbps, 16 MHz.
- Cat 5: 10-100 Mbps, 100 MHz.
- Cat 5e: 1000 Mbps to 1 Gbps, 100 MHz.
- Cat 6: 10 Gbps, 250 MHz.
- Cat 6a: 10 Gbps, 500 MHz.
- Cat 7: 100 Gbps, 600 MHz.
- Cat 7a: 100 Gbps, 1000 MHz.
- Cat 8: 40 Gbps, 2000 MHz.
#7: Contact Samsung
Are you still having issues with updating even after the fixes above?
That’s okay. It happens.
What’s left to do now is contact Samsung themselves.