Samsung Smart TV unable to connect to internet (suddenly)

We've had similar issues with our Samsung TV tonight and I've spent a lot of time going through what few forum posts I've found trying to make sense of the situation. There is no doubt that this is a Samsung software issue, however it does not stop *all* apps from connecting. We have two smart TVs, and both are currently suffering from the same problems - the TV believes that it is not connected to the internet. It is connected though - for those of you who are trying to access Netflix, Amazon Instant, BBC iPlayer etc, you will probably not be able to. But if you have the ITV player installed, or the Channel 5 player, you will likely find that you are able to stream content without the error message that tells you there is no internet.

I don't know exactly why this is, but I suspect that different apps may have different software interfaces with the general internet. Anyone else care to check this out on their TV and comment?

If anyone interested in using Netflix while Samsung are trying to fix the issue, Netflix can be accessed through the ad in SmartHub. Someone suggested this last time there was an 'outage' (back in Oct-2014). It works for me. If I start the app normally, I get the 'network interference' error, the TV thinks the internet link is down. But wait for the Netflix ad to show up, go in, and it works.

Okay, so I know this is pretty low-tech, but my workaround is to connect my TV to my computer using an HDMI cord, and access Netflix or other app directly from my computer browser, instead of using the SMART-TV interface.

Hopefully Samsung will resolve this problem within the next few days!

I am also facing exactly the same problem with my Samsung smart tv 40HF5300 series from Feb 24, 2015 morning. Is it a samsung smart tv's global problem.

As has been mentioned earlier in this forum, this seems to affect older TVs only.

Like others, my problems started with an automated update about 20 hours ago -- but this is not likely to be cause -- rather that's when I first noticed it.

I have both an UA55D8000 (2012/13) and an UA60H6300 (2014). The newer model didn't stop working the whole time and is up-to-date. The older model eventually got up to date (3 distinct firmware upgrades OTA) but this didn't solve anything.

Another commenter mentioned that the DNS A records for www.samsung.com have changed and that querying those records are how Samsung Smart TVs determine whether they're online.

I don't know *when* they changed, certainly 5 CNAME redirections seems excessive. It's most likely that the older TVs are confused by the response.

Knowing this is the case, I set about to spoof DNS for www.samsung.com. As I always have a Linux machine (my desktop) running, I decided to install dnsmasq on that box to serve as a spoofing DNS resolver.

# apt-get install dnsmasq

Create file /etc/dnsmasq.d/my.conf
no-dhcp-interface=
server=8.8.8.8
no-resolv
no-hosts
addn-hosts=/etc/dnsmasq.hosts
log-queries

(8.8.8.8 or your prefered resolving DNS server)

Create file /etc/dnsmasq.hosts
23.215.231.37 www.samsung.com

(23.215.231.37 or whatever IP www.samsung.com resolves to closest to you!

# /etc/init.d/dnsmasq restart

Configure your TV to ask for all DNS via dnsmask on the Linux box:

Menu -> Network -> Network Status -> Cancel -> IP Settings -> DNS Server

You need to enter the IP address of the PC running dnsmasq (10.0.0.5 in my case).

That works for me in Australia with the TV set to Australia (after factory resetting it).

However, as I use a GEO-unblocking service (Playmo.tv in my case) to watch US Netflix, I needed to fix up the TV and dnsmasq settings to compensate.

Replace 8.8.8.8 (or you normal DNS server) with the specific DNS server you need to use to do GEO-unblocking (in my case 108.174.147.177 -- you need a password, sorry guys ) and restart dnsmasq:

In /etc/dnsmasq.d/my.conf:
server=8.8.8.8

# /etc/init.d/dnsmasq restart

On the TV:
[ff] 2 8 9 [rw] <United States of America>

Let the TV do all the updates (remove Australian default apps, install American default apps)...

And, now I'm happily watching Netflix, Hulu+, etc again.

Same here, stopped working last night, no internet.

Reset TV to factory settings, reset router to factory settings (and reconfigured), nothing works.

Netflix through ad doesn't work as I don't get the ad anymore and via the app it tells me I don't have internet.

Weirdest thing is that if I go to Diagnostics and software update, it did update when I chose the "online" option (to 002004, if I'm not mistaking). Seemed to download and then updated.

Similarly experiencing exact same problems

We spent about 3 hours resetting TV and BT Hub 5 (Infinity 2). Taking out the wireless lan and then connecting directly. All the same problems.

I can see the ip address etc., from the TV are all listed on my BT Hub Manager.

So pleased to see this post as obviously we were wasting time as it is a samsung issue. We don't have any apps now due to reset.

hello I suggest you either call 03307267864 ( I got from my net provider) but haven't got through, maybe you have better luck. I am gonna leave all alone and give it a couple of days and assume Samsung will sort it.

good luck


michelle

Well I have just come off the phone to Samsung, and yes they say that they know of the issue, and that hey are working on it.

By what I have read on this forum, it looks as if these TVs are constantly sending back information of your activities!
I'm just paranoid!

I did notice, when speaking to the lady from Samsung, that there is no ticketing system when reporting a fault. She did take my details and promised me a call back once it had been fixed.

Time will tell, will I ever buy another Samsung?

Fern1664

I have two UE40D6100 tv's connected via ethernet and both have become unable to connect to the net in the last two days, therefore having read the various postings on this thread I can only conclude that there is an issue with Samsung and their smarthub system, i seem to be receiving the same general messages such as "Network Interferance Try Later" and "Unable to connect to the internet please contact your service provider" the annoying part is that coincidentally I carried out a reorganisation of my wired network yesterday, and on finding the Tv connection problem have spent hours blaming myself and trying to correct it, thank you Samsung!!

I have exactly the same problem, same timing (i.e. first noticed evening of 24 Feb 2015).
All other internet connected devices in the house are fine.
Different ISP provider to other reports so it must be a Samsung issue.

I have also suffered the problem on this thread. When i called the Samsung help line for the UK they had a recorded announcement up saying that they are aware of connection issues and are working to repair the issue. They stated clearly its not a fault with the appliance.

This is, once again, a problem with the Samsung network. I'm sure if you call them, they will have you start a service ticket, or have you take your TV to be serviced. Anything but admit the problem lies with them. This is happening all to often now. You either have no internet access or you have a constant buffering problem watching movies. Don't get me wrong. There are times when it's running fine but whenever there's a problem, Samsung is lazy about resolving the issue and won't admit to the problem.

Don't adjust your TV's as it is a Global Samsung Issue and Nothing wrong with your TV.
This affects all Smart TV's from Samsung, New or Old. I have done everything possible
from my end including flashing the firmware from Latest to Oldest and nothing solved.

I have spoken to several engineers at Samsung only to be fobbed off, hung up on, rudeness and arrogance.
Very poor customer support and service, my next Device will be Sony or LG or Apple.
I suggested for them to post some details on there [News and Alerts] page updating people of the issue
before they start messing with settings, routers, cables and ISP's and with a very poor response.

I finally spoke to an technical advisor and he told me the problem will be solved as soon as possible
and its nothing they can do as it is in the hands of the engineers. I asked if they had been hacked
and he became quite reluctant to answer so there we have it !! And guess what... The other day i paid
attention to the tedious constant updates of this smart hub and the Interface changed to Korean,
other Issues with Korean symbols in the TV's GUI. I suspect that we may all need to Update Firmware
soon.

I have checked around the internet in forums etc. and it seams to relate to Samsung Server Issues.
DNS issues and Hub Update Issues.

Conclusion: Don't change anything on your TV, Call Samsung and complain (UK 0330 726 7864)
The more complaints you make the more they will have to listen.