topic Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar in Audio & Video

Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Lakritskatt — Sun, 29 Nov 2020 12:42:56 GMT

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone else if having issues with Alexa on the HW-S60T soundbar? The mic seems to be set way to sensitive so Alexa will wake up whilst watching TV or listening to music. Also whilst streaming content like music via Alexa there are frequent interruptions despite the WiFi signal being perfect and no other devices (including other Alexa devices) having any problems on the same network.

It seems to me the Alexa implementation is very basic and flawed as it also understands voice commands poorly. However the main issue is that Alexa keeps waking up for no reason when playing TV or music on the Soundbar. I had the Soundbar exchanged as though it was a defect but it's the same on the new one. Anyone else having the same problem with Alexa on their Samsung Soundbar? I hope it gets fixed in a firmware update as it basically means Alexa is unusable.

Thank you!

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Mogle — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 12:07:51 GMT

I got a different soundbar HW-Q60T with similar problem. I am unable to pair the Alexa Echo with the soundbar. The Alexa interface is therefore useless. Was advice to do the firmware update - made no difference.

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Lakritskatt — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 17:04:51 GMT

Yeah, it's not possible to pair the S60T with an Alexa Echo as Alexa Echo only has a 3.5mm audio jack. I also updated to firmware to no avail. Samsung need to sort it out as Alexa is currently unusable and would have bought a Sonos if I had known. Not OK to claim to have Alexa voice assistant when it's broken.

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Bluefusion — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 14:35:20 GMT

Yes, I have the same issues!

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Lakritskatt — Wed, 02 Dec 2020 15:23:52 GMT

I reckon everyone who tries to use Alexa with the S60T Soundbar has the same issue as the implementation is broken. Can someone from Samsung see if this is on your product backlog to fix or not? It should be as it's really ***** to sell it with Alexa that is in effect unusuable.

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Lakritskatt — Tue, 08 Dec 2020 16:40:04 GMT

Can a moderator / somone from Samsung comment on this please. It seems everyone is having this issue and it would be good to know if you are working on a fix. If not I will have to return my Soundbar as it makes Alexa unusable.

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Cikeri — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 18:40:07 GMT

I have just purchased 2 S61 sound bars with 2 QLED Samsung TVs and the whole Alexa thing is nothing short of mis selling 😞 Initially To set them up with Smarthings etc was problematic to say the least and required multiple deletes and reinstalls, software/firmware updates etc ... and now they are are finally connected Alexa varies between never working at all on one to intermittently working on the other depending on which occasion I add/delete it? Come on ... this must be a known issue so help us out please? I purchased ALL Samsung as I have Smarthings for home automation to keep it simple! Help please?!?

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Mogle — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 17:32:12 GMT

@Cikeri We are in the same "boat".

I purchased Samsung since my wife insisted on having Samsung equipment. Our last TV was one of the first flat-screen TV's Samsung came out with. After almost 18 years it was still running strong. She then insisted on the same make.

We got six different Alexa devices in our house. All working with a wide range of different appliances and lights. Looking for a new TV and soundbar my had two priorities: a) Needed to be fitted to the wall. b) Needed to be connected to Amazon's Alexa. In today's world, I find both of those requirements very basic.

I can still return both the TV and the soundbar. Wife is happy with the purchase, keep telling me "it works well without an Alexa connection". That is not the point. Samsung has sold something that is not working. It was also a functionality heavily used in their marketing both from Amazon and from Samsung. Fix it - or give me a discount.

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Lakritskatt — Tue, 15 Dec 2020 18:05:18 GMT

Clearly lots of people are having the same issues with Alexa. It should never have been sold as an Alexa enabled device. Can someone from Samsung please comment on this. Are you working on a fix? I am going to complain and return my Soundbar if don't hear back. It's misselling and it's really not OK.

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Nahnahnah — Sat, 19 Dec 2020 13:41:14 GMT

Exactly the same position. Got the S60 soundbar and it is far to sensitive. Only bought 2 weeks ago so might return with new 8k 65” Samsung TV. Very annoying.

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

marko_71 — Mon, 21 Dec 2020 13:41:39 GMT

Same issue with Alexa that wake up while watching TV or listening to music on my new S60T. My Samsung TV is connected via HDMI cable to the Soundbar.

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

gmhikes — Sat, 26 Dec 2020 17:08:26 GMT

I am a technical professional with Echo devices throughout the house. My phone and tablet are latest generation IOS devices. Yet Samsung has confounded me. I am 2 hours into troubleshooting. The SmartThings app rejects the wifi password for the S60t. Then to hear that other users find Alexa is too sensitive is very concerning. If no one from Samsung responds to this thread in the next 48 hours, I will return the soundbar and switch to the Sonos Beam. Are you working on a fix? Samsung: Customers are begging for answers and they are not being heard. Is this the reputation that you want?

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Cikeri — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 19:11:14 GMT

Hi all, just thought an update was in order. After zero help from Samsung, I decided to have yet another go and, after many attempts and several hours, this is what got me working (ish) ....

Go into the TV and run software update (there has been one since my my original setup in mid December)

Go into the sound bar setup on Smarthings and perform a firmware update (it said none available for mine but see below!)

Delete all devices from Smarthings and/or Alexa.

Add TV back into Smartthings

Reset sound bar back to factory by holding down +/- button for 5 secs (watch for LEDS flashing)

Proceed with setup again

At this point mine said (not sure of exact words) 'there is an update being performed'

After re-adding to Smartthings and Alexa, all now working in a basic form at least. Still many minor issues to resolve/understand but at least Alexa on the Soundbar is now functioning as a basic Alexa Echo device and is controlling other Alexa enabled devices in the house!

Hope this helps ... ?

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

alexgp87 — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 05:51:27 GMT

I purchased the HW-S60T to pair up with a new Samsung TV and at the same time replace an Amazon Echo and it's been disappointing.

Alexa on this Sound bar is way slower to respond when it's called out than the Echo. I also receive the random phantom Alexa triggers while watching Movies. The worst part is that after every time I trigger this soundbar's Alexa to turn off one of my lights the volume on the sound bar gets significantly slow until I reboot it. If there are no updates within the next few weeks I might have to return it.

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Lakritskatt — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 13:01:56 GMT

Hi all,

I found a great solution to this. I returned my Samsung soundbar and got a Sonos Beam instead. Not only does Alexa work perfectly, the sound is also better. Will never get any Samsung speakers again. Totally unacceptable to release broken features and then not respond to your customers when they are asking for help.

Re: Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

slongs — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 19:35:12 GMT

will try this.... have many alexas in household, not only does this not work correctly I cannot play alexa music on it! Well did once and that wS it! very disappointed. cannot return as have full surround sound system that doesn't work with anything else

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

SKJ001 — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 17:25:55 GMT

Thanks for this update. Did this resolve the Alexa 'wake-up' notification going off at random times?

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Andrew Smith — Tue, 09 Feb 2021 21:47:50 GMT

I have all the same problems that you have and still not resolved !

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

Rossvegga — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 13:39:39 GMT

Were u able to fix this?

Its very annoying when watchng a movie all of a sudden, alexa is waking up as if someone mentioned her name.

Re: Problems with Alexa on HW-S60T Soundbar

SKJ001 — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 17:20:05 GMT

No - it's still driving me crazy. The only way I think to fix this is to deregister the sound bar from Alexa and just have it running as a sound bar for the TV.. Waste of a product though!