Soundbar S61A Loosing Digital Signal

[Chris M]

I purchased two S61A soundbars and have connected them to my TVs with a digital optical cable. They both keep losing signal and no sound comes out of the soundbar. I then press source till it's on digital in again and the sound comes back on. Is the digital cable not recommended. Why is the sound going off?

[alexwent]

I also have the S61A soundbar. In order to avoid disconnections, I am using only cables, either optical or HDMI-ARC.  WiFi is switched off on the TV, and the bar is unpaired from Bluetooth. However, 1) when I use HDMI, I get loud messages from the soundbar saying 'Network is disconnected'. 2) When using optical, I get occasional dropouts and reversions to the TV speaker. 3) if the optical cable is plugged in and I switch to TV speaker, I get output from BOTH TV and soundbar. Completely outrageous that there is no official solution to this. Samsung, listen, you are a major electronics company. Do better.

[Tommytee]

Yup, same issue here. Connected via optic audio and switches off automatically after 20 mins, even though it gives a signal. Super annoying, fix this Samsung!

[SignurGian]

I'm in this club, too. S61A stops playing music every 20 minutes. Because I connect the soundbar with the optical cable to my PC, Samsung support told me, that a PC would send "other" audio signals than a TV... that's why my soundbar were not working properly. I tested it with my TV – same result. Silence after 20 mins over the optical cable. So, Samsung, it's your turn. Fix this bug!!

[JamieNZ]

Yup, same issue with S61A here. Had trouble when I got it 3 months ago. Then stopped working properly again. With digital opt in from LG TV it stops after 20 mins. I've also got CEC running over hdmi to use the TV remote. Nothing changed but suddenly misbehaving

[Nicolás Andrés]

Same issue here, s61a need a software updated now! Samsung, fix this bug please.

[SteveC69]

Same here.....really annoying....I've been considering upgrading the firmware but listening to the threads of conversation that doesn't seem to work anyway. FOr the S61A you hav a service port at the back but no USB  input. Do you need to buy a particular cable for the firmware upgrade. Appreciate the advice.

Samsung, get on the job or my TV is going back with it  within its90 day returns policy......

[CoranH]

Anyone got any updates on this? As Samsung support refuse to even acknowledge this as an issue. Really poor support, just trying to dodge the issue with ridiculous excuses. So chances of a software update/fix seem negligible. Great job Samsung! Selling defective goods and refusing to fix them.. lesson learnt, never Samsung again.

[CoranH]

Just in case anyone else tries it, I tried using the Sonos Optical to HDMI ARC adapter. This does not work with this soundbar. I've tried everything, and spent about 2 hours with support, and come to the conclusion that the optical input is just flat out defective, never worked and never will.
Support even tried to convince me that connecting to a TV is the only supported use case! Despite there being a diagram in the manual showing blu-ray/console/streaming device direct connection via optical. So seems supports strategy is just to try and blame whatever setup you have and avoid responsibility. Chance of of a fix is zero. I would suggest people try to get refunds ASAP or go via Small Claims Court (UK) for being mis-sold.

[CoranH]

So 7 months later, still no fix..

[Neil888]

In case this is useful to anyone, I found a workaround that keeps the soundbar on when connected to Optical.

If the optical connection is live when the soundbar is turned on, it will automatically power off every 20mins.

If the optical becomes live after the soundbar is powered on, it won't drop out at all.

I bought one of the "energy saving plugs" with infra red receiver. Soundbar and TV are on the switched output of the plug.

Pressing power on my TV remote the 1st time triggers the power to the TV (goes into standby) and the soundbar (powers on). Pressing the TV power for the second time turns the TV & digital optical signal on.

It's an extra button press, and £15 for the plug, but solves the problem.