49" Odyssey G95SC OLED - Latest Firmware Update (1310) - Has major issues - How can I downgrade to previous firmware (1305)?

[JamesR81]

Hi all,

So it appears that the latest firmware that my monitor (49" Odyssey G9 OLED) automatically updated to is no good (1310)

The monitor is just about usable in Game Mode but still suffers from occassional flickering.

In normal, non-game, mode... the monitor is not usable at all.  The picture flickers a lot and from time to time, goes black and then comes back again.

Input source for this is Display Port from my PC which has a RTX 3080ti.  I did not have these issues on the previous firmware version (1305).

I still have the 1305 version on a USB stick, does anyone know how to downgrade the firmware?

Things I have tried already include, changing DP cables, resetting/reseating DP cables, resetting the monitor to factory defaults (doesn't alter the firmware version), changing many settings on PC and Monitor to see if it makes any difference. 

I've tried manually altering the firmware by using the USB drive directly on the monitor but as it is a lower version, it does not want to install it and I don't know how to force the monitor to accept the firmware version I am providing it.

Also tried searching the Internet and have not come up with anything that has worked or is directly for this series of monitor.

Is anyone able to provide any insight as to how I can downgrade the firmware back to 1305?

[JAMES4578]

@JamesR81 Unfortunately it is not possible to downgrade the firmware, future software should address any issues.  Sometimes when Tv's have particularly pressing issues Moderators will provide interim software to Members via USB links.

[Mrdude2x]

For the downgrade try renaming the version number of file to 1311 or something. I believe I did this on my older Odyssey G9 and it worked. I have not tried it on my OLED one yet, but it is worth a shot. Only rename the version number part specifically of the .img file.

[jimmyg86]

I'm having the same issue. The monitor will randomly go black and turn back on, repeat until it wont turn back on. When this happens I can't access any of the setting or home screen on the monitor. This happened right after the automatic firmware update to 1310. This is unacceptable for the amount that this monitor cost.

Where were you able to get previous firmware, or can I get a copy of 1305 from you somehow?

Thanks

[LessThanXer0]

I have almost the same issue and the ONLY fix I found is reset the monitor and DO NOT sign into your Samsung account OR connect to WiFi... I found that only when you enable the "smart" features of the monitor it just starts acting up.

[JamesR81]

Hi all, thanks for the responses...

I tried to downgrade using many methods (inlcuding what has been suggested here, thanks @Mrdude2x ) and none of them worked... possibly just me being not able to and maybe someone else will have more luck.  It could be that @JAMES4578 is correct... it can't be downgraded. 😊

For those that would like to try, I am hoping this link will lead you directly to the zip file that contains the 1305 firmware.  (I cannot guarantee that this link will be available for all time so apologies if in 3 months time it no longer works 😃 )

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y83uC2rEeGkX-y44WAQv8Zwj_OWrf54E/view?usp=sharing

Update on my personal issue...

So ... I have to admit that the problem with mine, shamefully, was of my own making...  It was the Display Port Cable I was using...  for some reason it was working fine on v1305 at 5120x1440/240hz and then when the firmware upgraded it stopped being able to work.  The cable I was using was being used for a previous 4k/60hz monitor so I, incorrectly, assumed it should be good for this.  The Samsung provided one was too short for the distance needed to connect PC and Monitor so I hadn't tried that.

I realised this was the issue when I tried a HDMI cable that I knew was of the latest version HDMI and rated for the top bandwidth capablilty at this time.

I then moved my PC so I could try another DP cable that I knew was of the latest version and that also worked fine.  So after buying a new top BW capable DP 2.0 cable of the correct length, it is now working very much as expected with no flickering or other issues.

Cue banging head on wall gif!

[JAMES4578]

@JamesR81  At least you have now found a solution

[Warmen]

perhaps you are not using the features that are causing the issue. For example: 

"In normal, non-game, mode... the monitor is not usable at all.  The picture flickers a lot and from time to time, goes black and then comes back again."   According to Samsung, t his is Gsync related, indeed if I turn it off , screen has not happened to go black and back again , any flickers I have addressed with turning on VRR within the monitor. All of this is with latest 1310 firmware, I don't recommend downgrade ,because it may introduce some of the old issues you may have noticed yet. We are at the mercy of Samsung and/or Nvidia at this time. Turning off gsync is not a solution, especially when that introduces another issue,  that is making HDMI black level adjustment unavailable which makes no sense. If you don't care about HDMI black level adjustment which by the way has its own issue of setting being reversed lol (issues don't end), low is normal and normal is low- samsung has setting reversed, it is day and night  difference when its switched to setting that is deeper in black which should be low at this time given the stated issue, rest of the colors become more vibrant. If you don't care for this setting, turn off gsync and wait for another firmware update from samsung, they advised me that they are working on it.