Samsung Odyssey G8 G80SD 32 inch Intermittent Black Screen

[NealMcDeal]

Hi Everyone

update.

For months I have been chasing Samsung re: firmware updates, eventually I got hold of 2nd level support and a technician that actually knew something instead of giving me standard pre-canned responses.

I was using 1004 firmware and then upgraded to 1005, unfortunately there was not any improvement.

However, Samsung support gave me access to v1301...a big jump in version numbers and now this is on the support websites to download as a USB update. (I am not sure if it is available via auto updates as I had upgraded them all manually as at the time, the auto update process didn't have the new firmware).

I can say that this version 1301 has "improved" but unfortunately not eliminated the screen blanking issue. This is very disappointing, but that being said it is happening a lot less these days once I have upgraded to this firmware.

So if you are running on anything less than 1301 and have this issue, I suggest you upgrade to the new version. You won't regret it. I have contacted support again, to find out if they are still going to continue looking into this problem. [I have also indicated that I have another problem with the Settings - Number - Color button on the remote, and that my remote eventually stops responding to my monitor - oh well will have to wait for that to be fixed.]

Anyway back to the monitor problem. I only seem to have the problem with Display Port. (Don't matter what frequency as it still occurs - FYI I operate the monitor at 120Hz. But tried 60Hz and 240Hz and still same issues. However, if I use HDMI I don't have any issues at all. I am using a NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super; using G-Sync Compatible/Adaptive Sync.

I have this monitor (as well as a G6) connected to my main PC using Display Port and then a work PC connected via HDMI. I am mainly on HDMI during the day and have NEVER had the issue with HDMI on the G8. However, when using Display Port, the problem still exists. (BTW the G6 has never missed a beat - so if you only use one computer connected to the monitor I will suggest you change your cable to HDMI. But if you are like me that use two computers connected up, the one using Display Port will probably still have an issue.

Do other people still have this issue with the screen going randomly black for about 1-2 sec from time to time? What Frequency (Refresh Rate) are you using?

Thanks

Neal

[Yaari]

I'm uncertain of that one, I don't think Neal is on a 50 series card and he posted pretty positive early impressions after goign through it with a proper DDU uninstall in safe mode. Did you uninstall the drivers that way?

[userWmJTMDqUFd]

I did but not on safe mode I'll try to do that to see if that works. How has your experience been? or anyone else for that matter of fact

[LG_Bullet]

Hi everyone!

Many experts say that using DDU in Safe Mode isn’t necessary, but based on my experience with the latest Nvidia driver (572.83), I highly recommend following all the steps, including Safe Mode. I tested both methods, and a proper clean installation worked best for me.

Additionally, there was a major Windows 11 update last week, and I’ve noticed improvements in my system’s overall performance, especially with my peripherals. This makes me suspect that the root cause of these issues is the lack of tight cooperation between manufacturers—and not just Samsung and Nvidia, but other brands as well.

At the moment, my system and monitor are working quite well, with the only issue recently being some anomalies after an Nvidia App (not driver) update.

Of course, I’m still waiting for further refinements and improvements, because I’m sure there’s still work to be done!

[userWmJTMDqUFd]

Hello, running a 4090 here and would like to report that at least for me that the with in 10 min or more black screen issue is still prevalent and hasn't gone away using the DDU trick while in safe mode and internet off . I guess for the time being I'm just going back to my HDMI input and hoping for a proper solution for the near future.  

PS the NVidia app wasn't installed just the latest driver so that shouldn't have cause the issue for my situation 

[Yaari]

Neal, can you ask your Samsung contact if they can't push a firmware update allowing us to disable the popups without having to void our warranty? It's just incredibly annoying to have to sit through that as owners of this monitor.

Tried it myself but you seriously start at the bottom with customer service insisting that it can be turned off. Now I am offered a remote support that will obviously amount to nothing because they simply can not change it without a service menu.

It's my top annoyance with this device. I should not be forced to watch that anytime I start it up.

Quite a feat to force these on everyone and no way to get rid of them, its crazy.. nobody wants to see this.

[NealMcDeal]

Actually I mentioned this a long time ago, but no response on that, but I will ask again when I hear back from him. I have sent him a couple of emails in the last two weeks but no response atm. Not sure why the lack of response, normally he has been excellent. Unless he is on holidays or something. I will wait a while before emailing him again (as I don't want to pester him and get him off-side).

But will drop the hint that there can be a couple of easy feature enhancements to a next firmware version! I find it amazing (actually no I don't) how little customer service people know, all they basically say is turn it off and on again! I had similar experience with lots of consultants telling me all sorts of crazy things - one of my monitors got **bleep** up somehow; it lost its wifi/network config and I was wanting a USB firmware update (which I knew existed as I had upgraded my other monitors via auto update). But consultants insisted that A) no new firmware existed [of which I had to email in multiple times photos on my other monitors] then they told me that what I sent them was not correct and not my monitor! B) to fix the problem to contact my ISP C) Plug in a Network Cable [the monitor is only wifi] D) Do an auto-update for firmware [uuh... need wifi to work so I can connect to internet to download, catch22 and there were a couple of others which I can't remember off the top of my head.... eventually after three weeks of hassling support desk I finally got in contact with someone that knew something and that actually cared to follow-up my case with the right people to email me the USB firmware! [Basically every consultant wants to flog you off and get 5 star rating!] - enough of my gripes, But I do share your frustration....

Any official firmware update will not void warranty. But will mention service menu again and see what response is....

But at least, Samsung have a Customer Support team, whereas Nvidia do not!!

I do what was suggested earlier, on this forum, click the back button twice quickly on power up [given that I press the power button on the remote, it is not too much hassle to click back button twice] but I share your frustration, I just wish I could turn it off.... so yes, I will ask again

I Have been reading lots of news about the new Nvidia drivers, and how some game developers are telling people with RTX 40x series cards to uninstall and go back to older drivers and the new drivers are unreliable and cause various issues - eg. this article is just one of many - https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/graphics-cards/inzoi-and-the-first-beserker-khazan-devs-suggest-dit...

So begs the question re: Nvidia's heavy focus on everything AI and making big bucks from corporates is forgetting their heritage - PC gaming cards!

I have asked for update from Samsung if they have heard anything from Nvidia...

I am tempted to contact all the editors/reviewers/writers of gaming websites - like the one i just shared about our issues and see if they can get the news out there! This might get some of Nvidia and Samsung's attention. Anyone else care to do the same thing?

[userWmJTMDqUFd]

Hey Neal, I'm curious if doing the ddu method for you helped with the black screen issue. I try it and it didn't seem to do much unfortunately.

[NealMcDeal]

I think I posted a comment previously on this. Since following the process, I did notice a decrease in instances of it occurring and most of the time the screen 'flickers' quickly. I did a screen shot to show people. But after now a few weeks of using it, I have noticed more often longer intermittent black screens that can last up to 2 secs roughly 10min in powering up my PC/Monitor. Then after the screen goes black, and comes back to normal* I don't get the black screen again until the next time I power on my PC and monitor.

In summary, it is basically the same as the last update.

* When I say normal above, I also posted a link to a video on my setup, where my screen goes black, but then you will notice that the colour scheme of the monitor changes 'post black screen' which is a bit annoying.

On a side topic, I have noticed that using the latest Nvidia drivers [572.83] that a lot of people are starting to complain about generally for their reliability I have also noticed some occasional 'flicker' on my previous rock-solid G6 monitor (I run a dual setup G8 is my main monitor in Horizontal orientation and the G6 in Portrait orientation. So this is a bit annoying, but as this is only with this new driver I know for sure that it is a driver issue from Nvidia and not a monitor issue.

I found no harm in doing the DDU method, but I didn't do in safe mode. I will follow DDU approach again, should there be a driver from Nvidia that aims to fix the issue. Until then I will be using the standard Nvidia upgrade procedure as it is easier.

[userWmJTMDqUFd]

I did the safe mode after not thinking it was not that important for the ddu method and that didn't change the black screen issue sadly still

[Yaari]

I'd be up for that sure, it does seem incredibly hard to get some proper acknowledgement for issues with this monitor and our numbers are small.. 

Thanks for asking them and hopefully they get back to you. I've put a few hours in now trying to up on the support service chain but no luck. Someone said that an agent can help me through remote management but that option does not work on my device and I am pretty sure that the fix would be lost anytime I update my firmware again so that makes it incredibly pointless. It's just something that is going to have to be fixed on the feature side of things.