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

[NealMcDeal]

I am using 1330.1 as well now. The unfortunate thing is that Samsung does not provide any readme/release notes for any firmware updates. However, my contact at Samsung did provide me with the detail of this firmware update.

In my reply to him, I mentioned that it would be good if Samsung could provide release notes like other companies. I hope he is able to pass this on for this to be actioned. Not sure it anything can be done as some of these updates seem very technical and internal issues with minimal user impact.

Anyway, he did tell me that the following is this particular update (I have tried to interpret some of the details provided to me):

• Missing count of incorrect PIN time and time delay (Web Browser/Parental Lock) [internal bug]
• After execute Menu at any page in Self Diagnosis, Close button at test complete page execute Home Screen (Device Care/Settings) [Minor usability issue]
• 2024 27/31.5 G70D (Not sure what this means)
• Some fix related to AC Power (Auto) – I don’t have any more details on this
• After calibration completion, Sound is audible from both monitor and soundbar connected through wifi (Smart Calibration)
• Chipset specific M70D – Occur screen noise when make an easy connection in Portrait mode (Workspace/Easy Connection)

No black screen fix unfortunately. (see comment below)

I also asked him about how we can submit feature requests. He said that they don’t have a process for that. However, he did say that he can pass on any details to their HQ Team for consideration.

I put in the request to have the ability to toggle off or on the Game Bar and Reminder message after powering on the monitor. Even though this can be overcome by pressing the back button on the remote control having the option to permanently disable this would be nice, especially considering that the option is already in the Service Menu (available to service technicians). So my request was to make this option (which is already available in the service menu) visible to general users to set within the Settings menu.

Let’s see if this feature request makes it into a future version of firmware! Finger’s crossed on that.
He also reiterated that the DP bug that causes the monitor to go black, that it is out of their Development team’s control and sits still with Nvidia to fix (as per their last driver update) – but alas it seems that the G8 was not included in the fixed monitors from Nvidia. I have asked him to see if they can try again to escalate this with Nvidia. But it appears that Nvidia is dragging their heals on this. So, if we really want this black screen bug resolved we need to make numerous requests to Nvidia.

Getting back to enhancements and feature requests in new firmware updates, anyone on this thread if you want to let me know what you would like to see, please post in this forum and I can collate the list and pass it onto my contact at Samsung. I don’t want to keep pestering him, as he has already done a lot for me, but I am happy to send another email in a few weeks with a list of feature enhancements!

We don’t know until we try…right!

[KeyserShawzi]

I wonder if It may be an option to update the firmware of our 24 model G80sd's to the 25 version OS, obviously loosing the smart functions would be the cost, but if it improves the performance like a std monitor, it may be worth it

[cwjones]

Boy wouldn't this be awesome.  I hate these monitors everytime I turn them on and see **bleep** overlays and garbage S decided to load on... Pure trash.  If anyone wants 3 of of these monitors lightly used at a big discount, i'm looking to unload these turds.

[SMITY1]

I've been on the latest monitor update (1330.1) and NVIDIA driver 576.80 for a few days now and it seems alot more stable, it even fixed the other issue I was having where it would flash with white static all the time

[NealMcDeal]

About two weeks ago I posted saying that the issue was not fixed as the black screen appeared. Well since then, and I use my computer each day, I have not had the issue reoccur at all!! This is so very surprising. Honestly, I have been keeping an eye out to constantly look for something and even if I turned away a few times over that entire period I surely should have noticed at least one more occurrence in that entire time. But I have not.

Just FYI, I have noticed black screen only when in Windows, watching a movie, doing something on my desktop in MS Word or some other desktop app. I have never experienced the black screen when playing a game!

Now you know my luck, as I post this I will get a black screen again.

Even if it does go black, honestly once in two weeks is great odds on our favour.

I am using Nvidia Drivers 576.80, and have 1330.1 Samsung firmware.

My PC configuration, I have a G8 as my main #1 monitor and a G6 in portrait orientation as #2 monitor.

Please note: The monitor order in MS Windows is important, your G8 monitor must be monitor #1 in windows. I have seen reports that if you have your main monitor as #2 in windows (in a dual monitor setup) and set this as your main monitor, it will cause more instances of black screen.

(In my setup this was partly my problem, as when I boot up my PC the BIOS screen goes to my portrait monitor and it is hard to read if I go into BIOS!).

I also used Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) from www.guru3d.com to completely remove all my past driver settings. I made sure that I was physically disconnected from internet when doing this. Just FYI I never did the Safe Mode setup.

So basically here are the steps that I would recommend:

Prerequisites:

1. If you are using a dual monitor setup, make sure you set monitor #1 as the G8. You may need to swap DP cables connected to your Nvidia video card.

2. Make sure monitor is using 1330.1 firmware (I have just checked online https://www.samsung.com/au/support/model/LS32DG802SEXXY/#downloads and it appears that only 1320.2 available as of couple of days ago! so use auto update on your monitor)

3. Download Nvidia Drivers 576.80 https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers/details/248656/ (Game Ready drivers, not studio version).

4. Download Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) from https://www.guru3d.com/download/display-driver-uninstaller-download/

Setup Steps:

5. Disconnect PC from internet. (This is important. If you don't do this then Windows will automatically download drivers for you... we don't want that)

6. Run DDU, to uninstall your current drivers.

7. Install Nvidia 576.80 Game Ready drivers.

8. Once installation is complete, check your dual monitor setup again if you have dual monitors.

Now for the following setup on your monitor, this you will have to play with yourself.

• I use a native resolution of 3840x2160
• I have my monitor refresh set to be 120Hz on Windows (for me this is comfortable) as 60Hz feels sluggish and 240Hz i lose my mouse as it is too fast [not to mention power hungry at this refresh rate]
• I also use HDR, this is personal preference. But both my monitors are set for HDR.
• I have enabled VRR on my G8.
• I have a Nvidia RTX 4080 Super, but I believe that all RTX 3xxx, 4xxx and 5xxx cards are affected.

I hope this helps... honestly I think this is the best we are going to get. 

Does anyone else still get the black screens regularly?

[NealMcDeal]

okay everyone, I just wanted to check this group what improvements would you like to see on the G8 monitor in terms of firmware updates?
I have requested the ability to toggle on/off the Game Bar as that is annoying. But looking for anything else.

The only other request that I can recall people asking was the ability to turn off the RED LED at the bottom of the monitor where the IR Sensor is located as this can be distracting in a dark room.

I was also thinking it would be nice to be able to nominate two or three favourite apps, so that when you click the 123 button (top left) on your remote you can also quickly select from your favourite apps.

Let me know as I want to make contact with my contact at samsung only once more to put in some suggestions to include within future firmware updates.

[LG_Bullet]

Hi everyone!

Since the release of the Nvidia 576.80 driver, the black screen flashes have been greatly minimized on my end, and the white/green/red flickering has completely disappeared.

This week I installed the 576.88 driver, and so far, it looks like the black screen flicker is still being avoided (for now).

I hope the monitor’s firmware will also auto-update to version 1330.2 soon.

Many thanks to NealMcDeal for all his efforts in this shared matter — I’ve mostly focused my feedback toward Nvidia.

I feel like the systems are finally starting to come together, and perhaps the big manufacturers are starting to communicate a bit more with each other.

In my opinion, the main issue still lies with Nvidia’s drivers nowadays (perhaps due to the introduction of AI features), but Samsung also has a lot of room for improvement and shouldn’t just point fingers. I also believe that Microsoft plays a significant role in these issues.

Apologies for not sharing anything technically useful at the moment — I just wanted to express my thoughts, since NealMcDeal has already published nearly all the important info.

Wishing everyone a great day — let’s see what comes next!

[Yaari]

Yeah, thank you NealMcDeal, much appreciate your efforts and requests for features. Thanks so much for that. I have nothing else to add aside of what you already forwarded. I really hope they can make it happen for us. 

[jdelucaa]

I do have a bunch of video footages of this issue, I have a cam in my office I use to watch my pets and it recorded the black screen several times. Let me know if anyone is interested,  I am not getting much support from Samsung.

[NealMcDeal]

Yes please share.

The occurrences of "black screen" (sounds like a disease) has been getting worse for me. Seems to be happening every day now with nvidia drivers 576.80 especially when compared to when I was using 566.36. The older set of drivers were better, but unfortunately for me the older drivers don't support full ray tracing in Doom The Dark Ages (which is what I like playing).

I have also noticed in 576.80 drivers, that I get random 'static' blocks that appear occasionally as well. I used to get these in the early days, but never with 566.36. As an aside if you have a RTX 5xxx card you can't use 566.36.

The interesting thing for me is that 576.80 drivers, after I initially installed them were rock solid for about 2 weeks, then gradually over time got worse! Figure that?!?

Unfortunately, it seems that that this problem sits with Nvidia and not Samsung (although I do suspect that their hardware plays a part) but they are either unable or unwilling to do anything about it. I have spoken to a head tech there many times and he says that their R&D team have looked into issue and cannot do anything on their end. But they are aware of the issue and they have tried to escalate with Nvidia without much success.

The best course of action for us, it to make comments in Nvidia forums and contact there support (if you know how please let me know) to keep putting pressure on them to resolve.