How to Fix “Unable to connect to Samsung Server” Error on Samsung TV

The error message clearly indicates that the Samsung hub is unable to connect to the Samsung server. Users report encountering the error when attempting to use Wi-Fi on their smart TV. The error message appears onscreen, preventing them from streaming content on their Samsung TV.

The primary cause of the error is typically related to internet connectivity issues. However, it could also come from a server that is down or overwhelmed. This error is particularly frustrating as it persists on the Samsung Smart TV screen and prevents content browsing.

It is therefore essential to address the error without delay, but before doing so, it’s important to understand the common reasons that lead to this issue.

Now that you are aware of the potential triggers for the error, let’s explore the various methods that could resolve the issue.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

• Unplug the TV and Router – Initially, unplug your Samsung Smart TV and router from the power source. Then, press their power buttons for about 10 seconds to discharge any residual electrical energy. Wait for at least two minutes before turning them back on.
• Change Smart HUB password – Altering the Smart HUB password has helped many users bypass the error. Using a simpler password may improve your chance of making a successful server connection.
• Verify Your Network Connection – Limited bandwidth or inconsistent Wi-Fi can cause issues. Consider using an ethernet cable to connect to the network if Wi-Fi proves to be unreliable.

1. Soft Reset your TV

A soft reset of your TV may resolve issues because it acts like a restart of the device. This process closes all running applications, clears temporary data from the memory (RAM), and can help re-establish connections with the server by resolving minor glitches in the software. It’s similar to rebooting a computer, which often fixes temporary software problems without affecting your personal settings or data.

1. Turn the TV on.
2. Press the power button on the TV remote continuously until the TV restarts.
3. Once the TV restarts, check if you continue to experience the issue.

2. Sign out & Sign in to the Samsung Account

Signing out and then signing back in to your Samsung account can clear potential glitches within the TV’s software that are interfering with account synchronization and server communication. By signing out, you effectively reset this connection, and signing back in can initiate a fresh session, potentially resolving the error and restoring normal functionality.

1. Navigate to Settings. Select General followed by System Manager and then Samsung Account.

   

2. Select “My Account” and hover over the account’s icon.
3. Use your remote to select and click the Logout option that appears on the TV screen.
4. After logging out, proceed to reset Smart Hub.

   

5. Log back into your Samsung account on a computer, agreeing to any terms and conditions presented.
6. After resetting the Smart Hub on the TV, sign back in to see if the issue has been resolved.

3. Update the TV’s Software

Outdated TV firmware can cause conflicts with newer features and functionality. Regular updates are necessary to prevent such issues. If your TV firmware is outdated, follow the instructions below to update the firmware of your Samsung Smart TV:

1. Power on your Samsung TV and press the Settings button on the remote.
2. Using the arrow keys, navigate and select the Support option.

   

3. Under the Support menu, choose Software Update to update your TV’s software.

If a software update isn’t available on the TV, download the firmware from the official website onto a USB stick, then connect it to the TV and install the update.

Click YES to install the new version or NO to exit and perform a manual update from the internet. Once completed, check if your issue has been resolved before moving on to the next fix.

4. Reset Smart HUB

Resetting the Smart HUB can resolve the connection problem by restoring the Hub’s settings to their original state, thereby clearing any errors or glitches that may have occurred during its use. This process essentially gives the Smart HUB a fresh start, removing any potentially corrupt data or settings that might be preventing it from connecting to the Samsung servers.

It’s similar to restarting a computer when it’s not working correctly; by rebooting the Smart HUB software, it can re-establish a clean and effective connection to the necessary network resources.

1. Turn on the Samsung TV and press the Settings button on the remote control.
2. Navigate to the Support option in the TV’s Settings.

   

3. Select the Self Diagnosis feature.
4. Choose to Reset Smart HUB.

   

5. Enter the PIN (default is 0000) into the text box and confirm the reset.

Note: The default PIN is usually 0000.

After resetting, the TV will reboot. Complete the setup and see if the issue has been resolved.

If the server connection problem persists, try the following:

1. Repeat the Smart Hub reset steps but do not accept the Terms and Conditions.
2. Close the settings and attempt to open a new application.
3. A prompt to accept Terms & Conditions will appear. Here, enter the sequence “Mute + Volume UP + Channel UP + Mute” on your remote.
4. Select a country different than your own (e.g., if you are in the UK, select India), which will reset all applications.
5. Perform the process again, this time reverting to your actual country. The “unable to connect to the Samsung Server” issue should now be resolved.

5. Perform Network Reset

Performing a network reset can resolve connectivity issues by restoring all network-related settings to their default state. This process clears any custom configurations that may be causing problems, such as IP address conflicts, incorrect DNS settings, or corrupt Wi-Fi connection profiles.

By resetting the network, your TV will forget previous networks and you can set up a fresh connection, potentially eliminating the error and allowing the TV to connect to the Samsung server successfully.

1. Press the Settings button on your TV remote.
2. Select General, then go to the Network option.

   

3. Choose Reset Network and follow the prompts to confirm.

   

After the network resets, check to see if the connection issue is resolved. If it persists, proceed to the next solution.

6. Use VPN

Using a VPN can resolve the connection problem by routing your internet traffic through a server located in a different country, often the one where the TV was originally designed to be used. This can be necessary if the Samsung server is restricting or altering access based on your geographical location.

By using a VPN, your TV appears to be accessing the internet from the selected country, which can bypass regional restrictions or blocks and restore full functionality to your Smart TV.

7. Changing the IP Configuration

Changing the IP Configuration, specifically the DNS settings, can help resolve connection problems because it determines how the TV reaches the internet to access Samsung’s servers. By setting the DNS to a public server, you ensure that the TV uses a reliable path to translate web addresses into the numerical IP addresses that are required to retrieve online content.

This change can bypass any issues with the default DNS provided by your Internet Service Provider, which might be experiencing outages or other difficulties.

1. Press the Menu button on your Samsung TV remote and select Network.

   

2. Go to Network Status, then choose IP Settings.
3. Set IP Settings to Automatic, but change the DNS settings to Manual.
4. Enter 8.8.8.8 as the DNS server, which will adjust your DNS settings.

   

5. Save the settings and check if your connectivity issue has been resolved.

8. Perform TV Hard Reset

Performing a hard reset on your TV will restore it to its original factory settings, which can solve a wide range of technical issues. This process erases all personalized settings, including network configurations, accounts, and preferences, potentially eliminating any conflicts or glitches that may be causing the problem with connecting to the Samsung server.

It acts as a complete restart, giving your TV a clean slate to work from and can often resolve issues that other troubleshooting steps cannot.

1. Access Settings on your TV.
2. Go to the Support Tab, select Self Diagnosis, and then click Reset.

   

3. Enter the security PIN (by default, it is ‘0000’).
4. Wait for the TV to complete the reset process and then check for the error.

If, after trying all the solutions, the error persists, it is advisable to contact Samsung customer care for further assistance.