Samsung TV Plus being blocked by NETGEAR

[hxquero]

NETGEAR CAX80

Firmware V.2.1.1.5

Samsung UN50TU700DFXZA

Software Version T-KTSUA2AKUC-2016.1

Purchased Netgear March 24, 2021.  I trusted Netgear and didn't hesitate to drop $400 on what they claimed was the best of the best.  I did notice that our wifi will drop intermittently but that didn't bother me as much as this latest issue.  Recently purchased a Samsung TV and I can't get Samsung TV Plus channel to work.  I get the following error - "There was a problem while trying to play the Samsung TV Plus channel.  Check your network settings or try again later."  I spent some valuable time on the phone with Costco Concierge as well as Samsung.  Samsung was able to prove it wasn't their issue when I was able to successfully play the Samsung TV Plus channel when connected on my mobile phone's hotspot.  I contacted Netgear support via chat and they walked me through some setting changes and had no success.  From what I have read, Samsung has technical issues with Netgear and Netgear has yet to make an attempt to resolve them.  I paid $400 for a router that won't do the job of a $60 one and of course my 3 months of support are up - seriously - 3 months of support on a $400 piece of equipment - and I may just end up trashing this piece of crap $400 router and never buying another Netgear product again.  

Had anyone been able to use Samsung TV Plus channel via a CAX80?  If so, how?  Please help.  Everything else works on this TV, all the Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, Pantaya, etc...it's just the Samsung TV Plus.  

[FURRYe38]

https://community.netgear.com/t5/Cable-Modems-Routers/CAX80-and-Samsung-TV-Issues/m-p/2026732

[hxquero]

So basically, the solution is to get rid of this $400 piece of crap and just get the providers modem.  Doesn't seem much of a solution.  Netgear needs to get their act together and provide the product they claim you are buying.

[tamanaco]

This issue with Samsung TV Plus and the issue with WiFi calling are definately related to the CAX80 router. I have a neighbor next door with the same Spectrum service provided to all the Co-op members of my building. He has the Spectrum Arris Modem/Router Model: TG1672G. We carried my Samsung Q80R QLED TV to his apartment and while connected via Ethernet wire to his Spectrum router... Samsung TV Plus worked. This issue and the issue with WiFi calling with my Samsung S21+ are caused by this CAX80 router. In another post a user mentioned that he received beta firmware from Netgear Support that solved his WiFi calling issue. I wonder if the fix in this beta release also fixes the issue with Samsung TV Plus. If such firmware fix exist, why doesn't Netgear Support publish it? Make it an "optional" update that can be downloaded and installed manually by those that choose to do so. Calling Netgear Support is a waste of time if you're outside the warranty period... when you finally get someone on the line the first thing they do is try to sell you the extended warranty to respond to any issue you might have.  Once I refused, they put me on hold and never hear back. This happened to me twice already... I just don't have the time to waste to make a call for support and then get a sales pitch.

[FURRYe38]

I recommend users contact a forum moderator and ask about the beta FW to see if they can get ahold of it.

@vkdelta and @Christian_R 

[tamanaco]

FURRYe38 

Guru,

 as suggested I  messaged the two  Moderators you suggested. 

Hopefully, I will get  some positive feedback soon.

 Thanks...

[FURRYe38]

Let us know how it goes...

---

@tamanaco wrote:

FURRYe38 

Guru,

 as suggested I  messaged the two  Moderators you suggested. 

Hopefully, I will get  some positive feedback soon.

 Thanks...

---

[hxquero]

@vkdelta & @Christian_R 

Do you have any solutions?  I'm about to use the CAX80 as a wall shelf since it seems that's the only thing it's good for.

[FURRYe38]

Send the Private Mesages please. 

[tamanaco]

The issue with Samsung TV Plus was solved after I updated my CAX80 router firmware to version 2.1.2.6 today. WiFi calling appears to be working after this update as well

[FURRYe38]

Thanks for letting us know. 

---

@tamanaco wrote:

The issue with Samsung TV Plus was solved after I updated my CAX80 router firmware to version 2.1.2.6 today. WiFi calling appears to be working after this update as well

---

[FURRYe38]

@brsox88 

[hxquero]

OMG!! I hope this works - currently on vacation - can’t wait to test it when I return!!

[FURRYe38]

Let us know....

---

@hxquero wrote:
OMG!! I hope this works - currently on vacation - can’t wait to test it when I return!!

---

[hxquero]

I have been attempting to download the firmware and have yet to be successful!  It downloads as a .zip file and when extracted becomes a .bin file with PDF icon?  I have been unable to manually upload the firmware...please help.  I have been out of the at&t IT knowledge has been lost - guess 12 years as a 911 dispatcher will do that...I feel so inept!

[antinode]

> [...] It downloads as a .zip file and when extracted becomes a .bin
> file with PDF icon? [...]

   What, exactly, did you download?  "CAX80-V2.1.2.6.zip" contains _two_
files, "CAX80-V2.1.2.6.bin" and "CAX80-V2.1.2.6_Release_Notes.html".

(I'm not responsible for the icon which your computer's operating system
associates with a ".bin" fle type.  But it shouldn't matter)

> [...] I have been unable to manually upload the firmware. [...]

   "unable" is not a useful problem description.  It does not say what
you did.  It does not say what happened when you did it.  As usual,
showing actual actions (commands) with their actual results (error
messages, LED indicators, ...) can be more helpful than vague
descriptions or interpretations.

   Did you read the instructions in the "Release Notes" file?

   Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look
for Downloads.  (For older versions, under Firmware and Software
Downloads, look for "View Previous Versions".)  Find the kit(s).
Download the kit(s) you want.  Read the "Release Notes" file for
instructions.  (In the User Manual, look for "firmware", and,
especially, for a topic like "Manually upload firmware to the router".)

   Note that the CAX80 User Manual says:

      Note: The correct firmware file uses an .img or .chk extension.

which is true for many models, but apparently is false/misleading for
the CAX80.

[hxquero]

> [...] It downloads as a .zip file and when extracted becomes a .bin
> file with PDF icon? [...]

   What, exactly, did you download?  "CAX80-V2.1.2.6.zip" contains _two_
files, "CAX80-V2.1.2.6.bin" and "CAX80-V2.1.2.6_Release_Notes.html".

(I'm not responsible for the icon which your computer's operating system
associates with a ".bin" fle type.  But it shouldn't matter) - You are correct, it's a .bin and release notes file.  The .bin file has a PDF icon - which I understand is something my computer assigned.  

> [...] I have been unable to manually upload the firmware. [...]

   "unable" is not a useful problem description.  It does not say what
you did.  It does not say what happened when you did it.  As usual,
showing actual actions (commands) with their actual results (error
messages, LED indicators, ...) can be more helpful than vague
descriptions or interpretations.  - I logged into routerlogin.net and followed instructions.  However, when I attempt to upload the .bin file it gives me the following error - Please assing the correct file.  The file format is *.bin. 

   Did you read the instructions in the "Release Notes" file? - Affirmative.

   Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look
for Downloads.  (For older versions, under Firmware and Software
Downloads, look for "View Previous Versions".)  Find the kit(s).
Download the kit(s) you want.  Read the "Release Notes" file for
instructions.  (In the User Manual, look for "firmware", and,
especially, for a topic like "Manually upload firmware to the router".)

   Note that the CAX80 User Manual says:

      Note: The correct firmware file uses an .img or .chk extension.

which is true for many models, but apparently is false/misleading for
the CAX80. - So I can't upload the *.bin file and I haven't been able to figure out how to change it to an .img or .chk to see if that will work for the upload.

[antinode]

> [...] when I attempt to upload the .bin file it gives me the following
> error - Please assing the correct file. The file format is *.bin.

   If you actually selected the "CAX80-V2.1.2.6.bin" file (_not_ the
original "CAX80-V2.1.2.6.zip" file), and the CAX80 complained that it
wasn't a ".bin" file, then I'd guess that either you or the CAX80 is
confused.

> [...] I haven't been able to figure out how to change it to an .img
> or .chk to see if that will work for the upload.

   I doubt that a name change would help, especially if the error
message says ".bin".  I can't see what you're doing, and, with Netgear
router firmware, almost any defect is possible, but it's easier to
believe that you selected the wrong file than that the CAX80 is that
bewildered.

[FURRYe38]

What browser are you using? MS Edge or Firefox should work.

After unpacking the .zip file. DO NOT Attempt to modify or OPEN the .bin file. 

Just open the web browser and log into the CAX 80s web page (In Router mode) and there will be a FW update under Advanced tab/Administration I believe. Use the Manual FW update tab and select the Browse button. Browse out to where the .bin file is located and highlight to select it. It should populate the FW file box on the browser. 

---

@hxquero wrote:

I have been attempting to download the firmware and have yet to be successful!  It downloads as a .zip file and when extracted becomes a .bin file with PDF icon?  I have been unable to manually upload the firmware...please help.  I have been out of the at&t IT knowledge has been lost - guess 12 years as a 911 dispatcher will do that...I feel so inept!

---

[hxquero]

I did exactly that on both Chrome and Edge - that’s how I get the *.bin error…

[hxquero]

I finally figured it out!! Thanks - updating now…

[hxquero]

IT WORKS!!  Finally updated the firmware & Samsung TV Plus works...and as soon as I finished typing works the screen blacked out on me.  I can still see the SAMSUNG TV Plus logo on the upper right corner of the screen but waiting for it to load.  And it's back...the blue screen of death giving me that familiar error...There was a problem while trying to play the Samsung TV Plus channel.  Check your network settings or try again later. WTF!!!

[FURRYe38]

And what did you do this time to get it to work? 

---

@hxquero wrote:
I finally figured it out!! Thanks - updating now…

---

[tamanaco]

Still not perfect - I noticed that most channels take a little while to load. Some take 1+ minute(s). At other times they fail to load with a "retry" screen. I've been using the Love Nature 4K (Channel 1404) to test. Sometimes it fails to load with pop up with Guide, Channel Details and Favorite option buttons or with a black screen with an icon in the lower left corner asking you to press the down arrow. I leave it alone and wait for the channel to either load or fail. It's like Bingo... some times your number comes up and some times it doesn't. But it's better than with 2.1.1.4 in my Samsung Q80R.

[hxquero]

Stupid me - instead of clicking on the entire file and I clicked on the .bin file and uploaded that - super stupid me!  However, I still have issues with the Samsung TV Plus - intermittent loading and what not.