Samsung TV Won't Update or Shows Error 800? Update It by USB
A Samsung TV can update its software over the internet or from a USB flash drive. An internet update needs a Smart TV, a working connection and, on 2023 and newer models, a Samsung account sign-in. If Software Update is unavailable, Samsung's fix is to unplug the TV for 5 minutes. If the TV still can't download the update, Samsung's alternative is the USB method with a FAT32 flash drive.
Quick answer
If your Samsung TV won't update, check that it is online, remove any USB stick and run Settings → Support → Software Update → Update Now. If Software Update is greyed out, unplug the TV for 5 minutes. Models from 2023 onward need a Samsung account sign-in. If the download still fails, update by USB.
- 1.Unplug the TV for 5 minutes, turn it on with the TV source selected, check Network Status, then open Settings → Support → Software Update → Update Now.
- 2.If it still fails, download the firmware for your exact model from Samsung's support site, extract it onto a FAT32 USB stick and run Update Now with the stick plugged into the TV.
What it means
Samsung updates the software on its smart TVs over the internet or with a USB flash drive. Samsung US says updates add new features or fix bugs. Samsung Russia adds that a firmware update fixes system errors and cannot add functions the model was never designed to have.
An internet update only works on Smart TVs, and only when an update exists for your model. Samsung Russia says firmware updates are released for several years after a model comes out (up to 5 years). After that, a new version only appears if a critical error is found. On an older TV, finding no update can mean there is nothing newer to install.
When the TV can't download the update (it has no Smart TV, it isn't connected, the connection has a data limit or the download speed is very low), Samsung points to the USB method, which installs the firmware from a flash drive. If the failed update shows a message such as "800 Resource Error", the Samsung pages cited here don't explain that code; the steps below follow Samsung's documented update route.
Common causes
- The TV isn't online, or the connection is too limited. The internet update needs a working connection. Samsung Russia sends you to the USB method if the TV isn't connected, the connection has a traffic limit or the download speed is very low.
- A USB stick is plugged into the TV. Samsung Russia says that with a flash drive connected, Update Now always looks for the update file on the USB drive. It recommends disconnecting all external devices before updating.
- No Samsung account sign-in on a 2023 or newer TV. Samsung Russia says TVs from 2023 and newer must be signed in to a Samsung account to update over the network.
- There is no newer update for your model. The internet update only runs when an update is available for your device. Samsung releases firmware for up to 5 years after a model's release, then only for critical errors.
- The TV has no Smart TV. Samsung Russia says updating over the internet is only possible on Smart TVs. Other models are updated with a USB flash drive.
Before you start
- Find your TV's model number and series year: menus and update requirements depend on them. If you aren't sure where to look, see our guide to finding your TV model number.
- Unplug any USB flash drive from the TV. With a stick connected, Update Now looks for the update file on the stick instead of downloading it.
- If your TV is a 2023 or newer model, check that it is signed in to a Samsung account.
- Check that the TV is actually online in Network Status (path in the first fix below). If it can't connect at all, start with our Samsung TV Wi-Fi guide.
Fixes, from safest to last resort
Check the TV's network status
No data loss- 1On 2021 (A series) and newer TVs, open Settings → Connection → Network → Network Status.
- 2On 2017-2020 TVs (M, N, R and T series), open Settings → General → Network → Network Status.
- 3On 2016 (K series) and older TVs, open Settings → Network → Network Status.
- 4If the TV is not connected, fix the connection first, then come back to Software Update.
Samsung Russia makes connecting the TV and checking Network Status the first step of an internet update.
Unplug the TV for 5 minutes if Software Update is greyed out
No data loss- 1Unplug the TV from the wall outlet and wait 5 minutes.
- 2Plug it back in and turn it on with the TV source selected.
- 3Open Settings → Support → Software Update again.
- 4If it is still unavailable, make sure the TV is connected to the internet, exit the menu without turning the TV off, wait 5 minutes and try again.
These are Samsung Russia's steps for an unavailable Software Update item.
Disconnect USB drives and other external devices
No data loss- 1Remove any USB flash drive from the TV.
- 2Disconnect the other external devices connected to the TV.
- 3Run Settings → Support → Software Update → Update Now again.
Samsung Russia recommends disconnecting all external devices before a firmware update, because with a stick connected Update Now always searches the USB drive for the update file.
Sign in to your Samsung account (2023 and newer TVs)
Re-setup needed- 1Sign in to your Samsung account on the TV. Samsung has a separate help article for this; the update page does not give the menu path.
- 2Return to Settings → Support → Software Update and select Update Now.
Samsung Russia says a Samsung account sign-in is required to update 2023 and newer TVs over the network.
Run the update over the internet
Re-setup needed- 1Open Settings. On C, B, A, T, R, M, N, Q, LS and K series TVs, press HOME, scroll left and select Settings. On a button remote, press MENU.
- 2Select Support → Software Update.
- 3Select Update Now (on some older menus the option is the network update).
- 4The TV checks for new firmware. If an update is available, a message appears: select Yes.
- 5Wait while the TV downloads and installs the firmware. When it finishes, the TV turns off and on again.
Samsung US says your video and audio settings might be reset to defaults after an update.
⚠ Don't turn off or unplug the TV while the firmware is updating.
Update by USB flash drive
Re-setup needed- 1You need a computer with internet access and a USB flash drive of 4 GB or more. On Samsung's support site, open Manuals & Downloads, choose your exact TV model and find the latest firmware.
- 2Compare it with the version on your TV: the newer firmware has bigger numbers at the end, and the letters must match. Samsung's example: T-HKMDEUC_1453 on the TV and T-HKMDEUC_1460 on the site. Download the file.
- 3Format the flash drive as FAT32. In Windows File Explorer, open This PC, right-click the USB drive, select Format, set File system to FAT32, select Start, then OK.
- 4Copy the firmware file to the flash drive and open it there. If a security warning appears, select Run. For an EXE file, select Extract in the window that opens; for a ZIP file, extract its contents to the root of the flash drive.
- 5Wait until the extracted files appear, then safely eject the flash drive from the computer.
- 6Plug the flash drive into the USB port on the back of the TV and open Settings → Support → Software Update. If it is inactive, exit Settings and come back in 2-3 minutes.
- 7Select Update Now, select Yes when the TV offers to check the firmware on the USB drive, then select Update or Yes. When the installation finishes, the TV turns off and on again.
Samsung Russia: if your model's support page has no firmware file, connect the TV to the internet and update it directly instead. Samsung US says video and audio settings might be reset to defaults after an update.
⚠ Formatting erases every file on the flash drive: copy anything you need to your computer first. Don't remove the flash drive or turn off the TV while it is updating.
If a menu doesn't match your TV
- Menu names and screens vary by model and software version. Samsung gives three Network Status paths: Settings → Connection → Network (2021 and newer), Settings → General → Network (2017-2020) and Settings → Network (2016 and older).
- Opening the menu depends on the remote: on a J series smart remote press MENU/123 and select Menu; on an H series smart remote press KEYPAD and select Menu; on an F series smart remote press MORE and select Menu. On a touchpad remote, press More or Keypad and select Menu on the on-screen remote.
- On some older menus the internet update option appears as a network update choice next to Update Now. Pick the one that downloads over the network.
- The Samsung update pages cited here don't give the menu path for signing in to a Samsung account. Look it up in your TV's e-manual or Samsung's Samsung account help article.
- Samsung's formatting steps are written for Windows File Explorer. What the TV needs is a FAT32 flash drive with the extracted firmware files.
- A factory reset is not part of Samsung's software update instructions, so it is not included here.
When to contact support
Contact Samsung support if Software Update stays unavailable after the 5-minute unplug and a working internet connection, or if neither the internet update nor the USB update will install.
- Use your country's Samsung support. Samsung US offers online chat and support in the Samsung Members app; Samsung Russia lists chat, phone and service centers.
- Have your TV model number and series year ready, plus the firmware version shown on the TV and the latest version listed for your model on Samsung's site.
- Write down any message the update shows exactly as it appears (for example a code such as 800) and list what you have already tried: Network Status, the 5-minute unplug, removing USB drives, the Samsung account sign-in and the USB update.
- If the problem is that apps or Smart Hub won't load after the update, see our Samsung Smart Hub guide.
Sources
- Official source: Samsung US Support: Update the software on your Samsung smart TV or monitor · www.samsung.com
- Official source: Samsung Russia Support: How to update Samsung Smart TV firmware over the internet (in Russian) · www.samsung.com
- Official source: Samsung Russia Support: How to update Samsung TV firmware with a USB flash drive (in Russian) · www.samsung.com
Frequently asked questions
samsung tv update error code 800+
The Samsung support pages cited in this guide don't explain what code 800 or "800 Resource Error" means, so we don't guess at it. They do document what to do when the TV can't download an update: check Network Status, remove USB sticks, unplug the TV for 5 minutes, sign in to your Samsung account on 2023 and newer models, and if the download still fails, install the firmware from a USB flash drive.
Samsung TV error code 800 resource error: how do I fix it?+
Follow Samsung's update route. Check that the TV is online, remove any USB drive and run Settings → Support → Software Update → Update Now. If the download keeps failing, Samsung's alternative for a missing, limited or very slow connection is the USB update: download your model's firmware on a computer, extract it to a FAT32 flash drive and run Update Now with the drive in the TV.
Is Samsung TV error code UI-800-3 the same as error 800?+
No. UI-800-3 is a Netflix error that shows up in the Netflix app, not in the TV's Software Update menu. It has its own fix, covered in our Netflix UI-800-3 guide.
Why is my Samsung TV not updating?+
Samsung's pages point to a few reasons: the TV isn't connected or the connection is limited or very slow, a USB stick is plugged in (Update Now then searches the stick for the update file), a 2023 or newer TV isn't signed in to a Samsung account, or there is no newer update for your model. Samsung releases firmware for up to 5 years after a model's release, then only for critical errors.
Do I need a Samsung account to update my Samsung TV?+
For an update over the network on a 2023 or newer TV, yes: Samsung Russia says signing in to a Samsung account is required. A USB update installs the firmware from a flash drive instead of downloading it.
Will a software update reset my Samsung TV settings?+
Samsung US says your video and audio settings might be automatically reset to defaults after an update, so note any picture and sound settings you want to keep.
What USB stick do I need to update a Samsung TV?+
Samsung asks for a USB flash drive of 4 GB or more, formatted as FAT32 on a computer, with the firmware file for your exact model extracted onto it. Formatting deletes everything on the drive. Don't remove the drive or turn off the TV until the update finishes and the TV restarts.
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