Find us on Facebook

Follow us on twitter

HDTV Guides

HDTV Reviews

Projection Systems

Digital and Satellite TV Systems

Home Theater Audio

Home Theater Guides

Books & Magazines

Home Theater Ideas!

Shopping Online

Website Information





Readers' Submissions

Are there still capacitor problems with Samsung TVs?

by Pat Cobban
(St John Indiana)


I think your article was very informing with led vs lcd. But I have seen on the Internet that Samsung TVs are having a problem with the capacitors in the TVs causing them to stop working after about 1 year. Have they improved this problem in the newer models?

For the price consumers pay for these TVs you would hope they would last for the 15 years a TV is suppose to last. I feel I should not have to buy a extended warranty to make me feel safe about spending big money for a TV that should last.

The reason I ask this question is because I have a Sony grand WEGA TV that only lasted 5 years because of a bad design in the light engine, and Sony is not standing behind their product.








Comments for
Are there still capacitor problems with Samsung TVs?

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 02, 2012
 Re. Faulty Samsung Plasma TV
by: Andrew

David, that noise is most probably originating from the TV power supply.

I presume that your TV is still under warranty; I suggest to contact Samsung Customer Support and ask for a free replacement of the faulty components.
Feb 02, 2012
 Samsung PN51D450A2DXZA
by: David

Tonight my Samsung plasma TV just went out. I put the DVR on pause and the screen turned into a circle and started closing in until it went pitch black.

Than I notice a noise from the back like a T.V channel with no cable, but with a high pitch. It was getting louder and louder. I just unplugged the TV and waited 30 min but the noise was even louder.

I have been searching for an answer and couldn't find any. Some help please. Could it be the power board or the capacitor?

There should be a life time Warranty. I purchased my TV on 10/03/2011
Jan 15, 2012
 capacitor problem
by: Anonymous

It sounds like I am having a capacitor problem although my 47 inch TV has lasted four years. Unfortunately my model was made 2 months before the date that Samsung will provide a free capacitor. So the repair is totally on me.

How long does Samsung expect a $3000 television to last? That is what I would like Samsung to answer before I decide whether to repair or buy a new TV.
Dec 30, 2011
 Another Samsung 50" Plasma Dies
by: Anonymous

This plasma model, made in 2009, is not supposed to have the capacitor problem from which many of the Samsung TV’s have suffered, but, while watching it the other night, it turned itself off and I haven't been able to turn it on since even after unplugging and replugging after a sufficient wait time. Same symptoms as many have described in numerous online posts - red standby light on, hit power button, click, red light off, no picture comes on, click, red light back on, and another click. No matter how many time I tried, no change in results.

Samsung won't cover any repairs since the warranty ended after just a year, but a tech is coming out on Tuesday. We'll have to see how it goes, but, needless to say, I am not happy with Samsung. Will not buy another Samsung product unless this turns out better than it has.
Dec 28, 2011
 Clicking Samsung TV When Turned ON
by: mk

My 3 year old $2600 Samsung 52-inch (Consumer Reports #1 rated TV) just started having the clicking noise yesterday. It takes 25 or so clicks to turn on. I have a Samsung technician scheduled to come to my home in a few days.

I hope this goes well.
Dec 03, 2011
 company denies everything!
by: jim

Have a fp-t5094w plasma Samsung. Have had three years of warranty with over 6 visits to my house. blown capacitors, sending signals, bad board. purchased in 2008. cannot believe Samsung techs told me no "issues with that model" ARE YOU KIDDING ME, I SAID.

Did you ever type in bad capacitors on internet and see the results? This guy is no, no issues. Samsung could care less about the consumer. Please stay away from this company. Its warranty is useless. You spend the entire warranty period fixing their initial installation mistakes. If this were a car, I would shudder to hear of the number of fatalities. This shouldn't be happening to the American consumer who spends that kind of money.

Shame on you Samsung! Shame on you!!!!!!!!!!
Dec 02, 2011
 Samsung capacitor issue TV in use less than 3 years
by: Donnell

Purchased a Samsung 42 inch TV at Nebraska Furniture 2008 - put in the study were it gets very little use. Less than 3 years old, began to not turn on about two months ago when powered up. Sets there and clicks and clicks until after about 12 attempts finally comes on. Taking longer and longer with each power up. At the most has been is turned on twice a week for almost three years.

We have a 25 year old American made TV in the main room used every morning and every every evening for 25 years! And it's been moved twice in a truck,NEVER an issue.

Called Samsung 12-1-11, they are going to repair the capacitor which is the saving grace for Samsung on this issue.


Nov 29, 2011
 CLASS ACTION Samsung capacitor problem
by: Martin Houle Canada

CLASS ACTION Yes I'm filing a class action !
Nov 18, 2011
 YES! 8500 LED has same problem
by: Anonymous

I have the 8500, and, of course it's out of warranty. It has the infamous "clicking, turning off and on, changing channels" problem. I had been researching the problem and found the YouTube posts. I noted close to 50,000 hits on several different sites for the exact same problem and the "fix".

I called Samsung, complained about spending $3500 for a piece of junk and wanted to know if they would stand behind their product. The rep assured me that they had fixed the problem with different models but that MY model, with LED, didn't have bad capacitors. She then wanted to know if I wanted to schedule a service call.

I'm considering breaking it up into little pieces and sending it back to them. In the alternative, I will try to fix it myself - the YouTube videos were well done. I will NEVER buy another Samsung product.
Nov 09, 2011
 Samsung will fix my tv
by: Anonymous

I have the capacitor problem with the same television that I also bought in 2008. I called Samsung today and they have arranged for someone to come out and replace the capacitors at no charge to me (in two days). The warranty expired after a year, so this sounds like a product recall issue. I'd try calling them again....
Nov 04, 2011
 Another Samsung lemon.
by: G-Man

I have a 40" Samsung LCD manufactured in May '08 that I bought in July '08. Same capacitor problem as everyone describes - clicking, delay turning on, which gets longer and longer.

Contacting Samsung resulted in a "Sorry, we can't help you - it's past the time for you to qualify for the free fix."

I've opened the back of the set and identified the two capacitors causing the problem. I'll fix it this weekend, and if I can't get it fixed, I'll buy another TV.

But I can guarantee you, it won't be a Samsung.
Oct 22, 2011
 YES AGAIN
by: Ryan

YES! I already had mine fixed a year ago (LN52A550) and now the problem is back again already and I have to pay out of pocket this time. What crap, same problem a year later, what FIX was that really the first time? Bye Bye Samsung.
Oct 20, 2011
 Is it really a capacitor problem?
by: Googly

I have the Series 6 model UA46C6200UM. 1 year and 2 months into use, I get the clicking sound. Took me a while but I was eventually lead to several sites on the internet about this Capacitor Plague issue.

Samsung repair technician will be here tomorrow and it will be interesting to have a sneak peak on the board and check out if it really are those damn pesky capacitors.

If the entire power supply board is change, I will take note of the location of those capacitors and get some 1000UF 7000 hour capacitors as spares and prepare to do some soldering myself. Will be a nice home project but hope I don't screw up during soldering those pesky stuff.

Conclusion? Samsung hasn't really changed their Capacitors.
Oct 04, 2011
 Looks like Capacitor is Dead
by: Anonymous

I am exactly 30 days into my un55d7000 and it looks like I'm having capacitor problems (at least the symptoms match up). It's a great TV and I love the web connectivity, but it's doing nothing for me at the moment except powering off and on. Thank God for the extended warranty, but let's see how much the Geek Squad will let me down. Guess I'm pessimistic...
Oct 03, 2011
 Samsung customer service is worse than the capacitors
by: Joel

Don't waste your time if your TV is over 2years old. They had never heard of a capacitor problem before, and wanted me to contact a local repair company to find out what capacitors I needed replaced.

All I asked for was Samsung to tell me which board the capacitors were on, and a location of the capacitors so that I could repair myself. No luck. I guess they don't care about customer loyalty.

I will buy a Sony next time. Companies like Sony and Subaru really stick by their products. It is too bad that most other companies don't do the same.
Aug 15, 2011
 Bad caps
by: DMADESIGN

The electrolytics do not like heat nor age.
Even if chosen correctly they have a limited lifetime.

A few years ago Dell had a disastrous issue with bad caps on MOBOs.

If you are lucky enough to open your device and see bulging caps, it is a relatively simple repair. Replace and and all in the area (hot spot). You may actually repair your device.

HOWEVER,bulging caps result in ripple and slight over-voltage. It's better if the device actually powers on, but not a negative if it does not turn on.
Aug 04, 2011
 UN55B8500 lasted 18 months
by: Anonymous

I spent $4000 dollars on the backlit LED UN55B8500 18 months ago. Tried turning it on and it just goes click, click , click. Search Sony capacitor problem, or any other brand and you find maybe 3 or 4 cases. Search Samsung capacitor problem and there are 100's of pages with 1000's of people with the same problem. They have not fixed the manufacturing issue since my TV was built in Feb of 2010. If you buy a Samsung you better get the extended warranty.
Aug 03, 2011
 samsung capacitor reply
by: marty

I recently contacted Samsung about their capacitor problem; Here is their reply:

'Thank you for contacting Samsung Electronics.
We understand you would like to know if 2011 TV's are facing the capacitor problem or it have been resolved.

We are glad to inform you that, day by day Samsung improvising their products, and the capacitor issues are only there for
2007 and 2008 TV's.

And after 2008, there are no reported issues, because the capacitors have been updated or the advance capacitors are been upgraded in the TV's.

So far we couldn't addressed any issue with the 2011 TV's.

If you require any further information, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you.

Samsung Online Support.

Follow Samsung Service on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.'

Hope this is helpful to everyone.
Jul 09, 2011
 Samsung UN40B6000 - Crap
by: Anonymous

To the reply above, I just had my UN40B6000 LED model go out, and judging by the symptoms, it looks to be the capacitor issue.

I am going to call those clowns on Monday and see if they will do the "one time fix", but I am betting I have to go do it myself, which isn't a big deal since I am good with an iron.

I had the TV for just over 18 months, and paid 1200 new...total crap.
Jul 04, 2011
 2008 52" LCD
by: Dan

The other day, my 52" Samsung LCD TV started acting erratic. A little internet search by my wife discovered this is SUPER common and is a relatively easy fix: replace a few capacitors and you're good to go. We found dozens of videos on YouTube. After watching a few, we went to Radio Shack and bought some replacement capacitors, a soldering iron and some rosin solder and flux. We removed the back, found two bulging capacitors, removed them with the soldering iron, and put in the new ones. It was almost that easy. The average charge for this work, according to our research is around $400 - $500. The TV cost around $3k back in 2008. Our cost to fix it was $5 worth of capacitors.
Jun 21, 2011
 Bad panel
by: Anonymous


I have a samsung 46" 640 series model and 1 week from being a year old, the panel went bad. Luckily i bought it from best buy and they came and replace the panel at samsung's cost($1,000 NO JOKE)HaHa take that samsung! Then less tan a year later the picture starting losing the color and switching to black & white then color again,doesn't do that much now. But on june 20 2011 the sound was cutting off so i turned the tv off and back on and it seemed to fix the problem for now. So what other problems will come? Only time will tell,so thanks samsung for expensive JUNK. I'm just so glad that i bought the extended 4yr warranty,it may pay for itself.
Jun 19, 2011
 Samsung Sucks
by: Samsung Sucks


The Koreans who make the Samsung products seriously have quality control issues.

Not 2 weeks into my purchase of a Samsung TV, green lines started to come up.

They don't make products that last very well. You have clocks in phones that run slower than normal. You have screens that don't come up. You have bad English everywhere even in the fine prints and you have typing mistakes everywhere.

What's up with these people? I will not buy a Samsung TV nor any of its products. BEWARE OF SAMSUNG and its crappy Korean engineering.
Apr 11, 2011
 TV Capacitor issue
by: Jireh TV Repair


If your unit takes too long to turn on, clicks on and off most of the time, then it is a capacitor issue.

DON'T use the TV anymore and unplug it to avoid further damage.

Hope this tips help! Jireh TV Repair - 510-314-3535 Phone. God Bless
Apr 07, 2011
 Now let's give Sony a try
by: tbenjamin


I finally replaced my dead Samsung with a Sony Bravia LED 40" and so far it is wonderful of course. I did not neglect buying the 2 year extended warranty this time around.

Hope this TV lasts many years...?
Mar 25, 2011
 DON'T LET SAMSUNG SHAMYOU
by: Joe Mumford


Google Samsung TV problems and read the complaints on the consumer affairs site. If you have a day or two you might be able to read them all.

Over 10,000 complaints about Samsungs garbage Tvs. Any other TV make has less than 900 complaints.

DON'T LET SAMSUNG SHAMYOU!!
Feb 19, 2011
 Don't buy Samsung HDTVs
by: Bill


Have a LN46A550 only 2 years old. Just had capacitors replaced free by Samsung certified repair person. TV still has same problem. Now it will cost $300 additional to replace some other board.

LCD TVs should be more reliable. Don't buy a Samsung....JUNK.
Dec 28, 2010
 Well I am so out of luck.
by: tbenjamin


The repairman called and said that my problem with set was not the capacitors. He said it was the Inverter Board and that the TV was not worth the cost to repair.

I have to drive an hour to go pick it up or let them throw it out or keep if for parts. Who knows what he will do with it. I said I was coming to get it soon. Argg!

I should have bought the extended warranty but I was fooled by the Samsung name. Sometime a long time ago that name meant something. Quality.

I will be shopping for a new TV and don't have a clue if I should buy cheap with extended warranty or buy Sony plus warranty. Walmart has the 3 year warranty for about 10% of the cost of the set.
Dec 28, 2010
 Samsung will fix me
by: MarkusXL


Wikipedia reveals the true extent of this massive problem, hence forth to be known as The Capacitor Plague:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

I called Samsung and they said they will arrange to fix my LN-T4665F LCD TV. It has been taking more and more clicks to finally turn on.

Its not really Samsung's fault. Bad capacitors can be in anything. Like the PC you are on right now.
Nov 30, 2010
 SAMSUNG TV would not turn on
by: tbenjamin


I called 1800 Samsung today. Seems my TV falls into the range of models that they now say they will do a one time repair on their dime if it turns out it is the capacitor problem. If it is some other problem I have to pay.

I hope I do not end up owing a bill. What happens in this scenario will determine if I will ever buy another Samsung product again. I have to contact the repair shop tomorrow that the rep. gave me the number and service order number.

I have my fingers crossed. I paid $800 1 1/2 years ago for this TV and it should have lasted at least 5 years in my opinion.
Nov 23, 2010
 Samsung Screwing The Repair
by: ln46a550 owner


Samsung told me when I called today that they will not replace the board, but they will have someone come here and resolder on the new capacitors!!!! And that it is a "One Time Fix". What the hell!!! I want them to replace the whole board. I'm sure there are other complications that this caused in my set.

Some people report that they changed the whole board for them but they are cheaping out on me.

I guess I have to hope whatever guy they send out to my house can competently do the repair with as much concern for my set as I do. Or wait. I could just call the repair place again when it breaks if they do a crappy or scam repair.. right?? At that poing, out of my own pocket according to Samsung!! Waste of money. $$$$$$

When you think you are paying more for a solid product and this happens, would you ever buy a Samsung again?

They are easily opening us up to getting scammed by the repair man. I don't want to deal with this.

Thanks Samsung -- you suck.
Oct 21, 2010
 Samsung TVs still have the same issue
by: Steve


I can confirm that as of 21/10/2010 samsung TV's still have the same capacitor problem. They are fitting 10v capacitors to a 12v circuit and using capacitors with a 3000 hour lifespan.

It saves as far as I can work out $0.20 per set.

Samsung refused to have anything to do with my set when 6 days out of warranty it failed. Their customer service lied to me and then their legal team sought to intimidate me.

Fortunately all you need to do is replace the 3 capacitors that blow and your TV will work again. It takes less than an hour.

Unplug the TV and let the power drain away. Then take the back off. You will see the power supply circuit right in the middle of the TV. Take a photo so you can see which way around the connectors go.

Unplug the connectors, and unscrew the board. The capacitors will be in the top right hand corner and if blown they will be buckled outwards and have leakage issues.

Replace them with some 1000uf 7000 hour 105 deg replacements - ensuring the + and - are the correct way around (you can see this on the capacitors).

Reassemble and you're done. I have never touched a soldering iron in my life but I managed to do it.
Oct 12, 2010
 Samsung HDTV investigation
by: John



Hi everyone,

My name is John and I work for a law firm that is investigating complaints of power supply problems with Samsung LCD and plasma TVs. We have spoken with several Samsung TV owners who had similar experiences to the ones described in this thread and subsequent comments. If you would like to share your story with us to help with our investigation, please feel free to give me a call at the firm's toll-free number (866) 981-4800 or email me at jwh [at] GirardGibbs [dot] com.

Thanks,

John
Oct 04, 2010
 Samsung capacitors
by: Ed


TV was two years and six months old when clicking started. Found out that 4 capacitors had blown, bought new board but found that now it had contributed to problems elsewhere.

Samsung quality conrol sucks and for this reason will never ever buy any Samsung product.
Sep 28, 2010
 Samsung = Fraudsung
by: Anonymous


Samsung sucks. Only as matter of time before they go belly up for perpetrating fraud against the comsumer.


Sep 17, 2010
 Broken Samsung TV
by: mel


I bought a B750 LCD last year it lasted 6 months; they replaced it for free. Now 7 months later its doing it again.

They told me that they where doing a free fix but the guy showed up to today and told me that they need to charge me to fix it.

This is not fare but we always get the back end; they got my money and I have a broken TV.
Sep 06, 2010
 YES
by: Anonymous


I can't believe what I read on the net. I should have done that before buying a new TV. This capacitor issue seems to be going on for over 2 years now. I bought my new Samsung LED TV 3 months ago, and last week it started already. It takes up to two minutes to get it switched on, while it constantly makes a clicking sound. Damn.
Jun 15, 2010
 Samsung Fixed- lasted 3 months
by: Anonymous


Samsung fixed the capacitor in my TV...took 6 months to get them to respond. The new capacitor lasted 3 months...they said would only cover the fix for 30 days.

Don't waste your time with a Samsung.
Jun 06, 2010
 Samsung tv's are Junk & they know it!!!!
by: Ted


I have one of their worthless TV's & hit the 2yr mark & then we lost the picture. Still has great sound but we are blessed to still enjoy our vision so this TV is worthless to us!!!

Will Samsung help us? Not unless we again open up the checkbook! Sales person & service center are talking big bucks to fix! They say "it will probably be a waste for the money so you might look at purchasing a new TV".

Samsung is pretending they have no problems with this & that I am a rare case. All a person has to do is get on the net & it is easy to see am one of many with the same problem.

If I had known this was a disposable TV, I surely would not have paid $996.12 for only 2 yrs of use!!!
Apr 27, 2010
 Samsung 40" LCD
by: chris


These TVs have a great pic but don't last more than the warranty 1yr or Ext there gonna break.

These TVs have been tested like a light bulb and quit working almost immediately after the warranty is up. The price too fix is almost the cost of the TV. They got you by the... Give me an old tube TV any day; quality not as good but my Grandmas TV still works.

Don't buy this junk or any other LCD TV; they are disposable junk.
Feb 20, 2010
 LED /LCD vs LCD
by: Lou


Very happy still with the LED. Very thin physically. The contrast ratio may be "Dynamic" but the blacks are definitely blacker, the front of the screen is more like glass (not dull black on the LCD) and the adjustable Automotion with the 120 hertz refresh rate makes a really nice picture.

I had them both to compare and I'm glad I upgraded to the Samsung 6000 Series.
Feb 20, 2010
 samsung capacitors
by: Anonymous


The capacitors are on the power supply card. So you probably did have this issue. They usually just replace the card.


Jan 28, 2010
 Capacitor problems
by: Lou


I have had a Samsung LN40A530 LCD for over a year---no capacitor problems but they did replace the "Power Supply" under warranty before 1 yr. Now I upgraded to the Samsung UN40B6000 LED/LCD model brand new, so we'll see how that goes.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to 2009 Samsung LED TVs vs. Samsung LCD TVs