I discovered that you just need to disconnect the TV from the internet and then do a factory reset using the technician reboot sequence.
What appears to be happening is if the TV is connected to the internet, then it will hang at step 3 waiting for a response that doesn't happen. If the TV in not connected to the internet then it will immediately proceed to step 4.
Better error handling in the reset process would solve this issue.
Can you provide the model number of the TV? I read that a simple power reset can help with this symptom. Try unplugging the TV for a few minutes and try again.
I shut off my Internet and I’m still frozen on strip 3. I’ve found a code to go into safe mode but it needs numbers and my only remote doesn’t have numbers. any suggestions
I had the exact same problem and even Samsung couldn't help and I was ready to take mine to the dump, actually had the tv ready to put in the truck. I figured I'd look one more time and someone here mentioned to do the following and surprisingly, it worked and I'm back in business! Start with the power off.
Then press the buttons on the remote in this order: Mute, 1, 8, 2, and Power.
The TV will turn on after a moment or two and the Service Menu should be on the screen.
The first option at the top left should be factory reset. Click on that and it starts the tv up as if you just bought it with the setup all over again.
I was expecting it to start up with the same blank white step 3 screen, but it didn't. I was very worried when it got back to that step 3 screen again, but it got through it.
