When switching inputs on S90D my Cable Receiver powers itself on even though I do not want it to, no other devices do it

[Figureguy]

Good evening.  I just bought a 55" S90D.  I have my cable receiver on input 1, Fire TV on 2, Sound bar on 3 and Switch 2 on 4.  The soundbar automatically comes on with the TV and powers down when I shut the TV off.  When I manually change to input 2 or 4 the Fire TV and Switch still need to be manually powered on.  However say then from input 2 I change to input 1 which is the cable box.  As soon as it does the cable box powers on.  I have searched the boards and settings and do not see anything in my menu for auto on, I am not running smart hub or last app when powering up and if I shut off HDMI-CEC the soundbar goes away.  I previously had a 55 Q80T and this did not happen.

I called Samsung tonight especially after reading on here how Xbox and Playstation owners were having their consoles powered up when the TV was changed to that input.  However their settings changes are either not in my menu or do not have an effect.  Samsung said it was my cable box as the TV cannot power on devices itself, which is not true.  He told me in turn to call my cable company and check what the problem is on their end.

I did and Spectrum said their boxes not only are not smart enough to do that but aren't equipped with the software needed.  That is what I thought.  I know I have the Smart Remote controls the Soundbar and cable box but is there a way to remove the cable from the Smart Remote?

When I use a device that isn't cable I always like to turn it back to 1 so my wife doesn't have to fight with the remote to change the source, especially if I'm not around.  Any help would really be appreciated.  Thanks.

[SolveForce]

This sounds like a frustrating issue, but it’s definitely tied to how Samsung Smart TVs handle HDMI-CEC (Anynet+) and Universal Remote Control settings — even if you think everything is off.

Here are a few things to check that might help:

1. Disable Universal Remote Control Mapping
Go to Settings > General & Privacy > External Device Manager > Universal Remote and remove the cable box from the list. This can stop the Smart Remote from sending commands to the cable box, even unintentionally.


2. Turn off HDMI-CEC (Anynet+)
Even though you said it’s off, double-check:
Settings > Connection > External Device Manager > Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) > Set to Off
This should stop the TV from sending power-on commands over HDMI to connected devices.


3. Use IR Only (if possible)
Samsung Smart Remotes use a mix of Bluetooth and IR to control devices. If your remote is sending commands via Bluetooth to both the TV and cable box, try re-pairing it and skipping Universal Remote setup when prompted.


4. Reprogram Your Smart Remote (Optional)
When you initially set up the TV, it may have automatically paired the Smart Remote to control the cable box. You can reprogram it or remove that control through:
Settings > General > External Device Manager > Device Connection Manager > Device List
Then remove the cable box if listed.




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This issue doesn’t usually happen with the Q-series models because earlier firmware handled CEC and Universal Remote control more simply. The newer S90D seems to handle HDMI and Smart Remote control more aggressively, especially with the auto-detect features enabled.

Hopefully, removing the cable box from the Universal Remote setup and confirming CEC is off will help stop it from powering on when switching inputs. Let us know if it works.

[Figureguy]

Thank you for taking the time to respond.  I appreciate it very much.  I will address the steps you instructed along with pictures.

1.  On my TV External Devices is through Connections.  When I pull up the menu for External Devices, though there is no option for Universal Remote.

2.  Whenever I set the HDMI-CEC to off the TV no longer recognizes the soundbar is connected.  The TV reverts to the internal speakers.  When I go to audio options the soundbar no longer is a choice.

3.  I can re-pair it but it doesn't give me the option to reset the universal remote.

4. When I go into Device List like you mentioned it has my phone connected as the only device.

Any further options would be appreciated

[Figureguy · Accepted solution]

Update:  I think I got it but boy is it confusing.

1.  If you go into settings, support, connection guide, you can go into the devices with the Universal Remote.  The cable box and the BluRay were showing.  When I removed Spectrum and the logo disappeared it reverted to Input 1 as just HDMI.  Then it would not turn on with input 1 so I simply have to change the name and device logo to what I want.

2.  This one was a bear.  I removed the BluRay from the Universal Device but it still started when choosing input 3.  I went into the settings of the BluRay and shut off HDMI-CEC from the device itself.  By doing that I stopped the player from coming on but since I didn't shut off HDMI-CEC on the TV itself the soundbar still works.

So I had to tell the TV the Spectrum box was not a spectrum box but just a generic device and tell the BluRay player not to talk to the TV.

What...the...absolute...heck.

I'll make sure it is all fine tomorrow morning but I am off to bed.  This is the most convoluted TV setup I have ever dealt with.

The TV itself though is fantastic.  It is quite an update from the 55" Q80T I bought in 2020 and with all the settings especially with the HDR my Switch 2 games will look spectacular.  I could have forced all games to be done in HDR but rather than wash out images I chose compatible software only on the system.