Samsung Odyssey G8 G80SD 32 inch Intermittent Black Screen

[NealMcDeal]

Hi Everyone

update.

For months I have been chasing Samsung re: firmware updates, eventually I got hold of 2nd level support and a technician that actually knew something instead of giving me standard pre-canned responses.

I was using 1004 firmware and then upgraded to 1005, unfortunately there was not any improvement.

However, Samsung support gave me access to v1301...a big jump in version numbers and now this is on the support websites to download as a USB update. (I am not sure if it is available via auto updates as I had upgraded them all manually as at the time, the auto update process didn't have the new firmware).

I can say that this version 1301 has "improved" but unfortunately not eliminated the screen blanking issue. This is very disappointing, but that being said it is happening a lot less these days once I have upgraded to this firmware.

So if you are running on anything less than 1301 and have this issue, I suggest you upgrade to the new version. You won't regret it. I have contacted support again, to find out if they are still going to continue looking into this problem. [I have also indicated that I have another problem with the Settings - Number - Color button on the remote, and that my remote eventually stops responding to my monitor - oh well will have to wait for that to be fixed.]

Anyway back to the monitor problem. I only seem to have the problem with Display Port. (Don't matter what frequency as it still occurs - FYI I operate the monitor at 120Hz. But tried 60Hz and 240Hz and still same issues. However, if I use HDMI I don't have any issues at all. I am using a NVIDIA RTX 4080 Super; using G-Sync Compatible/Adaptive Sync.

I have this monitor (as well as a G6) connected to my main PC using Display Port and then a work PC connected via HDMI. I am mainly on HDMI during the day and have NEVER had the issue with HDMI on the G8. However, when using Display Port, the problem still exists. (BTW the G6 has never missed a beat - so if you only use one computer connected to the monitor I will suggest you change your cable to HDMI. But if you are like me that use two computers connected up, the one using Display Port will probably still have an issue.

Do other people still have this issue with the screen going randomly black for about 1-2 sec from time to time? What Frequency (Refresh Rate) are you using?

Thanks

Neal

[userWmJTMDqUFd]

Hi, i can answer that. Tested the new driver for about 15 min and black screen still flashes around that time frame unfortunately.

[Members_yJhKbuz]

Same here.

[FszoQ]

Same here, exile.. 😕

[cwjones]

Just did the full DDU + safe mode reinstall, latest 5090 drivers.  Black screen flickers still. UGH>>>>

[cwjones]

Just an update on this... So I dropped the monitors out of game mode. HZ=120.  Made sure to set Nvidia ctrl panel to gsync = off and power = perfer max performance.  

I also turned of HDR in windows.

I just completed a 2 hour racing session without any blackouts.. That is not typical.  Everything I have read says there is no 'real' cure yet but if you're trying things.. maybe something to try.

Update: Still happening 😞

[Members_yJhKbuz]

The only real solution is to use HDMI and wait for DP fix from Nvidia or Samsung.

[cwjones]

What is everyone doing? Samsung is willing to RMA all 3 monitors… I’m tempted to and just buy something non-Samsung. You can blame nvidia all you want but selling monitors that flicker is bs.

[LG_Bullet]

I wish you the best of luck with the other brands – at least you’ll have new forums where you can voice your complaints! Before you start ranting there too, I recommend reading the following threads:

• NVIDIA GeForce GRD 576.02 Feedback Thread

• NVIDIA GeForce Hotfix Driver 576.15 Announcement

I'm not saying Samsung is perfect, but before spreading misinformation, please take the time to get informed. And once again, I wish you the best of luck and good health – especially with your future monitor purchases!

[cwjones]

I'm not sure that qualifies as ranting.... 

Considering the people posting in this thread have spent between $1200 - $4000 (triples) on cutting edge monitors.  I think its reasonable to expect they work with modern hardware.  Surely,  Samsung isn't selling gaming monitors and testing them with AMD GPUs.

My monitors exhibit the same behavior with 4080s and now 5090s so again...  I'm pretty sure Samsung could have made a better product... Definitely not saying Nvidia is helping.. 

Thanks for those links I'll add them to the list of threads I'm following!
Here's hoping for a fix sooner rather than later!

[NealMcDeal]

Hi cwjones,

I agree with your sentiments. Samsung's testing should be better. When I originally  contacted them they replied to me showing that they actually have tests to confirm whether the screen flickers and in their test results it showed as PASSED. I questioned this, as I asked how can you pass a test when it obviously fails. I personally think that the tester didn't really watch the screen for any length of real duration! I was critical on Samsung for this, and asked how they could have released a product that obviously had issues with Nvidia. In my case I have dual monitors so their test case didn't include multiple monitors, which didn't help my cause.

I am now past this, as now Samsung have acknowledged that there is a problem with Nvidia drivers. I have asked Samsung again, why then is my G8 OLED affected, but my G6 OLED rock solid and not experiencing any issues?!? Can Samsung offer an explanation for this??

Personally, I think it is the Monitor OS that plays a part here. The G6 OS is simple compared to the complexity offered with the G8! I personally would like to know if the new 27" G8 OLED has this same issue? Maybe it is something to do being a 4K monitor??

For me, I am staying on older 566.36 drivers (sorry 50XX users), until either Nvidia improves their driver stability drastically or Doom The Dark Ages requires me to update my drivers (I hope not!).

I have noticed that using these drivers, and having my G8 as Monitor#1 in Windows and also set as the primary monitor is definitely more stable. I get a black screen about 1hr into use and sometimes not at all.

My contact at Samsung got back to me, last week, just saying that he is still following up with the R&D team to see if they have heard anything from Nvidia. No news unfortunately. I also relayed to them my own investigations and asked them some more questions. I will report back as soon as I hear anything more.

However, cwjones, I hear your frustration. I am not convinced that other monitors are not having the same issue; there are various YouTube channels from PC Hard reviewers etc. that make comment about Nvidia drivers going black screen, more so since the RTX 50XX release. irrespective of what monitor is used. So if you do swap monitors, you still run the risk of black screens. I personally, have thought many times of returning all three G8 that I have bought but I would serious kick myself getting another monitor for the problem to still be present on the replacement monitor. The G8 OLED in my opinion is the #1 gaming monitor available. There are so many reviews that also make these statements. I will wait and see.

But both Nvidia and Samsung need to do better by their customers!