Audio output issues after March 11 update

[Shane68]

NEO QLED

QN65QN85DBFXZA – Audio output resetting to TV speakers after firmware 2115.3 update

Since the firmware 2115.3 update (released March 27, 2026), my TV resets the audio output to the internal TV speakers every time I power it on. I have my audio routed via optical cable to an external receiver, and the setting will not stick. Every day I have to manually go back into the sound settings and switch the output back to optical.

This was not happening prior to the update. Has anyone else experienced this after 2115.3? Is Samsung aware of this issue and is a fix in progress

[Diaboyos]

Yes, you're not alone. Your exact issue—audio output resetting to TV speakers on power-on after firmware 2115.3 (released ~March 27, 2026)—was just reported on the official Samsung US community forum for the QN65QN85DBFXZA (and similar NEO QLED models). It started right after this update and didn't happen before.
us.community.samsung.com
Why It HappensThis is a known regression with optical (and sometimes HDMI ARC) audio output on Samsung TVs. The firmware appears to have changed how the TV handles audio source detection or power-on initialization, causing the setting not to "stick." Similar optical reset bugs have plagued Samsung TVs for years, often tied to Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC), auto-detection, or power states.Quick Workarounds to TryDisable Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC):
Settings > General > External Device Manager > Anynet+ (HDMI-CEC) → Off.
This stops the TV from auto-detecting and resetting audio.
Cold boot + reset sound settings: Unplug TV from wall for 2–5 minutes.
Plug back in, go to Settings > Sound > Expert Settings > Reset Sound.
Manually set Sound Output to Optical again.
Set Digital Output Audio Format to PCM (if available):
Sound > Expert Settings > Digital Output Audio Format → PCM (instead of Auto/Passthrough). This can help stability with older receivers.
Factory reset as last resort (backs up apps/settings first):
Settings > General > Reset. Reconfigure audio afterward.

Samsung Awareness & FixSamsung has acknowledged similar audio reset issues in the past and escalated them, but no specific patch for 2115.3 optical bug is confirmed yet (as of early April 2026). Report it directly via the Samsung Members app or community thread so they track it—mention your model and exact firmware. A future update may fix it.In the meantime, the Anynet+ disable often resolves it for many users.

[Shane68]

Well, that's a far better response than I got from Samsung customer support. Their first tip was to tell me to go out and buy a new optical cable, because of course my optical cable has control over their internal TV settings. Then I was told to factory reset my television. In their defense, I have found for years that, although I love Samsung products, their customer support is the absolute worst on the planet. I'll give your suggestions a try, though. Thank you very much for replying.

[RandyMorgan]

Model QN65S90DAFXZA for me basically the same issue after the update only I am using the HDMI Earc going to an Anthem AVM70.

Be sure to report it to Samsung if you have not already as the more that complain directly to them the more likely something will get done about it sooner rather than later.

[Jeffonorge61]

This is the latest update #2123, shown below go left to right, see if this helps?

[Shane68]

I don't know what Bluetooth has to do with my optical output

[Jeffonorge61]

My bad.

[Shane68]

So far I haven't had to reset my audio output in about three days. This is the first time it's been that long. It's usually daily, so I'm just leaving it like that for now, and hopefully it's latched.

[1Butcher]

I'm no software geek, but I believe they changed the eHDMI from #3 to #1. I switched my Roku [was on #1] to the eHDMI port [#3] and now everything works like it used to. 

[Shane68]

No idea how that relates to optical.