Samsung error code 189 is mainly caused by an outdated software version on your TV. All you have to do is update your TV’s software and the issue will get resolved quickly.
However, sometimes this error message shows up even when there’s no update available. This can be fixed by logging out and then logging in again to your Samsung account.
Technically speaking, the error indicates that the TV couldn’t connect to Samsung’s servers. This may be caused by either your internet connection having problems or Samsung’s own authentication servers being down.
In this guide, we will talk about Samsung error 189, why it shows and how to have it fixed quickly (even when there’s no update available). There are some tricks that you may need to apply in order to make things work.
How to fix Samsung error code 189
Samsung TV error code 189 displays this message on the screen: “Unable to connect to Samsung Server. Please update your TV’s software to solve this problem.”
Update the TV’s software
Obviously, the first thing and the easiest solution is to update your TV’s software. This method solves the problem most of the time. However, sometimes there’s no available update. (We will explain later how to bypass such an issue).
So, first, you have to update the software of your TV. Follow the steps below to update the software (regardless of your TV model):
- On your Samsung TV remote control, press the Menu button to open the user menu.
- From the menu screen, select Settings, then Support, and finally hit Software Update.
- Select the Update Now option.
If you don’t see the Update option, exit the menu screen and change the TV source to Live TV. Then, go over the steps again and see if the Update option appears on the Software Update menu.
If you see the option, then download and install the update file. Wait until it is finished, and check if the error has disappeared. It’s recommended to restart the TV after the update has gone through.
If for some reason the error persists (or there’s no update available), then move to the next steps listed below.
Login and logout from your account
Another method to fix your Samsung TV that shows error code 189, try logging out and logging back into your Samsung account. This sounds weird but it has been reported to work.
Go to your Samsung account using the remote control and log out of the account. Then wait a few seconds, and log in again by entering your username and password.
To logout and log in:
- Press the Home button on the remote.
- Go to Settings and then General.
- Navigate to System Manager and hit Samsung Account.
- Select My Account, then Sign Out.
- Go to Samsung Account again under System Manager.
- Select Sign In and enter your credentials.
Make sure you actually know the password before logging out. If you lost it, you can reset it by clicking Forgot Password (either from the TV itself or via a laptop/phone).
Use a different account
It has been reported that adding another account to use with your Samsung TV will solve the issue. To add a second account, follow these steps:
- Press the Home button on the remote control.
- Navigate to the Settings screen and open System Manager.
- Hit Samsung Account and then press Add Account.
- Sign in to the account that you want to use (if you have an account).
If you don’t have a Samsung account, it’s time to create one and it’s very straightforward. You can create an account online on your computer, or on your phone, even directly through the smart TV.
To create a new account via your TV screen, follow these steps:
- Follow the steps shown above and press the Add Account option.
- Once you do so, you’ll have the option to access an existing account or create a new one.
- Look up the “I am a new user” line. You’ll be presented with a few options such as creating a new account using your email, Facebook, PayPal account, etc. If you want a separate account (which we suggest), select the Create Account option.
- Go through the prompts and create a new account. First, you need to agree to the terms and conditions, then enter your name, birthday, email address, and password.
- Once finished, click Done and now you have an account to log into.
If the software issue is related to the Samsung account, this new account will clear up the issue and you’ll be able to update. Go again through the steps and update the software. Then, if necessary, you may log in to your original (main) Samsung account. Or you can keep using the second one.
Check the internet and restart the router
Sometimes the internet doesn’t work or it’s not stable. If you get this error, check all the lights on your router and see if they are all on.
Open up some random pages while connected to the WiFi using your laptop or phone and ensure that the internet actually works.
If you’re using WiFi for your TV, ensure that the router provides strong coverage to the TV. If the strength bars are low, the connection may drop and the TV fails to connect to the server.
Then you may power cycle the router. By rebooting the router, you may erase any errors or malfunction and start the connection over.
To reboot is quite easy, just unplug the power cord from the router (some routers come with a power switch), wait one minute, and power the unit on again. Go to your TV and restart it to check if the error message with error code 189 has disappeared.
Reset the network on your Samsung TV
Samsung TVs allow the user to reset the network configuration of the TV which can fix any possible misconfiguration on the network settings.
Follow these steps to reset your network settings:
- Press the Home button on the remote control.
- Go to Settings, then General, and hit Network.
- Select Reset Network. Wait for the TV to disconnect and then reconnect to your WiFi.
- Reboot the TV and then try again to see if the issue has been solved.
Reset your Samsung TV
If nothing works for you, you may also try to factory reset the Samsung TV which will erase all the settings and configurations. A factory reset will sign you out of all accounts and remove all your apps.
To reset your Samsung TV:
- Press the Home button on the remote control.
- Go to Settings, then Support and select Self-diagnosis. Hit the Reset option.
- Enter the PIN if you’ve set one. The default PIN is 0000.
- Confirm the prompt to begin resetting the TV.
- Wait until the TV is back on and see if error code 189 has disappeared.
Conclusion
In most cases, Samsung TV error 189 can be fixed by updating your Samsung TV’s software. Another method is to log out and log in using your Samsung account.
Additionally, you may create a new account, reboot the router, reset the network settings on the TV, or factory default the unit.
Lastly, if none of these methods works for you, then it’s time to contact Samsung’s official support team or your seller for further assistance.
