Fixing Samsung smart TV problems with the security certificate

Posted by sky | Tags: Linux , Personal , Samsung , installation , internet , testing

One day, my 2016 Samsung smart TV can no longer access any apps like youtube. A popup message indicates problem with the security certificate for this site.

A Google search result: message on smart tv does not have a solution.

The problem could be due to Expiring root SSL certs expected to break smart TVs, fridges, and IoTs. This means that a TV software update is required to fix it.

The TV web browser can still access http site, but it cannot access https site. Neither can smart hub apps access Samsung server.

I have noted down the steps I have taken to eventually fix this issue. Though, I am uncertain whether all the steps are necessary.

After each step, I check whether I can access youtube (or smart hub apps). If I can access, then the issue is fixed, otherwise I turn off the power for the TV to shut it down. After some time has passed or whenever I watch the TV again, then I test the next step.

Download and install latest Samsung software update
Reset smart hub
Unplug the TV cable
Install smart hub apps

1. Download and install latest Samsung software update

On the Official Samsung online support site, enter the model code number of your TV in the Product Support box. On the TV product page, download the "Upgrade File" for installation if the version is later than the TV current software version. My TV auto update is set to On, so I must have missed the latest update released last year.

The downloaded zip file T-JZMUABC_USB.zip contents has to be extracted, and the files under the extracted image folder needs to be copied to a usb disk (windows/fat32 formatted).

Below Linux commands are to format a usb disk. (eg. mine is /dev/sdc ) fdisk is used to create a partition in the usb disk. See Create a Partition in Linux - A Step-by-Step Guide.

    sudo fdisk /dev/sdc
    sudo mkfs.vfat -F 32 /dev/sdc1

Below, is to copy the zip file contents over to the usb disk. There are 2 files: info.txt & upgrade.msd in the image folder.

    unzip T-JZMUABC_USB.zip
    mkdir d 
    sudo mount /dev/sdc1 d
    sudo cp -a T-JZMUABC_USB/image/* d/
    sudo umount d

Unmounting the usb disk in Linux may take quite a long time.

Insert the usb disk into the TV usb port.

Goto the TV Settings > Support > Software Update > Update now
Select "Update now" to install the Upgrade software.

After the installation is completed, the security certificate issue still remains.

2. Reset smart hub

Refer to How to troubleshoot apps that are not working on the Samsung Smart TV

Reset Smart Hub settings will reset it to their factory defaults and deletes all Smart Hub service agreements, and Smart Hub applications. The default PIN is 0000.

Goto the TV Settings > Support > Self Diagnosis > Reset Smart Hub
Select "Reset Smart Hub" to reset/delete all Smart Hub service agreements and apps.

After the reset is done, I still cannot connect to Samsung Smart Hub server to reinstall.

3. Unplug the TV cable

According to the above Samsung How to troubleshoot apps, unplug TV cable from the power socket for 30 seconds, and then plug it back in; will shut the TV down completely and reboots it.

I unplug the TV cable for a few minutes. In the meantime, I also reboot my wifi router.

4. Install smart hub apps

Finally, the TV can access the Smart Hub apps. The youtube is working properly again.

08 Jul 2023

Sky