Sony HT-XT3 Bricked. Do Not Update to M28.r.0534

akte on 09/04/2022 - 13:15
Last edited 09/04/2022 - 13:54 by 1 other user

I bought a Sony HT-XT3 sound-bar a couple years ago and rarely use it. Today, I thought of updating the firmware to the latest version given that its been a while. Connected to TV, internet then update.

After update, none of the options are working except for standby button and volume button. I contacted Sony and went through troubleshooting with them and none work. Now I’m stuck with this big paper weight. Just to let anyone out there planning to do updates on the old HT-XT3, don’t .

It's really frustrating that it’s Sony update that break the sound-bar, not because of hardware failure.

Related Stores

Sony Australia

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  Muzeeb on 09/04/2022 - 13:26

  +1

  Did you even use the Chromecast built-in for audio?

  Did you get an update failed message or did it just bricked itself during the process?

  Maybe try an update via USB if you have some functionality.

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  akte on 09/04/2022 - 14:12

  It updated successfully, no error message. I tried BT, hdmi, analog, chromecast, nothing works. It hang/froze after 5 minutes booted up. I tried usb update, it says it's already updated.

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    Muzeeb on 09/04/2022 - 14:20

    +1

    Can you access the menu to factory reset?

    If yes, I would do that.

    Then power down and remove all power supply completely.

    Hold down the power button for 1 minute.

    Setup unit again from scratch.

    • 

      akte on 09/04/2022 - 14:39

      Unfortunately there's no way factory reset it. I tried reset all settings but just spinning.

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  klowdz on 09/04/2022 - 14:22

  +1

  I had a similar scenario updating my modem/router. I contacted the company's technical support team and the only way to resolve it was to roll-back the firmware to the very first version and progressively update it, one by one, to the version last before it bricked my modem/router. Usually you can't directly load the previous version of the firmware. The support team was able to give me all the files and step me through it, and while it took some time we got there in the end. Maybe this is an option for you, too.

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    akte on 09/04/2022 - 14:45

    I chatted with the support, they say the will get back to me and I can only wait. I'll put an update if they get back to me.

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  akte on 12/04/2022 - 08:50

  Ok, so they responded that I have 2 options:
  1. Trade in, which I need to wait another few days to get more info as they are different department. Don't know how much to pay out of pocket or worth upgrading or not.
  2. Bring back to Sony repair centre and they will tell me the charges. I asked why I need to pay and they said they are not sure if software was the issue.

  I asked about rollback firmware, but they said they already tried all resources (All I can do is press power button and volume down button to reset). So meaning they can't rollback firmware.

  My colleague has the same soundbar, but his update was ok apart from he can't connect o bluetooth using his latest Samsung phone to play LDAC. It freeze the soundbar. He had to use Cast to play from spotify.

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  solace on 18/04/2022 - 21:46

  I had this soundbar randomly go into Demo mode running this firmware. None of the online instructions for the HT-XT3 had instructions on how to reset this or remove demo mode for this model (it did for various newer models power+vol up) but only the power +vol down seemed to fix it. Thanks

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  gavt on 09/01/2023 - 16:56

  I have the same soundbar and also bricked it! Similarly couldn't work out a solution, appreciate the insights from your discussions with Sony.