topic Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update in Android TV

SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

88Paul — Wed, 20 Jan 2021 20:59:27 GMT

Can anyone help?

After the recent update to Android TV 9.0 on my Bravia KD-49XD8305 it appears it will no longer support the dongle that connects to the Subwoofer. It has worked perfectly for the last few years with other updates to the OS.

It will now not sync with the subwwofer, what ever I try to do. I have reset the TV, reset the USB sender/dongle and the Subwoofer too, all with no sucess.

I have read on the USA community board someone else has had the same problem. I doubt I will be able to roll back to Android 8, so waiting on a fix from Sony I guess.

Unless someone has a fix?

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

HannahEd01 — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 12:34:34 GMT

Hey, I've checked the new update's info, nothing mentioning anything related to your issue. If anything, it's adding tot he USB specs. I would say disconnect everything and reconnect from the beginning as if it's a new connection. I would also suggest to do a factory reset (TV side).

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

88Paul — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 21:27:59 GMT

Thanks for your reply. I have tried a complete TV reset and restarted the TV without the subwoofer transmitter plugged in to the tv. Then plugged it in as if its the first time and still nothing, What I have noticed is that when I insert the dongle/transmitter there is a brief flash of a red LED in the end of it, then nothing more!

I have even brought the subwoofer really close to the TV too, all with no sucess.

Looking around, I dont even seem to be able to pick up a replacement transmitter in case it is has gone faulty.

Is there anyone who also has one tell me what the status light is displaying (Red/Orange/Green) on the end of the transmitter?

Any other ideas from anybody?

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

royabrown2 — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 21:56:18 GMT

@88Paul

https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/accessories-television-projector-accessories/swf-br100

There are two manuals here, largely the same so read the later one, and some Q&As that seem relevant.

It looks like amber means you are making a specific link between dongle and sub, which if you don’t have multiple ones, perhaps isn’t necessary.

Reading up on it, I’d be very surprised if the USB connection does very much more than power the dongle, so if the Android update has done anything to affect this unit, it would likely be interfering with the subwoofer out function of the socket the jack plugs in to, so you might want to try plugging something else into that socket, headphones maybe, to see if it is still emitting the desired sound.

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

88Paul — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 22:53:19 GMT

Thanks for your reply.

I have had a look at the manual you suggested.

When I try the 'secure' connection method, the amber LED does not flash as mentioned in the manual.

I do notice that when the transmitter is plugged into a USB port on the TV, the Subwoofer settings appear in the settings menu and can be adjusted as if it is working. (So maybe it does do a little more than just supply power)

When trying the headphone socket, this is working fine as a headphone port, it is changed to a subwoofer port within the menu settings when using a transmitter for the subwoofer. I can't hear anything from the audio port when in subwoofer mode, but then again maybe my headphones dont have that frequency response, so that doesn't really prove a lot.

I'm begining to think the transmitter has failed when the update to Android 9.0 was applied to the OS, as it was fine before the update.

Anyone have a spare UWT-BR100 to link with the SWF-BR100 (Sub)?

Or any other ideas?

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

royabrown2 — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 13:05:41 GMT

@88Paul

Yes, it does look as though the TV detects the dongle. Regarding the transmitter not working, there may be a sound problem, but does the sub turn on when you turn on the TV, like it is supposed to?

That would at least show that the transmitter was doing something.

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

88Paul — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 13:35:55 GMT

There is no change from the Subwoofer when the TV is turned on, the illuminated button stays RED.

This is what makes me think there is no communication from the Transmitter,

Out of interest, when I search for Bluetooth devices on my phone I can actually see the SUB as a connectable device, however I cannot see the Transmitter, just the regular bluetooth for the TV's remote etc!

Its pointing more and more to the transmitter/dongle being faulty!

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

IanMagson — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 11:21:42 GMT

Im having exactly the same problem after the update. I’ve tried tv side reset to factory. Didn’t work.
Any luck with yours?

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

HannahEd01 — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:21:06 GMT

Hi, I'm not sure what would the update have done to the dongle, I searched for it for you and found it on EET group: https://www.eetgroup.com/en-gb/a2009350b-sony-dongle-sub-assy-uwtbr100-wid-w124642955

Something changed on their website too, so you can use the part number: A2009350B to look elsewhere, or give them a call.

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

88Paul — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 14:52:22 GMT

Hello Ian

Unfortunately I have not resolved the problem. It is as if the update has done something to the transmitter that plugs into the TV. Why it would have done, I do not know!

When you plug the USB device into your TV, does yours just briefly flash RED, then do nothing else?

Mine does not follow what the instructions say it should do anymore.

All I know is that all was fine before the update and now it doesnt work......

I have raised this with Sony themselves and had an acknowledgement that my case has been passed to as department to look into further, however, I've not heard anything more yet.

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

88Paul — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 15:02:14 GMT

Hannah

Thanks for the link, it would seem the part is in the region of £200. I have tried looking via the part number (A2009350B) and everywhere is around that price. This seems exceptionally expensive for what it is. In fact I paid much less than that for the whole setup!

I'm hoping Sony will get back to me with a resolution before too long, especially as I seem to not be the only person this has happend to.

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

HannahEd01 — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:32:24 GMT

Hi IanMagson , sorry to hear that you have the same issue too, did you try the steps in the thread?

88Paul, good thing that you did, keep us updated.

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

mattv91 — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 17:57:55 GMT

Hi I’m having the exact same problem, same model TV and subwoofer, hasn’t worked since the android update.. the two will not pair anymore, have you had any luck with a response from Sony? Regards

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

88Paul — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 18:21:17 GMT

mattv91

In answer to your question - NO, nothing yet.

Interesting to know that you have exactly the same setup and have the same problem.

Like me, you also now have a redundant subwoofer and a TV that now sounds somewhat second rate!

Hopefully SONY will aknowledge the problem and a fix will be released soon, In the mean time, maybe do as I do and bookmark this thread and check back frequently.

I will certainly post back here if I hear back from anyone with a solution.

Anyone else with similar issues?

Paul

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

d20a1a67e5e93e22 — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 12:28:14 GMT

I have exact the same problem with the same LCD TV and the same subwoofer. I try several times but unsucessfully. I few days ago I ordered a brand new dongle UWT-BR100 for the price 175 €, but I'm not shure that the problem is in dongle.

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

88Paul — Wed, 17 Feb 2021 20:44:30 GMT

Hi d20a1a67e5e93e22

Well it would seem we are not alone with this problem then, as more and more people have experienced this !

I wonder if the update has damaged the UWT-BR100 or the software installed has just rendered the dongle useless.

Please post back here when your replacement dongle arrives, so we know if that fixes the issue we are all experiencing. I sincerely hope it does having spent quite a lot of money on a replacement.

We await your result....

Paul

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

d20a1a67e5e93e22 — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 09:30:08 GMT

I few days ago I wrote a message to the Sony Slovenian customersupport and I got a feedback that the case was sending to the experts. I also asked if it is possible that they send me a previous version of Sony Android (8.0). I'm still waiting for the answer from experts and for a new dongle - transmitter (UWT-BR100). As soon as I get I will report is it work or not.

Robert

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

djlman — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 22:57:48 GMT

Just updated to Android 9 on my KD-55XD8005 TV with the SWF-BR100 and I too am unable to pair them anymore. Was working fine before the update.

Have done all the usual things.. reset the TV to factory settings, unplugged/powered down the sub, etc. Nothing works.

I was really happy with the sound from the TV and sub, but now like everyone else I’m left with a dead box, and rubbish sound.

Looking forward to see if anyone gets anywhere with this.

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

88Paul — Sat, 20 Feb 2021 23:09:04 GMT

I originally thought it was something I had done, but like you, I now have a TV with sub standard sound. What I would suggest is maybe reporting an issue to Sony UK. I have and it has been passed to the support team. I can only hope that they will recognise a problem and correct it in a future release of software!

In the mean time, keep checking back and see if anyone has a solution. If you care to read back in this thread, one chap has purchased a new UWT-BR100 transceiver, hoping that this is the problem. He will be updating us when it arrives, we will then see if the software has somehow broken his original or it is the software on the TV itself.

Lets hope it all gets a resolution sometime soon........

Any updates from anyone, please add to this thread.

Thanks....Paul

Re: SWF-BR100 stopped working after Android 9 update

djlman — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 11:42:59 GMT

I’ve logged a support request and now hope there are enough people with the issue that they will do something about it. My concern is that this is combination of 5/6 year old technology that was niche at the time, and therefore won’t affect many people.