Update the SmartThings integration

Oct 13, 2025 by pinkandtrash.com 104 views

SmartThings: Volume (and Other Settings) Not Exposed on Samsung Q950A Soundbar (and Likely Others)

SmartThings is a popular home automation platform that allows users to control and monitor various smart devices in their homes. However, some users have reported issues with the SmartThings integration on Samsung Q950A soundbars, where volume and other settings are not exposed. In this article, we will explore this issue, its causes, and potential solutions.

The new SmartThings integration detects the soundbar, but it does not expose any useful controls for it. The user is left with a limited set of options, as shown in the screenshot below.

The SmartThings API exposes various controls, including volume control, mute, media playback controls, and input selection. Additionally, there are undocumented ways to set equalizer/sound processing settings, but these may be out of scope for a generic integration.

The issue is reported to occur on Home Assistant Core version 2025.3.1. However, the user is unable to provide information on the last working version of Home Assistant Core.

The user is running Home Assistant OS, which is a pre-configured version of Home Assistant that is designed to be easy to use and set up.

The SmartThings integration is the cause of the issue, as it does not expose the desired controls for the soundbar.

The user has provided a link to the SmartThings integration documentation on the Home Assistant website.

The user has provided a diagnostics file that may be useful for troubleshooting the issue.

Unfortunately, the user has not provided an example YAML snippet that demonstrates the issue.

The user has not provided any logs that may be useful for troubleshooting the issue.

Before the official integration update, the user was using a custom integration called ha_samsung_soundbar, which handled some of the undocumented functionality. This integration may be a useful reference for resolving the issue.

Based on the information provided, there are several potential solutions to this issue:

Update the SmartThings integration: The user may need to update the SmartThings integration to the latest version, which may resolve the issue.
Use a custom integration: The user may need to use a custom integration, such as ha_samsung_soundbar, which handles some of the undocumented functionality.
Contact Home Assistant support: The user may need to contact Home Assistant support for further assistance in resolving the issue.

In conclusion, the SmartThings integration on Samsung Q950A soundbars does not expose volume and other settings, which is a limitation for users who want to control their soundbars using Home Assistant. While there are potential solutions to this issue, further investigation and troubleshooting may be necessary to resolve the problem.

Based on the information provided, we recommend the following:

Update the SmartThings integration: The user should update the SmartThings integration to the latest version to see if it resolves the issue.
Use a custom integration: The user may need to use a custom integration, such as ha_samsung_soundbar, which handles some of the undocumented functionality.
Contact Home Assistant support: The user should contact Home Assistant support for further assistance in resolving the issue.

In the future, we recommend that Home Assistant developers work on improving the SmartThings integration to expose more controls for soundbars, including volume and other settings. Additionally, we recommend that Home Assistant developers provide more documentation and support for custom integrations, such as ha_samsung_soundbar, which can help users resolve issues like this one.

SmartThings integration documentation
ha_samsung_soundbar custom integration
SmartThings: Volume (and Other Settings) Not Exposed on Samsung Q950A Soundbar (and Likely Others) - Q&A

In our previous article, we explored the issue of SmartThings not exposing volume and other settings on Samsung Q950A soundbars. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions related to this issue.

A: The cause of this issue is not entirely clear, but it is believed to be related to the SmartThings integration on Home Assistant. The integration may not be exposing the desired controls for the soundbar, which is a limitation for users who want to control their soundbars using Home Assistant.

A: The symptoms of this issue include:

The SmartThings integration detecting the soundbar, but not exposing any useful controls for it.
The user being left with a limited set of options, such as volume control, mute, and media playback controls.
The user being unable to access more advanced settings, such as equalizer/sound processing settings.

A: There are several potential solutions to this issue, including:

Updating the SmartThings integration to the latest version.
Using a custom integration, such as ha_samsung_soundbar, which handles some of the undocumented functionality.
Contacting Home Assistant support for further assistance in resolving the issue.

A: Yes, you can use a custom integration, such as ha_samsung_soundbar, to resolve this issue. This integration handles some of the undocumented functionality and may provide more advanced settings for your soundbar.

A: The SmartThings integration on Home Assistant is currently in development, and it is expected to be updated regularly to include new features and improvements.

A: Yes, you can contact Home Assistant support for further assistance in resolving this issue. They may be able to provide more information or help you troubleshoot the problem.

A: The system requirements for the SmartThings integration are:

Home Assistant Core version 2025.3.1 or later.
SmartThings account with a valid subscription.
Samsung Q950A soundbar or similar device.

A: Yes, you can use the SmartThings integration with other devices, such as lights, thermostats, and security cameras. However, the integration may not expose the same level of control for these devices as it does for the soundbar.

A: The benefits of using the SmartThings integration include:

Centralized control of your smart devices.
Ability to automate tasks and scenes.
Integration with other smart devices and services.

In conclusion, the SmartThings integration on Samsung Q950A soundbars does not expose volume and other settings, which is a limitation for users who want to control their soundbars using Home Assistant. However, there are potential solutions to this issue, including updating the SmartThings integration, using a custom integration, and contacting Home Assistant support. We hope this Q&A article has provided more information and assistance in resolving this issue.