Increasing reports of Samsung N510 hinge fault [Video]
January 31, 2010 at 8:26 pm
The Samsung N510 is the company’s first 11.6-inch netbook and also the first to come with the Nvidia ION chipset. We were quite impressed with the device when we reviewed it at the end of last month, with the main negative factor being the high price. However, it seems like there is a design issue affecting a number of people that we didn’t encounter whilst testing it.
The hinge that holds the display in place has broken for a number of people. It clicks out of place when the display moves, the most likely cause is a broken clip inside the hinge. SammyNetbook member tintii first reported this problem back in November, but since then there are a number of others that have had the same issue.
What’s worse is that Samsung seems to be denying any fault when users are reporting the fault. Many of those netbooks sent off to be repaired have yet to be returned. It sounds too many to be a coincidence and some members are demanding Samsung issue a recall on the product. Do you own a Samsung N510? If so, we’d love to hear if you’ve had any issues with your netbook and how successful you were in getting it repaired.
March 23rd, 2010 2:35 PM
Very happy with my Samsung N510 just noticed that the left hinge is slightly wobbley, when closing the lid the left hand hinge needs the be pushed into place ever so slightly, what should I do, return it back to Samsung or is it something I can fix?
Regards
Eddie van den Bron
April 22nd, 2010 11:36 AM
I had this exact clip problem where about a month ago. Then I pressed the two halves together to lock it again. Thereafter the hinge was not closing properly. Now I know its sam’s fault
May 21st, 2010 11:17 PM
I bought Samsung N510 in beginning of November 2009. The hinge problem exactly as described above did happen on my netbook about a month ago.
Made a call to samsung support, they gave me a number for dealers in Dublin, Ireland who does under warranty repairs. Unfortunately for me “Fonemenders” did say that they never seen such issue before on any laptop because of manufacturers fault and I must be dropped netbook or so.
June 5th, 2010 12:06 PM
I bought my N510 in November last year. This hinge problem occurred within the first month and I’ve just put up with it as tolerating the fault seems easier than potentially wasting hours on the phone trying to sort out the problem.
But now I’ve realised that for almost £400 I deserve something that doesn’t break during normal use in less than a month and I want it sorted. Does anyone have any recommendations on the best course of action?
June 5th, 2010 12:24 PM
Email bill n warranty + fotos of broken hinge to relevant office after showing it to the authorised service repair and follow it up with a fax. Speak to the Officer in charge directly to sort out the matter.
July 24th, 2010 9:00 AM
I just came across it today: Have the N510 since last summer, did not use it extensively, only at home (couch surfing and similar). Lid opening was always a bit “hard”, you need to fix the base with a hand, otherwise the whole computer lifts off. Today it made “click” and the left hinge is out of place. Further more, the corresponding angle of the lid slightly opened and after re-pushing it together it re-opens on any lid-move. As I invested quite a lot in my gentoo linux installation (yeah), I have not much will to send it over to Samsung. But if there is any official statement or re-call, I would be very much interested.
Jens
August 29th, 2010 2:44 PM
I have just received an NP-N510 mini notebook with the same problem. (A loose hinge). I took it apart and all the screw holders inside have came loose or parts of the housing were broken off inside. I the problem I’m having now is finding a replacement housing for it. Only when I went looking for the housing I found out that it is a common problem. dose anyone know where I can get housing for the NP-N510
September 8th, 2010 2:12 AM
my N510 has this exact problem but much worse. the hinge problem is so bad that the screen will hardly hold itself up anymore. when the hinge clicks and lid also protrudes off at an angle and whenever i close the lid i cringe just incase the whole lid doesnt just snap off. i dont know what i should do. should i send it off to samsung? help
Nick
October 1st, 2010 5:32 PM
Same sort of problem with this N510.
The right hand side hinge is very loose, with about 3mm wobble.
The screen will not stay in position either, always slipping back to near full open.
This netbook is used only as an armchair computer and is seldom taken out of the house. It’s also barely six months old.
October 13th, 2010 9:53 AM
I bought 20 N510 to be used for ICT lessons in Primary School. I bought them in December 2009. In May 2010 first of them showed the hinge problem. Samsung denied repairing it. I fixed it on my own instead of paying for it (epoxy solved the problem). The problem is plastic holding the small nuts. It is too weak and just breaks. Obvious design or material failure. Now, in September 2010 I had a look on the rest of the machines. To my surprise I found out another 15 of them on the different stages of developing the same problem. This time Samsung took it serious and they replaced the whole casing – including screen casing. They must have changed something. I also received an offer to replace the casing for the rest of the machines which I will do. Hopefully this case will survive at least throughout the 3 years extended warranty.
So if you have similar problem – go complain to Samsung
January 25th, 2011 8:14 PM
I have the same problem with the left hinge and it even broke now I have a challenge as I bought it in Dubai in 2009 and I am staying in Namibia bordering South Africa.. How do I repair it..Please help!
February 12th, 2011 4:27 PM
I’ve had my Samsung N510 for about 13 months when the hinge broke. I have NEVER mistreated it or handled it roughly. I took it apart to try and fix it and, sure enough, I found that the plastic pillars in the housing had shattered. These pillars are much too weak and surely all N510s will ultimately fail in this way.
This can only be repaired with a new housing which is impossible to find. I wrote a letter to the Chief Exec of Samsung UK expressing my disappointment and was telephoned by his assistant who promised to send me the part FOC. She later called to tell me that the part is out of stock (no! really?) but was expected in a few days. That was two weeks ago.
Vaughan
February 17th, 2011 4:10 PM
I bought a samsung n 510 and experienced the same problem
the fist time I got fixied and covered by the warranty
but 1 month later not only the left hing but the right one aswell broke
adn guess what It’s the scrwe placement can you imagine the whole screen is screwed on the plastic case, not surprised that it would brake
still looking for a solution maybe buy the case online
February 28th, 2011 4:52 PM
Hi
Problem is not only in hinge.
All places where “insert” is installed in the plastic (=Metal part with thread inside plastic.). Plastic around metal part has lots of cracks. This problem can be found even fixing of small WiFi board and 3G modem, where are no any external forces.
/JL
March 13th, 2011 8:27 PM
I bought my N510 in Januray last year. The note book is very user friendly and i was really happy with it until this hinge problem occurred within one month of it being out of warrenty. I was very suprised to find many others with the same problem. I will write to samsung to see if anything can be done.
March 25th, 2011 4:30 PM
i was researching a RAM upgrade when I first read about this problem. I had had no trouble at all with the hinges on my N510 – so was feeling quite smug because I take extra good care of mine so thought I was seeing the benefit.
Then literally the next time I opened my screen i noticed that the right hand hinge is faulty.
Typical pride before a fall – definitely going to cantact samsung before I instal my new RAM.
Good luck all.
April 7th, 2011 7:02 AM
I had purchased white notebook Samsung N510 laptop couple of years back and now I am facing problem with left and right hinges. Is there any alternative hinges that we can replace with old one. Let us know where can I get this. The Serial no. of this Laptop is” Serial no. ZMOU93GSB00022F”. I hope to get a positive feedback at the earliest.
April 26th, 2011 9:55 PM
Bought a Samsung N510 back in Dec 2009. Not used a lot, and was happy with it, but this week noticed the hinge screw had gone inside the case (broken plastic case recess mounting) causing the very same effect as in the video posted. E-mailed the UK Samsung website yesterday, no response by late today. Rang the London agent for Samsung PC repairs today just to get a replacement rear casing, and was quoted £110 for a fitted replacement rear casing, based on drop off/collect (the unit cost £335 to buy!). Samsung’s response to this issue (which looks like a design fault) is non existent, and nothing short of shocking. Samsung do not deserve their current benchmark ratings based on this type of crappy dishonest non existent customer service. Their QA system should account for tracking and addressing these types of issues, particularly defective design. It is impossible even to find out the part numbers to order as Samsung have been very careful not to post that type of detail. Should have bought an Apple laptop with the metal casing, no hinge problem there ! Will not be buying Samsung again. I am a very very unhappy customer.
October 26th, 2011 2:19 PM
My children were given laptop last year samsung notebooks they are rubbish the hinges have broken on all 3 of them and on one of them the screen it showing stripped coloured lines and they said it would cost 150 euro to fix even though it was under warrenty at the time as they said it had been dropped but she was sat using it when the screen went funny they are rubbish and i wouldnt not recommend them to any one
November 2nd, 2011 7:31 PM
In case anyone from Samsung reads this, I am another ‘victim’ of the design flaw. My 510’s right hinge broke this evening (bought Dec 2009, light use, so it didn’t quite make it to 2 years. Is this a feature aimed at those who don’t buy extended warranties? Please go and take back the 510 product manager’s 2010 bonus.
November 2nd, 2011 7:32 PM
In case anyone from Samsung reads this, I am another ‘victim’ of the design flaw. My 510’s right hinge broke this evening (bought Dec 2009, light use), so it didn’t quite make it to 2 years. Is this a feature aimed at those who don’t buy extended warranties? Please go and take back the 510 product manager’s 2010 bonus.