● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsLow impact2 negative
Samsung smart fridges bricked by firmware update, spoiling food for owners
Key points
- Samsung Bespoke AI fridges bricked by firmware update.
- Affected units are primarily 2024 and later four-door models.
- Users reported fridges lost power and displayed an update message.
- Hundreds of complaints filed in Korea, impacting food storage.
- Thousands of units malfunctioned.
- Samsung promised to restore refrigerators by September 24.
- Samsung is considering compensation for spoiled food.
- The erroneous update was pushed during testing.
- The incident occurred before the Chuseok holiday (September 24-26).
Firmware Update Bricks Smart Fridges
Samsung's Bespoke AI line of smart fridges experienced a widespread malfunction following a firmware update. The update, issued via Samsung's SmartThings platform, caused fridges to lose power and cease functioning, with many units displaying a persistent "Checking SmartThings app during update" message.
Affected Models and User Impact
The problem predominantly affects four-door fridges from 2024 or later. Users reported that the refrigeration functions failed, leading to the spoilage of food stored inside. Numerous complaints have been posted on Samsung's Korean community forum, with some owners stating their fridges were less than a year old.
Geographic Scope and Timing
Reports indicate the issue is concentrated in Korea, where hundreds of cases have been filed. The timing of the malfunction is particularly problematic as it occurred just before Chuseok, a major Korean holiday, exacerbating the inconvenience for affected customers.
Samsung's Response
Samsung has not yet provided a public statement regarding the cause of the issue, the number of affected units, or plans for prevention and resolution. The company did not respond to inquiries about the incident.
Updates
- Thousands of units malfunctioned.
- Samsung promised to restore refrigerators by September 24.
- Samsung is considering compensation for spoiled food.
- The erroneous update was pushed during testing.
- The incident occurred before the Chuseok holiday (September 24-26).
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
A firmware update for Samsung smart refrigerators in South Korea caused thousands of units to malfunction, leaving users without working appliances just before the Chuseok holiday. Samsung has promised to restore affected refrigerators by September 24 and is considering compensation for spoiled food.
A firmware update for Samsung's Bespoke AI smart fridges caused devices to stop functioning, leading to spoiled food for owners. The issue primarily affects 2024 and later four-door models in Korea, with hundreds of cases reported.