Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Samsung AI Refrigerators Stop Working After Firmware Update
Some Samsung smart refrigerators in South Korea stopped working after a software update.
The update came through the Samsung SmartThings app.
Some refrigerators showed an “Updating” message for a long time.
Others lost power, went offline, or stopped cooling.
One customer said a technician found that the motherboard needed replacing.
The problem happened just before Chuseok, an important Korean holiday.
Customers worried that food for the holiday could spoil.
Samsung said it was taking emergency steps and would prioritize affected customers.
Samsung Bespoke AI four-door refrigerators, particularly models made from 2024 onward, reportedly stopped working after a firmware update.
Customers said the update arrived through the Samsung SmartThings app and caused power loss, blank screens, or refrigerators stuck displaying “Updating.”
Reports appeared on Samsung’s Korean community forum from September 22 to September 23, shortly before the Chuseok holiday.
One customer said a technician diagnosed a motherboard failure and described the issue as nationwide.
Samsung said it had observed abnormal power and screen symptoms and promised priority and emergency service, including on-site support where needed.
- Who
- Owners of newer Samsung Bespoke AI four-door refrigerators and Samsung Electronics service teams.
- What
- Some refrigerators reportedly lost power or stopped cooling after a firmware update.
- When
- The reports emerged from September 22 to September 23, shortly before Chuseok began on September 24, according to the articles.
- Where
- South Korea, including reports posted to Samsung’s Korean community forum.
- Why
- The failures occurred immediately after a system update, but Samsung had not formally confirmed the update as the cause.
Customer Reports
Samsung Response
Cause and extent of the failure
Customer Reports
Customers linked the shutdowns to the firmware update and reported that multiple refrigerators stopped working, with one technician describing the issue as nationwide.
Samsung Response
Samsung acknowledged abnormal power and screen symptoms but did not formally identify the update as the cause in the reports.
Repair urgency
Customer Reports
Some customers reportedly faced delayed appointments, while others said food was at risk of spoiling before the Chuseok holiday.
Samsung Response
Samsung said it would prioritize affected customers and provide emergency or on-site service when remote troubleshooting could not resolve the problem.
- Affected products
- Samsung Bespoke AI four-door refrigerators, especially models manufactured from 2024 onward
- Update method
- Firmware notification delivered through the Samsung SmartThings app
- Reported symptoms
- Power loss, blank internal screens, refrigerators shown as offline, and displays stuck on “Updating”
- Reported repair
- One technician reportedly diagnosed a motherboard failure
- Reported scope
- A technician described the issue as affecting customers nationwide
- Customer concern
- The failures occurred shortly before Chuseok, raising concerns about holiday food spoiling
- Company response
- Samsung said it observed abnormal refrigerator power and screen symptoms and was arranging priority and emergency service
