Samsung Bespoke AI Fridge Update Bricks Units in Korea Before Chuseok
Samsung halted a firmware update after Bespoke AI fridges in Korea lost power, spoiled food and faced Chuseok repair delays, with hundreds of cases filed.
Summary
A September 22, 2026 firmware update testing error caused some Samsung Bespoke AI refrigerators in Korea to lose power and cooling immediately after connecting through SmartThings. The app showed them offline, while some internal displays remained stuck checking SmartThings. Most affected units appear to be four-door models from 2024 or later, including fridges owned for a year or less. Customers reported discarding spoiled food, and hundreds of cases were filed.
Samsung stopped the update on September 23 and prioritized emergency work through Samsung Electronics Service Centers, aiming to repair some units by September 24. Support initially warned that limited technicians and executives could delay visits until October, worsening disruption before Chuseok begins September 24. Complaints appear confined to Korea, but Samsung has not disclosed the total number affected, whether other countries are involved, or how it will prevent another failure. Delayed repairs could also endanger refrigerated medication.
Positives
- Samsung stopped distributing the faulty update on September 23, one day after the testing error occurred.
- September 24 is Samsung’s target for repairing some affected Bespoke AI refrigerators.
- Samsung Electronics Service Centers are prioritizing emergency measures during the Chuseok holiday period.
Risks & concerns
- Hundreds of cases were filed after Bespoke AI refrigerators lost power and cooling in Korea.
- Four-door models from 2024 or later appear most affected, including appliances owned for one year or less.
- Customers discarded spoiled food after refrigeration stopped immediately following the SmartThings update attempt.
- October repair dates were initially possible because support cited limited technicians and executives during Chuseok.
- Samsung has not disclosed the total number of affected units, geographic scope, or measures to prevent a recurrence.
- Refrigerated medication could be endangered when a firmware failure abruptly disables cooling.