Samsung’s AI-powered smart fridge starts turning itself off, company notes ‘abnormal symptoms’ after system update: Report | Today’s news

Tech industry leaders and researchers have already warned of rapidly growing artificial intelligence (AI) that could escape human control and pose an existential threat to society. Amidst this, Samsung AI refrigerators witnessed a glitch right after the system update. Several customers in South Korea have shared their own experience with this issue as their smart fridge stopped working after a system update.

AI software glitch

According to Star News Korea, dozens of incidents involving Samsung Electronics’ customized AI refrigerators were reported on September 22, just before the Chuseok holiday break.

Samsung Bespoke AI 4-door refrigerators have been experiencing this problem, especially models manufactured since 2024. These refrigerators are said to have suddenly lost power and stopped working after receiving a system update notification via the Samsung SmartThings app.

Charge

From the afternoon of September 22nd to the morning of September 23rd, several customers reported the issue on the Samsung Members community forum. Most of them claimed that their refrigerators unexpectedly turned off by themselves. They said the problem occurred immediately after they installed a firmware update through the smart home platform.

Problems with the refrigerator appeared in several ways. For some, the interior LED lights went out, while the refrigerator’s interior panel screen displayed the message “Checking SmartThings app during update,” which reportedly remained on the clock screen. In the SmartThings app, the affected refrigerators reportedly appeared as “offline.” In cases where the power was completely cut off, even the interior panel screen reportedly went dark and the refrigerator stopped releasing cooling air.

The update was said to be for “code stabilization”, leading consumers to install it without any concerns.

After contacting Samsung Electronics service centers, consumers were reportedly told that the earliest available appointment was October 1st.

In one case, a consumer who reported holiday food ingredients were at risk of spoilage was reportedly told that “staff had left for the day, making immediate action impossible.”

Consumers who contacted the dedicated refrigerator department were also reportedly told that power-related issues required a technician to visit the home to fix the problem. Some affected consumers have also reportedly considered contacting the media or taking legal action against the company.

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Samsung offers repairs during Chuseok

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics said it plans to prioritize service requests from affected customers. Where the problem cannot be resolved remotely, the company has promised to provide on-site service even during the holiday season.

Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics announced on September 22 that it will be running emergency repairs during the Chuseok holiday. Its service centers will remain closed on October 24, the first day of the holiday, and on October 25, the main day of Chuseok, repair services will be available through pre-registration at nine weekend care centers on October 26 and 27.

Read also | Samsung is launching an AI fridge that can recommend recipes based on what’s inside

The nine centers are Samsung Gangnam and Hongdae in Seoul, Jungdong in Bucheon, Seongnam, Guseong in Yongin, Daejeon, Gwangsan in Gwangju, Nam Daegu and Dongnae in Busan.

A representative of the company confirmed that it is taking emergency measures.

“Some customers have observed abnormal symptoms on the refrigerator’s power supply and on the screen,” a Samsung representative said in a statement, according to NDTV.

“We are currently taking emergency measures as a top priority through Samsung Electronics service centers. If you have confirmed this symptom, please contact a Samsung Electronics service center. We will do our best to ensure that our customers do not suffer any losses during the Chuseok holiday.”