Samsung test update disrupts refrigerators in South Korea

Samsung Electronics said an internal-test software update was mistakenly sent to some refrigerator owners in South Korea, leaving some units unresponsive or unable to cool food shortly before the Chuseok holiday. The company halted distribution and began an emergency recovery effort, but the number of affected refrigerators and whether all would be restored by its stated target remained unclear. Samsung said the software was intended for internal testing and had been sent to customers in error. Reports focused mainly on Bespoke AI four-door refrigerators, though Samsung had not disclosed a complete list of affected models or the number of units involved. The company said the update caused abnormal power or screen behavior and that it was arranging emergency service through its service centers. Owners described refrigerators with dark interior lights, frozen screens or controls that no longer responded. Some said their appliances had lost cooling, and customers reported food spoiling after the update. Attempts by some owners to turn the refrigerators off and on again did not resolve the problem.