Dozens of Samsung refrigerator owners in South Korea reported issues on the Samsung Members forum, a customer support platform, after their devices stopped functioning following a notification about an update in the SmartThings app. Some users returned home to find their refrigerators with no interior light, frozen touchscreens, and no cold air. The problems began on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 22, and affected multiple owners who saw their screens stuck on an "updating" message. Restarting or unplugging the devices did not resolve the issue. Samsung confirmed that a test software, meant for internal use only, was mistakenly distributed to customers. The company immediately halted the update distribution. Most of the affected refrigerators are from Samsung's Bespoke AI 4-Door line, a high-end series launched in 2024. These models are equipped with advanced AI features and can cost over $4,700 in the U.S. Samsung markets these devices as improving over time through software updates, allowing users to enhance functionality without needing hardware changes. Earlier this year, Samsung released a major update that included food recognition powered by Google Gemini and an improved Bixby voice assistant. However, the same update channel caused some refrigerators to lose their cooling ability. Chuseok, South Korea's major harvest festival, is similar to Thanksgiving, where families gather for large meals. Many refrigerator owners faced the risk of spoiled food just days before the event. Samsung advised them to book a technician visit, which is required to restore the device, and to move their food to coolers temporarily. However, the surge in requests overwhelmed Samsung’s booking system, making it difficult for customers to schedule service. The company has not disclosed how many devices were affected or whether it will compensate for lost food. Some owners have resorted to using dry ice to keep their food from spoiling. Samsung has pledged to provide emergency service during the Chuseok holiday, from Saturday, September 26, to Sunday, September 27, for the most critical cooling failures. This comes as the company works to resolve the issue caused by the faulty update and address customer concerns about product reliability. The incident highlights the growing reliance on software updates for smart home devices and the potential risks when such updates are mishandled.