Thread

Samsung accidentally freezes its smart fridges with a software update

247 points · 284 comments · Markoff

diskzero · 1790171248 · focus · HN ↗
We ended up with a Samsung fridge in our new home. It has no external display or any other indication that it is a "smart" fridge. I only found out when a friend visited who has a Samsung phone and the phone offered to connect to the fridge. We spent the next 30 minutes removing panels from the fridge and found the wifi/bluetooth antenna on a small board under the top-right hinge cover. The board was disconnected and the fridge continues to operate normally.
I am now eyeing my dishwasher very suspiciously.
1. cogman10 · 1790171586 · focus · HN ↗
  Samsung has made garbage appliances for my entire life. A family member went through about 3 different samsung fridges before they swore them off for good. The compressor would routinely break after only a year or 2 of service.
  I will never own a Samsung or LG appliance. They are built almost explicitly to force you to get a new one in a couple of years.
  Then couple that with both companies trying to use weaselly legal maneuvers like putting the EULA that agrees to arbitration on the outside of a box and saying "If you open this box you agree to the EULA".
  1. malfist · 1790172593 · focus · HN ↗
    Why are you throwing LG in with Samsung? They routinely have some of the most durable appliances, check consumer reports if you don't believe me. They even offer ten year warranty on their direct drive washer and dryers
    lmz · 1790172884 · focus · HN ↗
    There was a US lawsuit against them for their linear compressors: <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/consumer/fridge-failures-federal-lawsuit-cites-lg-refrigerator-issue/3552575/" rel="nofollow">https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/consumer/fridge-failures-...
    throw0101c · 1790177191 · focus · HN ↗
    > There was a US lawsuit against them for their linear compressors: <a href="https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/consumer/fridge-failures-federal-lawsuit-cites-lg-refrigerator-issue/3552575/" rel="nofollow">https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/consumer/fridge-failures-...
    Out of all the fridges that LG sold, what percentage had issues? LG sells a lot of units, so even small percentages may end up with 'critical mass' of problems that gains wider awareness.
    An article from an appliance retailer that has their own in-house service department, and so has statistics on repair rates of the various OEMs that they sell:
    * <a href="https://blog.yaleappliance.com/lg-compressor-class-action-lawsuit-2024" rel="nofollow">https://blog.yaleappliance.com/lg-compressor-class-action-la...
    Looking at service rates in total (for all issues), LG has the lowest number out of all the manufacturers they sell/service:
    * <a href="https://blog.yaleappliance.com/the-best-counter-depth-refrigerators" rel="nofollow">https://blog.yaleappliance.com/the-best-counter-depth-refrig...
    * <a href="https://blog.yaleappliance.com/most-reliable-counter-depth-french-door-refrigerators" rel="nofollow">https://blog.yaleappliance.com/most-reliable-counter-depth-f...
    brycewray · 1790178111 · focus · HN ↗
    Yes, recently replaced an LG refrig with that issue. Its second linear compressor in eight years was dying the way the first one had (four years after purchase, with the sympathetic repairman telling us this second compressor was the “fixed” model and should last for quite a few more years), so we bailed on it. Its 1985-vintage Whirlpool predecessor had worked for 32 years, FWIW.
    KetoManx64 · 1790172976 · focus · HN ↗
    Must be a different branch than the TV's, which spy on what you're talking about
    serf · 1790176344 · focus · HN ↗
    I understand the axe to grind, but what about their spy tech hurts durability or warranty prospects; the thing your comments' parent was talking about?
    KetoManx64 · 1790177327 · focus · HN ↗
    Do you not think it's relevant to mention to people that the appliance that they have in their house might be listening to everything they're saying and uploading it to LG's servers? A quick Google search shows that LG has WiFi enabled dishwashers/washing machines.
    IAmBroom · 1790182108 · focus · HN ↗
    Simply providing a "smart" appliance is not damning the entire product line.
    joquarky · 1790189619 · focus · HN ↗
    If you can disable the spying, then it's an irrelevant factor in the purchasing decision.
    Would you prefer an A-grade quality appliance that can spy but that spying can be disabled, or a B-grade appliance that doesn't spy but needs replaced in three years?
    KetoManx64 · 1790193175 · focus · HN ↗
    I would prefer not to financially support a company that doesn't spy on me, even if it costs me a few hundred dollars more.
    someotherperson · 1790173035 · focus · HN ↗
    There's other reasons to avoid LG: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToP9xfLDSME" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToP9xfLDSME
    downut · 1790175091 · focus · HN ↗
    Huh, two houses back I had a really fucking POS dryer that I got expert at replacing the "Dryer Thermal Fuse" (pick your own youtube video walkthrough) and my foggy memory says in my ear that it was an LG dryer. So I'm thinking, this commenter malfist, doesn't know what he is talking about and I'll go look in my notes.org and... NOPE! It was a Samsung DV42H5000EW/A3 model!
    Sorry malfist for thinking bad thoughts. I've redirected all that negative energy back to its rightful owner: Samsung.
    The washer next to that dryer was an LG, and in my notes I never touched it.
    Always good to reattach to reality.
    Ah, I see that the washer/dryer pair we bought new 4 years ago and hauled across the country are LG ThinQs. Very happy with them. Apparently can be "smart" but I shut that down.
    SlightlyLeftPad · 1790176181 · focus · HN ↗
    LG washers and dryers have consistently been one of the most reliable appliances I have owned.
    Other than minor design flaws like lettering that wipes off if laundry detergent contacts it (older models), that was the only issue I’ve had in 11 years.
    vladvasiliu · 1790184407 · focus · HN ↗
    I have an LG combined washer/dryer (I've used the drying less than 10 times in 3 years). I picked it because it wasn't too deep, so it could fit nicely in my small bathroom. I'm happy with how it cleans, but sometimes it will have an issue where it won't start spinning fast, because it has some sensor that detects that the unit shakes too much. It actually does shake, but it seems to have a hard time spreading the clothes so that it doesn't. Sometimes it will waste a good hour trying to start spinning. Not sure if it's somehow actually broken (like a busted damper or whatever), but this issue seems to have increased in frequency. And it does it both when there aren't many clothes and when it's rather full.
    iratewizard · 1790194438 · focus · HN ↗
    [dead]
    tstrimple · 1790197144 · focus · HN ↗
    My LG washer and dryer are just over 10 years old now. They haven't been flawless. I've had to repair both of them once. The washer had a pump go out so the clothes stayed soaked. The dryer had one of the rollers wear out. Both easy fixes under $50 following youtube videos. But we also have models before "smart" appliances were really becoming common. I'm still impressed by the washing machine. It gets cloths to "damp" before it's done. Far better than any other washing machine I've used before and cuts down on the work the dryer is doing.

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