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Samsung introduced advertisements to the idle Cover Screens of certain U.S. Family Hub refrigerators through an over-the-network software update. The company described the feature as a pilot, not a rollout to every Samsung refrigerator. Samsung now documents an official opt-out: Settings → Advertisements → Cover screen Ads → off.
What changed
The update added a promotional widget to the Cover Screen—the display shown when a Family Hub refrigerator’s touchscreen is idle. Samsung described the widget as combining information such as news, calendars and weather with “curated advertisements.”
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The original report concerned certain Family Hub models in the United States. It did not establish that every Samsung refrigerator, every Wi-Fi-enabled model or every Family Hub appliance worldwide received the feature.
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Ads were associated with Cover Screen experiences including Weather, Color and Daily Board. Samsung says advertisements do not appear when the screen is showing Art Mode or picture albums. This is therefore an idle-screen advertising placement, not evidence that ads interrupt refrigerator controls, recipes or every Family Hub app.
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Samsung’s announcement called the change a pilot. Ars Technica reported that the feature arrived through an over-the-network update in September 2025.
How to disable the ads
- Open Settings on the refrigerator.
- Tap Advertisements.
- Tap Cover screen Ads.
- Turn the switch off.
Samsung says owners who do not see the Advertisements menu should check for a software update first. Labels can vary by model and software version; Samsung also uses “Screen” or “Wallpaper” for related display settings.
If an individual promotion is visible, tap its X to dismiss it. Samsung says that prevents that particular ad from returning during its campaign period, but it is not the same as disabling advertising globally.
Use Album or Art Mode
Changing the Cover Screen theme to Album or Art is another Samsung-documented way to avoid these ads. The trade-off is that you may lose the Weather, Color or Daily Board presentation you preferred.
What happens if you disconnect the refrigerator?
Taking the refrigerator offline is a blunt workaround, not the best first step. Depending on the model, disconnecting Wi-Fi can impair or disable online features such as recipes, meal planning, shopping lists, remote monitoring, SmartThings integration and other connected services.
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It may prevent network-delivered promotions, but it also undermines the connected features many owners paid for. Samsung’s official ad setting or an ad-free Album or Art theme is usually the less disruptive solution.
Router-level blocking, DNS filtering, unofficial firmware and sideloaded software are not reliable model-independent fixes. They can interfere with updates, diagnostics and legitimate refrigerator services, so they should not be treated as ordinary recommendations.
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Samsung has said only that the pilot involved certain U.S. Family Hub refrigerator models. The available announcement and reporting do not provide a complete model list.
Family Hub refrigerators have appeared with 21.5-inch and 32-inch displays, but screen size alone does not prove that a model received advertising. Affected status can depend on the model, region, software version, selected Cover Screen theme and rollout status.
Do not confuse the reported Cover Screen pilot with Samsung’s newer AI Home displays, which the company describes as separate 7-inch or 9-inch screens on some appliances. A Samsung refrigerator with Wi-Fi or SmartThings connectivity is not automatically part of this pilot.
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Owners should check Samsung’s refrigerator support pages using the exact model code before assuming that another appliance behaves the same way.
Are the ads personalized?
Samsung’s public wording describes them as “curated advertisements,” and says the format can vary with Cover Screen personalization. The available sources do not establish that the ads were targeted using refrigerator-camera data, food inventories, shopping behavior, location or individual household profiles.
That distinction matters: curated or contextually selected promotions are not the same claim as behavioral targeting. Owners concerned about data use should review the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Notice presented for their model and region rather than relying on speculation.
Why owners objected
The backlash was about more than seeing advertising on a screen. Owners had already purchased expensive appliances, then received a commercial feature through a post-purchase software change. The screen occupies a prominent place in the kitchen, and avoiding the ads may require changing the intended display experience or giving up connected functions.
The episode raises a broader ownership question: can a connected appliance acquire new monetization features years after purchase? That is a consumer-policy concern, but it is not by itself a legal conclusion. Whether a particular update conflicts with a warranty, contract or consumer-protection law depends on the applicable terms, disclosures and jurisdiction.
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How expensive are these refrigerators?
The 2025 reporting described nine U.S. Family Hub refrigerators with listed MSRPs of roughly $1,800 to $3,500 at the time. Prices change by model, configuration, promotion and sales channel.
Samsung product pages viewed on August 18, 2026, showed examples ranging from about $2,099 for a 26.7-cubic-foot Family Hub side-by-side model to about $3,299 for a 29-cubic-foot Bespoke AI Family Hub+ model and $3,899 for a 30-cubic-foot Family Hub model. These are dated listed prices or displayed comparison prices, not permanent universal MSRPs.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you buy one?
Existing owners generally should not replace a functioning refrigerator solely because of a removable Cover Screen ad. Start with Samsung’s opt-out, then consider Album or Art Mode if necessary.
Prospective buyers should evaluate refrigeration performance, capacity, energy use, repairability, warranty and service support before treating the screen as a benefit. Anyone strongly opposed to advertising, cloud dependence or post-purchase software changes should consider a Samsung refrigerator without Family Hub, a competing smart model or a basic non-smart refrigerator.
A non-smart refrigerator offers the clearest protection from screen-based advertising and account dependence. A different smart brand may reduce exposure to Samsung’s specific policy, but it cannot guarantee that another manufacturer will never change connected-device features. Confirm the exact model’s display, connectivity and terms before buying.
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- MODERN DESIGN: Flat panel door design with easy-to-open recessed handles blends into your cabinetry to give you a modern built-in-look.
- EXTERNAL DISPENSER: External dispenser gives you easy access to chilled, filtered water and two types of ice: cubed and crushed ice.
Samsung’s current refrigerator catalog is available at Samsung.com; LG’s alternatives are listed at LG.com.
What owners should do now
- Record the refrigerator’s model code and software version.
- Install the latest available update if the Advertisements menu is missing.
- Use Settings → Advertisements → Cover screen Ads → off.
- Switch to Album or Art Mode if the preferred theme still displays promotions.
- Contact Samsung support if ads remain after confirming the setting is off, providing the model code and software version.
- Disconnect Wi-Fi only after considering the connected functions you will lose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Samsung refrigerators showing ads?
No. The confirmed program concerned certain U.S. Family Hub models. Samsung has not publicly identified every affected model, and ordinary Samsung refrigerators are not automatically included.
Does turning off Cover Screen Ads disable Family Hub?
Samsung’s documented control is intended to disable Cover Screen advertising, not the entire Family Hub system. Disconnecting Wi-Fi is different and may impair recipes, shopping lists, SmartThings and remote features.
Do Art Mode and photo albums show these ads?
Samsung says Art Mode and picture albums, including the Album theme, do not display the advertisements.
Can Samsung add advertising to other appliances?
The available evidence confirms this Family Hub pilot but does not prove that Samsung will add advertising to other appliances. Treat broader predictions as speculation.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
