"Washing Machines Struggle in Minus 10°C Cold Wave... Just Press 'This Button' for 3 Seconds"

As subzero temperatures around minus 10 degrees Celsius continue to persist, there has been a sharp increase in repair requests due to washing machines freezing.

According to Samsung Electronics Service on January 18, repair requests for frozen washing machines during the second week of January this year (January 5-11) more than doubled on a daily average compared to the first week. With another cold wave expected next week, bringing temperatures close to minus 10 degrees Celsius, extra caution is advised when managing washing machines.

Samsung Electronics Service explained that by familiarizing yourself with preventive measures against freezing and conducting self-inspections in advance, you can not only prevent device malfunctions but also reduce unnecessary time and costs associated with service visits.

Most recently released Samsung washing machines are equipped with a freeze prevention function. By pressing the reservation and spin buttons simultaneously for three seconds, this feature activates, circulating water inside the machine by repeatedly supplying and draining small amounts of water to prevent freezing. Since the method for activating the freeze prevention function may vary by model, it is necessary to check the website for details.

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Proper management according to the installation environment is also important. If your washing machine is installed outdoors or in a veranda where temperatures can drop below freezing, you should pay special attention to insulating the faucet and removing any remaining water after use.

It is recommended to wrap the faucet with a towel or similar material for insulation and to keep it shut off when not in use. Wrapping a commercially available heating wire around the faucet is another effective method to prevent freezing.

After using the washing machine, disconnect the water supply hose from the faucet to drain any remaining water inside the hose, and make sure there is no residual water left in the drum to prevent freezing. For the drain hose, if it is bent into a U-shape, water can collect and freeze, so it should be installed straight. If the hose does freeze, detach it and soak it in warm water to thaw before reconnecting it.

Additionally, by utilizing the push notification feature of the Samsung SmartThings app, you can diagnose the status of your washing machine and dryer and receive advance warnings about the risk of freezing.