January 7, 2026 – A 2018 Samsung smart TV, model UN43NU7100FXZA, reportedly began sparking and emitting smoke after only ten minutes of regular use. The incident, which occurred on November 30, 2025, resulted in visible burn marks on the TV’s frame. While no injuries were sustained, the consumer quickly unplugged the device, preventing a potential house fire.
Product Details
Incident Overview
On November 30, 2025, a consumer reported that their 2018 Samsung UN43NU7100FXZA smart TV began to malfunction significantly. Approximately ten minutes into regular operation, the television abruptly started sparking and producing smoke from within its casing. The consumer, upon witnessing the alarming signs, quickly reacted by turning off and then unplugging the TV from its wall socket. Post-incident inspection revealed clear evidence of damage, including distinct burn marks on the frame of the television. Fortunately, the swift action taken by the consumer prevented the situation from escalating into a fire, and no personal injuries were reported.
Safety Concerns
This incident highlights several serious safety concerns associated with the reported malfunction:
- Immediate Fire Hazard: The primary and most significant danger is the potential for fire. Electrical sparking and smoke generation are direct indicators of an internal electrical fault that can rapidly ignite surrounding flammable materials in a home, such as curtains, furniture, or carpeting. Had the consumer not intervened quickly, the outcome could have been catastrophic, leading to extensive property damage or even loss of life.
- Property Damage Potential: Even without a full-blown fire, the internal damage leading to sparking and smoke can cause severe, irreparable damage to the television itself. Furthermore, smoke and heat can cause damage to walls, electronics, and other items in the immediate vicinity.
- Electric Shock Risk: While not explicitly reported in this incident, any internal electrical fault that causes sparking and smoke could also present a risk of electric shock if a consumer were to touch the malfunctioning device or attempt to troubleshoot it without proper safety precautions.
- Affected Parties: Owners of the Samsung UN43NU7100FXZA (or similar models from the same manufacturing batch/period) could be at risk. This incident suggests a potential manufacturing defect or component failure that could be present in other units. Families, particularly those with children or pets who might be less aware of the dangers or unable to react quickly, are especially vulnerable if such an event occurs when the TV is unattended or during sleep hours.
What Consumers Should Do
If you own a Samsung UN43NU7100FXZA or a similar model, it is crucial to take immediate preventative measures and be aware of how to respond to an incident:
- Immediate Steps During an Incident: If your TV starts sparking, smoking, or emitting unusual odors, immediately turn it off and unplug it from the wall socket if it is safe to do so. Do not attempt to move or troubleshoot the device while it is live. If the situation escalates or you suspect a fire, evacuate your premises and call emergency services (911).
- Check Your Product: Verify if you own the affected model by checking the label on the back of your television. The model number reported is UN43NU7100FXZA (or UN43NU7100F).
- Prevention Measures: If you own this model and have concerns, consider unplugging it when not in use, especially overnight or when leaving home. Ensure the television has adequate ventilation and is not placed near flammable materials. Avoid using surge protectors or power strips that are overloaded or of poor quality.
- Reporting Procedures: If you experience a similar incident with your Samsung television or any other consumer product, report it immediately to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at www.cpsc.gov. This helps regulatory bodies track potential defects and initiate appropriate safety actions. You should also contact Samsung customer support to report the issue.
Manufacturer’s Response
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA, INC. (SEA) has acknowledged receipt of the incident report. Further details regarding their investigation or planned actions are not yet publicly available. Consumers experiencing similar issues are encouraged to contact Samsung directly and refer to the incident report number if applicable.
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.