HP Initiates Worldwide Recall To Replace Potentially Overheating Laptop Batteries

Summers are meant to be hot, but your HP computer should not be. HP recently announced a worldwide voluntary safety recall and replacement program for certain notebook computer batteries. The affected batteries were sold or replaced worldwide March 2013 through August 2015 as accessories or spares for specific HP Compaq, HP ProBook, HP ENVY, Compaq Presario, and HP Pavilion Notebook computers.

The affected batteries have the potential to overheat and pose fire or burn hazards. Customers can continue to use their computer without a battery if they plug it into an external power source. The problem is solely with the battery and should not have caused damage to the notebook.  Less than 1% of all HP Notebook computers sold during the timeframe contained an affected battery, however, HP encourages all owners of these computers to double-check.

HP encourages this test even if the customer hasn't experienced issues with their batteries. HP will provide a replacement battery for each verified, affected battery at no cost to the customer. If customers have ten or more affected computers, they can initiate the Bulk Validation and Replacement Order process. HP does not state how long this process or shipping will take.

Customers can validate their computer manually or download the necessary utility here. Please note that customers who download the software will need .NET 4.5 framework and the HP Software Framework to be installed in order for the utility to function. 

Google and HP halted sales of the HP Chromebook 11 in November 2013 due to a potential problem with the device’s charger. In one case, a consumer actually experienced a “small burn”, and in another a pillow was slightly damaged. This recall affected about 145,000 units. HP also recalled potentially hazardous batteries in a massive global battery recall campaign that affected numerous manufacturers from 2006 through 2011.