HP has issued a voluntary recall of more than 100,000 lithium-ion batteries powering its notebooks because they might pose "fire and burn hazards."
The latest recall follows the previous one from June 2015, when HP recalled 41,000 batteries in the United States. Both the previous recall and the latest one stem from concerns that the batteries are overheating and can be dangerous.
Affected HP Laptop Models
The expanded HP battery recall covers batteries that contain Panasonic cells, used in a number of HP notebook computers including HP Compaq, ProBook, Envy, Compaq Presario, and Pavilion laptops.
The batteries that pose overheating risks were shipped with devices sold between March 2013 and October 2016, and their bar codes start with 6BZLU, 6CGFK, 6CGFQ, 6CZMB, 6DEMA, 6DEMH, 6DGAL, and 6EBVA.
To see the battery bar code, remove the battery from the laptop and check the label printed on the back of the battery.
"Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled batteries, remove them from the notebook computers and contact HP for a free replacement battery," warns the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. "Until a replacement battery is received, consumers should use the notebook computer by plugging it into AC power only."
The recall notice also mentions that since the previous June recall, HP has received another report of a battery that overheated, melted and charred, causing property damage of roughly $1,000.
Less Than 1 Percent Of HP Laptops Affected
According CNET, an HP spokesperson stated that less than 1 percent of all laptops HP sold between March 2013 and October 2016 are affected by this battery issue.
Nevertheless, HP notebook owners whose devices pack batteries included in the recall are advised to stop using the battery immediately and contact HP as soon as possible to get a replacement battery. To request a replacement battery, customers can contact HP at 888-202-4320 or on the company's website under the "Recalls" section, or access the battery safety recall and replacement program on the dedicated HP webpage.
Battery Safety
HP's latest battery recall over safety concerns follows hot on the heels of Samsung's last statement regarding the Galaxy Note 7 fiasco. After recalling the explosive Note 7 twice, Samsung finally released the results of its investigation earlier this week, blaming two different flaws for the exploding batteries.
In an attempt to save face and ensure such issues don't plague its future products as well, Samsung announced a more rigorous 8-Point Battery Safety Check program.
While Samsung's fiery Galaxy Note 7 was on the market only for a limited time, however, HP's recall covers devices sold in a much longer time frame - more than three years - and spanning multiple notebook lines.
At the same time, this is not the first time that HP finds itself in this position. Over the past few years, the company has recalled hundreds of thousands of lithium-ion batteries because of fire hazards.
Both Samsung and HP's overheating battery issues raise a red flag and prove that battery safety is critical, yet in some cases dangerous batteries still pass testing and hit the market, posing risks to consumers.
