HP Recalls Computer Battery Packs Due To Fire Hazard

Lithium-ion batteries for HP notebook computers and mobile workstations are being recalled due to burn and fire hazards.

According to WPRI 12, "HP has received eight reports of the batteries overheating, melting or charring, including three reports of property damage totaling $4,500 and one report of a first-degree burn to a person’s hand."

The battery packs were sold as accessories for the following HP notebooks and mobile workstations:

• HP ProBooks (64x G2 and G3 series, 65x G2 and G3 series)
• HPx360 310 G2
• HP Envy m6
• HP Pavilion x360
• HP 11
• HP ZBook (17 G3, 17 G4, and Studio G3)

The battery packs were sold at Best Buy and other stores nationwide. They were also sold on Amazon.com, HP.com, and other websites. The batteries were included in computers and workstations which were sold from Dec. 2015 through Dec. 2017. When sold separately, the batteries cost between $50 and $90.

Consumers should go to HP.com to check to see if their battery is included in the recall and for instructions on how to enable "battery safe mode." The HP website also has instructions for customers to initiate the validation utility to check their battery and what to download if their battery is included in the recall.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says the batteries are not customer-replaceable and HP will provide free battery replacement services by an authorized technician.