HP Recalls 50,000 Laptop Batteries Due To Overheating Concerns

Hewlett-Packard has issued a voluntary recall on batteries used in more than a dozen laptop models that were sold between December 2015 and December 2017. According to the recall notice, affected batteries are at risk of overheating and catching fire. So far, HP has received eight reports of battery packs getting too hot and melting or charring. Three of those incidents resulted in property damage totaling $4,500, and in one instance a user suffered a "minor injury" from a first-degree burn to the hand.

Units with affected batteries were sold through Best Buy and other stores and authorized dealers across the nation. They were also sold online at places like Amazon and HP's own web store. Models that contain the recalled batteries generally ranged in price from $300 to $4,000. In addition, the batteries were sold separately for between $50 and $90, at least in some cases. For the most part, HP notes the affected batteries are non-replaceble, which is a current trend among increasing thin and light laptops.


Affected models include several ProBook, ZBook, x360, Pavilion, Envy, and 11 laptops. Specifically, the following are affected by the recall:

• HP Probook 640 G2
• HP ProBook 640 G3
• HP ProBook 645 G2
• HP ProBook 645 G3
• HP ProBook 650 G2
• HP ProBook 650 G3
• HP ProBook 655 G2
• HP ProBook 655 G3
• HP ZBook 17 G3
• HP ZBook 17 G4
• HP ZBook Studio G3
• HP x360 310 G2
• HP Pavilion x360
• HP Envy m6
• HP 11 Notebook PC

Not all batteries are affected. HP estimates that around 50,000 units sold in the United States have bad batteries, plus another 2,600 in the Canada. The company offers a battery validation utility (available here) that generally takes less than 30 seconds to run. To use it, you must be running Windows and have both the Microsoft .Net Framework 4.5.2 and HP Software Framework installed. If you do not meet those requirements, you can download the fully loaded battery validation utility (available here), which will install the necessary frameworks.

HP is offering free battery replacement service to users with an affected model, regardless of warranty status. In the meantime, HP recommends updating the BIOS and enabling Battery Safety, which will pop up when rebooting. What this does is cause the battery to discharge and stay depleted, so you would need to plug your laptop into a wall outlet to continue using it while setting up service.