HP recalls millions of LS-15 laptop power cables over fire hazard fears
HP has been forced to recall millions of power cables in the US and Canada over fire hazard concerns
Do you own an HP laptop, or bought one for a relative in the past few years? You may want to check the power cable for the designation LS-15, as the company has just issued a recall that affects over six million customers worldwide. The cables are thought to pose a fire hazard, and as such shouldn’t be used but instead sent back to HP for a replacement.
In a warning posted to the official HP website, the company statement explained the situation. “On August 26, 2014 HP announced a worldwide voluntary recall and replacement program in cooperation with various government regulatory agencies, for affected AC power cords distributed worldwide with HP and Compaq notebook and mini notebook computers, as well as with AC adapters provided with accessories such as docking stations, sold from September 2010 through June 2012.
“HP customers affected by this program will be eligible to receive a replacement AC power cord for each verified, recalled AC power cord at no cost.”
The fault apears to be limited to cables with US plugs according to HP’s recall message, but we’ve been told by a company representative that the recall is worldwide. Although the chargers themselves and the laptops aren’t affected, the supplied cables have been reported to overheat, melt and char surrounding surfaces, so if you have a cable with the LS-15 designation be sure to get in contact with HP.
HP and Compaq laptop owners in the affected countries are being advised to check if they have an affected cord, and if so stop using it immediately. HP will arrange a free replacement for a non-defective cable.
The fault is thought to have affected somewhere in the region of six million laptops, which were sold between 2010 and 2012, so anyone that has purchased a laptop in 2013 or 2014 should be safe.