What was recalled
In early January 2017, a significant safety alert was issued regarding power sources for some of the most common laptop computers on the market. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that Hewlett-Packard (HP) has expanded its recall to include specific lithium-ion batteries used in HP and Compaq notebook computers. This is not a minor glitch; it is a critical safety issue involving the very component that allows these devices to operate away from a wall outlet. The recalled items are black, rectangular batteries that contain Panasonic cells. These batteries were originally shipped with notebook computers sold between March 2013 and October 2016, meaning they have been in homes and offices for several years. The expansion of this recall is particularly important because it includes batteries that were previously identified in a June 2016 announcement as potentially not being affected. HP has urged consumers to recheck their devices, as the scope of the problem is wider than initially thought.
The compatibility of these batteries is broad, affecting a wide variety of popular laptop lines. If you own an HP notebook, a Compaq notebook, an HP ProBook, an HP ENVY, a Compaq Presario, or an HP Pavilion, your device may contain one of the affected batteries. The physical description of the battery is distinct: it measures approximately 8 to 10.5 inches in length, 2 inches in width, and about 1 inch in height. To confirm if you have a recalled unit, you must look at the back of the battery where the barcode is printed. The text "HP Notebook Battery" along with the specific model number will also be printed on the battery surface. The critical identifiers for this expanded recall are the barcodes, which start with one of the following prefixes: 6BZLU, 6CGFK, 6CGFQ, 6CZMB, 6DEMA, 6DEMH, 6DGAL, or 6EBVA. If your battery matches these codes, it is part of this expanded recall.
The number of units involved in this recall is substantial, though the exact total count is not specified in the current facts. What is known is that HP has received at least one additional report of a battery overheating, melting, and charring, which resulted in approximately $1,000 in property damage. This incident underscores the potential for serious harm. The recall date for this expanded announcement was January 24, 2017. Consumers who purchased these notebooks during the specified window should immediately verify their battery details against the list provided by HP. Failure to do so could leave you with a device that poses a fire and burn hazard. The remedy offered by HP is a free replacement battery, but this requires immediate action on your part to ensure your safety.
The hazard, explained
To understand why this recall is so serious, it helps to look at what is actually happening inside the battery pack itself. The recalled items are lithium-ion batteries containing cells manufactured by Panasonic. While lithium-ion technology powers most of our modern electronics, it relies on a delicate chemical balance to function safely. In these specific units, that balance has been compromised, leading to a condition known as thermal runaway. This is not just a minor glitch; it is a self-perpetuating cycle where the battery generates heat faster than it can dissipate it.
Under normal circumstances, a laptop battery manages its power output and temperature carefully. However, when the internal components of these recalled batteries fail or degrade in an abnormal way, they can begin to overheat significantly beyond their safe operating limits. As the temperature rises, the chemical reactions inside the cell accelerate, which in turn generates even more heat. This positive feedback loop can cause the battery’s outer casing to melt and the internal materials to char. It is a physical transformation of the object from a stable power source into an active heat generator.
The harm caused by this mechanism is twofold: fire and severe burns. Because these batteries are installed directly inside notebook computers, the heat has nowhere to go but outward toward the user’s lap and hands. Lithium-ion batteries that enter thermal runaway can reach temperatures high enough to cause second- or third-degree burns upon contact with skin in a matter of seconds. Furthermore, the charring and melting observed in reported incidents indicate that the battery materials are breaking down chemically, which can release flammable gases. If these gases ignite, they can lead to a fire that damages not only the device but also nearby property.
The severity of this hazard is underscored by the reports HP has already received. There has been at least one confirmed incident where a battery overheated to the point of melting and charring, resulting in approximately $1,000 in property damage. This illustrates that the risk is not theoretical; it is an immediate physical danger. The black batteries, which measure roughly 8 to 10.5 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 inch high, may appear intact on the outside, but the internal failure can occur without any visible warning signs until it is too late. This is why recognizing the specific bar codes associated with these Panasonic cells is critical for your safety.
Who is most at risk
The primary group facing immediate physical danger from this expanded HP and Compaq battery recall consists of individuals who own or use specific notebook computers shipped between March 2013 and October 2016. This includes users of HP ProBook, HP ENVY, Compaq Presario, and HP Pavilion models. The risk is not limited to a single demographic but spans anyone who purchased these devices during that three-year window and has yet to replace the original lithium-ion battery containing Panasonic cells. Because the recall expands upon previous announcements from June 2016, many users may still be operating with batteries they previously believed were safe. This creates a hidden vulnerability for people who checked their device status months ago and assumed the issue was resolved.
While any user of these specific models is at risk of fire or burns due to battery overheating, certain groups face heightened consequences if an incident occurs. Children and teenagers, who often use laptops on their laps or beds, are particularly vulnerable to direct burn injuries. Lithium-ion batteries that fail can generate intense heat rapidly; a burn sustained while the device is resting against sensitive skin can be severe and painful. Furthermore, younger users may lack the immediate awareness to recognize the early signs of thermal failure, such as unusual warmth or swelling, allowing the hazard to escalate before they disconnect the device.
Elderly individuals or those with limited mobility also face disproportionate risks. If a battery ignites or melts while in use, the resulting fire can spread quickly, especially if the laptop is on bedding, curtains, or other flammable materials common in home environments. For seniors who may have slower reaction times or physical limitations that make escaping a sudden fire more difficult, the potential for property damage and personal injury is significantly amplified. The reported incident involving approximately $1,000 in property damage underscores how quickly a localized electronic failure can become a household emergency.
Additionally, people who rely on these laptops for remote work or critical tasks are at risk of significant disruption. A battery fire not only threatens physical safety but also results in the loss of data and hardware. Users who continue to operate these recalled batteries, believing them to be safe because they were excluded from earlier recall notices, remain exposed to the same overheating, melting, and charring hazards. The danger persists until the battery is physically removed and replaced. Therefore, the most at-risk population is not defined by age or status, but by inaction—specifically, those who have not rechecked their battery bar codes against the new list since the January 2017 expansion announcement.
How to tell if you have the recalled item
Identifying whether your specific laptop battery is part of this expanded recall requires a careful, hands-on inspection. Because HP has widened the scope of affected units, it is critical that you do not rely solely on the purchase date or the general model name of your computer. Instead, you must examine the physical battery itself to confirm its identity. This process involves checking several specific details printed directly on the component, as the recall targets lithium-ion batteries containing Panasonic cells rather than just a single batch of computers.
First, locate the battery in your notebook computer. If you are unsure which models are compatible, note that this issue affects batteries used in HP and Compaq notebooks, including HP ProBook, HP ENVY, Compaq Presario, and HP Pavilion series devices. Once you have removed the battery from the computer (or if it is non-removable, look for the label on the bottom of the device), turn your attention to the back of the battery where the bar code is printed. The recall specifically targets batteries that are black in color and measure approximately 8 to 10.5 inches long, 2 inches wide, and about 1 inch high. On the surface of the battery, you should see the text "HP Notebook Battery" along with a specific model number.
The most definitive way to confirm if your battery is included in this expanded recall is to check the first five characters of the bar code printed on the back of the unit. The recalled batteries have bar codes that start with one of the following eight prefixes:
- 6BZLU
- 6CGFK
- 6CGFQ
- 6CZMB
- 6DEMA
- 6DEMH
- 6DGAL
- 6EBVA
If your battery’s bar code begins with any of these sequences, it is part of this recall. It is important to note that HP has expanded the number of recalled batteries beyond those identified in the June 2016 announcement. Consequently, batteries that were previously identified as "not affected" may now be included in this expanded list. This is why rechecking your battery against these specific bar code prefixes is essential, even if you believe your unit was safe under earlier guidelines.
If you cannot easily remove the battery to inspect it, or if the label is worn and illegible, do not guess. The safest course of action is to verify your status through official channels. You can contact HP toll-free at 888-202-4320 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday, or visit www.HP.com/go/batteryprogram2016 for more information. By confirming the exact bar code prefix, you ensure that you are not unnecessarily discarding a safe battery while also protecting yourself from the potential fire hazard posed by the recalled units.
What to do — step by step
If you own an HP or Compaq notebook computer that was purchased between March 2013 and October 2016, your immediate priority is safety, not data recovery or convenience. The recalled lithium-ion batteries contain Panasonic cells that have been identified as capable of overheating, which creates a genuine risk of fire and serious burns. Because the hazard involves thermal runaway—a process where heat builds up uncontrollably—you must act quickly to remove the source of potential ignition from your home environment. Please follow these specific steps carefully to protect yourself and your property.
Step 1: Stop using the battery immediately. Do not wait for the battery to drain completely, and do not attempt to use the computer on battery power again. The moment you realize your device might be part of this recall, disconnect it from any charging cable if it is currently plugged in. Continuing to charge or discharge a compromised lithium-ion cell can accelerate the overheating process. Treat the situation with the same urgency as you would a smoke alarm going off in your house.
Step 2: Physically remove the battery from the notebook computer. Most of the recalled batteries are black and measure approximately 8 to 10.5 inches long, 2 inches wide, and about 1 inch high. You can identify them by looking at the back of the battery; the bar code should start with one of the following prefixes: 6BZLU, 6CGFK, 6CGFQ, 6CZMB, 6DEMA, 6DEMH, 6DGAL, or 6EBVA. The text "HP Notebook Battery" and the specific model number will also be printed on the battery. Once you have confirmed the bar code matches one of these lists, power down your computer completely if it is still on. Then, carefully slide the battery out of its compartment according to your user manual’s instructions. Place the removed battery in a safe, non-flammable area away from combustible materials like curtains or paper until you can dispose of it or return it as instructed.
Step 3: Use your computer on AC power only. Until you receive your free replacement battery, you can continue to use your notebook computer safely by keeping it plugged into a wall outlet. This bypasses the faulty internal battery entirely. While this limits your portability, it ensures that the dangerous component is no longer part of the electrical circuit. Do not attempt to repair the original battery yourself; lithium-ion batteries are complex and hazardous if mishandled.
Step 4: Contact HP for a free replacement. Reach out to HP’s dedicated recall support team to initiate your remedy. You can call them toll-free at 888-202-4320 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you can visit www.HP.com/go/batteryprogram2016 or go to HP’s main website and click on "Recalls" at the bottom of the page. HP is providing free replacement batteries for this expanded recall. Be sure to mention that this is an expansion of the June 2016 recall, as previous checks may have incorrectly indicated your battery was not affected.
Step 5: Dispose of the old battery properly. Once you receive your new battery, do not throw the old one in the regular trash. Lithium-ion batteries contain materials that can react dangerously if punctured or crushed. Follow local e-waste recycling guidelines or ask HP for instructions on how to return the defective unit safely. By following these steps, you eliminate the fire risk while maintaining access to your computer through external power.
Your refund, repair, or replacement options
If you own a notebook computer that falls under this expanded recall, the good news is that HP has established a clear and straightforward path to resolve the issue at no cost to you. Unlike some recalls where consumers might have to pay for shipping or wait weeks for parts, HP is providing free replacement batteries to all affected customers. This remedy is designed to be as convenient and safe as possible, ensuring that your device remains functional while eliminating the fire and burn hazards associated with the defective lithium-ion cells.
To initiate this process, you will need to contact HP directly through one of their dedicated channels. You can call their toll-free number at 888-202-4320. It is important to note that these support lines are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time, Monday through Friday. If you prefer to handle things digitally, which is often the fastest way to get started, you can visit www.HP.com/go/batteryprogram2016. Alternatively, if you navigate to HP’s main website at www.hp.com, you can find a "Recalls" link located at the bottom of the page. This section will guide you through the specific steps required to validate your device and request your replacement.
When you reach out to HP, be prepared to provide specific details about your battery to ensure you are matched with the correct replacement part. As noted in the recall description, the affected batteries are black and measure approximately 8 to 10.5 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 inch high. The most critical piece of information you will need is the barcode printed on the back of the battery. The expanded recall includes batteries with barcodes starting with any of the following prefixes: 6BZLU, 6CGFK, 6CGFQ, 6CZMB, 6DEMA, 6DEMH, 6DGAL, and 6EBVA. If your battery bears one of these codes, it is definitely included in this program. Even if you previously checked your battery against the June 2016 recall list and determined it was not affected, HP is urging all owners to recheck their devices now, as this expansion covers additional units.
While you are waiting for your free replacement battery to arrive, there is a safe interim solution that allows you to continue using your notebook computer without interruption. You should immediately stop using the recalled battery and remove it from your device. Instead, plug your notebook directly into AC power. This method ensures that your computer remains powered while keeping you safe from the overheating risk posed by the defective lithium-ion cells. Please do not attempt to use the old battery even for short periods until you have received and installed the new one. By following these steps, you are taking full advantage of HP’s commitment to consumer safety and ensuring that your computing experience remains uninterrupted and secure.