Abbott recalls FreeStyle Libre 2 Readers (REF: 71951-01 and 71953-01) that may show "Incompatible Sensor" message if old sensor not used for full 14 days, causing delayed glucose results.
If blood glucose monitoring system users attempt to start a new sensor, when the old sensor wasn't used for the full 14-day wear time, then the reader may display "Incompatible Sensor" message. If users don't have the previous sensor, or FreeStyle Libre 2 app, or the sensor's full wear time hasn't ended, users may be unable to start a new sensor, which could result in no or delayed glucose results
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Contact the company
📍Recalling firmAbbott Diabetes Care, Inc.1360 S Loop Rd · Alameda, CA 94502-7000
✎ GovInfoNow plain-language explainer
Abbott is recalling FreeStyle Libre 2 Readers that may display an "Incompatible Sensor" message if the previous sensor wasn't used for the full 14-day wear period. This could prevent users from starting a new sensor, leading to no or delayed glucose monitoring results. Read more at govinfonow.com/recall/57703-freestyle-libre-2-readers-incompatible-sensor-message-risk.
“FreeStyle Libre 2 Readers: Incompatible Sensor Message Risk.” GovInfoNow, updated August 19, 2026. https://govinfonow.com/recall/57703-freestyle-libre-2-readers-incompatible-sensor-message-risk. Based on FDA recall #Z-2414-2023 (https://api.fda.gov/device/enforcement.json?search=recall_number:%22Z-2414-2023%22&limit=1).
The FDA announced on July 12, 2023, that Abbott Diabetes Care is recalling FreeStyle Libre 2 Readers used with the FreeStyle Libre 2 System due to a potential hazard. The device may display an incompatible sensor message or fail to start a new sensor if the previous one was not worn for the full 14 days. This could result in no or delayed glucose results for users.
How to tell if you have it
Brand: Abbott Diabetes Care
Product: FreeStyle Libre 2 Readers
REF: 71951-01 and 71953-01
Used with: FreeStyle Libre 2 System
The hazard
If users attempt to start a new sensor when the old sensor was not used for the full 14-day wear time, the reader may display an "Incompatible Sensor" message. If users lack the previous sensor or the FreeStyle Libre 2 app, or if the sensor's full wear time has not ended, they may be unable to start a new sensor. This situation could result in no or delayed glucose results.
Context
GovInfoNow's records show Abbott Diabetes Care has issued five other recalls since November 14, 2019. Recent brand recalls include the FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus Sensor Recall on November 24, 2025, for incorrect low glucose results, and the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 3 Sensors recall on July 24, 2024, for erroneous high glucose readings. Other recent recalls of similar products include the Tandem t:slim App Recall on July 16, 2026, for pairing issues with Abbott sensors, and the Dexcom G7 Sensors Recalled on May 27, 2026, for risk of skin infection and inaccurate readings.
How to tell if you have this one
Check the reference numbers (REF) on your FreeStyle Libre 2 Reader. The affected models have REF: 71951-01 or 71953-01 with specific serial numbers listed in the recall notice.
Brand
Abbott Diabetes Care
Category
Medical device
Based on the official FDA remedy
What to do — step by step
Check Reader Status
Look for the "Incompatible Sensor" message when starting a new sensor. If this appears, do not proceed.
Verify Sensor Wear Time
Ensure the previous sensor was used for the full 14-day wear period before starting a new sensor.
Where it went and when
Where it was distributed
Distributed nationwide; the notice names 8 states.
Named in the notice
Covered by “nationwide”
Not listed
FDA distribution: “US Nationwide distribution in the states of CA, FL, MI, NY, OH, TX, UT, VA.” States read from FDA’s own wording; “not listed” means the notice does not name it.
Named in the notice: California, Florida, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Virginia.
Recall timeline
FDA published this recall 42 days after the firm started it.
1Firm started the recall
2FDA classified it Class II
3Published in FDA’s Enforcement Report
Dates from the agency record only; steps without a date are left out.
The facts (hazard, remedy, dates, manufacturer) are pulled from the official FDA recall record. The plain-language summary and step-by-step checklist are written by GovInfoNow to make the official notice easier to act on — they don’t replace it.
Official source: FDA Recall #Z-2414-2023 (July 12, 2023) — FDA publishes no per-recall page; this is the official machine-readable enforcement record. Search FDA recalls for Z-2414-2023 to see it in context.
Plain-language summary written by qwen3:4b on August 19, 2026, from the official record above. Not reviewed by a person — if it conflicts with the FDA notice, the notice is correct. Report an error on this page.
GovInfoNow is an independent service and is not a government agency. We republish official FDA recall data; we don’t issue, amend or administer recalls.