Laptop battery fire hazard

Battery packs supplied with certain HP, Compaq, HP ProBook, HP Envy, HP Pavilion Notebook computers have been identified as a fire risk. Not all HP notebook PCs in these ranges have an affected battery pack.

Each battery number is unique and users are advised that potentially affected batteries start with one of the following series of numbers and letters: 6CGFQ, 6DEMA, 6CGFK, 6EBVA, 6CZMB, 6DEMH, 6BZLU or 6DGAL. The complete number will need to be verified by HP to determine if the battery is affected.

The packs were sold nationally via computer retailers between 1 March 2013 and 30 August 2015.

Consumers need to go to the HP Batter Recall website here to validate their battery. If the process indicates that the battery is affected, users are advised to immediately cease using the battery and remove it from the notebook. HP will provide a replacement for each verified, affected battery at no cost.

HP advises that notebooks can continue to be used without the battery installed by connecting to external power.