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Chromebook 11 charger recalled after nine overheat and melt

Chromebook 11 charger recalled after nine overheat and melt

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HP Chromebook 11 590px
HP Chromebook 11 590px

Google and HP are recalling power chargers for the Chromebook 11 after receiving nine reports of them overheating and melting. One minor burn and one minor incident of property damage resulted from the heating issues, and owners are now being told to cease use of the charger and contact Google for a free replacement. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 145,000 units of the charger will have to be replaced. HP previously told us that for the time being, Chromebook 11 users can use "any other Underwriters Laboratories-listed micro USB charger" in its place.

HP and Google initially halted sales of the Chromebook 11 last month, pulling it from Best Buy, Amazon, and their own websites. Though Google will be issuing a new charger to current owners, there's no word on whether the laptop will head back on sale. On the Chromebook 11's website, Google writes that interested parties should "check back soon" though, so we may see the Chromebook again once these issues have been sorted out. We've reached out to Google and HP to learn more about the recall, and will update if we learn more.

Update: In a blog post, Google says that it and HP initiated the recall with the guidance and approval of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. All chargers sold before December 1st will need to be replaced, and a replacement can be requested through a form on Google's site. Though the charger was bundled with the Chromebook 11, Google says that neither it nor HP designed or built it. Sales of the Chromebook 11 will eventually resume — this time with a new charger. "We apologize again for the inconvenience this has caused," Google writes. "Your safety is our top priority."