In a major move affecting consumers and business users across North America, Toshiba is recalling 15.5 million U.S. laptop chargers over concerns about overheating and fire hazards.
The recall comes in response to 679 reported incidents of the AC adapters catching fire, melting or burning, resulting in 43 reported cases of minor burns.
Although the recall is widespread and affects millions of customers in the US and Canada, most laptops are likely no longer in circulation.
Toshiba reminder
The affected AC adapters were sold both individually and bundled with Toshiba laptops between April 2008 and April 2014. The Chinese-made chargers were produced between April 2008 and December 2012 and sold for between $25 and $75.
In addition to the 15.5 million copies sold in the US, another 1.3 million were sold in Canada, bringing the total number of affected copies to an estimated 16.8 million.
Consumers are now urged to stop using the recalled AC adapters and contact Dynabook, Toshiba’s new name since 2019, to arrange a free replacement.
Affected customers can send a photo of the AC adapter, with the power cord cut to show it is not in use, to dba-acadapter2024@dynabook.com.
Toshiba has also set up a website illustrating how customers can identify the part and serial number of their adapter to verify if the device may be at risk.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also has a rackwith more information about the specific part numbers.