Over 1 Million Portable Chargers Recalled After 19 Reports of Fires and Explosions

Be sure to check any portable chargers you have in your home. Electronics maker Anker Innovations is recalling about 1,158,000 power banks because the lithium-ion battery inside can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

The recall involves certain Anker PowerCore 10000 power banks with the model number A1263 and qualifying serial numbers. The brand name "Anker" is engraved on the front of the product. The model number and serial number are on the bottom. Consumers can check their serial number on Anker's website to determine whether their power bank is part of the recall.

The power banks were sold online through Anker, Amazon, Newegg, and eBay from June 2016 through December 2022 for about $27 and were available in black, blue, red, and white.

Anker states that the battery can overheat, "leading to melting of plastic components, smoke, and fire hazards." Nineteen reports of fires and explosions have been received so far, including two reports of minor burn injuries and 11 reports of property damage totaling over $60,700.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, consumers should stop using products with lithium-ion batteries if they detect an odor, change in color, excessive heat, change in shape, leaking, or odd noises.

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If you have one of the recalled power banks, stop using it immediately. But do not throw it in the trash, curbside recycling bins, or used battery recycling boxes at retail and home improvement stores. Recalled lithium-ion batteries must be disposed of properly because they present a greater fire risk. Check with your municipal household hazardous waste collection center to learn if it accepts the recalled lithium-ion battery or device. If it doesn't, contact your municipality for further guidance.

Visit Anker's website to register for the recall and get instructions on receiving a free replacement power bank or a $30 gift card. To receive a replacement, you will need to provide proof of purchase, such as an order invoice or a photo of the recalled portable charger with the submission date, the word "recall" or "recalled" written on the device in permanent marker, your name, and contact info, as well as a photo of the model number and serial number.

Consumers will be asked to confirm the disposal of the power bank in accordance with applicable laws and regulations before receiving a replacement.

Consumers can contact Anker by calling 800-988-7973, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, or emailing [email protected]. If emailing, you should include "Anker A1263 Recall" in the subject line to ensure a prompt response. A live chat function is also available at support.anker.com/s/emailcontactus.