Laptop charger exploded

chopkins

Earlier this week I was using my laptop with the charger plugged in, turned the laptop off and unplugged the charger. The charger was still plugged into the power socket, after a few minutes of sitting there, there was big bang and a load of smoke from the laptop charger. The charger blew the top of itself open and made a 2 inch black burn mark on my carpet (I'm renting so should be fun explaining that when I move out).

I bought this HP laptop in Feb 2012, so it's over 2 years old and now out of warranty. I'm still using the original charger, so it's not like it's some cheap eBay replacement. When something like this happens, is it possible to obtain a replacement charger and get them to fix my carpet? I know sometimes laptops and accessories stop working, but I wouldn't expect it to explode! In case anyone else has a HP laptop, the model number of mine is a HP Pavilion G6.

Tried contacting HP by email but no joy so far, someone sent me a message saying the UK team has been passed my details but no-one has rang me.

Has anyone got experience this this kind of issue?

wealdroam

You may get a good response from the manufacturer, but your rights under The Sale of Goods Act lie with whoever sold the laptop to you.

Where did you buy it from?

cattie

You might be lucky enough to get a replacement charger, but no chance of getting money towards a carpet repair or replacement. That would be something you'd need to claim on contents insurance for.

I know a couple of years ago there was a warning in the news for people not to leave their phone chargers plugged into the wall socket i when not in use as there had been a couple of incidents where a fire had occurred due to this.

Whether it's a similar warning that applies to laptop chargers I don't know, but I know I'll be unplugging my HP charger/mains lead from the socket each night in future having read your post.

chopkins

It was purchased from Currys, is it worth giving them a ring then?

Shame about having to claim the carpet on the insurance, managed to get 7 years no claims

bris

Leaving it on the carpet is a big no no, the heat build up would have caused it to blow.

cajef

Sounds like an electrolytic capacitor has blown in the charger/power unit and ruptured the casing, ideally power units shouldn't be used on carpets as it can cause them to overheat, as it is two years old it is debatable whether you will get it replaced free, new ones can be bought online.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PAVILION-G6-1007SA-Laptop-Adapter-Charger/dp/B005GYOFXI