Spontaneous combustion is the NVIDIA Shield’s latest feature!

Lithium-ion batteries are responsible for powering the vast majority of our electronics, and we’re definitely grateful for that, but that doesn’t mean the technology doesn’t have its issues. One of the biggest issues with lithium-ion batteries is that they can get really, really hot and have been known to explode and/or cause fires. NVIDIA has experienced this issue first hand with its Shield tablet, which is why the company has decided to voluntarily recall many of its tablets due to concerns that they could cause fires. 

Nvidia announced today that it was voluntarily recalling many of its Shield tablets due to a problem with the lithium-ion batteries. The recall covers all tablets sold between July 2014 and July 2015, and the company has stated it will replace current devices with a new tablet, free of charge. Not all Shield tablets are affected by the recall, however, so you’ll want to check your Shield version before boxing it up to ship back to Nvidia. Nvidia has set up a website for those affected by the issue and states that it is working with government agencies to ensure that the recall is conducted according to standard industry practices. To find out what version of the Shield you have, you’ll want to first update to the latest software version. The latest software build date should read July 1, 2015 (accessed by selecting the Settings icon, followed by “About Tablet” and “System Updates.” Once you’ve updated, check your Shield battery variant selecting Settings, About tablet, and Status. This will open a screen like the one pictured to the right, and your battery will read as one of two types — either B01 or Y01. Tapping Y01 will launch the recall application on the device, and walk you through the process of setting up a claim ticket. You finish filling out the claim form by using the same link posted above.