- Anker has just issued two separate retreats for some of his best energy banks, covering a total of six models
- Some of the energy banks could represent a fire danger
- If you qualify, you can get a new free energy bank
Anker has just announced his second product retirement this year, and although they are bad news for the brand, there could be a positive side for you. If you have one of Anker’s energy banks, it can be eligible for a free replacement.
The company is remembering six different energy bank models, citing problems with the lithium -ion battery inside. This includes models of the Power Core series, Maggo and Zolo de Anker, among others.
Next, we will tell you everything you need to know about the retreats of the Anker Energy Bank and what to do next.
What Anker energy banks are affected by retirement?
Anker has launched two separate retreats. One in early June included a single energy bank model, while the most recent second expanded the list of five additional models in a couple of Anker products lines.
The energy bank that was remembered first was the Anker Powerore 10000 (A1263). If you bought the Energy Bank through Amazon, it would have received an email like the one we received below. The subject line would have been “important attention: important security notice about its past Amazon order.”
All PowerCore 10000 energy banks were not withdrawn. The withdrawal units only include the A1263 model, manufactured between January 1, 2016 and October 30, 2019. All withdrawal units were sold in the United States between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2022.
The second retirement was more complete and included the following models:
- Anker Zolo Model A1681 (20K, 30 watts, with USB-C cables and built-in lights)
- Anker Zolo Model A1689 (20K, 30 watts, with built-in USB-C cable)
- Anker Maggo Model A1652 (7.5 watts, 10,000 mAh)
- Anker Power Bank Model A1257 (10k, 22.5 watts)
- Anker Power Bank Model A1647 (22.5 watts, 20,000 mAh, with built-in USB-C cable)
In these cases, Anker has not specified a manufacturing or sale date for affected energy banks. But in his ‘voluntary retirement’ notice that refers to the previous models, he declared that “although the probability of malfunction is considered minimal, of great caution, we have decided to start a voluntary global retreat from several Power Bank’s Bank models.”
How to verify if your Anker Energy Bank has been removed from the market
It doesn’t matter which of the affected models, your first step will be to verify the model and serial number on the back or side of your energy bank.
Not all units of each model are being removed from the market, so even if one of these has, it may not be eligible for replacement.
Next, you will have to enter the serial number, along with some other key details, in the Anker online recovery form to verify eligibility.
If it is confirmed that it is one of the affected models, you must stop using it immediately and send a product recovery form. This contains information on how to request a gift or replacement card.
What can you get if your energy bank qualifies?
If your energy bank is affected by one of the retreats, Anker will offer you a replacement or a gift card. The people of the United States will not receive reimbursements, although Anker offers reimbursements in China.
In the case of Power Core 10000, Anker says that a replacement energy bank will be offered. If you are at a later request, you can choose a $ 30 gift card (instead (which will be used in the Anker store) or wait for the Power Core 10000 to be available again.
The second retirement is a bit more vague, but Anker says he can choose between a gift card or a replacement unit.
How to send a retirement claim
Once you are sure you have one of the models listed above, send your recovery claim to Anker for verification.
- If you have the Anker Power Core 1000 (A1263), go to Anker’s recovery form for that model
- If you have one of the other energy banks (A1257, A1647, A1652, A1681, A1689), go to this recovery form.
In both cases, the serial number, the purchase test, the order number and the photos of the Energy Bank can be requested.
If this fails, but still believes that it is eligible for replacement, communicate with Anker’s support on live chat, email or phone.
Why are Anker Power Banks remembered?
Anker has not entered into many details about the cause of retirement, but in both cases, it seems that the problem falls on the battery.
When announcing the first retirementAnker said these energy banks could be a fire danger due to a “potential problem with lithium -ion battery.” As reported, the battery can overheat, and if that happens, some of the plastic components can melt, resulting in smoke or even a fire.
In the case of Second retirementAnker revealed that he identified a potential problem with the lithium -ion battery cells made by one of its suppliers. The company admits that the problems are unlikely, but it is being cautious and remembers the five affected models.
Can you still use your old energy bank?
Once it is confirmed that your energy bank is affected by retirement, you must stop using it immediately. Even if it seems to be working well, it raises a risk of fire, so it must get rid of it as soon as possible.
Anker says that he should not get rid of the battery “in the garbage, the general recycling currents (for example, the containers of recycling of street level or on the sidewalk), or in the delivery boxes of batteries commonly used that are found in retail or home improvements.”
Instead, Anker recommends ruling out in a local electronic disposal installation that accepts retired devices that work with lithium -ion batteries. This is because the withdrawal batteries must be treated differently from the regular due to their highest risk of fire.
