In Case You Missed It: Asus Recalled This Z690 Motherboard Over a Burn Hazard

An official recall has been issued in the US for the ROG Maximus Z690 Hero motherboard after Asus began offering replacements back in December.

The motherboard poses a potential burn hazard, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission says. On Thursday, the agency issued(Opens in a new window) the formal recall, which affects about 10,000 units, at least some of which were sold in the US through retailers including Best Buy, Newegg, and Amazon. 

“A capacitor on the motherboard was installed in a reverse position, which can lead to a short circuit, overheating or melting, posing fire and burn hazards,” the commission said. 

On Dec. 29, Asus also initiated a recall for the $599 motherboard. But its message(Opens in a new window)—which occurred during the holiday season—may have gone under the radar for some consumers. 

Asus also noted only a “few incidents” had been reported in North America involing the faulty motherboards. However, the recall order from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission explicitly says: “Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled motherboard.”

The commission adds that Asus “has received 10 reports of the motherboards overheating and melting,” but no injuries have been reported.

Buyers can find out if they own an affected motherboard by visiting Asus’s website(Opens in a new window) and entering the product’s serial number. The same page includes instructions on how customers can find the serial number. “The issue potentially affects units manufactured in 2021 with the part number 90MB18E0-MVAAY0 and serial number starting with MA, MB, or MC,” Asus said.

If you own a faulty motherboard, Asus will provide a replacement for free, the agency says.