Voluntary Recall of NVIDIA Shield K1 Tablets: Difference between revisions

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{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Insufficient citations & references|Issue 2=Article appears to be original research (or potentially AI gen)}}{{ToneWarning}}

In 2015, NVIDIA voluntarily recalled certain SHIELD Tablets sold between July 2014 and July 2015 after discovering a fire hazard caused by defective lithium-ion batteries.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2015-07-31 |title=Notice for NVIDIA Tablet Customers {{!}} Voluntary Recall of NVIDIA SHIELD Tablets |url=https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/notice-for-nvidia-tablet-customers |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=NVIDIA Newsroom}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=NVIDIA Recalls Tablet Computers Due to Fire Hazard |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2015/NVIDIA-Recalls-Tablet-Computers |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=United States Consumer Product Safety Commission}}</ref> While the recall aimed to protect users from overheating risks, it also resulted in thousands of devices becoming permanently disabled ("bricked") through firmware updates~~{{Citation needed}}~~. Because the tablets contained non-removable batteries ~~and NVIDIA offered no replacement parts{{Citation needed}}~~, affected owners were left with devices that could neither be repaired nor safely shipped for disposal. This raised long-term concerns over digital ownership, repairability, and the environmental impact of bricked consumer hardware.

In 2015, NVIDIA voluntarily recalled certain SHIELD Tablets sold between July 2014 and July 2015 after discovering a fire hazard caused by defective lithium-ion batteries.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=NVIDIA SHIELD TABLET RECALL PROGRAM |url=https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/support/tabletrecall/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516200325/https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/support/tabletrecall/ |archive-date=2019-05-16 |website=NVIDIA}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2015-07-31 |title=Notice for NVIDIA Tablet Customers {{!}} Voluntary Recall of NVIDIA SHIELD Tablets |url=https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/notice-for-nvidia-tablet-customers |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=NVIDIA Newsroom}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=NVIDIA Recalls Tablet Computers Due to Fire Hazard |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2015/NVIDIA-Recalls-Tablet-Computers |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=United States Consumer Product Safety Commission}}</ref> While the recall aimed to protect users from overheating risks, it also resulted in thousands of devices becoming permanently disabled ("bricked") through firmware updates.<ref><nowiki>https://www.reddit.com/r/theNvidiaShield/comments/3gxncf/recalled_shield_tablet_bricked_at_1114_pm_est/</nowiki></ref> Because the tablets contained non-removable batteries<ref name=":2" />, affected owners were left with devices that could neither be repaired nor safely shipped for disposal. This raised long-term concerns over digital ownership, repairability, and the environmental impact of bricked consumer hardware.

==Background==

The '''NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet''', released in July 2014, was part of NVIDIA’s gaming-focused Android lineup. It featured a high-performance '''Tegra K1''' processor ~~and targeted~~ gamers and ~~developers~~{{~~Citation needed~~}}. Soon after release, users reported excessive heat generation and battery swelling under load. NVIDIA later identified the root cause as faulty lithium-ion ~~cells~~.~~{{CitationNeeded}}~~

The '''NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet''', released in July 2014, was part of NVIDIA’s gaming-focused Android lineup. It featured a high-performance '''Tegra K1''' processor, targeting gamers and artists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Ultimate Gaming Tablet {{!}} NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet |url=http://shield.nvidia.com/gaming-tablet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725092700/http://shield.nvidia.com/gaming-tablet |archive-date=2014-07-25 |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=NVIDIA}}</ref>  Soon after release, users reported excessive heat generation<ref>{{Cite web |last=Limer |first=Eric |date=2014-07-28 |title=Nvidia Shield Tablet Review: A Gaming Beast, But So Much More |url=https://gizmodo.com/nvidia-shield-tablet-review-a-gaming-beast-but-so-muc-1612430076 |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref> and battery swelling under load. NVIDIA later identified the root cause as faulty lithium-ion batteries, "posing a fire hazard".<ref name=":2" />

==Incident==

Between July 2014 and July 2015, NVIDIA confirmed that certain tablets contained batteries that could overheat and pose a ~~'''~~fire hazard~~'''{{Citation needed}}~~. The affected cells came from a specific vendor and were installed in multiple early production batches. Some users reported tablets becoming unusually hot during charging or even showing signs of deformation{{Citation needed}}.

Between July 2014 and July 2015, NVIDIA confirmed that certain tablets contained batteries that could overheat and pose a fire hazard. The affected cells came from a specific vendor and were installed in multiple early production batches. Some users reported tablets becoming unusually hot during charging or even showing signs of deformation{{Citation needed}}.

===NVIDIA’s response===

In August 2015, NVIDIA initiated a '''voluntary global recall''' and urged customers to stop using the affected devices.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

In August 2015, NVIDIA initiated a '''voluntary global recall''' and urged customers to stop using the affected devices.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> To prevent further risk, a firmware update was released that '''disabled charging''' and, in some cases, fully '''bricked''' the recalled devices once a replacement was requested{{Citation needed}}.

To prevent further risk, a firmware update was released that '''disabled charging''' and, in some cases, fully '''bricked''' the recalled devices once a replacement was requested{{Citation needed}}.

NVIDIA did not require users to return their original tablets.

NVIDIA did not require users to return their original tablets.<ref name=":2" />

Instead, customers were instructed to safely store or dispose of the recalled units according to local e-waste regulations{{Citation needed}}.

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 {{Incomplete|Issue 1=Insufficient citations & references|Issue 2=Article appears to be original research (or potentially AI gen)}}{{ToneWarning}}
-In 2015, NVIDIA voluntarily recalled certain SHIELD Tablets sold between July 2014 and July 2015 after discovering a fire hazard caused by defective lithium-ion batteries.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2015-07-31 |title=Notice for NVIDIA Tablet Customers {{!}} Voluntary Recall of NVIDIA SHIELD Tablets |url=https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/notice-for-nvidia-tablet-customers |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=NVIDIA Newsroom}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=NVIDIA Recalls Tablet Computers Due to Fire Hazard |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2015/NVIDIA-Recalls-Tablet-Computers |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=United States Consumer Product Safety Commission}}</ref> While the recall aimed to protect users from overheating risks, it also resulted in thousands of devices becoming permanently disabled ("bricked") through firmware updates{{Citation needed}}. Because the tablets contained non-removable batteries and NVIDIA offered no replacement parts{{Citation needed}}, affected owners were left with devices that could neither be repaired nor safely shipped for disposal. This raised long-term concerns over digital ownership, repairability, and the environmental impact of bricked consumer hardware.
+In 2015, NVIDIA voluntarily recalled certain SHIELD Tablets sold between July 2014 and July 2015 after discovering a fire hazard caused by defective lithium-ion batteries.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=NVIDIA SHIELD TABLET RECALL PROGRAM |url=https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/support/tabletrecall/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516200325/https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/support/tabletrecall/ |archive-date=2019-05-16 |website=NVIDIA}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2015-07-31 |title=Notice for NVIDIA Tablet Customers {{!}} Voluntary Recall of NVIDIA SHIELD Tablets |url=https://nvidianews.nvidia.com/news/notice-for-nvidia-tablet-customers |url-status=live |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=NVIDIA Newsroom}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=NVIDIA Recalls Tablet Computers Due to Fire Hazard |url=https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2015/NVIDIA-Recalls-Tablet-Computers |access-date=2025-10-21 |website=United States Consumer Product Safety Commission}}</ref> While the recall aimed to protect users from overheating risks, it also resulted in thousands of devices becoming permanently disabled ("bricked") through firmware updates.<ref><nowiki>https://www.reddit.com/r/theNvidiaShield/comments/3gxncf/recalled_shield_tablet_bricked_at_1114_pm_est/</nowiki></ref> Because the tablets contained non-removable batteries<ref name=":2" />, affected owners were left with devices that could neither be repaired nor safely shipped for disposal. This raised long-term concerns over digital ownership, repairability, and the environmental impact of bricked consumer hardware.
 ==Background==
-The '''NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet''', released in July 2014, was part of NVIDIA’s gaming-focused Android lineup. It featured a high-performance '''Tegra K1''' processor and targeted gamers and developers{{Citation needed}}. Soon after release, users reported excessive heat generation and battery swelling under load. NVIDIA later identified the root cause as faulty lithium-ion cells.{{CitationNeeded}}
+The '''NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet''', released in July 2014, was part of NVIDIA’s gaming-focused Android lineup. It featured a high-performance '''Tegra K1''' processor, targeting gamers and artists.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Ultimate Gaming Tablet {{!}} NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet |url=http://shield.nvidia.com/gaming-tablet |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725092700/http://shield.nvidia.com/gaming-tablet |archive-date=2014-07-25 |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=NVIDIA}}</ref> <!-- I couldn't find advertising material targeting developers so that mention was removed --> Soon after release, users reported excessive heat generation<ref>{{Cite web |last=Limer |first=Eric |date=2014-07-28 |title=Nvidia Shield Tablet Review: A Gaming Beast, But So Much More |url=https://gizmodo.com/nvidia-shield-tablet-review-a-gaming-beast-but-so-muc-1612430076 |access-date=2025-10-22 |website=Gizmodo}}</ref> and battery swelling under load. NVIDIA later identified the root cause as faulty lithium-ion batteries, "posing a fire hazard".<ref name=":2" />
 ==Incident==
-Between July 2014 and July 2015, NVIDIA confirmed that certain tablets contained batteries that could overheat and pose a '''fire hazard'''{{Citation needed}}. The affected cells came from a specific vendor and were installed in multiple early production batches. Some users reported tablets becoming unusually hot during charging or even showing signs of deformation{{Citation needed}}.
+Between July 2014 and July 2015, NVIDIA confirmed that certain tablets contained batteries that could overheat and pose a fire hazard. The affected cells came from a specific vendor and were installed in multiple early production batches. Some users reported tablets becoming unusually hot during charging or even showing signs of deformation{{Citation needed}}. <!-- Isn't this sentence the same as in the Background? Maybe it can be expanded with examples once citations are found. -->
 ===NVIDIA’s response===
-In August 2015, NVIDIA initiated a '''voluntary global recall''' and urged customers to stop using the affected devices.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
+In August 2015, NVIDIA initiated a '''voluntary global recall''' and urged customers to stop using the affected devices.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> To prevent further risk, a firmware update was released that '''disabled charging''' and, in some cases, fully '''bricked''' the recalled devices once a replacement was requested{{Citation needed}}.
-To prevent further risk, a firmware update was released that '''disabled charging''' and, in some cases, fully '''bricked''' the recalled devices once a replacement was requested{{Citation needed}}.
-NVIDIA did not require users to return their original tablets.
+NVIDIA did not require users to return their original tablets.<ref name=":2" />
 Instead, customers were instructed to safely store or dispose of the recalled units according to local e-waste regulations{{Citation needed}}.