Victus 16 Swollen Battery (Fire Risk) and Hinge Failure - Request for Refund

[Ken_720]

Hi HP team and community,

I am a university student and I own a Victus by HP 16.1 inch Gaming Laptop. It has developed two serious problems, and one of them is a real safety hazard that I need HP to take seriously.

1. Swollen battery: fire and explosion risk
The original battery swelled up. A swollen lithium-polymer battery can overheat, catch fire, or even explode. Imagine sitting in a lecture hall or a library with this laptop in my bag or on my desk, surrounded by other students. I did not feel safe using it, and I should never have been put in that position with a product I paid for. I had to open the laptop and replace the battery myself, at my own cost, just to remove the hazard. A student should not have to do that.

2. Hinge failure
The hinge covers have separated and cracked. There is a visible gap along the rear hinge area, and a cracked section with a hole near the base of the screen. Other Victus 16 owners appear to be reporting the same hinge problem, which points to a design weakness and not misuse. It is getting worse with normal use.

How this is affecting me

Instead of focusing on my coursework I have been worrying about whether my own laptop is going to start a fire. The cost, the stress, and the time lost have made my semester a lot harder. I depend on this laptop for school every day.

What I am asking for

Two defects in one laptop, one of them is a fire risk. I no longer trust this product or HP. I am asking HP for a full refund of the laptop, or comparable compensation such as a replacement of equal value, plus reimbursement for the battery I had to buy.

I am keeping the original swollen battery, stored safely, until HP provides a reasonable solution. I am willing to make it available for inspection. I ask that this case be escalated to HP's product safety team, and that HP confirm in writing whether there is a known issue with the battery or hinge on this model.

Photos of the hinge damage are attached. 
This is the battery that I had to replace:

 

 This is the hinge issue: