ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 HERO motherboards seem to have a problem.
Per a new recall notice on the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission site, 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.” About 10,000 units are affected, according to the notice.
Here are some further specifics, including how owners can identify whether their motherboards are affected:
This recall involves ASUS ROG Maximus Z690 Hero computer motherboards sold separately for computers. The recalled motherboards have part number 90MB18E0-MVAAY0. Affected units have a serial number that starts with MA, MB, and MC, which indicates the manufacture year in 2021. The part number is located next to the 24-pin power connector on a white label on the bottom side of the motherboard and on the packaging. Detailed instructions to determine if the motherboard is included in this recall can be found on the firm’s website at https://www.asus.com/support/rog-maximus-z690-hero-checking.
ASUS has received 10 reports of its ROG Maximus Z690 HERO motherboards “overheating and melting,” but luckily, no injuries have been reported thus far for the affected hardware, which was sold from October to December 2021 for “about $600.”
The manufacturer confirmed that it was investigating “a potential reversed memory capacitor issue in the production process from one of the production lines that may cause debug error code 53, no post, or motherboard components damage” in December 2021.