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By Katie Wickens published 10 March 22

Not cool, guys. Thankfully MSI is being proactive about a product recall.

After reports that some MSI liquid AIO coolers were running at high temps, investigations have finally lead to a recall of MSI's MAG CoreLiquid 240R and CoreLiquid 360R all-in-one coolers. If you're rocking one of these in your machine right now, don't panic, just head on over to the recall page where you can apply for a swap.

If you're unsure whether this affects you, we've put some tips at the bottom of this article to help you discover what cooler you have, and what to do about it.

Our sister site Tom's Hardware explains how the issue with the AIO coolers surfaced after users started noticing idle CPU temperatures of over 62°C. MSI makes it clear that only a "small portion" of coolers are affected, and that the problem is caused by sediment buildup—a byproduct of the coolant used—which can accumulate over time and cause blockages. 

Don't worry though, if you've got an MSI MAG CoreLiquid 240R or 360R it's unlikely to get to the point of exploding all over your beautiful PC's innards. However, the resulting temperatures of a sediment buildup can trigger T-junction-Max thermal failsafes—basically it'll slow itself down to save from overheating, which is also known as throttling. 

Not something you want to hear as a gamer, particularly if you're trying to earn a living from games and rely on streaming, for example, as your main source of income.

Best AIO cooler for CPUs: All-in-one, and one for all... components. Best CPU air coolers: CPU fans that don't go brrr.

"MSI cares deeply about our users' overall experience and we simplified our processes to provide faster product replacement services," the recall page says. "We will provide a comprehensive product replacement [...] service to all affected products that have abnormal heat dissipation."

You're entitled to a replacement if your "CPU temperature is higher than 60°C while idle," that is, as long as your cooler is properly seated and you're using thermal paste properly.

If you're not sure what cooler you've got, here are some steps you can take to find out:

Liquid cooling can be a hassle, but AIO coolers are meant to take the fuss out of cooling your machine. With issues like this surfacing it's easy to dismiss liquid cooling altogether, but it might be a good idea to bag one of the best CPU coolers instead, if you've been considering an AIO solution.

There are also some fan-based coolers on the list, in case you're now feeling like AIO liquid coolers really aren't for you. We still recommend them above others, though. So, don't let things like this put you off. It's not like it's an actual fire hazard or anything. 

Screw sports, Katie would rather watch Intel, AMD and Nvidia go at it. She can often be found admiring AI advancements, sighing over semiconductors, or gawping at the latest GPU upgrades. She's been obsessed with computers and graphics since she was small, and took Game Art and Design up to Masters level at uni. Her thirst for absurd Raspberry Pi projects will never be sated, and she will stop at nothing to spread internet safety awareness—down with the hackers.

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