Microsoft is going to replace hundreds of thousands of power cords for earlier models of its Surface range of tablets, as the company believes the products are prone to overheating.

The recall is said to be for cords that are sharply or repeatedly bent or wrapped and it is not expected to target the Surface Pro 4, which Microsoft launched in the fall of 2015, or its non-Pro Surface models. It is for the AC power supplies for Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2 and Surface Pro 3 models sold before July 2015, according to Windows Central. 

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The official and free replacement from the company will happen on Jan. 22. Microsoft has not said when the customers can expect to get it in the mail. The company will release details of how customers can obtain a free replacement cable shortly.

“According to the Microsoft statement, if the cords are "sharply or repeatedly bent... [or] tightly wrapped" they are prone to overheating and, as such, could pose a fire hazard. Eligible customers wishing to obtain a replacement will, as of Friday, be directed to a specially constructed website, where they can order one. Affected customers will also be advised to dispose of or recycle their existing power cords safely and in accordance with local regulations,” said in a statement from Microsoft spokesperson in an email sent to ZDNet. 

Among the damages caused by AC power cords are being wound too tightly, twisted or pinched over an extended period of time. A slightly small proportion of Surface Pro customers have reported the issues with their AC power cord.

Eligible customers who want a replacement power cord will be able to order one on Microsoft’s site, The Next Web reported. The company claimed in October 2015 that it was shipping roughly 500,000 units a month, so even if only a small percentage of users are affected, it might be a large number of them. 

In the U.S., Microsoft will be providing the free power cord exchanges for Surface Pro, Pro 2 and Pro 3 models sold before March 2015. According to Microsoft spokesperson, this will be a worldwide voluntary recall.

The first-generation of the enterprise-targeted Surface Pro was unveiled in early 2013. Second- and third-generation versions of the Surface Pro followed in autumn 2013 and summer 2014.