Image: CNET

Google and HP have requested U.S. stores selling the computer maker's latest Chromebook 11 — including Amazon.com and Best Buy — withdraw their products from use, following a "small number" of reports of chargers overheating

The mysterious disappearance from U.S. retail outlets was first noted by The Verge, citing sources at the U.S. retail giant. Best Buy reportedly ordered its employees to remove the Chromebook from store shelves, citing an internal memo that said: "Stores should stop selling the HP Chromebook 11 effective immediately."

Best Buy also removed the device from its online store, with a message stating the "item is no longer available."

HP and Google, which partnered to bring the latest Chromebook to market, also pulled the low-cost laptop from their stores. HP's listing now redirects to its home office store. Google's Play Store, where the device is also being sold, simply states the company is "out of inventory."

Google and HP launched the ARM-powered $279 laptop just last month.

A HP spokesperson told ZDNet via email Google and HP are "pausing sales... after receiving a small number of user reports that some chargers included with the device have been damaged due to over-heating during use."

"We are working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission to identify the appropriate corrective action, and will provide additional information and instructions as soon as we can," the spokesperson said.

HP is also warning users who have purchased a HP Chromebook 11 to not use the original charger that was provided with the device.

Apologizing for the inconvenience, HP is advising that customers can in the interim "continue using their HP Chromebook 11 with any other Underwriters Laboratories-listed micro-USB charger, for example one provided with a tablet or smartphone."