Batteries degrade over time. Unfortunately, the lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries used in most modern laptops tend to swell and swell after some time. There are several reasons why laptop batteries swell. This could be due to aging, overheating, overcharging, or a manufacturing defect. Any of these issues can cause the battery to swell, a process also known as off-gassing. But whatever the power source, as soon as you notice that your laptop’s battery is swollen, it’s a safety hazard that needs to be addressed immediately. You can, but if you’re having trouble opening your laptop, seek professional help.
The process of removing the battery from the laptop is fairly simple, but please understand that this process can lead to fires, explosions, and even inhalation of toxic fumes (in case of chemical leaks). The key is not to disturb or puncture the battery itself. This will prevent these disasters from happening.
If you decide to go the DIY route, you may end up not needing it, but it’s good to be prepared and apply all safety precautions.
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How to safely remove a swollen laptop battery
Fortunately, bulging or bulging batteries are usually easy to spot. If you notice your laptop case coming apart at the seams, or if part of the trackpad or the bottom keys of your keyboard feel lifted while you’re typing, you may have a battery issue. is higher.
Below are the steps to safely remove a swollen battery. Also refer to your device manual for instructions specific to your machine. A Dell Latitude 5490 is shown here as an example.
1. power down Unplug the system. If your laptop is hot, wait for it to cool down before starting the process.
2. setting In a well-ventilated area, preferably outdoors.surely Have gloves and safety goggles on hand just in case you need it. We also recommend that you always have a fire extinguisher ready in case of fire.
3. Place the laptop bottom side up and Remove all screws from the bottom panel.
Four. Lift and remove the bottom plateYou may hear a slight pop indicating that the panel has been released. It should come off easily.
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Five. Remove all tapes and screws Hold the battery in place and be careful not to puncture the battery.
6. Carefully take out the battery and turn it over so you can Remove the cables that connect to your computer.
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If the cable gets stuck, gently rock it to loosen the connection.
7. Place the battery in a fireproof container. Store in a cool, dry place until it can be safely disposed of. But don’t take too long to recycle the battery.
Note: The same general steps apply when trying to remove an old or used battery from a laptop. To replace your laptop battery yourself, reverse the above steps.
Properly Recycle Swollen Batteries: Where to Dispose of Batteries
Batteries contain toxic substances that can leak and are harmful to the environment. Used or damaged batteries must be disposed of responsibly. Find an e-waste recycling center near you.
Both Best Buy and Staples offer free in-store recycling services where you can drop off your used batteries. You can also enroll as a Staples Rewards member (if you haven’t already). Bring in your batteries for recycling and get a $10 discount.
Get technical support
Alternatively, you can go to your local computer repair shop and have them fix the problem for you. We are happy to remove, replace or dispose of used or broken batteries for a fee. The cost of replacements varies, so please call in advance to request a quote.
You can also contact your laptop manufacturer for support. If your machine is still under warranty, we will send you a replacement battery.
Tips for caring for your laptop battery
You can extend the battery life of your laptop by doing the following:
- Track battery health (See our guide on how to get a battery health report in Windows 10 or 11).
- Turn on battery saver mode on Windows.
- Watch out for signs of battery deterioration Such as slow charging or unexpected shutdown.
- keep the machine coolRemember, heat is the enemy.
- Clean your laptop’s fans and make sure the vents are clean Helps prevent overheating.
Disclaimer: Again, if the thought of opening your laptop makes you uncomfortable, you don’t need to replace your laptop’s battery yourself. You can take the system to a local computer repair shop to have the battery removed and replaced.
