What Happens If Your Laptop Battery Swells & What You Should Do
Understanding a Swollen Laptop Battery: Causes, Risks, and Solutions
A swollen laptop battery is a serious issue that should never be ignored. If you’ve noticed your laptop’s bottom cover bulging, the keyboard lifting, or the trackpad becoming unresponsive, these are all signs that your battery may be swollen. Ignoring this issue can lead to severe damage, including potential fire hazards, device failure, and personal injury. In this article, we will discuss why laptop batteries swell, how to identify a swollen battery, and what you should do if you encounter this problem.
Why Do Laptop Batteries Swell?
Laptop batteries, particularly Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and Lithium-polymer (LiPo) batteries, swell due to a chemical reaction inside the battery cells. Here are some common reasons why this happens:
1. Overcharging or Prolonged Charging
Leaving your laptop plugged in continuously, even after reaching 100%, can put excessive stress on the battery, leading to swelling over time.
2. Heat Exposure
High temperatures can cause the electrolytes inside the battery to break down, leading to gas buildup and battery expansion.
3. Poor Battery Quality or Manufacturing Defects
Some laptop batteries swell due to manufacturing defects or poor-quality materials used in production.
4. Aging Battery
Batteries naturally degrade over time. If your laptop is over three years old, the chances of experiencing battery swelling increase significantly.
5. Physical Damage
If your laptop has been dropped or punctured, the battery may have been damaged internally, leading to swelling.
Signs That Your Laptop Battery Is Swollen
It is crucial to identify battery swelling early to prevent further damage. Here are some common warning signs:
✅ Bulging or deformed laptop casing (especially near the battery area).
✅ Keyboard or trackpad not sitting properly or becoming unresponsive.
✅ Laptop wobbling when placed on a flat surface.
✅ Battery life decreasing rapidly or laptop shutting down unexpectedly.
✅ Hissing noises or strange smells coming from the battery area.
✅ Overheating issues even when running light applications.
What Should You Do If Your Laptop Battery Is Swollen?
If you suspect your laptop battery is swollen, DO NOT ignore it. Follow these steps to handle the situation safely:
1. Stop Using the Laptop Immediately
A swollen battery is unstable and dangerous. Turn off the laptop and disconnect it from the charger.
2. Do Not Attempt to Puncture or Remove the Battery Yourself
Swollen batteries contain highly flammable gases that can ignite if punctured. Attempting to remove it yourself without proper tools can cause serious injury or fire.
3. Take the Laptop to a Professional Repair Service
For safe removal and replacement, take your laptop to a certified repair center or a professional technician. At MT Systems, we specialize in battery replacements for all major laptop brands, ensuring a safe and efficient repair process.
4. Dispose of the Swollen Battery Properly
Do NOT throw the battery in regular trash. Swollen batteries should be disposed of at authorized electronic recycling centers to prevent environmental damage.
How to Prevent Laptop Battery Swelling in the Future
To extend the life of your battery and prevent swelling, follow these best practices:
🔹 Avoid overcharging – Keep your battery charge level between 20% and 80% instead of charging to 100% all the time.
🔹 Keep your laptop cool – Avoid using it in direct sunlight or on soft surfaces that trap heat (like beds and couches).
🔹 Use an original charger – Third-party chargers may not regulate power properly, increasing the risk of swelling.
🔹 Replace old batteries – If your battery is more than 3 years old, consider replacing it before it starts degrading.
🔹 Unplug when fully charged – Avoid leaving your laptop plugged in continuously.
🔹 Check your battery health regularly – On Windows, use Command Prompt (powercfg /batteryreport) or on macOS, check System Information > Power > Cycle Count.
Need a Laptop Battery Replacement? Contact MT Systems!
If you have a swollen laptop battery, do not risk your safety. At MT Systems, we offer fast, professional battery replacement services for MacBooks, Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, and more. Visit us at 7378 Yonge Street, Unit 3B, Thornhill, Ontario, L4J 8J1, or call 905-482-3365 for expert assistance.
📌 Don’t wait until it’s too late! A swollen battery is a ticking time bomb—act now!
