Laptop batteries are an essential component of our daily lives, powering our devices and allowing us to work, play, and communicate on the go. However, when a battery swells, it can pose significant risks to both the device and the user. In this article, we will delve into the causes of swollen batteries, the signs to look out for, and the potential risks associated with using a laptop with a swollen battery. We will also provide practical advice on how to handle a swollen battery, how to dispose of it safely, and tips for preventing swollen batteries in the future.

What Is a swollen battery?

A swollen laptop battery is a condition that occurs when the battery cell technology, specifically Lithium-ion Polymer, begins to expand or bulge. This swelling can be due to various factors such as age, usage pattern, environmental conditions, or manufacturing defects. The battery is housed in a flexible multi-layer pouch, which may sometimes swell due to these reasons. This issue is inherent with Lithium-ion Polymer cell technology, which is widely used across the tech industry.

The swelling of a laptop battery can lead to several problems. It could cause the laptop to stop working, or it could lead to physical signs of internal swelling such as the screen bulging out, seams opening up, or the keyboard growing an unsightly bulge. This is due to a bubble that may have gradually or suddenly arisen in the battery.

Importance of addressing the issue.

Addressing the issue of a swollen battery is crucial for several reasons. First, the swelling of a laptop battery poses a safety hazard. If the battery swells significantly, it can impact other components of the system including the touchpad, keyboard, and chassis.

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Second, if a laptop battery swells, it should not be used and should be replaced and disposed of properly. The handling and replacement of any Lithium-ion Polymer battery, including a swollen one, must be done with caution and in accordance with the handling instructions. This is to avoid any disasters such as a fire or explosion, or even toxic gas inhalation in case of chemical leaks.

Is it Safe to Use a Laptop With a Swollen Battery?

Third, to protect your hardware from potential damage, it is recommended that if you are experiencing battery swelling, you discontinue use of the notebook until the battery can be replaced. This is to prevent any damage to the hardware from the swollen battery.

Lastly, there are multiple drivers that can accelerate battery swelling. To help mitigate battery swelling over time, you can use either HP Adaptive Battery Optimizer (consumer notebooks) or HP Battery Health Manager (commercial notebooks) settings to improve battery longevity and performance for various use scenarios.

Is it safe to use a laptop with a swollen battery?

It is not safe to use a laptop with a swollen battery. Swollen batteries can be dangerous and pose a fire or explosion hazard. The swelling is the result of too much current coursing and can be caused by energy density, heat, mechanical damage, exposure to high temperatures, or low-quality batteries.

Signs of a swollen battery include physical deformation of the battery or laptop, overheating, fast-draining battery, and problems with touchpad or other components. If you suspect your battery is swollen, you should immediately turn off your laptop, remove the battery, and have it safely removed and replaced, preferably by a professional.

Swollen batteries should not be used and should be replaced and disposed of properly. Therefore, it is crucial to address a swollen battery promptly to avoid potential risks and damage to the laptop

II. Causes of Swollen Batteries.

Energy density and heat

One of the primary causes of swollen batteries is energy density and heat. This occurs when too much current flows inside a battery cell, causing a buildup of heat and gas. This build-up happens as the materials inside the battery degrade or are subjected to stress or physical damage over time.

The swelling is the result of the electrolyte that separates the layers between the wrap degrading, and when that degrades, it changes into gas. This can lead to a hot spot later, which can cause a thermal runaway, potentially even starting a fire ¹.

Mechanical damage

Mechanical damage is another common cause of swollen batteries. This can happen due to physical stress or damage to the battery over time. The fact that laptops seldom come with removable batteries anymore exacerbates the problem. Batteries are made up of several discrete cells, and issues can arise in just one, or more than one, of them ¹.

Exposure to high temperatures

Batteries are sensitive to high temperatures. They don’t like to be hot, and there’s a chemical process that gets kicked off when a battery gets over 100 degrees. This can lead to a buildup of heat and gas, causing the battery to swell.

Overcharging

Low-quality batteries

Low-quality batteries can also contribute to swelling. These batteries may not have the same level of quality control as higher-end batteries, leading to a higher likelihood of swelling. Additionally, low-quality batteries may not have the same level of protection against heat and physical damage, which can lead to swelling.

III. Signs of a Swollen Battery

Physical deformation of the battery or laptop

One of the most noticeable signs of a swollen battery is physical deformation of the battery or laptop. As the battery expands, your device might slowly change shape. For example, your laptop keyboard could start protruding, or you may notice your device is suddenly wobbly when you lay it on a flat surface, with the lower part of the chassis a bit distended if you look at it on edge.

Overheating

Overheating is another sign of a swollen battery. This can occur due to the build-up of heat and gas inside the battery cell. If a battery gets over 100 degrees, it can trigger a chemical process that can lead to a buildup of heat and gas, causing the battery to swell.

Fast-draining battery

A fast-draining battery is another sign of a swollen battery. As the battery expands, it can reduce the capacity of the battery, causing it to drain faster. This can lead to the laptop shutting down unexpectedly or not lasting as long on battery power.

Problems with touchpad or other components

Problems with the touchpad or other components of the laptop can also indicate a swollen battery. As the battery expands, it can cause the touchpad or other components to bulge out and split open. This can lead to malfunctions or even damage to the components.

IV. Risks of Using a Laptop with a Swollen Battery

Impact on performance

Using a laptop with a swollen battery can significantly impact the performance of the device. As the battery expands, it can reduce the capacity of the battery, causing it to drain faster. This can lead to the laptop shutting down unexpectedly or not lasting as long on battery power. Additionally, the laptop may experience slow performance, sluggish response times, or even freeze, as the system struggles to manage the reduced power supply.

Damage to the laptop enclosure

Using a laptop with a swollen battery can also lead to damage to the laptop enclosure. As the battery expands, it can cause the touchpad or other components to bulge out and split open. This can lead to malfunctions or even damage to the components. Furthermore, the swelling can cause the laptop’s enclosure to distort, leading to a less comfortable user experience and potentially compromising the device’s functionality.

Risk of fire or explosion

One of the most serious risks associated with using a laptop with a swollen battery is the risk of fire or explosion. Swollen batteries can lead to a buildup of heat and gas inside the battery cell. If the battery gets over 100 degrees, it can trigger a chemical process that can lead to a buildup of heat and gas, causing the battery to swell. This can lead to a hot spot later, which can cause a thermal runaway, potentially even starting a fire.

V. What to Do If You Suspect Your Battery Is Swollen

Turn off the laptop and remove the battery

The first thing you should do if you suspect your battery is swollen is to turn off the laptop and remove the battery. This is to prevent any potential damage to the laptop or the battery itself. It’s also important to do this immediately to prevent any potential risks associated with a swollen battery.

Inspect the battery for signs of swelling

After removing the battery, you should inspect it for signs of swelling. This can include physical deformation, overheating, or a fast-draining battery. If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good indication that your battery is swollen.

Replace the battery immediately with a new one

Once you’ve confirmed that your battery is swollen, you should replace it immediately. This is to prevent any potential damage to your laptop or other components. It’s also important to dispose of the swollen battery properly to avoid any safety hazards.

Identify the cause of the swelling and adjust usage habits to prevent it from happening again

Finally, after replacing the battery, you should identify the cause of the swelling and adjust your usage habits accordingly. This can include avoiding overcharging, reducing exposure to high temperatures, and using a higher-quality battery. By doing this, you can prevent the swelling from happening again in the future.

VI. How to Dispose of a Swollen Battery

Do not throw it in the trash

Throwing a swollen battery in the trash or recycling bin is not recommended. This is because swollen batteries can pose a fire hazard. The pressure inside the battery can cause gases to escape, and if the battery is not handled properly, it can catch fire or even explode.

Take it to a service center or recycling facility

If the battery is not smoking and appears safe to move, you should take it to an authorized battery collection site or recycling center. These facilities are equipped to handle swollen batteries safely and will dispose of them in a way that is environmentally friendly.

Follow local regulations for battery disposal

You should also follow local regulations for battery disposal. In some areas, there may be specific rules about how to dispose of batteries. For example, some areas may have restrictions on shipping batteries to recycling facilities due to the risk of damage during transit. Always check with your local environmental agency or recycling center to ensure you are following the correct procedures.

VII. Preventing Swollen Batteries

Avoid exposing the laptop to extreme temperatures

Do not overcharge the battery

Overcharging is the most common cause of a swollen battery. Keeping your battery at a high state of charge can stress it out, allowing it to degrade faster. This can lead to a buildup of heat and gas, causing the battery to swell. Therefore, it’s recommended not to keep your device plugged in all the time. Batteries are cyclical and have to discharge and recharge to work effectively.

Use high-quality batteries

When buying a new battery, buy from reputable manufacturers. It’s generally best to buy a replacement from the original laptop maker than the cheapest compatible option from a third party. High-quality batteries are designed to last longer and are less likely to swell.

Follow manufacturer guidelines for battery usage and maintenance

Manufacturers such as Dell and Lenovo have been working on smart battery technology in their laptops for years now, allowing the battery to keep track of its usage throughout the day to avoid overcharging. It’s not all doom and gloom.

Manufacturers have been working on smart battery technology in their laptops for years now, allowing the battery to keep track of its usage throughout the day to avoid overcharging. If you start to see the signs of a damaged, swelling, or exhausted battery (in the last case, it only holds charge for a short time), replace it now rather than later.

VIII. The chemical reactions that cause a battery to swell

The chemical reactions that cause a battery to swell are primarily due to the degradation of the electrolyte that separates the layers between the wrap in the battery. When this degrades, it changes into gas. Now that the electrolyte is degraded, things are no longer insulated and so they start shorting, and that causes a hot spot later. That can eventually cause it to do a thermal runaway, which means it can even start a fire.

IX. The environmental impact of improperly disposing of a swollen battery

Improperly disposing of a swollen battery can have a significant environmental impact. When batteries are not disposed of properly, they can end up in landfills where they degrade over time, releasing toxic chemicals into the environment. These chemicals can harm wildlife and human health. Therefore, it’s crucial to dispose of batteries, including swollen ones, at an authorized battery-disposal facility.

X. Tips for extending the life of a laptop battery

There are several ways to extend the life of a laptop battery:

Avoid overcharging: Overcharging can stress the battery and lead to faster degradation. Try to avoid leaving your laptop plugged in all the time.
Keep the laptop cool: Batteries are sensitive to heat. Keeping your laptop in a cool, dry environment can help extend the life of the battery.
Use a high-quality battery: High-quality batteries are designed to last longer and are less likely to swell.
Follow manufacturer guidelines: Manufacturers often provide guidelines for battery usage and maintenance. Following these guidelines can help extend the life of your battery.

XI. Comparison of the risks of using a laptop with a swollen battery to other common laptop risks, such as malware or physical damage.

Using a laptop with a swollen battery poses several risks, including potential fire or explosion, damage to the laptop enclosure, and impact on performance. However, these risks are not as severe as other common laptop risks, such as malware or physical damage.

Malware can cause data loss, privacy breaches, and other serious issues. Physical damage can lead to the need for costly repairs or replacements. In comparison, while a swollen battery can cause inconvenience and potential damage to the laptop, it does not pose the same level of risk as these other issues.You need to read another article i wrote about >>> Why Do Laptop Batteries Swell? to learn more.