Bloated laptop battery

Is Your Laptop Battery Swollen? Don't Ignore the Danger!

Notice your laptop case bulging, the trackpad feeling raised, or the device wobbling on a flat surface? These could be signs of a swollen battery, a surprisingly common and potentially hazardous issue you shouldn't ignore.

Laptop batteries, particularly the lithium-ion kind found in most modern machines, can swell due to a chemical reaction that produces gas. This often happens over time due to factors like age, excessive heat, overcharging, or sometimes, manufacturing defects.

While it might seem like a minor cosmetic issue, a swollen battery is a significant safety risk. The pressure from the swelling can damage your laptop's internal components. More importantly, a compromised lithium-ion battery is a fire hazard and, in rare cases, can even explode. Puncturing a swollen battery is extremely dangerous as it can release flammable gases and toxic chemicals.

What to do if you suspect a swollen battery:

1. Immediately turn off your laptop and unplug it. Do not continue to use or charge the device.

2. Do NOT try to puncture or handle the battery roughly.

3. Do NOT attempt to remove the battery yourself unless you are confident and have the right tools and safety precautions (like eye protection and gloves).

4. Contact the manufacturer or a qualified computer repair service. They can safely remove and dispose of the swollen battery and replace it with a new one. Swollen batteries require special disposal and should not be thrown in regular trash. Ignoring a swollen battery puts your device and your safety at risk.

Fortunately , for most cases which I have encountered, the precursor of bloated battery is when the battery dies off or unable to charge the laptop. I will then assess the issue and replace the battery accordingly.