A client recently brought in a laptop that had stopped booting into Windows. A common occurrence; computer parts are fallible and will always give across a long enough timescale. I immediately noticed pressure on the bottom of the keyboard and trackpad. I popped the bottom cover off the laptop and found the battery had doubled in thickness, putting so much pressure on the hard drive that it was unseated from its plug. While those two together are an unprecedented scenario for me, laptop battery swelling is common enough to deserve its own write-up. It indicates imminent or immediate battery failure and, more importantly, is a hazard that can catch fire or explode.
Battery swelling can be caused by multiple different sources, most commonly excessive heat, acute damage, or degradation. I won’t focus there. Instead, let’s talk about how to spot a swelling battery.
- Look for unexpected physical changes to the laptop or device in question. Per my opening paragraph, does it feel like there’s unusual pressure on the bottom of the keyboard/trackpad, and/or is there unusual curving of them? Are there any abnormalities in the chassis/case that weren’t caused by acute damage, such as new gaps in the seam around the base of the laptop/device or unexpected curvature on the underside?
- Look for pronounced changes in charging behavior. Batteries will all degrade over time, but have you noticed a rapid decline in battery life over the near term? This can be a sign that the battery is either already swelling or at risk of it.
So, what can you do about it? Of course, contacting your local Bird for assistance is always a great option. If you have a personal laptop or mobile phone that you suspect has this problem, you can look for the manual/instructions for your specific device if you want to attempt self-service removal. A couple of words to the wise if you’re going to go this route:
- If you have important data on the device, always back it up somewhere first.
- Before putting your hands near internal components, be aware that static electricity can cause significant damage to the rest of your computer. Ground yourself on something and be aware of things in your environment that might cause static build-up (carpeted floors are a common one).
- Laptops and simpler battery-powered devices are one thing, but smartphones are a different animal. If you want the battery on your mobile phone changed and aren’t keen on replacing the whole phone if something gets screwed up, I would start with seeing if the manufacturer or local third-party shop can repair it. They aren’t made to be easily repaired, so your chances of success are higher with someone familiar with the process.
Once you have the old battery removed, make sure you recycle it properly. Best Buy and Staples offer e-recycling programs for this sort of thing; make sure you call ahead first to confirm your local store will accept the battery.