April 23rd, 2021
Every day, we rely on lithium-ion batteries to power our tech, from smartphones to laptops. These batteries are incredible; they're able to power our devices for several hours with a single charge.
But they aren't perfect. If made or used improperly, they can swell over time. Not only is a swollen battery strange looking, it can also be dangerous.
At Asurion, our experts help millions of customers get the most out of their tech and resolve their device problems. Here's everything you need to know about a swollen battery and their advice on what to do if you have one.
Why do batteries swell in phones and laptops?
A number of factors could lead to a swollen battery in your iPhone®, Android™ or laptop, but a manufacturer's defect is the most likely cause. If there's a flaw in a lithium-ion battery, the charging process will create a small amount of gas in the battery's sealed chamber. Over time, that gas will build up and cause the battery to expand.
Other swollen battery causes:
How would I know if my device has a swollen battery?
As the battery expands, your device will slowly change shape. For example, your phone screen or case might begin to warp or your laptop keyboard could start protruding. You also may notice your device is wobbly when you lay it on a flat surface or that buttons become hard to push.
If your device is easy to open, you can take off the cover and check out the battery. If it looks puffy or rounded, that likely means it's swollen. If you're unsure, stop by and ask for help at the nearest uBreakiFix® by Asurion or Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions™ store.
Yes. A swollen lithium-ion battery can be extremely dangerous if left in your device. It could become punctured, causing hazardous gases to escape. A swollen cell phone battery could even catch fire or explode while you're holding it, leading to serious injury.
Can a swollen battery be fixed?
Once a battery becomes swollen, it no longer works properly and you should replace it. Do not try to put a swollen battery in the freezer—it won't help and could put your home at risk.
What to do with a swollen battery
Once you discover a swollen battery, you should immediately turn off your phone or laptop. Don't charge it or turn it back on. Even if it's still working, connecting it to power could be dangerous.
The safest option is to take your device to a tech repair pro. They have the tools to safely remove and replace your battery. If you decide to try to remove the battery on your own, there are important safety precautions you should take.
How to remove a swollen battery from your phone or laptop:
Where can I safely dispose of a swollen battery?
If the battery is not smoking and appears safe to move, you can take it to an authorized battery collection site or recycling center, which will safely dispose of it. To find your closest facility, visit Call2Recycle.org.
You should never put a swollen battery in your trash can or recycling bin. This is a fire hazard and could put you and your home at serious risk.
How to prevent a swollen battery
If you take good care of your device, your battery is unlikely to swell. Follow these tips to keep your battery running smoothly for a long time.
Tips to avoid a swollen battery:
*The Asurion® trademarks and logos are the property of Asurion, LLC. All rights reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Asurion is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any of the respective owners of the other trademarks appearing herein.*
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Devices Recalled: The recall involves lithium-ion batteries for the HP ProBook (64x G2 and G3 series, 65x G2 and G3 series); HPx360 310 G2; HP Envy m6; HP Pavilion x360; HP 11; and HP ZBook (17 G3, 17 G4, and Studio G3).
About 50,000 computers containing the recalled batteries were sold at national retailers including Best Buy, Amazon, and the HP website between December 2015 and December 2017. An additional 2,600 units were sold in Canada.
The batteries were also sold as accessories or replacement batteries for the products above and the HP ZBook Studio G4 mobile workstation.
The Problem: According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, HP has received eight reports of batteries overheating, melting, or charring. The malfunctioning batteries resulted in three incidents of property damage totalling $1,500 and a single first-degree burn to the hand.
The Fix: Consumers should visit HP's website and download the utility to identify recalled batteries. It also provides the instructions and software to enable HP's “Battery Safety Mode." Consumers can also use the site to order a free replacement battery, which HP will install at no cost by sending a technician to your home.
How to Contact the Manufacturer:
Visit www.HP.com/go/batteryprogram2018
CPSC Recall Number: 18-077
Microsoft and HP have teamed up to deliver a Windows 10 update that changes the configuration of the HP Battery Health Manager in BIOS on systems that have it disabled.
The update, KB4583263, was released via Windows Update and the Microsoft Update Catalog on Thursday. The Battery Health Manager feature helps moderate how HP business notebooks charge their lithium-ion batteries.
The Windows 10 update changes the BIOS-level configuration of HP Battery Health Manager, a feature available in dozens of EliteBook, ProBook and Zbook notebooks and convertibles for business.
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The feature is designed to prevent a high state of charge, which can accelerate battery swelling and chemical aging. HP recommends notebooks with a swollen battery shouldn't be used until the battery is replaced.
HP's Battery Health Manager was first released in late 2018, but back then customers had to manually adjust the setting to 'Let HP Manage My Battery Health'.
This setting is the default in the latest release of Battery Health Manager and replaces the previous default 'Maximize my battery duration'. The new default dynamically changes how the system charges the battery based on usage conditions over time.
HP had been working with Microsoft to deliver an update through Windows Update to ensure this setting was enabled automatically after installing the update.
"As usage patterns for business notebooks have changed over time, HP has updated HP Battery Health Manager with new and improved charging algorithms. This makes it more effective at mitigating those factors that can accelerate battery swelling and chemical aging," HP explains.
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Microsoft explains in a support note that it is working with HP to "distribute a solution to help address a configuration setting issue within HP Battery Health Manager on select HP Business Notebooks that can affect battery life and performance".
HP notebook owners do not need to restart the device for the update to take effect.