Battery of your phone or laptop swollen? Note!
Notice the back of your phone lifting up, your laptop not closing properly or your device wobbling unexpectedly on a flat table? Chances are your battery is swollen. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean your device is immediately written off, if you know what to do.
You don’t have to worry right away that your phone or laptop will explode. However, once you notice that your battery has swelled, it is important to do seek professional help and stop using your phone. Make an appointment right here and let one of our specialists advise you, free of charge.
How do you recognize a swollen battery?
A swollen battery often betrays itself by subtle but obvious signs. On a phone, you’ll see chinks around the screen, a bulging back or even a screen coming loose (especially on iPhones) or a back that starts to bulge (often on Android devices). On a laptop, you notice it because the keyboard or trackpad no longer works smoothly because the battery is pushing it up from the inside. Do you smell a sweet, chemical odor? That could indicate a leaking cell, which is extra dangerous. Tip: Remove your phone from its case occasionally to spot these signs in time. A swollen battery can also cause internal damage, such as a cracked screen or a faulty keyboard.
Why does a battery swell?
A swollen battery is usually caused by an accumulation of gas within the battery cells. This can be caused by:
- Overheating: Prolonged charging or exposure to extreme temperatures. Want to know more about overheating your iPhone? read; Is your iPhone getting hot? Follow these steps
- Old age: Unfortunately, like everything else in life, a battery does not have eternal life. After hundreds of charge cycles, the material inside becomes worn, and that can cause the battery to begin to swell.
- Damage: A small drop may seem harmless at first glance, but batteries are more sensitive than you might expect. A hard hit can give your battery a good thump, eventually leading to gas buildup and, you guessed it, a swollen battery.
- Overcharging: Poor chargers or constant 100% charging can shorten life and cause swelling.
Can a swollen battery explode?
We all hear the horror story about the Samsung Galaxy note 7 that spontaneously burst into flames a few years back. And yes, in extreme cases a swollen battery can explode or cause a fire. This happens especially if the battery is punctured, exposed to heat or continues to swell without being addressed. The gas that accumulates in the battery can become pressurized and eventually escape in a way you’d rather not experience up close.
But let’s not panic right away. If your battery is swollen, you don’t have to acutely evacuate your home with a fire extinguisher in your hand, as long as you take the problem seriously and don’t let it go to waste. A swollen battery is a warning, a sign that it’s time to take action before things go really wrong. Ignore it, and it can turn from an inconvenient problem into a safety hazard. The good news? There are safe and easy ways to deal with it without turning your phone into a dangerous experiment.
What should you do when you have a swollen battery?
Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can follow to keep yourself and your device safe. Don’t panic, don’t take unnecessary risks, just act smart. Follow this roadmap and make sure your battery doesn’t become a bigger problem than it needs to be!
- Stop charging and using immediately: The sooner you do this, the less likely your battery will decide to make it a spectacular finale. Above all, don’t keep tapping it and ignore the problem; this is not the time to hope it will “go away by itself.
- Put the device in a safe place: Not a pocket, not a couch, and certainly not under your pillow. Choose a stable, non-flammable surface, such as a stone table or metal container. Extra careful? Keep it out of reach of pets and curious hands.
- Do not attempt to remove the battery yourself: As tempting as it may be to “take a look” yourself, a swollen battery is fragile and can rupture or leak. You don’t want to be the person who discovers how dangerous a damaged battery really is. Let it sit and touch it as little as possible.
- Have the battery replaced professionally: This is not the time for a do it yourself adventure. Our specialists at ThePhoneLab know exactly how to safely remove and replace a swollen battery. The safest way is when the battery is dead, so drain your device and do not recharge. Make an appointment here and leave it to the experts, no risk, no hassle!
Prevent a swollen battery
Want to minimize the chances of a bloated battery? Then make sure you have good battery management:
- Use only original or certified chargers.
- Don’t constantly charge your battery to 100%. Between 20-80% is ideal.
- Keep your device out of full sun and away from extreme cold.
- Replace your battery in time if you notice performance degradation.
Want to know more about how to keep your phone’s battery condition optimal?
Read:
- iPhone: iPhone Tips for Keeping Your Battery Condition Optimal.
- Samsung: My Samsung battery drains quickly, now what?
ThePhoneLab replaces your battery safely and quickly
So a swollen battery is really not a problem to ignore. The longer you wait, the greater the risk that your device will literally give up. Fortunately, you don’t have to investigate on your own, because at ThePhoneLab We know exactly how to replace your battery safely and quickly.
Do you want a properly functioning phone again without risk? Make an appointment today and have your battery professionally replaced by our specialists. This will prevent further damage and allow you to use your device again without worry!
