How to Deal With a Swollen Laptop Battery

Lithium-ion batteries pack an amazing punch for their size. They’re robust enough to run our laptops for hours on a single charge, they’re at the core of the latest smartphones, and they even serve as the power plant behind cutting-edge electric vehicles such as the Tesla line.

- CHANCE TOWNSEND

But lithium-ion batteries do have limits. Given how powerful laptops have become in the last few years, we’re relying on our machines for longer than ever. That has implications for batteries: They’re in service a lot longer, too. And sometimes, that means they show the limits of their technology.

You may have had this happen to you: A laptop or phone you’ve had for years suddenly stops working, or maybe just starts showing some sign of internal physical swelling. The screen of your phone starts bulging out, or its seams open up, or your laptop keyboard grows an unsightly bulge. That could be caused by a big bubble that gradually or suddenly arose on your battery. Why does this happen, and what can you do about it?

We talked with some engineers and experts from computer manufacturers and related companies to dig into what you need to know about swollen batteries— and what to do if you have one.

Perhaps you already know this. Perhaps you keep your privacy settings tuned and never overshare on social media. How about your friends? If they’re careless about their own privacy, their heedlessness can slop over and affect you. Show them this article—post it on your virtual walls! Maybe they’ll shape up.

WHAT CAUSES MY BATTERY TO SWELL?