Swollen or Dying Laptop Battery? Safety Guide & Replacement Tips

9 Aug

Is your laptop trackpad clicking weirdly? Is the case starting to bulge, or does the battery die the moment you unplug the charger?

Laptop batteries are consumable parts—they have a limited lifespan. However, when they fail, they can range from being a minor nuisance to a serious safety hazard. At LaunchLayer, I specialize in safe battery diagnostics and replacements for all major brands, including MacBooks, Dell, and HP. Here is what you need to know about battery health in 2026.

The Red Alert – The Swollen Battery

If your laptop case looks like it’s "inflating," or if your screen is being pushed out of its frame, you have a swollen Li-ion battery. Do not ignore this. A swollen battery is under internal pressure and is a fire risk.

DO NOT try to "pop" the battery or poke it.
DO NOT charge the laptop once you notice the swelling.
DO unplug it and keep it on a hard, non-flammable surface.
DO book a professional replacement immediately. We handle the hazardous disposal of the old battery so you don't have to.

3 Early Warning Signs Your Battery is Failing

You don't have to wait for the case to bulge to know there’s a problem. Look out for these three signs that your battery is reaching "End of Life":

1. The "Plug-in" Dependency

If your laptop goes from 100% to 10% in thirty minutes—or if it shuts down instantly when the power cable is pulled—the internal cells can no longer hold a charge.

2. Excessive Heat During Charging

While laptops get warm, the battery area shouldn't feel "hot to the touch" during a normal charge. Excessive heat is a sign of internal resistance, which is often the precursor to swelling.

3. The "Service Recommended" Warning

Both Windows and macOS have built-in battery health monitors. If you see a "Service Recommended" or "Replace Soon" icon in your taskbar, your laptop’s software has detected that the battery capacity has dropped below a safe or functional level.

How to Extend Your Battery Life

To prevent your next battery from failing early, follow these "Pro Tech" tips:

Avoid Extreme Heat: Never leave your laptop in a hot car or in direct sunlight. Heat is the #1 killer of battery chemistry.
Don't Stay at 100% Forever: If you use your laptop as a desktop and leave it plugged in 24/7, the battery never "exercises." Try to let it discharge to 20% at least once a week.
Use the Right Charger: Cheap, unbranded chargers can "over-volt" a battery, leading to the very swelling issues we mentioned above.

Professional Battery Replacement in Wickford

Replacing a modern laptop battery isn't as simple as it used to be. Most are now glued into the chassis, often right underneath delicate ribbon cables for the keyboard and trackpad.

At LaunchLayer, I provide a precision battery replacement service. I use high-quality cells, ensure the internal cooling is clear of dust, and provide safe recycling for your old, dangerous battery.

Is your battery behaving badly? Book your Free Diagnostic with LaunchLayer here and let’s make your laptop portable (and safe) again.