Swollen battery

[Smcdowe3]

I have an HP EliteBook laptop issued through my company. My laptop battery is swollen and my company tech support is saying it's OK to use the laptop as long as it's not smoking but other Google searches indicate I should not use it. Is this safe to use until I get a replacement?

[Dragon-Fur]

@Smcdowe3 

My Opinion:

"Not smoking" as a measure of reliability is hardly a recommendation to keep using a device of any kind.

So, the battery probably won't actually smoke - it could, however, expand and destroy components in your computer, including anything screwed down (like the cover), the touchpad, the keyboard, possibly the disk(s).  If the battery expands enough and puts pressure on the hinge assembly, the battery might not be "smoked", the injury to the computer could become more than it is worth to repair it.

"Fat battery" should be removed and replaced.

Battery will fail - there is no question of that.

If you cannot replace it, consider removing the battery - most laptops will run OK without the battery.

There is a caveat, of course:  If the power goes out while there is no installed / working battery, the computer will shut OFF immediately.  Keep your backups current.  Back up your data to OTHER than the computer.

Things that are the Battery

All batteries die, some do so quietly and some first inflate and then fail.

Find your Product

See:  HP Notebook PCs - How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number?

OR

Open Support Home

Enter the full model name

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"Fat" Battery / Bloated Battery / Swollen Battery – Sealed / Internal Battery

• Swollen battery might be hiding OR there might be evidence that the battery has inflated.  For example, notebook case is warped, touchpad stops working, “odd” bulging near the keyboard.

• If the battery is in a swollen or bloated condition, the battery must be removed from the computer and replaced.  There are no other remedies, tests, or useful options.

HP Commercial and Consumer Notebook PCs - Swelling or Deformation of Notebook Battery

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Warranty Check – Contact HP

If the battery is failing (or has failed) and the computer is within the Warranty Period, contact HP Technical Support.

 “Everywhere” Contact Information - HP Technical Support

Open >  HP World-Wide Support

 Select your region and follow the prompts

Where to Find Additional Information about your device

Check your computer’s Website Support for important advisories and bulletins

Category "Bulletins and Advisories" (wording may vary)

Warranty Check

• Warranty Check – Single or Multiple Devices

NOTE: The online database results do not impact the actual contract.

===============================================

 NOTE:  Ignore this section - you are beyond where "testing" can help anything...

Run Component Tests – How to

TKB Article contributed by HP Wes_notebooks 

Clear and easy to understand "how-to" instructions for completing component testing

Testing for Hardware Failures

TKB Article contributed by HP Expert Erico

What is going on with the battery installed in my computer?

Battery Report and other solutions

Is your notebook plugged in and not charging?

And

Video Help

How To Generate A Detailed Laptop Battery Report

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Replacement and Purchase Options

HP Document:  HP Notebook PCs - Purchasing a Replacement Battery

Find your Product

See:  HP Notebook PCs - How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number?

Find Parts and Replacement Procedure

• Open Support Home >> Enter the full model name
• When the website opens, select category Manuals
• Look for and open the Maintenance and Service guide for your computer (document name varies)
• Search for “Battery” to find parts and replacement  >> Read the chapter on Replacement Procedures

NOTES  

1. The exact name of the service document varies, though usually the word "service" or "maintenance" is included in the name. 
2. The "Service Guide" and "User Guide" are not the same documents.

• Part numbers and replacement procedure are listed in the component replacement section (wording varies)

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HP Collection of “how-to” videos – Battery

Internal Batteries…

HP Support Channel - Collection of “how-to” videos

HP Video Gallery - YouTube

• Use Categories to narrow the results. 
• Select your Video

Example – Category 

HP PC Service Videos | Remove and Replace Parts

Cntrl-F   Search the page for Replace the Battery or Battery

Find a similar model type to your system > Select and watch your Video

===============================================

Find / Check for parts at PartSurfer / HP Parts Store

Reference:  HP Notebook PCs - Ordering HP Certified Replacement Parts

PartSurfer might be able to tell you exactly which parts came with your device.

Open PartSurfer

• Select your Country
• Enter the device Product Number , Serial Number, or Part Number in the Quick Search box
• HINT: To see a system-specific list, replace the Product Number with your device Serial Number
• Items accompanied by a tiny box in the Add-to-Cart column are available for purchase

Parts marked as "n/a" are not available from HP.

Parts marked as available for purchase might be available from:  HP Parts Store

OR

If HP does not provide the part for retail purchase,

Use your search engine to find a compatible replacement at your favorite online store.

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Device Home Page - References and Resources – Learn about your Device - Solve Problems

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories:  Alerts, Warranty Check, HP Drivers / Software and BIOS, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals / User Guides, Service and Maintenance Guide (Replacement Parts and Procedures), Product Information (Specifications), more

When the website support page opens, Select (as available) a Category > Topic > Subtopic

Open Support Home

Enter the name of your HP device

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The Community is a separate wing of the HP website - We are not a business group of HP..

Our Community is comprised of volunteers - people who own and use HP devices.

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Question Resolved / Answered, Click "Accept as Solution" .

[Smcdowe3]

Thank you, so you are confirming this is not safe to operate while the battery is in the computer, correct? I am not tech savvy at all so if I did remove the battery is it safe to do so? Am I looking for any red flags where I shouldn't remove the battery? My company did order a new laptop for me but it will take a few days to receive.

I might add how I even realized this issue was that my internet went out the other day and they suggested I try a new router. The new router worked wirelessly on everything but my work laptop. A Cox tech came by today and said my laptop indeed looked like a fire hazard and it's possible my battery expansion was interfering with my work laptop WIFI connection. He did get it to work wirelessly but cautioned me on using it at all until I got the replacement.

[praveenbv]

Hi @Smcdowe3Smcdowe3,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.  

As this is a hardware issue, I'd suggest you Contact HP in your region regarding the service options for your computer. 

If you are having trouble navigating through the above options, it's most likely because the device is out of warranty. If yes? please send me a private message with the region you are contacting us from. Check next to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it.   

Have a great day!  

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. 

Click the “Kudos, Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

[Smcdowe3]

Hi, I did not see the blue envelope next to my profile name to contact you directly. I've had this laptop for about 5 years now and I'm pretty sure it's out of warranty. I am in the United States in Arizona. 

As I mentioned in my original post this is a work laptop. I will be getting a new one but my biggest concern is my company is telling us that it's OK to use these laptops, with the expanded batteries, while our new laptops are being ordered.  I don't feel like this advice is correct or safe and the model of computer I have the expanding batteries has been a common issue. 

I'm not sure if you have access to my personal email via my profile but if you could email me the name of a contact in my area that would be great. I would like to take something back to my company saying this protocol is not safe or if in fact it is safe for my model of computer I would like to know.

Thank you!

[Dragon-Fur]

@Smcdowe3 

Speaking for Experts (those of us who do not work for HP) 

Nothing we say is binding - everything in the Community is based on our experience and knowledge of a given subject.

My mistake was making a comment on how I feel about the situation - it doesn't matter what I think, in fact.

That said, the document I posted is the  "official" language I have to offer.

Repost:

"Fat" Battery / Bloated Battery / Swollen Battery – Sealed / Internal Battery

• Swollen battery might be hiding OR there might be evidence that the battery has inflated.  For example, notebook case is warped, touchpad stops working, “odd” bulging near the keyboard.

• If the battery is in a swollen or bloated condition, the battery must be removed from the computer and replaced.  There are no other remedies, tests, or useful options.

HP Commercial and Consumer Notebook PCs - Swelling or Deformation of Notebook Battery

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HP Agents might say something different, contradict, or add new content, of course - agents are not be bound by our restrictions when responding in the Community.

In cases where an agent "jumps into a thread" already answered, the agent is responsible for his / her / their response. 

I shall graciously withdraw having nothing more to add to the conversation.