Bloated battery

[JTrice77]

My Spectre x360 is four years old. Lately it has been frequently running hot with CPU usage very high, and I was unable to figure out why. In recent weeks I noticed the laptop didn't sit properly on my desk, as if it had legs that were not level. This too puzzled me and then the touch pad started looking distended, popping up on one side.

After doing some research I've come to believe I have a bloated/swollen battery as others have. I'm well out of my warranty period but this is pretty frustrating to me because I usually use this laptop on a docking station and very rarely off its charger.

I have run the HP battery utility and it shows that the battery is fine. And yet I keep seeing posts/tweets about this battery recall and supposedly mine is not included. How can this be? Is this even safe to use?

What is my recourse here? Because I'm looking and so far I can't even find a replacement part. (I have yet to attempt to disassemble the laptop; I'm waiting on a new electronic repair toolkit to arrive this week.)

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@JTrice77 

The description you have provided does sound like the battery is the source of the problem.

If the distention in the computer case is due to a swollen battery,

Then

Yes, the battery must be removed and replaced.

Although not dangerous according to HP data,

Replacement of the battery is the only option to fix this type of problem - it never gets better on its own.

Stress on the case does pose the risk of further damage to the other components.

Information here:

"Fat" Battery / Swollen Battery

HP EliteBook/ProBook/Zbook Workstations - Notebook PCs - Swelling or Deformation of Notebook Battery

To know for sure whether your computer is covered under the latest Battery Recall program, please read the information provided on the subject (later in this message).

NOTE:  Please ignore any sections / suggestions for testing or calibration of the battery; neither of these options can fix a broken battery.

Things that are the Battery

What you need to know (battery Recall program, for example)

What you can try (component testing, for example),

Purchase and Replacement options...

1. Read important information about battery recall.
2. If your battery is impacted, follow the instructions to contact HP.

or

If your battery is not impacted by the recall:

1. Read Information and Run component tests on battery / AC adapter (charger).
2. If necessary, purchase and install a replacement battery 

Recalls and Advisories

Product Recalls – Please READ

Open:  HP Replacement programs and product recalls

2018

Important Update: Expansion of the Battery Safety Recall and Replacement Program for HP Notebook Computers and Mobile Workstations announced in January 2018 – Additional Batteries Affected

HP urges customers to recheck all potentially affected products

In cooperation with various government regulatory agencies HP has announced an expansion of its worldwide voluntary safety recall and replacement program for certain notebook computer and mobile workstation batteries announced in January 2018. The potentially affected batteries may have been shipped with certain HP notebook computers and mobile workstations sold worldwide from December 2015 through April 2018.

The batteries have the potential to overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard to customers.  It is essential that you check or recheck your battery, even if you did so previously and were informed that it was not affected.

HP’s primary concern is for the safety of our customers. Because these batteries pose a fire and burn hazard, it is essential to visit the HP Battery Recall website at www.hp.com/go/batteryprogram2018 as soon as possible and check your battery.

2019

August 2019 Expansion of the 2018 HP Notebook Computer and Mobile Workstation Battery Safety Recall ...

Partial Excerpt from the August 2019 Expansion Notification:
In August 2019, HP expanded its worldwide voluntary safety recall and replacement program for certain notebook computer and mobile workstation batteries which was announced in January 2018 and expanded in January 2019.

HP Support Community

Please Note:

Recalls - Devices / components eligible for Recall replacement are not subject to warranty status.

HP – Replacement and Product Recalls - Latest Information

 HP Replacement programs and product recalls

From HP - Important Information

 Battery Safety Mode

"Fat" Battery / Swollen Battery

HP EliteBook/ProBook/Zbook Workstations - Notebook PCs - Swelling or Deformation of Notebook Battery

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:  If the single-system-check fails to find your device, use the "multiple devices" method to

check single or multiple devices.

• If necessary, Select your Country on the main website page
• Scroll down > To the right of Check multiple warranties, Click Continue
• Enter the Serial Number and Country for one or more devices / systems to be checked
• Check the box to verify you are "Not a robot"
• Click Submit (at bottom of list entries)
• When the page opens, Click View Details

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

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

Information / Tests

HP Community thread on the subject

Accepted Solution - Battery won't Charge or Battery won't Hold a Charge

Article that explains Smart Battery Technology  

Battery use and care, how batteries perform over time, and expected battery life

How to: Understanding Lithium-Ion and Smart Battery Technology

Battery will not charge when system is warm to hot

If the “not charging” issue is (only) apparent when the system is running hot (or near that point), the battery and charge system are likely overheated as well – the charge system will resume operation when the computer cools down.  Short Version:  An overheated battery / computer / charging-system will not charge the battery – this is normal behavior.

Battery seems “stuck” in a particular charge setting         

The battery might be OK and just need calibration (balance / set).

The steps to check / calibrate / replace the battery are included in this document:

HP Notebook PCs - HP Battery Alert Appears Before Windows Starts

And / Or

Document includes information and link for testing the hardware using HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (UEFI) (preferred method) and / or using the HP Support Assistant to test the battery.

>>>  Testing and Calibrating the Battery (Windows 10)    <<<

Tips for extending / improving battery service

Microsoft - Battery saving tips

HP Notebook PCs - Improving Battery Performance (Windows)

Documents and Reference

This document is for HP notebook PCs that have a removable battery.

HP Notebook PCs - Battery Does Not Power Notebook or Hold a Charge

If the adapter fails it will not power the notebook.

HP Notebook PCs - Using and Testing the AC Power Adapter

Oddities and Contributions

• Fix (High) Contrast (on computer screen)

Contributed by Pantopia

Unplug charging cable, wait a few seconds, plug in cable.

Relevant Post

• Battery at 100% but shuts off when unplugged (results unconfirmed at this writing)

Contributed by Rcamp48

Test system: HP Elite Pad 900 G1

Setup:  Tablet connected to docking station

Symptoms:  Shows 100% charge in battery – computer shuts off as soon as unplugged

Test (Solution):  Press and hold Power button and Reset button at the same time

Relevant Post

• Battery does not charge, possibly after Microsoft Updates (issue reported at least back to 2011)

Contributed by Jeanydo

Test system:  Pavilion Notebook

Symptoms:  Battery stops charging – no known issues with battery or charger – Windows 7 through 10 (at least)

Test (Solution):  Control Panel > icon view > Device Manager > Open Batteries > Right-Click “Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery" > Uninstall > tab Action > Check for hardware changes (reinstalls the driver)

Relevant Post

Run Component Tests

Contributed by  Wes_notebooks 

Testing for Hardware Failures

HP Document

HP PCs and Tablets - About UEFI and the Startup Menu

Purchase Options

1. If you determine that you need to purchase a battery, AC adapter, or power cord for your computer, check for the part(s) in HP PartSurfer. 
2. If / When you know the battery type / part number, you may check for the battery at the Parts Store
3. If the part is not available from HP, use your search engine to find – and purchase - the part in your region.

 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?

OR

• Open Support Home

• Enter the full model name
• When the website opens, select category
• Look for and open the Maintenance and Service guide for your computer
• Part numbers and replacement procedure are listed in the component replacement section (wording varies)

Check for parts at the PartSurfer Website

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

NOTE >> 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 the part number at your favorite online store.

 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Reference and Resources – Places to find (more) help and learn about your Device

Clarification of terms and "what the device can do" (Specifications)

Device Homepage

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

HP Drivers / Software and BIOS, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides, Product Information, more

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

Open Support Home

Enter the name of your device

OR

Matching products for United States (12)

• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105ng (ENERGY STAR)
• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105nx (ENERGY STAR)
• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105ur (ENERGY STAR)
• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105na (ENERGY STAR)
• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105nd (ENERGY STAR)
• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105nf (ENERGY STAR)
• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105dx (ENERGY STAR)
• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105nc (ENERGY STAR)
• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105ne (ENERGY STAR)
• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105no (ENERGY STAR)
• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105ns (ENERGY STAR)
• HP Spectre x360 - 13-4105tu

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

Click Thumbs Up on a post to say Thank You!

Answered? Select the relevant post "Accept as Solution" to help others find it.

[JTrice77]

After extensive research and testing, my only option was to replace the battery. I've done so and the notebook is performing much better.

[Drizell_26]

Can you help me with a post regarding hardware notebook removing the internal battery built in and just ruinning with ac cord only on a Hp 15z-db000 

[Dragon-Fur]

@JTrice77 

You are welcome.

I am glad the issue is resolved.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

Merry Christmas 2019

[Dragon-Fur]

@Drizell_26 

---

@Drizell_26 wrote:

Can you help me with a post regarding hardware notebook removing the internal battery built in and just running with ac cord only on a Hp 15z-db000 

---

I don't know for sure whether this would work.

If the battery is bloated - current thread subject - certainly there is no choice but to remove the battery.  The only question is whether you will replace it.  You could try it.  Disassemble the computer, remove the battery, put the notebook back together, connect the AC power, and boot.

I would guess that even should the option work (run without a battery), it is not a great choice - if the AC power fails, Poof! - your computer is down.  The sudden crash may end catastrophically - or maybe not.  Either way, not great.

Were it me, I'd either replace the battery myself or have it done.

References

 Maintenance and Service Guide

Chapter 1, Page 4

Removal and Replacement of the Battery, Page 41

Reference and Resources – Places to find (more) help and learn about your Device

Clarification of terms and "what the device can do" (Specifications)

Device Homepage

NOTE:  Content depends on device type and Operating System

HP Drivers / Software and BIOS, How-to Videos, Bulletins/Notices, How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, User Guides, Product Information, more

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

HP Notebook - 15t-db000 CTO

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.

Merry Christmas 2019

[Drizell_26]

The Parts Surf does not find any parts available. Give a red message saying my product has no parts for replacement internal battery, ac adapter or anything. I found a battery online at amazon, but the manufacture not showing parts, my In warranty would do no good 

[Dragon-Fur]

@Drizell_26 

---

@Drizell_26 wrote:

The Parts Surf does not find any parts available. Give a red message saying my product has no parts for replacement internal battery, ac adapter or anything. I found a battery online at amazon, but the manufacture not showing parts, my In warranty would do no good 

---

?

If the computer is under warranty, and you have the computer repaired under warranty, you do not have to find / provide the parts.  Open a Case with HP Technical Support > HP repairs the computer, including finding and supplying any necessary parts.

If the computer is not under Warranty,

If the Battery is not part of a Recall program,

and / or

If HP is not repairing the computer for you (at a fee),

If you are obtaining the part(s) on your own,

If the parts are not provided by HP,

Find a merchant in your region with whom you want to do business and who can supply a compatible part.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community Forum.

We are a world community of HP enthusiasts dedicated to supporting HP technology.