HP Omen 17 Laptop Swollen Battery - Safety Issue?

[batteryissue1]

As others have reported on this forum (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6) my OMEN by HP - 17-w151nr is experiencing some major battery swelling, causing some warping in my keyboard as well as some discoloration in that part of the screen. There isn't a lot of discussion in the threads I've found regarding this topic -- how dangerous is this exactly? The swelling is pretty extreme. Is there any chance of the battery exploding? 

My laptop is out of warranty but this appears to have happened to a number of people.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Dragon-Fur]

@batteryissue1 

According to the HP data, the situation is not dangerous - you do want to remove that battery and replace it - there is no other option to resolve the issue. 

Leaving a swollen battery in the computer can result in additional damage to the case and possibly other components.

"Fat" Battery / Bloated Battery / Swollen Battery

• 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 Document:

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

Product introduced Fall 2016

Product HomePage

W2N49UA — OMEN by HP - 17-w151nr

The Service Guide provides information necessary to find the part number and replace the battery:

 Maintenance & Service Guide: Models with GeForce GTX 1060/1070 graphics cards

The Specifications provide the Product Number and other information about the computer

Product Number:  W2N49UA

Part Surfer > W2N49UA (also) lists the battery part and indicates the part is no available from HP.

853294-855

Assembly-battery 6C 95WH 4.15Ah LI PF060

You may purchase the battery from your favorite online merchant - use the part number to search.

Things that are the Battery

What is included:

• What you need to know (battery Recall program, for example)
• What you can try (component testing, for example)
• What you can do (options: Purchase and Replacement)

Important

If the battery is bloated, there is no fix except to remove and replace the battery. 

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Read important information about battery recall.

• If your battery is impacted, follow the instructions to contact HP.

OR 

If your battery is not impacted by the recall:

1. Read Information. Perhaps run calibration and 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 / Bloated Battery / Swollen Battery

• 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 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.

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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

Run Component Tests

Contributed by  Wes_notebooks 

Testing for Hardware Failures

HP Document

HP PCs and Tablets - About UEFI and the Startup Menu

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

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 , Part(s), and Replacement Procedure

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 / HP Parts Store

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.

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