Bloated Battery Dangerous When Laptop Is Off?

[dangerousdave55]

My 3 year old HP Spectre 13 X360 laptop is the victim of a bloated battery and I'm going to replace it ASAP. The HP Battery Recall Utility says I'm not eligible for complimentary replacement. Is there any danger as long as I turn the laptop off and unplug it after use? Sadly I only had a 3 year extended warranty so I'm 2 months past that 😞

[Dragon-Fur]

@dangerousdave55 

Welcome to the HP Community --

True - the only solution is to remove the battery and replace it as soon as possible.

Dangerous?

Documentation says No --

In my opinion, the situation should dictate whether you trust what you read.

For example,

• The extent of the damage - tiny bloat compared to battery-bloat is taking over the inside of the computer
• The ambient temperature in the storage area (where you use and store the computer)
• Whether the storage area is safe from the threat of fire  - What?  Safety first, no matter what.
• Whether other people or animals have access to the computer and / or the work area

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

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

Swollen battery might be hiding OR there might be evidence that the battery has inflated. For example, notebook case warps or won’t close, touch-pad 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.

From HP

HP Notebook PCs - Swelling or deformation of notebook battery

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Fat Battery - Do not Ignore

Dragon Opinion

A bloated battery can damage other components in the computer as the battery continues to deteriorate.  What?  Other parts in the computer can be shoved out of the way to make room for the "bloat".  Which parts?  For example:  Keyboard, touchpad, other electrical components, cpu, storage disks (where you data is stored)

I would guess that the hinges are experiencing extra stress - broken hinges are a bad problem to have, expensive at the least, closer to catastrophic on the other end of the "worst case scenario".

Even without the worst that can happen, the computer can become unusable.

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Battery Replacement > How-to

Open and Read:

 Maintenance and Service Guide

Part number and Replacement Procedure - Pages 36-37

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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 – Scroll down to Category

HP PC Service Videos | Remove and Replace Parts

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

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

No Video for your exact system?

YouTube has many, many videos - expand your search beyond the HP gallery offerings...

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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 installed with your device.

• For the most precise results, use your Serial Number for your search
• Reminder:  Do NOT post private information (including serial number) in the Community

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" (or are missing from the list) are not available from HP.

NOTE

HP does not generally carry replacement batteries.

This is normal.

CHECK for the part number:  HP Parts Store

Part numbers marked as available for purchase can be purchased from HP

OR

When HP does not provide the part for retail purchase,

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

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HP Device Home Page - References and Resources

Learn about your Device - Solve Problems

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

NOTE: Content depends on device type and Operating System

Categories: Alerts, Warranty Check, HP Software / Drivers / Firmware Updates, How-to Videos,

Bulletins/Notices, How-to Documents, Troubleshooting, Manuals > User Guide, Service and Maintenance

Guide (Replacement Parts and Procedures), Product Information (Specifications), more

Open

HP Spectre x360 - 13-aw0020nr 

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People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[dangerousdave55]

Thanks very much Dragon-Fur for your detailed reply. My laptops sides have been bulging & open for a month but I had no idea about the battery issue until a relative told me about the issue. So I took the case off and saw the condition of the battery today which is enlarged. Other than that the laptop is still running great. I've ordered a replacement battery and hope to install it in a few days.

[Dragon-Fur · Accepted solution]

@dangerousdave55 

Excellent choice.

You are welcome.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[dangerousdave55]

New battery replace, working well.Bloated Battery RemovedBloated Battery Removed

[Dragon-Fur]

@dangerousdave55 

Good News!

Thanks for letting us know.

In general, the new battery will take care of itself.

Don't roast your laptop in a hot car (or sun) and do not leave the computer in a damp, freezing location.

Run the system on battery at least once a month down to about 30% charge and then plug in.

Typical battery of this type should last about a year, maybe a bit longer.

Just FYI...

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

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[dangerousdave55]

I'm guessing that there's no reason to avoid HP for future laptop purchases? I guess this battery issue can happen with any laptop manufacturer.

[Dragon-Fur]

@dangerousdave55 

HP does not manufacture batteries.

It's the battery technology that is still somewhat less than ideal.

That's a nice way of saying -- batteries are what we have and the tech has a ways to go yet.

It's a mess but it's not a mess that belongs to any one computer, tablet, or phone manufacturer.

Thank you for participating in the HP Community --

People who own, use, and support HP devices.

Click Yes to say Thank You

Question / Concern Answered, Click my Post "Accept as Solution"

[dangerousdave55]

Thanks Dragon-Fur, I certainly understand that. I just worded my comment wrong.