How to replace the laptop battery

Laptops are convenient devices to have, especially if you like bringing your work with you. These battery-powered devices let you pretty much accomplish things anywhere, as long as you have ample charge left.

Nothing has more of a direct impact on your computer’s lifespan than its battery. You’ll want to replace your laptop battery when its runtime doesn’t last nearly as long as it did out of the box.

If your laptop isn’t able to hold a charge like it used to, replacing the battery is a simple and affordable DIY fix.

 

Signs of a Dead Battery

The most glaring sign of a dead laptop battery is when it bloats. If you have a removable battery, you can take it off your laptop and check the seams of its case for signs of cracking. But if you have a computer with a permanent battery, you can look at the chassis for signs of swelling.

 

These signs can include cracking along the seams of your laptop chassis or bloating near the trackpad or keyboard area. When you see any of these signs, it's time to replace the battery.

 

If you can remove the battery, do so carefully. But if it refuses to budge, don't forcefully remove it. Instead, bring your laptop to a service center and have a professional do it for you. Also, you should not use your computer once its battery swells. Even if it rarely happens, batteries can catch fire or even explode when damaged.

 

Finding Your Laptop's Battery Health

Acer Care Center showing good battery health

Even if the battery looks normal on the outside or shows no signs of wear, it could be on its last legs. One sure-fire way to know that it's no longer working as it should is when it no longer provides the expected battery life.

 

Most performance laptops can last two to three hours in typical use, while newer devices can more than double that in some cases. If you have the latest Apple M1 MacBooks, you could potentially squeeze more 10-15 hours on a single charge.

 

But if you're only getting 15-30 minutes of power from a full charge, then your laptop battery probably needs replacement.

 

You can further confirm this by looking through your computer's settings. On Windows, look at the battery icon on the lower right corner of your screen. If you see a red cross over it, with the prompt Plugged in, not charging, you need a new battery.

 

How to Check Your Battery Capacity on Windows and MacOS

When you spend hours charging your laptop only for it to die faster than it did when you first got it, that’s a clear indicator that you’re facing a battery problem. Checking your laptop’s battery health will rule out whether or not this is in fact the case. While both MacOS and Windows devices will warn you when it’s time to replace the battery with a service pop-up or warning, this message normally comes a bit too late. If you’re noticing rapid battery drain, check on the health of your laptop battery yourself.

 

If you find your laptop's battery not performing as it should, but you're still satisfied with how your computer runs, don't buy a new device—get a replacement battery instead.

 

Swapping out the battery is easy on most Windows laptops and MacBooks. With that said, older models can be a pain to work with due to their stronger adhesive.

 

What to Do When You Need a Battery Replacement

Open macbook pro ready for battery replacement. When your laptop's battery no longer holds a charge, or if its battery health falls below 25%, it's time to replace it. Here's what you can do.

 

1. Check Your Warranty

The warranty is the first thing you should check if your laptop's battery is already defective. That's because if your service warranty covers battery life and it's still within the coverage period, then you can have the battery replaced for free.

 

2. Head to Your Nearest Authorized Service Center

Whether the warranty is still in force or not, this is the best place to have your battery replaced. While replacement may cost a bit more here, these authorized service centers ensure that you get an original or OEM battery.

 

These batteries will tend to last as long as the original one in your laptop did when it was new. And since they're an authorized service center, they know the exact part number of the battery that your laptop needs. That way, you're sure that they install the correct battery on your computer, avoiding the possibility of frying your laptop due to the installation of an incorrect or incompatible battery.

 

3. A Little Bit of DIY

If your laptop is out of warranty and has a removable battery, you no longer have to bring it to the service center. All you need is to find the correct part number and order it from the manufacturer. If the original maker no longer has it in stock, you can also search for OEM parts online—just ensure that you're buying from a reputable shop and you're good to go.

 

To ensure that you choose the correct battery for your laptop, you have to find its part number. You can usually find it printed on the battery itself. Unfortunately, battery part numbers are not usually included in the laptop's user manual, so you must have the battery on hand to check it. Alternatively, you can contact your laptop's service center and directly ask for the part number.

 

But if your laptop uses a permanently installed battery, you would need to disassemble it to get the information you need. Usually, you just need to remove its backplate to access the battery, so ensure you have the right tools available when taking your computer apart.

 

Once you can see the battery, you can then look for the correct part number and order it. You also have to check how to connect the battery to the motherboard, as that may require additional tools. But if you're unsure about what you're doing, it's best to bring the laptop to a professional.

 

How To Replace Your Laptop Battery

Before opening up your laptop, you’ll want to purchase the correct battery by looking up your computer model on a third-party site such as Batteries Plus and using the tools to find the brand, series, and exact model of your laptop. Once you’ve landed on the battery type, voltage, and capacity, you can buy it from shop around.

 

Replacing the battery on every computer is different, but you will always have to unscrew the bottom housing using a Phillips screwdriver with a small head. A standard 01 Phillips head is often too big for laptops, so I use a magnetized 00 head from this pack of bits and pair it with my Black+Decker electric screwdriver for the job.

 

From there, you will need to apply pressure to pull the back frame off of your laptop. Some people recommend dedicated plastic pries, but I just insert a thin ID card (a credit card or license will do) into the exposed seam and slowly pry open a gap along the edges. After the frame has been separated I gently pull it off using my hands to expose the internals and heat sinks.

 

Carefully remove the white connector of the battery wiring harness (indicated by the multi-colored wires) from the computer to detach the battery. The black battery is usually held in place by an adhesive similar to double-sided tape—carefully pop it up and out. Take note of the orientation of the wiring harness so that you can easily plug it back into the connector. (With the battery detached and your component slots exposed, this is the optimal time to slot in any additional upgrades you had in mind, say an additional RAM stick or a new SSD.)

 

Align the fresh battery within the space left by its predecessor. Apply light pressure and reconnect the wiring harness to click it back into the computer.

 

Reassemble your laptop and turn it on to check that it’s receiving power. If you’ve added RAM or additional storage, you can use Task Manager (CTRL+ALT+DEL) on Windows or System Information on Mac to verify that the computer recognizes the larger memory and storage space.

 

And there you have it, your laptop battery should now have full capacity. With the freedom to cut the cord, you can once again work without worrying about your computer dying while you’re out and about. If you’ve installed more RAM, you’ll find that programs open and load faster to boot. And with more storage space, you can hold more applications, files, and media. This internal refresh can easily give your laptop a few more years with improved endurance and performance.