Several of the red flags here could potentially indicate a series of technical problems. It’s true, of course, that a faulty battery isn’t always the cause of these types of laptop problems. That said, battery issues are often the culprit in these cases. While you should take steps to confirm the cause of any of these issues, which may involve taking your device to a professional, these are often signs that a laptop battery is on its last legs.
Your laptop shuts down seemingly for no reason.
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Has your device started turning off without apparent warning when running on battery power? There are several potential causes for this problem. If this happens, but your battery still indicates it has enough charge to keep the laptop running, you can naturally assume that another factor is to blame. It’s definitely not a bad idea to run an antivirus scan to confirm that malware isn’t causing the problem.
If your scan doesn’t detect any viruses or malware, a laptop that crashes without warning could indicate a faulty battery. This may be the case even if the battery is still supposed to be charged. A functioning laptop battery should provide the device with a steady power supply. The laptop may shut down unexpectedly if the battery fails to do so efficiently. A battery that isn’t providing consistent power is likely faulty, damaged, or dying, and it will likely need to be replaced.
You are facing a series of charging (or charging-related) issues.
For example, you may notice that billing is inconsistent. Sometimes the laptop charges reliably, but at other times it does not. Even though the device is charging, the battery may still drain faster than expected. A battery that no longer holds its charge as long as it used to probably needs to be replaced.
A similar problem that can be easy to overlook if you’re not actively paying attention is rapid, seemingly random, or unexpected changes in a battery’s charge. For example, maybe your battery is at 80%, then within a few minutes it drains to 50%, only to suddenly recharge again. This is another red flag; please install a new battery. It should be noted that while it is technically possible to run a laptop without a battery, relying solely on AC power, it is not recommended. For example, a sudden power outage could cause the device to fail, resulting in the loss of any unsaved work.
Your laptop battery is more than 2 years old.
In any case, a laptop battery older than 2 years is definitely not healthier. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to replace the battery as soon as it reaches its second anniversary. However, this means you need to start looking out for the warning signs listed here. Be prepared to replace the battery if you notice other problems.
The battery swells
Have you noticed the battery swelling? Likewise, you may notice that its case is cracked or that the laptop seems bloated around the trackpad or keyboard. This could be the result of chemical processes that release gases inside the battery. If you continue to use the device with a battery in this condition, it could theoretically catch fire or even explode. Consult a professional repair technician immediately to resolve the problem.
Keep in mind that there are steps you can take to prevent your battery from draining prematurely. For example, try not to let your battery drop below 20% before plugging the laptop back in. Remember that any laptop battery will eventually die. Monitoring these warning signs can help you anticipate when this might happen, allowing you to replace the device before the battery fails permanently.
