A laptop battery does not last forever hence needs to be replaced after a certain amount of time. When to replace it? Its life span depends on how you use it and how well you take care of it.
If you use it heavily every day, then you should expect it to last for two or three years at most. On the other hand, if you use it only once in a while and take good care of it, then the battery can last for up to five years.
Signs That Indicate a Laptop Battery Needs Replacing
In general, most laptop batteries need to be replaced after three years. The life of a laptop battery depends on several factors, such as the quality of the battery and how often you use it.
If you use your laptop frequently and/or leave it plugged in all day, the battery will wear out faster than if you use it sparingly. Here are signs that indicate a laptop battery needs replacing.
My Laptop’s Battery Dies Fast
One sign that your laptop battery needs replacing is if its life is getting shorter. If you’re used to getting four hours of use out of your device and now you’re only getting two or 1 hour, then it may be time for new batteries.
You’ll know this is the case if the battery stops working completely after going through multiple cycles of charging and discharging. The same applies if your laptop keeps shutting down unexpectedly even though there’s plenty of power left in its reserves.
The Battery Isn’t Charging Properly
If you’re using your laptop and notice that the battery isn’t charging normally, it can be an indication that something is wrong. If you notice that the battery is not charging or is only partially charged, then this may indicate a faulty or damaged battery.
The Battery Overheats While Charging or Discharging
If your laptop’s battery starts to overheat while charging or discharging, this can be an indication of a larger problem with the battery itself. It’s important to note that laptops have built-in safeguards against overheating; however, if these fail, then it could be time for a replacement.
Your Laptop Takes Longer to Charge
If your laptop takes a long time to charge, it may be time for a new battery. When the battery starts to lose its ability to hold a charge, it can take longer for the laptop to reach full power. This is because the battery cannot hold as much power as it once did, so it takes longer to recharge.
The Battery Is Very Heavy or Bulky
If your laptop’s battery feels heavier than usual or bulky when you pick up the device, it could be an indication of a failing battery. When batteries begin to fail and die out, they tend to become heavier than usual because they are no longer able to hold their charge as well as they did in their prime. This makes them more difficult to carry around with
Corrosions on Terminals
Check your battery’s condition by opening up your laptop and taking out its battery (if possible). Look for signs of corrosion on terminals or signs of swelling or bulging at all corners of the cell.
The terminals are where you connect cables to charge your laptop; they should look clean without any corrosion whatsoever. Swelling or bulging indicates that there might be internal damage to cells within the battery pack. If this is the case, you may want to replace the battery.
How to Take Care of Your Laptop’s Battery?
If you have a laptop, then you know how frustrating it is when the battery runs out of power.
This can be especially annoying if you are using your laptop for work or school. In order to keep your laptop running at its best performance, it is important to make sure that you take care of your battery. The following are some tips on how to maintain your laptop battery:
Avoid Overcharging
Overcharging can damage your laptop’s battery. Therefore, you should be careful not to leave your laptop plugged into an outlet when it reaches 100% charge level. You can use the Power Options utility in Windows 7 and 8 to set appropriate charging levels or simply unplug it once it reaches 100%.
Use Only Approved Chargers
Using an unapproved charger may cause damage to your laptop’s battery and even fire hazard if used the wrong way without checking polarity first. So always use only approved chargers with the right specifications
Keep It Cool
Heat is the enemy of a laptop’s battery. The hotter the battery gets, the faster its capacity decreases.
Therefore, it’s important to keep your laptop cool while using it. You can buy cooling pads or use a piece of cloth or paper towel as a buffer between your lap and the computer during heavy use sessions in order to reduce heat transfer from the computer onto your body (which could also cause discomfort).