Battery is swollen or puffy

Symptoms

• Device case bulges or won't sit flat on a table
• Back cover or screen is lifting or popping off from the inside
• Battery visibly puffed up when the device is opened
• Device feels unusually warm even when idle

Likely causes

• CommonBattery cell degradation from age or repeated full charge cyclesLithium batteries can generate gas internally as they age or are damaged, causing swelling.
• PossiblePhysical damage from a drop or crushInternal damage to a cell can cause it to swell even without visible external damage.
• PossibleManufacturing defectRarely, a battery is defective from the start and swells prematurely.
• Less commonOvercharging with an incompatible or faulty chargerPoor quality chargers can occasionally push a battery outside its safe limits.

What to do

1. Stop using and stop charging the device immediately.
2. Move the device away from flammable materials and onto a hard, non-flammable surface, such as a tile floor or metal tray, as a precaution.
3. Do not puncture, bend, squeeze, or try to remove the swollen battery yourself.
4. Do not throw it in regular household trash.
5. Contact the manufacturer, a certified repair shop, or your local hazardous waste/battery recycling program for safe disposal or replacement.
6. If it becomes hot, starts smoking, or leaks, move it outside onto a non-flammable surface and away from people and pets, and call 911 or your local fire department.

Tools and parts

• None required

When to call a pro

Take it to a certified repair shop or the manufacturer for safe battery removal and disposal; do not attempt to remove a swollen lithium battery yourself.

Safety