Symptoms
- Crusty white or clear residue around battery contacts
- Remote or device stopped responding
- Battery casing looks swollen, split, or discolored
- Leak appeared after batteries sat unused for a long time
Likely causes
- CommonBattery left in a device for an extended period without useIdle rechargeable batteries can slowly self-discharge and, in some cases, leak.
- CommonBattery is old and its internal seal has degradedNiMH batteries have a useful life of a few years and become more leak-prone near end of life.
- PossibleBattery was damaged by a drop or physical stressCracked casings allow electrolyte to seep out.
- Less commonOvercharging from an incompatible chargerConsistently overcharging can stress the cell and contribute to failure.
What to do
- Put on gloves before handling the leaked batteries.
- Remove the batteries carefully without touching the residue directly.
- Clean the device's battery contacts with a cotton swab dipped in white vinegar, then dry thoroughly.
- Let the compartment air out and dry completely before inserting new batteries.
- Dispose of the leaked batteries at a battery recycling drop-off rather than regular trash.
- Avoid leaving rechargeable batteries in idle devices for many months at a time going forward.
- Test the device with fresh batteries once contacts are clean and dry.
Tools and parts
- Gloves
- Cotton swabs
- White vinegar
Replacement rechargeable AA batteriesSearch: “rechargeable NiMH AA batteries”
When to call a pro
If corrosion has reached and damaged the device's internal circuit board, a repair shop or the manufacturer can assess whether it's worth fixing.
Safety
Use caution
Battery leakage is caustic; avoid bare-skin contact with the residue and wash any exposed skin promptly.