Stop
A swollen lithium battery can leak, catch fire, or rupture. Never puncture, crush, heat, or attempt to open it yourself; isolate it from flammable materials and dispose of it through a battery recycling program.
Symptoms
- Band or casing bulges or separates in one spot
- Screen pops up or separates from the band
- Device feels warm even when not charging
- Case has visibly deformed or cracked from internal pressure
Likely causes
- CommonBattery degradation from age or repeated full charge cyclesLithium batteries can swell as they age or after being overcharged repeatedly.
- PossiblePhysical damage or a manufacturing defectImpact or a factory defect can cause premature swelling.
- PossibleExposure to high heatLeaving the device in a hot car or direct sun can accelerate battery swelling.
What to do
- Stop charging and stop wearing the device immediately.
- Do not puncture, bend, or apply pressure to the swollen area.
- Place the device in a fire-safe location away from flammable materials, such as on a tile or metal surface, away from your home's main living area if possible.
- Do not attempt to open the casing or remove the battery yourself.
- Contact the manufacturer about battery recycling and disposal, or take it to a local battery/electronics recycling center that handles lithium batteries.
- Check if your local municipality has specific hazardous battery disposal instructions.
When to call a pro
Take the device to a battery recycling center or the manufacturer for safe disposal; do not attempt battery replacement or disassembly yourself.
Safety
Stop
A swollen lithium battery can leak, catch fire, or rupture. Never puncture, crush, heat, or attempt to open it yourself; isolate it from flammable materials and dispose of it through a battery recycling program.