Is Your Laptop Trackpad Stiff or Case Bulging? The Danger of Swollen Batteries
Is the trackpad clicking oddly? Is the bottom of the case starting to warp or bulge, or does the battery die the moment you unplug the charger?
Laptop batteries wear out. When they fail, they're more than a nuisance, and a swollen cell needs careful handling. At LaunchLayer, we offer safe battery checks and careful replacements for the main brands, including Apple MacBooks, Dell, Lenovo and HP. Here’s what’s worth knowing about laptop battery health in 2026.
1. The Critical Red Alert: The Swollen Lithium-Ion Battery
If the case looks like it’s puffing up, the seams are splitting, or the screen is being pushed out of its frame, the lithium-ion battery has probably swollen. Please unplug it and stop using it. It isn't safe to keep charging. Stop using it, unplug it and don't charge it, then give us a call and we'll tell you the safest way to get it to us.
A swollen battery needs careful handling.
Don’t try to pop, squeeze, or poke the battery casing with tools.
Don’t connect the laptop to a charger once you notice any physical swelling.
Power the machine down, unplug it, and move it to a hard, non-flammable surface such as tile or concrete.
Book the repair promptly. We dispose of the old battery properly, so it doesn’t end up in household waste.
2. Three Early Warning Signs Your Battery is Reaching "End of Life"
You don’t have to wait for the case to bulge. These three signs suggest the cells inside are wearing out:
1. It only works on the charger
If the laptop drops from 100% to 10% within half an hour, or shuts down as soon as the charger is pulled out, the cells are probably no longer holding a useful charge.
Sign 2 is excessive heat during charging.
Laptops do warm up under heavy use, but the battery area shouldn’t get very hot during an ordinary charge while the machine is idle. Heat like that can be a sign the battery is under strain, so it's worth getting checked.
Sign 3 is the service recommended warning from the operating system.
Windows and macOS both have battery health checks. If a "Service Recommended", "Service Battery" or "Replace Soon" alert appears, the system has detected that the battery’s capacity has dropped a long way.
3. Pro Tech Tips: How to Prolong Your Laptop's Battery Lifespan
A new battery lasts longer with a few simple habits:
Keep the laptop out of extreme heat. Never leave it in a hot car or in direct sunlight. Heat is one of the main things that wears batteries out.
If the laptop lives on the charger, use the manufacturer’s charge limit (often around 80%) rather than running it flat every week. You can usually set that limit in the maker’s own battery software.
Use a compatible charger from a reputable brand. Cheap, unbranded chargers may lack proper protection, so they're not worth the risk.
Precision Battery Replacements Across South Essex
Replacing the battery in a modern laptop isn’t the simple swap it used to be. To keep laptops thin, manufacturers often glue the cells deep inside the case, sometimes under fragile keyboard and trackpad cables. A slip with a household screwdriver can pierce a cell or damage the board.
At LaunchLayer, we take battery repairs carefully. We fit a matching replacement, clear dust from the cooling fans if it’s blocking airflow, and check the system is stable. Battery labour starts from £49 plus the part. Battery repairs are usually ready in 1–3 working days, and the new parts we fit carry a 12-month warranty.
If the laptop is running hot or the case is swelling, we'll arrange safe collection or return with you. Collection and return are free in Wickford SS11/SS12; elsewhere, collection is by arrangement.
For SS11 / SS12 collections and drop-off at Glebe Road, use our Wickford laptop repair page.
For Billericay, use our Billericay Laptop Repair Page.
In Basildon? Book through our Basildon page.
If you’re around the town centre or Shenfield, ask for a look via our Brentwood Tech Support Page
Drop-off at the workshop is by appointment. Call 07367 652987 or send a message and we'll confirm a time and the address. You can also use the Contact Us Page
If it’s a desktop tower that won’t power on, see our desktop PC repairs in Wickford.