A swollen battery may lift the keyboard, trackpad, or case and should be treated as a safety issue rather than a cosmetic inconvenience.
What this usually means
A swollen battery is a physical safety problem, not a calibration issue. Stop charging and using the laptop, do not press the case closed or puncture the cell, and keep the device away from heat and combustible material while arranging safe handling. Data recovery or battery replacement can be discussed after the equipment is no longer being stressed.
Practical checks and decisions
Shut down and unplug the laptop
While checking “shut down and unplug the laptop,” note indicator lights, cable condition, connector fit, heat, odor, and whether a known-good outlet or correct adapter changes the result. Stop immediately if the battery is swollen, hot, leaking, or separating the case.
Do not press, puncture, bend, or continue charging the battery
Use “do not press, puncture, bend, or continue charging the battery” to isolate the power source from the device. Do not force or angle a loose plug; intermittent charging after cable movement is useful diagnostic evidence and repeated pressure can turn a port problem into board damage.
Keep the device away from heat and combustible clutter
Before repeating “keep the device away from heat and combustible clutter,” disconnect unnecessary accessories and protect important data if the device still starts. Repeated hard power attempts can worsen an unstable drive, damaged port, or failing battery.
Arrange model-appropriate removal and responsible battery disposal
After “arrange model-appropriate removal and responsible battery disposal,” record whether the device works on adapter power, battery power, both, or neither. That distinction makes the next diagnosis for what to do about a swollen laptop battery more specific than simply reporting that it will not turn on.
When a professional diagnosis makes sense
Professional diagnosis is useful when the same symptom returns, important work or files are interrupted, the computer cannot start reliably, or the next test would involve parts, resets, unfamiliar commands, or changes you cannot easily reverse. Bring the exact messages and a short history of what changed before what to do about a swollen laptop battery became a concern.
For hands-on or remote help, review the related service, or browse the Help Center for another guide.
