After a few years, a laptop battery must be replaced. How long it takes for you to replace your laptop battery depends on the brand, quality and use of the laptop battery. Here you will find information about how to replace a laptop battery, how you know it needs to be replaced and what to look out for when replacing the battery.
When do you need to replace a laptop battery?
If the laptop indicates it
Based on the condition of the battery, your laptop will indicate over time that the battery must be replaced. You will usually receive the message ‘Consider replacing the battery’. This message is based on the remaining maximum capacity of the battery and the number of charging and discharging cycles that the battery has had. When you receive this message, you can assume that the battery really needs to be replaced.
If the battery only lasts a very short time
A battery usually lasts less and less. This is because the capacity is slowly declining, but also because the laptop is generally less efficient. This is due, for example, to background software that loads the processor or dust in the laptop that loads the cooling, which means that it consumes more power. If the battery lasts less and less, check if the laptop is dust-free and if unnecessary background software is running. It can also be worthwhile to enable power saving of the laptop through the power management. If all this does not help, the battery needs to be replaced.
If the battery has lost a lot of capacity
The remaining capacity of the battery can be read with software from the manufacturer of the laptop. Some manufacturers do not provide this software as standard. For example, you can use Battery Care to measure capacity. If the capacity of your battery has fallen very far, it may be worth buying a new battery so that you can use your laptop for longer without power.
If the battery is no longer recognized
If the battery or laptop battery used to work well but is no longer recognized, it has failed in most cases. This may be due to wear or, for example, to a current peak that has caused a cell to fail. In this case you can try to remove the battery from the laptop and place it again. In some cases the battery will work again. If the battery does not do anything anymore, it is advisable to replace it. In this case, Windows often displays a red cross through the battery icon at the bottom right of your desktop.
How can you replace a laptop battery?
A distinction can be made between two types of batteries when you replace your laptop battery. There are internal laptops batteries for which you have to open the laptop to replace the battery and standard batteries. You can replace a standard laptop battery with one or two sliders at the bottom of the laptop. In recent years, internal batteries have gained a lot of popularity compared to standard batteries – partly due to the fact that they are thinner and laptops are getting smaller and thinner.
Replace standard battery
Replacing a standard battery is very easy. This can be done by means of the sliders on the bottom of the laptop and this can be done by every beginner in the field of laptops and computers. You go through the following steps:
- Switch the laptop off completely.
- Disconnect the adapter / charger from the laptop.
- Close the laptop screen / cover.
- Turn the laptop over so that you can see the bottom of the laptop.
- Look for one or more sliders on the bottom.
- Determine which way the sliders have to go to release.
- Place and hold the sliders in the open position.
- Lift or slide the battery out of the laptop.
- Place the new laptop battery in the same way as the old one.
- Turn the laptop over again and open the lid.
- Reconnect the adapter to the laptop.
- Restart the laptop.
Replace internal battery
Replacing an internal battery is slightly more complex than replacing a standard battery. For this you need to unscrew the laptop. There can also be a lot of difference between types and brands between the actions that must be done. We would like to refer you to the manufacturer’s manual and / or website before replacing the internal battery so that you know which screws to loosen. The following actions are normally required to replace an internal battery:
- Switch the laptop off completely.
- Disconnect the adapter / charger from the laptop.
- Close the laptop screen / cover.
- Turn the laptop over so that you can see the bottom of the laptop.
- Loosen the screws with which you can remove the cover.
- Remove the cover from the bottom of the laptop.
- Determine where the battery is and how it is attached (cable and any screws),
- Disconnect the cable that holds the battery to the motherboard.
- Loosen any screws that hold the battery.
- Lift or slide the battery out of the laptop.
- Place the new laptop battery in the same way as the old one.
- Replace any screws that were used to secure the old battery.
- Tighten any screws to secure the battery.
- Connect the cable of the new battery to the motherboard.
- Replace the cover.
- Re-tighten all screws on the cover.
- Turn the laptop over again and open the lid.
- Reconnect the adapter to the laptop.
- Restart the laptop.
Which battery should I purchase if I am going to replace my laptop battery?
It is best to search on the basis of a part number on the laptop battery or on the basis of the model number of your laptop. Laptop manual booklets always guide users to purchase suitable accessories such as AC Adapter, Battery, Hard drive, RAM etc. You can also use the handy brand navigation with which you can get an overview of all available laptop batteries for your laptop model based on brand, series and model.
Many laptop batteries have a part number. You will often find this at the top left of the laptop battery. An example of Acer is AS10D3. An example of HP is MU0.
You will usually find the laptop model on the bottom of the laptop on a sticker. Usually it is preceded by Model. An example of a laptop model is, for example, N551JQ (Asus), 15-g085nd (HP) or V5-571G (Acer). You can enter this model in the search function or you can find the right battery for your laptop model via the brand navigation.
All batteries are nowadays lithium-oin or lithium-polymer. You no longer have to pay attention to this because older, alternative battery materials are no longer in circulation and are no longer sold for laptops.
So pay attention to the following points when you want to replace your laptop battery:
- The part number of the battery or model number of the laptop is on the site
- The voltage corresponds – 7.4V-7.6V is equal – 10.8V-11.1V is equal – 14.4V-14.8V is equal
- The capacity of the battery – this determines the battery life in hours and minutes
- The shape on the image corresponds to your battery
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
