Laptop batteries suffer from the same problem as most other rechargeable batteries used in electronic devices. They eventually degrade and lose their ability to carry a charge.
Long-lasting batteries can eventually degrade to only last twenty minutes or less. A cheaper option than buying a new battery may be to swap out individual cells in your laptop’s internal battery pack. So the question is How to Replace Laptop Battery Cells?
First, identify what type of batteries you have, how much power they draw, and what brand or model they are from. It is possible to replace your laptop battery’s cells, but this is not a foolproof method, even for the most experienced hands.
If you fail, you’ll need to buy a new laptop battery. Determine if a cell replacement would void your laptop’s manufacturer warranty before beginning the process.
How Does a Laptop Battery Work?
There are few distinctions between the operation of a laptop battery and that of other devices. The batteries that power portable CD players, radios, and camcorders are essentially identical, save that a laptop battery is more intelligent, if that is a word.
As with other types of batteries, laptop batteries come in various shapes and sizes and have a complex electronic circuit that communicates with the laptop’s hardware. This electronic circuit regulates the amount of power flowing into the battery during charging and the amount of energy pouring out of each battery cell when discharging, a function not seen in standard rechargeable batteries for other household products.
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A laptop battery, like any other type of battery, has cells. Each cell usually is 1.5 volts, and several cells are connected in series and parallel to provide the laptop or device with the maximum amount of power. A battery makes up of many cells connected in series. Connecting multiple cells in parallel implies connecting all negative and positive terminals.
It enhances the battery’s power-delivery capacity but not its voltage. Following that, several of these batteries are connected (negative to positive terminals to raise the voltage). It is accomplished to maintain the battery’s optimal voltage level. The battery’s internal electrical circuit regulates the activity of these cells.
How to Replace Laptop Battery Cells?
Step #1) Carefully Disassemble Battery Packs
Generally, battery packs are secured using screw connectors or snap locks without causing damage. The battery pack’s casing is the construct of two glued-together plastic components.
As a result, the rear groove of the housing must saw sideways gently using a metal hacksaw. Again, take care not to harm the Lithium-ion batteries since this may result in a fire.
Polystyrene shavings generated when sawing the battery open may irritate the eyes, which is why safety eyewear is required. Once the groove opened, remove the housing to reveal six lithium-ion batteries. Before removing them, note the wiring and the individual cable colours. Avoid short circuits at all costs.
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Step #2) Taking Out & Replacing the Old Battery Cells
- Allow the battery to discharge before turning off and removing the Laptop. Remove note of the model number on the cover so you may obtain a replacement in the event of an accident.
- Utilize a flat screwdriver to open the battery seam. Continue around the perimeter until you have a clear view from the top. It requires some fortitude, as the housing pieces are initially cemented together using an industrial adhesive.
- There should be between four and eight cells in the battery. Using the number of cells and the model number you previously recorded, organise the appropriate replacements.
- With a knife, carefully sever the plastic that surrounds the cells. It prevents the batteries from being exposed.
- Now attach the wires to the battery’s charging tray to remove it. Placing the plastic housing in front of the new cells will help to protect them.
- Replace the batteries in the plastic case that came with them. Reinstall the new cells in the battery tray and re-establish the contact points for the wires.
- It can use a piece of double-sided tape to secure these contracts. Soldering is also an option but is rarely necessary. Cells should now resemble their predecessors perfectly.
- Utilize industrial adhesive to reassemble the battery cover’s parts. Fit the laptop case into position before using, overnight charge the new cells.
How to Repair Laptop Battery Not Charging? Quick Fixes
Many laptop users have complained that their batteries are malfunctioning & it turns out that their battery isn’t getting any juice when they look at its data. Don’t be alarmed if you have the same problem! Fortunately, we’ve put up a list of helpful fixes to help you tackle this problem.
#1) Double-check that you’re connected
It may sound silly, but it’s always a good idea to make sure your laptop and charger are hooked. You can’t charge a laptop that isn’t linked to a power source, so make sure everything is plugged incorrectly.
Take a close look at each contact point, from your laptop’s power cord and the AC adapter to the adaptor’s outlet. Everything needs to be plugged in as firmly as possible with no room for error. You must double-check to see if your laptop’s battery is securely fastened on the bottom side.
Check to see whether the outlet itself is the problem. After checking that all contact points are intact, try a different outlet or reset the surge protector to see whether the fuses have blown.
#2) Turn off the battery’s threshold for a full charge
You can find the battery charge threshold feature in a few laptops. With this feature, laptop users can set a threshold for when the battery stops charging when it reaches a certain level of charge on the battery.
If you primarily use your laptop with the AC adapter plugged in and only seldom utilize the battery power, this is a handy option to have.
Lenovo ThinkPad, to the best of my knowledge, supports this capability. Use the steps listed below to see if you accidentally enabled this function on your ThinkPad while running Windows 10:
- You can open the Lenovo Vantage app.
- Turn off the Battery Charge Threshold toggle if you have it enabled.
- You should be able to recharge your battery after disabling the battery charge threshold option.
#3) Shorts, Breaks, and Burnouts
Check for kinks or breaks along the length of the power cord by bending and flexing it. Be sure to look at the ends of the cable for any loose plugs or locations that may have been chewed on by a pet or stuck in a vacuum cleaner.
Examine the AC brick. Is it yellowed or tainted? Are there any sections that have been distorted or enlarged? If it has a burnt plastic smell, that’s where the problem is most likely to be.
The power connector may need to be replaced. Attempt to get a replacement from the manufacturer under warranty. You can even buy one from them personally if they are willing to do so.)
#4) Restart your laptop to see if the problem persists
Try resetting your laptop’s power supply to check if the problem remains. Here’s how to do it:
- Disconnect the power cord from your laptop and turn it off.
- Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds, then release the power button.
- Reinstall the battery and connect the laptop charger.
- Activate your computer.
#5) Make sure you’re connecting to the correct port
Today’s computers are evolving at an unprecedented rate. There is little doubt that the USB-C port’s arrival on laptop computers has been significant.
A port’s multipurpose use may confuse those unfamiliar with it, yet ultra-thin computers benefit significantly from its thinness.
Two USB-C ports on a computer mean that it probably has the additional capability you’re unaware of. USB-C has two ports: one for charging and the other for data transfer.
You will not be able to charge your laptop if your charger is plugged into your laptop’s data-transfer port rather than its charging port.
Before you point the finger at the hardware, double-check that all of your cords are in their proper locations.
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How Should I Care for My Laptop’s Battery?
The following is the most acceptable suggestion for extending the life of your laptop battery on its small chemical pack.
#1) Maintain a Charge of Between 40% to 80%
If you frequently use your laptop away from its charger, aim to keep it over 40% charged. When it’s time to recharge, fill it to roughly 80%, assuming the capacity is adequate, and you’re willing to live with the uncertainty. Using it in this manner is the most effective and noticeable method of extending your laptop’s life and charging capacity. Regrettably, it is also the most difficult to follow.
It may not be feasible for road warriors, overbooked people, or those who experience charge anxiety. However, if battery life is rarely an issue for you and you always have a charger on hand, these are the best limitations to adhere to.
According to Battery University, the very instructive, though archaically structured, is a repository of battery suggestions and testing. A battery charged to its opposite, from empty to full, may complete that trip 300-500 times before burning out. A laptop battery charged to 80% capacity may last between 850 and 1,500 cycles.
#2) If You Pull out of It Plugged in, Don’t Let It Run Hot
If that last bit of advice made you feel terrible, you need not feel wrong about being so simple with your laptop use. Contrary to what you may have read, keeping your laptop plugged in and charged to 100% does not gradually kill it. It’s only as awful as setting it once, entirely. When the battery reaches 100%, most current laptops automatically cease charging and redirect the power to the system.
The only exception is if your laptop becomes very warm. It could be because you’re performing a lot of compilation, rendering, or other heavy work, or because the area where used the laptop is hot owing to sunlight, exhaust, or other circumstances. When a battery is used to its utmost capacity and subject to severe heat, it suffers damage and eventually dies.
Why Lithium-ion Batteries Should Never Be Misused
Without proper precaution, lithium-ion batteries can catch fire or explode. Only these batteries can be charged using the circuits provided.
Lithium-ion batteries cannot be replaced by anything other than another lithium-ion battery. The point smoke produced by clot hammering or sawing can ignite a fire. In the event of a burn, use sand instead of water to put it out.
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FAQs – How to Replace Laptop Battery Cells?
How Do I Know If My Battery Is a 4 or 6 Cell Laptop?
If the battery is integrated into the system, consult the system specifications to ascertain the battery’s specifications. Take a look at the battery to see if it is external/removable. Generally, the label will state such. Additionally, nine-cell batteries are significantly larger than six- or four-cell batteries.
Will a Laptop Work Without a Battery?
Yes. Laptops are capable of operating without a battery. If you remove the battery and attach it to the power supply, it will function. The only difference is that if you turn off the power, there will be no backup power, and the laptop will shut down instantly rather than complete the shutdown procedure.
Which Is Better 6-cell or 9 Cell Laptop Battery?
The nine-cell battery’s ampere indication is more significant than that of the six-cell battery. Therefore, the decision is entirely up to you. If you require additional runtime and are willing to deal with the larger nine-cell battery, go for it. Choose the six-cell battery if you’re more concerned with weight and volume.
What Does Battery Cell Count Mean?
The cell number indicates the number of tiny batteries within the larger one. That’s correct; a laptop battery is essentially a collection of batteries connected via additional circuits to function as a single larger battery.
Are Laptop Batteries Lithium Ion?
Frequently used Lithium-ion batteries in laptop/tablet batteries, phone batteries, and rechargeable camera batteries. Lithium metal batteries are standardly used in watch batteries and some non-rechargeable camera batteries. PEDs is defined as equipment that is powered by lithium batteries.
Conclusion
Now, you know all about How to Replace Laptop Battery Cells? Most current laptops have a charging circuit dedicated to lithium-ion batteries. As a result, only lithium-ion batteries may be used in their place. Ascertain that the replacements are original equipment manufacturers (OEM). Effective advertising, inflated capacity claims, omitted weight information, and low costs indicate that the batteries are counterfeit.
The replacement batteries do not have to be identical to the originals; they should be somewhat more significant to avoid exceeding the maximum charging current permitted.
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