Did you know that most laptop batteries only last one to two years? That’s right! No matter how well you take care of your laptop, eventually it needs a new battery. So how do you know if you need a new laptop battery? The following will tell you the answer, let’s take a look!
What is causing your battery to wear out in the first place?
Laptop batteries degrade over time and use. On each charge, they took slightly less time than before. There are some obvious signs that your battery is the culprit of your computer problem:
- Overheating
A slight increase in heat is normal when the battery is running. Your laptop has fans and heatsinks to manage and dissipate excess heat. When your battery dies, your computer can start working harder, which generates more heat and your fans can’t keep up. You may notice your laptop getting noisy as the fans work overtime to try and cool it down. If you notice loud fan noise, lightly touch the bottom of the laptop to see if it feels hot to the touch. A little heat is normal, but your laptop shouldn’t burn your knees!
If you notice your laptop running hotter, then this could be a sign that your battery is dying. If you find your computer is hot to the touch, shut down and unplug the computer immediately to avoid further damage. And, it might be a good idea to take it to a professional computer repair shop so they can test your battery and verify that you need a new one. Shutting down your computer after it shows signs of overheating is better than risking damage.
- Not charging
Your laptop battery not charging when plugged in may be a sign that it needs to be replaced. There are other possible causes of this issue that you may want to investigate first:
If you plug in a surge protector or UPS and it fails, the problem is probably not the laptop battery. Plugs directly into the wall to eliminate variables from faulty power strips or other equipment.
If you have an external battery, use the quick release on the bottom of the computer to remove it and check for proper connections. Check for dust buildup and wipe with a dry soft cloth. Then put the battery back in, making sure it is securely installed and the contacts are connected.
If the battery still won’t charge after these, then you may really need to replace the battery.
- Short run times and downtime
If you find yourself running back to the charger frequently, or finding yourself tethered to your desk because your computer can’t get any work done because of the frequency that your computer needs to charge, chances are you’ll need a new battery.
Typically, a fully charged laptop battery should run for about 6 hours. Some things can affect how long the battery will last between charges. Screen brightness, the number of programs you have open, and whether you’re listening to audio or watching video can all affect battery runtime.
Doing a lot of things at once can cause your computer to use more power and drain the battery faster. However, if you find it only takes half an hour or less to fully charge, there is a problem. If your computer shuts down without warning, this could also be a sign of a failing battery. While a failed battery isn’t the only cause of a computer crash, a sudden loss of power is definitely a sign that you should double-check your battery.
- Replacement warning
Both Windows and Mac operating systems have an indicator for when the battery has reached a very low capacity level. Starting with Windows 7, Microsoft added a battery life warning feature. Once your battery is low, Windows will warn you that the battery needs to be replaced. A red “X” will appear above the battery icon. If you click the icon for more information, you may see a message that reads “Plug in, not charging. Consider replacing the battery.”
On Macs, if you click the battery icon displayed in the menu bar at the top of your Mac, it will display more detailed information about the current state of the battery. If there is a problem with your battery, or its lifespan has reached a low level, it will display one of the three messages below. If you see “Replace ASAP,” “Replace Now,” or “Repair Battery,” it’s time to replace your device’s battery!
>>>>>>>>>>>laptop battery