Inflated or swollen battery: Why, what happens and how to avoid it

The inflated or swollen battery problem is a fairly common situation that modern cell phones go through. We explain why the cell phone battery is inflated, how to identify this symptom, what happens if it is in this state and how it can be avoided.

A normal battery always has a linear, straight or flat surface appearance. An inflated battery  is one that has an expanded or swollen appearance. Basically, its appearance is misshapen.

Inflated Battery: Everything You Need To Know

This inflated battery effect can be generated due to various causes such as battery age, overcharging, overheating etc. It is important to know how to detect this problem and follow some tips to avoid or, at least, postpone this destination.

Why a battery inflates

Even battery manufacturers don’t agree on why this happens. The most common guess is a gas generation inside. This could be due to possible “electrochemical oxidation of the electrolyte”.

The cause of this problem could be due to overcharging or overheating of a battery that is already in poor condition or has been in use for several years.

It could also be due to electronic defects in the phone or charger. It may even be due to constant contact with water or humidification.

What happens if you continue to use an inflated battery

As the battery inflates more and more, the danger may be greater. The more gas it accumulates inside, the more risk there is of abruptly releasing it. In an ideal world, a lithium-ion battery shouldn’t explode, as gasification and bloating appear to be a way to keep it from bursting and creating fire.

Be that as it may, it is advisable to stop using the battery as soon as it is detected that it is inflated (or worse, charge it). It should not be thrown away. It needs to be taken to a place where they recycle batteries (the service centers of local mobile operators, for example).

In addition to the low but existing personal risk, there is the risk of damaging the mobile device. If in an isolated case the battery explodes inside the cell phone, the electrolyte and gases released could damage the components of the phone.

How to fix a bloated battery

A swollen battery cannot be fixed. In fact, it can even be risky to act on it. Puncturing it or trying to deflate it could abruptly release the chemicals and gas it contains.

How to tell if the battery is inflated

This is very easy if the device has a removable battery. It will only be necessary to remove the rear cover of the equipment and make a visual inspection.

In the case of devices with embedded or non-removable battery it is more complicated, since it will be necessary to disassemble them. If this is not possible, perhaps the battery swelling becomes apparent. When it is capital, the expansion of the battery will probably force a deformation or even separation of the modules from the device chassis.

On some devices you probably don’t have to wait for this. Some mobiles may show symptoms of an inflated battery, which are reflected in the software. One of the most common symptoms of an inflated battery is that the phone turns off or restarts on its own . The reason for this behavior is not clear. Anyway, this is another reason not to continue using an inflated battery, as it could cause electronic problems in the mobile.

How to prevent a battery from swelling

It is possible that, in the long term (a couple of years of use, for example), this is an inevitable destination. However, there are some tips that can be followed to defer this problem. You have to take them into account, especially if the battery is old. Logically, these tips follow from the theoretical causes cited at the beginning for a battery to inflate.

• Do not overcharge the battery . It is recommended to use the original charger to charge the battery. Using a faster or higher current charger than the original charger could speed up the problem. It is also not recommended to leave the cell phone connected to the charger for longer than necessary. For example, don’t leave it charging overnight. Always try to keep the battery charge between 20% and 80%.
• Avoid overheating . Heat is the worst enemy of batteries. Avoid hot environments, especially when charging the battery. The charging process increases the temperature of the battery and the device, and a hot environment could exacerbate this aspect. It is also a good idea to stop using the device while it is charging. Keep in mind that intensive use of the phone will also make you hot.
• Do not take the cell phone to humid environments . It is not a good idea to have a cell phone in the bathroom during a hot shower. The steam generated could negatively influence the device and the battery. Do not do it even if it is a waterproof cell phone. Although the manufacturer says so, it is not a good idea to test this ability.