Swollen Laptop Battery? What to Do Right Now

Updated September 2026: in 2021 my 2012 MacBook Pro's battery swelled. I opened the back panel and removed screws near the bulge to relieve it, then read that continuing to use it was unsafe. I have rewritten it into safety guidance for a swollen laptop battery.

My MacBook Pro's battery had visibly swollen. I opened the back panel, checked the connections and removed some screws above the swollen area, hoping to extend its life. Then I read that using a swollen battery is not advisable, and the swelling was growing each day. I had to replace either the battery or the laptop.

Why do laptop batteries swell?

Lithium-ion batteries can produce gas inside the cells as they age, are overcharged or get too hot. The gas makes the battery puff up. It is a sign of damage, and a swollen battery can press on the trackpad, keyboard and case, and in rare cases catch fire.

What should you do immediately?

Stop using and charging the laptop.
Do not press, puncture or try to flatten the battery, and do not remove screws to make room, as I did.
Keep it away from heat and anything flammable, on a hard surface.
Back up data if the laptop still starts, then shut it down.

Can you still use it plugged in?

No. Charging a swollen battery can make it worse. Some people run laptops on mains power with a swollen battery, but that keeps the damaged battery in the charging circuit. Replace it before using the laptop again.

Who should replace it?

An authorised service provider or an experienced repair shop, which can remove it safely and dispose of it properly. For older models where the original part is no longer made, ask the shop about reputable replacement batteries with a warranty.

How do you dispose of a swollen battery?

Take it to an e-waste collection point or return it through the repair shop. Never put it in household rubbish, where it can be crushed and catch fire.

Is it time to replace the laptop instead?

For a machine as old as a 2012 MacBook Pro, which no longer receives current macOS security updates, a new battery may extend its life, but a replacement laptop is often the better long-term choice.