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Solutions to common battery problems

Here are solutions to some common problems with laptop batteries.

For more information about the battery icon or the battery meter, see Battery meter: frequently asked questions.

 The battery icon is always empty.

An empty battery icon (one that has no color) indicates that your computer is running on battery power, but the charge can't be detected or measured. You might need to replace the battery, or there might be a problem with your computer hardware. To learn more, check the information that came with your computer or go to the manufacturer's website.

 The battery charge never reaches 100 percent.

The battery might be old. In some cases, when a battery is old, a full charge is represented as less than 100 percent. For more information, see How accurate is the battery meter?

Tips

• When your battery can no longer hold a charge, don't throw it away. Instead, dispose of it properly by taking it to a recycling center or hazardous waste facility.

• Don't buy a spare lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery unless you plan to use it immediately. Lithium-ion batteries last only two to three years, whether or not you use them.

• If your laptop has a second battery bay and you want to extend the time that your computer can run on battery power, install another battery in the second bay.

 The battery won't hold a charge, doesn't last as long as it used to, or Windows doesn't recognize the battery.

The battery might be old or might have been damaged. For a solution to this problem, contact your computer manufacturer. If you purchased the battery separately from the computer, contact the battery manufacturer.

 The battery becomes very hot.

This could be caused by a problem with the battery itself. For a solution to this problem, contact your computer or battery manufacturer immediately.

Warning

• A hot battery can cause serious burns.