How many spare POC batteries can I bring on a plane?

For batteries under 100 Wh (which covers most Inogen and OxyGo single and double batteries), the FAA sets no numerical limit—but you must be able to physically carry them. Use the 150% rule based on your total transit time to determine the exact number you need.

Can POC batteries go in checked luggage?

No. All spare lithium-ion batteries must be in your carry-on baggage. Only the battery currently installed in the device may be in checked luggage (inside the device). This rule is non-negotiable under FAA Advisory Circular AC 120-76E.

How do I dispose of a swollen laptop battery?

Never in household trash or curbside recycling. Tape the terminals, place it in a non-flammable container (such as a metal can with sand or kitty litter), keep it cool and away from anything flammable, and take it to a hazardous-waste facility or a recycler that accepts damaged lithium-ion batteries. Many standard drop-off bins won't take damaged batteries, so call ahead.

Can I keep using my laptop until the new battery arrives?

No. Once a battery is swollen, you should stop using and charging the laptop. Continued use or charging can worsen the swelling and increase the fire risk, and the pressure can crack the chassis, screen, or trackpad. Remove or isolate the battery and wait for the replacement.

Swollen Laptop Battery: Is It Dangerous and What to Do

June 26, 2026 Cao Chuanping

If your laptop's trackpad has popped up, the bottom panel is bulging, or the whole machine rocks on the desk, you may have a swollen battery — and it's not something to put off. A swollen lithium-ion battery is a real safety hazard. The good news: handled correctly, it's straightforward to deal with. Here's how to recognize it, why it happens, how to handle it safely, and how to replace it.

Do this right now

Stop using and charging the laptop, and unplug it. Don't press on, puncture, or try to flatten the battery. If it's hot, hissing, smoking, or leaking, move people away, don't breathe the fumes, and call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if there's any risk of fire.

What does a swollen laptop battery look like?

A swollen battery usually makes itself obvious through the laptop chassis, even before you open it:

A trackpad that no longer clicks or sits raised
A bottom panel that bulges or won't close flush
A keyboard that feels warped or keys that stick
A laptop that rocks on a flat surface instead of sitting level
If you open it, the battery pack looks puffy or pillow-like instead of flat

Any one of these means the battery has swelled and needs attention now — not next week.

Why do laptop batteries swell?

Swelling is caused by gas building up inside the lithium-ion cells, a process called outgassing. The gas has nowhere to escape, so the sealed cell pouch expands. It typically comes from one of these:

Common causes of battery swelling.
Cause	What's happening
Age and wear	After hundreds of cycles the cell chemistry degrades and starts producing gas
Constant high heat	Sustained heat (hot rooms, blocked vents, heavy load) accelerates breakdown
Overcharging / faulty charging	A failed charging circuit or poor-quality pack without proper protection
Physical damage	A drop or impact can damage a cell internally
Manufacturing defect	A flaw in the cell can cause early swelling

Whatever the trigger, swelling means the cell chemistry has broken down. The battery is no longer safe to use — and it can't be "fixed."

Is a swollen battery dangerous?

Yes. A swollen lithium-ion battery is a genuine safety hazard. The damaged cell is unstable, and if it's punctured, crushed, or exposed to more heat, it can leak, catch fire, or rupture — lithium-ion fires are intense and hard to put out. The internal pressure can also crack the laptop chassis or damage the screen and trackpad. A swollen battery should be taken out of service immediately and never used or charged.

Don't wait for it to "settle down." Swelling never reverses on its own, and the longer a damaged pack stays in service, the higher the risk. This is a now problem, not a someday problem.

What to do with a swollen laptop battery

Handle it calmly and carefully. The single most important rule: never apply pressure to it.

✓ Do

Stop using and charging the laptop; unplug it
Power it down fully
If the battery is removable and comes out without force, take it out
Put it somewhere cool, dry, and away from anything flammable
Tape over the terminals and keep it isolated until disposal

✗ Don't

Press, puncture, bend, or try to flatten it
Keep charging or using the laptop
Force a stuck internal battery out
Put it in household trash or curbside recycling
Store it near heat, sun, or flammable materials

If the battery is internal or hard to reach, it's safest to have it removed by someone comfortable opening the laptop — a quick job for a technician. Don't force it.

How to dispose of it safely

A swollen battery is classed as damaged hazardous waste and needs special handling — it can't go in the bin. Authorities including the US EPA recommend this approach:

Isolate the terminals

Cover the battery's terminals with non-conductive tape (electrical tape) to prevent a short.
Use a non-flammable container

Place it in a metal can or container with sand or cat litter, kept away from anything that can burn.
Take it to the right place

Bring it to a household hazardous-waste facility or a recycler that specifically accepts damaged lithium-ion batteries. Standard store drop-off bins (the kind for ordinary used batteries) often won't take swollen ones — call ahead to confirm.

Never mail or ship a damaged battery without proper authorization — damaged lithium-ion cells are barred from air transport and regulated for ground shipping. And if it's actively smoking or on fire, treat it as an emergency and call your local fire/emergency number.

Choosing a safe replacement battery

Once the swollen pack is out, the fix is a fresh battery that matches your laptop's part number, voltage, and connector. Just as important is quality: a good replacement uses proper cell chemistry and a real protection circuit (BMS) that guards against the overcharging and overheating that cause swelling in the first place. The cheapest unbranded packs are exactly the ones most likely to swell again — this is one place where cutting corners can be a safety issue, not just a value one.

To get the right one: find your exact match with our guide to finding the right battery by model and part number, or jump to your brand's replacement guide:

Ready to replace a swollen pack with a safe one? Browse the laptop battery collection — Grade A cells, a proper BMS, and certifications — or send us your model and the part number and we'll confirm the exact, safe match before you order.

Frequently asked questions

Is a swollen laptop battery dangerous?

Yes — it's a genuine hazard. The unstable cell can leak, catch fire, or rupture if punctured, crushed, or heated. Stop using and charging it and take it out of service.

Why do laptop batteries swell?

Gas builds up inside the cells (outgassing), usually from age and wear, heat, overcharging, physical damage, or a defect. The sealed pouch expands — a sign the chemistry has broken down.

Can a swollen battery be fixed?

No. It's irreversible damage. It can't be repaired or safely flattened and must be replaced. Never press, puncture, or bend it to reduce the swelling.

How do I dispose of it?

Never in trash or curbside recycling. Tape the terminals, put it in a non-flammable container (metal can with sand or cat litter), and take it to a hazardous-waste facility or a recycler that accepts damaged lithium-ion batteries. Call ahead — many bins won't take damaged packs.

Can I keep using the laptop until a new battery arrives?

No. Stop using and charging it — continued use worsens the swelling and fire risk, and the pressure can crack the chassis, screen, or trackpad. Remove or isolate the battery and wait for the replacement.

Important: This is general safety information, not professional advice for a specific situation. If your battery is hot, smoking, leaking, or on fire, treat it as an emergency and contact your local fire/emergency services. For disposal, follow your local hazardous-waste regulations, which vary by area.

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