Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: How to repair a NiMH or NiCd battery using a freezer
• Method 2 of 4: How to calibrate your battery
• Method 3 of 4: How to fully charge your battery
• Method 4 of 4: Handling Used Batteries
• Tips
• Warnings

This article will show you how to recover your laptop battery. Although the battery life can be extended, we recommend replacing the battery every 2-3 years. Also keep in mind that a lithium battery cannot be frozen or completely discharged.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: How to repair a NiMH or NiCd battery using a freezer

1. 1 Make sure there is no lithium battery in front of you. This method only applies to Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries. If this method is applied to a different type of battery, it is likely to fail.
   • Keep in mind that all Mac laptops and most modern Windows laptops have lithium batteries.
   • Do not perform these steps on a laptop with a non-removable battery - in this case, you will either have to remove the battery, which will void the warranty, or freeze the entire laptop, which could damage it.
2. 2 Turn off your laptop and unplug it from the electrical outlet. Otherwise, you risk getting an electric shock when you remove the battery.
3. 3 Remove the battery. To do this, open the battery compartment and remove the battery from it. In some cases, you need to press a special button to remove the battery.
4. 4 Place the battery in a cloth bag. Do this so that there is something soft between the battery and the plastic bag you will use next.
5. 5 Place the battery in a sealed plastic bag. This prevents moisture from entering the battery when you put it in the freezer.
   • Do not use a regular bag as condensation may form in it.
6. 6 Place the battery in the freezer for 10 hours. This time is enough to restore the battery to some extent.
   • If you wish, leave the battery in the freezer for 12 hours, but no longer so that it does not drip.
7. 7 Charge the battery. When the specified time has elapsed, remove the battery from the freezer, let it dry and warm to room temperature, insert it into the laptop and charge it. SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Spike baron

   
   
   Network Engineer and User Support Specialist Spike Baron is the owner of Spike's Computer Repair. He has over 25 years of experience in technology and specializes in PC and Mac computer repair, used computer sales, virus removal, data recovery, and hardware and software updates. Holds CompTIA A + certifications for computer service technicians and Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert.

   Spike baron
   Network Engineer and User Support Specialist

   A broken battery can be easily replaced. If you can't get the battery repaired, you can buy a new one for as little as $ 15.

Method 2 of 4: How to calibrate your battery

1. 1 Remember when to use this method. Calibrate the laptop battery if the battery charge indicator shows incorrect values.
   • For example, calibrate the battery if you see 50% charge on the charge gauge, but the laptop turns off a few minutes later.
2. 2 Charge the battery fully. Do not disconnect the charging cable from the laptop until the indicator shows 100% charge level.
3. 3 Unplug the charging cable from the laptop.
   • To do this, pull the plug out of the socket - never pull the charging cable out of the laptop first to avoid damaging it.
4. 4 Turn on your laptop and wait for the battery to drain completely. Just leave your laptop on. If you want to speed up your battery drain, run a powerful program or open streaming video.
5. 5 Leave the laptop turned on (do not plug in the power cable) for an additional 3-5 hours. This removes the phantom charge from the battery and discharges it completely.
   • Skip this step for lithium battery.
6. 6 Charge the battery. Connect the charging cable to your laptop. As soon as the charge level reaches 100%, consider that the battery is calibrated.

Method 3 of 4: How to fully charge your battery

1. 1 Use this method if the battery is draining too quickly. If your battery starts to drain faster than usual over time, this method will help solve the problem.
   • Do not use this method too often - multiple discharge / charge cycles will shorten battery life by 30%.
2. 2 Unplug the charging cable from the laptop.
   • To do this, pull the plug out of the socket - never pull the charging cable out of the laptop first to avoid damaging it.
3. 3 Turn on your laptop and wait for the battery to drain completely. Just leave your laptop on. If you want to speed up your battery drain, run a powerful program or open streaming video.
4. 4 Leave the laptop turned on (do not plug in the power cable) for an additional 3 hours. This removes the phantom charge from the battery and discharges it completely.
   • Skip this step for lithium battery.
5. 5 Charge the battery. Connect the charging cable to your laptop.
   • This process will be more efficient if you charge the battery for as long as possible.
6. 6 Charge the battery for 48 hours. If you prefer, use the laptop during this time, but do not unplug the laptop from the electrical outlet for at least two days. This will ensure that the battery is fully recharged, resulting in longer battery life.

Method 4 of 4: Handling Used Batteries

1. 1 Avoid battery discharge below 50%. Charging a fully discharged battery 300–500 times will reduce battery life by 30%. However, if you charge the battery with a discharge rate of about 50%, this reduction in service life will be achieved after 1000 charges.
   • Ideally, charge the battery when it is at 20% charge. In this case, it will withstand 2000 discharge / charge cycles before its service life is reduced by 30%.
   • The NiCD battery can be fully discharged once every three months.
2. 2 Make sure the computer is not overheated. High temperatures reduce the performance of the battery and may damage it. If you are using your laptop in a high temperature environment, make sure the laptop vents are clear.
   • Place the laptop on a cool, flat surface such as a desk. Avoid keeping the laptop on your lap - this impedes air circulation, and your body temperature leads to additional heating of the device.
3. 3 Store batteries in proper conditions. If you are not going to use the notebook for a long time, remove the battery and store it at 20 ° C – 25 ° C.
   • This allows the battery to be stored for several months before needing to be charged.
   • Do not store lithium batteries if they are not fully charged (up to 100%).
4. 4 Remove the battery when playing or using a powerful program such as a video editor. Do this to prevent damage to the battery.
   • High temperatures will shorten battery life, so this is the best step if you often run powerful programs.
5. 5 Make sure the battery is always charged. Contrary to popular belief, keeping the power cord plugged in will not decrease battery life. We recommend that you charge the battery overnight and unplug the power cord only when necessary.

Tips

• Remember that any battery will expire at some point. If these methods don't work, purchase a new battery (from an electronics store or online store).
• Do not let the battery drain completely if you regularly use your laptop. When the low battery message appears on the screen, connect the power cable to the laptop to extend the battery life.
• Lithium batteries can go into "sleep" mode if left uncharged for a long time. In this case, take the battery to a workshop for a specialist to “wake up” it.

Warnings

• Only put the battery in the freezer in a sealed plastic bag. Otherwise, ice or water may get on the battery and damage it.
• Place only NiCD and NiMH batteries in the freezer. Remember that low temperatures can reduce the life of lithium batteries.
• If you decide to disassemble the battery and replace the lithium cells, we recommend that you do not disassemble the battery because it is very dangerous.