Consumer-device lithium battery stores energy and supplies regulated power. Related symptoms include rapid drain, shutdown, charging refusal, swelling or heat. Those symptoms do not prove the component failed: separate software use and charger issues from physical warnings. Check the battery usage screen for the top apps over a full day.
What this covers
- phones, tablets, computers and wearables
What it does not cover
Differential
Likely causes of “Consumer-device lithium battery”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Software and apps are using more power than usual
What separates it The drain is fast and the battery screen shows one app or a background service using most of it.
How to confirm Check the battery usage screen for the top apps over a full day.
- 2
The charger, the cable or the port is faulty
What separates it The device charges slowly or not at all, and a different certified cable and charger fix it.
How to confirm Try a certified cable and charger and clean only loose debris from the port.
- 3
Temperature is affecting the battery
What separates it The device shuts down in the cold or refuses to charge when hot, and works after returning to room temperature.
How to confirm Bring the device to room temperature before judging.
- 4
The battery has aged or is physically damaged
What separates it The maximum capacity is low, the device shuts down at a high percentage or the case is swelling.
How to confirm Look at the battery health figure and check the case for bulging.
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The battery health or capacity figure and the age of the device.
- The apps using the most power and whether the drain follows the software.
- Any swelling, heat or smell, and the charger and cable used.
Try in this order
0 of 2 completedTest before you replace
ReversibleSeparate software use and charger issues from physical warnings.
Weigh the repair
ReversibleReplacement difficulty for the consumer-device lithium battery is qualified/manufacturer-approved replacement; never open cells.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !Stop using and do not charge a device with a swollen, hot or leaking battery, and do not puncture or open it.
- !Take it to the maker or a qualified repairer for a battery replacement.
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
How long does a phone or laptop battery last?+
Typically several hundred full charge cycles before capacity drops noticeably, which is often two to three years. Heat and full discharges shorten it.
Can I test a device battery at home?+
Only in a limited way, such as checking that the device charges and holds charge. Internal cell testing needs tools and care, and a swollen battery should be handled by a professional.
What signs mean stop using it?+
Swelling, heat, a burning smell or leakage. Unplug it, keep it away from flammable items and do not charge it further.
Should I replace it myself?+
Only if the maker allows it and you have the right part. Many batteries are glued in and are safer to leave to a service provider.