You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Macbook Battery is expanding or swollen

Dear all,

As mentioned in subject. The battery of my laptop is expanding.I try to called the Apple Support just now. They told me i need to pay for the battery replacement.

I am so disappointed with the service from Apple. I am having others brand of notebook with me right now and some of them even older than the macbook i have. But the battery never expand or swollen like this.

I just cant imagine if i don't notice the battery problem it might anytime leads to a possible explosion.

who can tell me what can i do? should i write to steve jobs about what their support team replied?

Macbook, Windows 7

Posted on Sep 13, 2010 7:09 PM

Reply
68 replies

Jun 21, 2011 9:32 AM in response to NobreAngel

Don't bring the laptop nor give them its serial number. Take the battery out and bring it to them. You're probably more likely to have them replace it for free. Good luck with Apple's awful service; it used to be better pre-Steve Jobs returning, when Apple was more of an "indie" company. I use Linux now and my next laptop will definitely be an Acer. They have the same guts as the Apple ones but are ~½ the price!

Mar 28, 2017 7:49 PM in response to limcheehang

My 2011 Macbook Air battery started to expand recently. I brought it into the Apple Store today and they refused to replace it for me. I then contacted Apple Support by phone. It was by-far the worst customer service I have ever received in my life. I was absolutely shocked. They completely refused, wouldn't help me out at all, told me to not use my computer anymore because it's a safety issue, told me it is not my fault and that there is nothing I could have done to prevent it and that they will do nothing about it because it is out of warranty. I spoke with 4 different people in the span on 2.5 hours and no one knew who could help me. This is a safety issue now. A battery should never expand to the point of it exploding on the customer. I've never been so unhappy with a business before. Completely lost faith.

Mar 29, 2017 12:35 AM in response to Dayandnight28

An authorized Apple Service provider, an independent repairer & may be

associated with an independent authorized reseller, could likely replace a

battery in an older portable Mac tablet. Usually after 4 or 5 years the Apple

Store may not even have inventory for ones no longer covered under an

AppleCare extended plan.


My older Apple portables no longer could get new batteries from Apple

so I found suitable ones from newertech via macsales.com OWC site.

For other upgrade or replacement parts see: MY UPGRADES - OWC

Note the OWC site has good videos for a guide in replacing parts.


Their pages also have calibration& other instructions to prepare their

batteries for best service; and those also are helpful to perform if ever

one needed to return a battery to OWC under their good warranty.


Examples: macbook/air batteries for 11-inch & 13-inch, by build year:

https://eshop.macsales.com/search/macbook%20air%20batteries


Third-party sources of replacement batteries should be able to supply one

if the product is of better quality; the least costly likely has lowest quality.


An iFixit.com repair guide can show how to replace a battery in MacBook

models (various) and their site shows some replacement parts as well.


• MacBook/Air Repair Guide - iFixit.com:

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Air


There are two categories of MacBook/Air portable based on display size;

& other sub-categories based on build model series/year & specification.


• Find an Apple Authorized Service Provider


Sorry the experience you've had with an Apple Store(?) or authorized retail

outlet was not good. They should have considered you may have sought

to buy a new computer some day ~ & after this, you'd look elsewhere.


Good luck & happy trails! 🙂

Mar 31, 2017 11:05 AM in response to Dayandnight28

I'm in the same boat.. Mine has expanded to the point where no one is wanting to take the risk to repair it. I have a potential explosive in my home that I don't know what to do with. I'm definitely never purchasing a MacBook ever again or recommend it to anyone. I wish I known that MacBooks don't last more than 5-7 years when I was looking for a good laptop.

Mar 31, 2017 3:52 PM in response to Lnvo90

My MacBook1.1 (1.83GHz core-duo) first edition from 2006 works great

and a quality battery was still available from a reputable source; sure it

cannot run an OS X newer than Snow Leopard 10.6.8. But does it well.


To be able to remove a faulty battery from a model as old as yours

(without saying exactly which one of the three Intel-based series) is

a matter of reading and then taking apart the otherwise broken unit.


A few tools may be required; note the correct build model guide for

the model you have and look into it, for additional choices.


• Mac Laptop Repair Guides - iFixit.com:

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Laptop


You may be able to restore function to the computer with a new battery.

There are a few sources of quality parts from reputable mac-centric sites.


The original "MacBook 2006 ~ 2010" has Four models within it; so this

guide page shows Six to include two recent models w/ MacBook name.

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook


Your model should be relatively easy to open & remove/replace

the battery with use of a correct 'build model series' repair guide.


Good luck & happy computing! 🙂

Nov 9, 2017 1:45 PM in response to Csound1

I'm afraid there is no need for an answer.


When I saw my extremely swollen battery, my first thought was: this can not be. This would not happen with Apple products. But after learning about the term "swollen battery" I found endless threads, web sites, pictures about exactly the same problem.


Officially Apple denies any responsibility. Some people may have been lucky to get a free replacement. But I can't try - there are just 15 Apple stores here in Germany, none of them close to me.


The only question worth a discussion of its own: has there ever been any damage, other than the broken device itself? I guess there is a certain probability that the battery bags could be punctured by sharp plastic shreds. I was afraid this could have burned down my whole house. But I'm not aware of any reports of major fires yet, due to swollen batteries.

Sep 14, 2010 11:35 PM in response to rviadojr

I just spoken to their customer support again.


they told me whatever it is.. As your warranty expired. We can't help you except buying a new battery.

Swollen or expanding should be a manufacature defect... If this were happened to others brand. they already replace a battery....

Apple service is *****.. As long as your product warranty expired. They wouldnt even wish to entertain you.

Can somebody provide me a channel for me to lodge a complain???

Macbook Battery is expanding or swollen

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.