Where is the battery located in the laptop: finding, removing and diagnosing

Have you opened the laptop lid trying to find the battery, but instead of the usual compartment you see only the motherboard and cooler? Or, conversely, your laptop is equipped with a removable battery, but it suddenly stopped holding a charge? Question where is the laptop battery located It seems simple - until you come across the variety of designs of modern devices. In this article, we will look at all the battery placement options, from classic removable units to built-in “invisible” batteries, and also tell you how to remove them correctly without the risk of damaging your laptop.

Manufacturers are constantly simplifying the design of laptops, sacrificing maintainability for the sake of thinness. If 10 years ago the battery could be removed in 10 seconds, today MacBook Air or Dell XPS 13 To do this, you will need to disassemble half of the device. We have collected up-to-date information on 15+ popular models (from budget Acer up to bonus HP Spectre), added step-by-step photo instructions and warnings about common errors. And if you doubt whether a replacement is needed, at the end of the article there is a checklist for diagnosing the battery.

Types of batteries in laptops: removable vs built-in

Before looking for a battery, determine its type. It depends on whether you have to arm yourself with a screwdriver or just snap off the latch.

Removable batteries - a relic of the past, but are still found in budget and business models. Their advantages:

• ✅ Instant replacement without tools
• ✅ Possibility to have a spare battery
• ✅ Easier to diagnose faults

Such batteries are usually located on bottom cover laptop and are fixed with 1–2 latches. Model examples: Lenovo ThinkPad T480, Dell Latitude E5470, HP EliteBook 840 G5.

Built-in batteries - standard for ultrabooks and gaming laptops. They are integrated into the housing and are secured with screws or glue. Their advantages:

• ✅ Compact and lightweight device
• ✅ Protection against accidental removal
• ✅ Often large capacity (for example, 97 Wh in MacBook Pro 16")

Minus - you will have to replace it completely disassemble the laptop, risking losing the warranty. Typical models: Apple MacBook (all after 2015), ASUS ROG Zephyrus, Microsoft Surface Laptop.

Where to look for the battery: 5 typical locations

If your laptop is not one of those where the battery is immediately visible, use this search map. We have collected most common places, where manufacturers hide batteries.

Laptop type	Battery location	Examples of models	Difficulty of extraction
Budget/office	Separate compartment on the bottom cover	Lenovo IdeaPad 3, Acer Aspire 5	⭐ (1–2 latches)
Gaming	Under the bottom cover, next to the cooler	MSI GF63, ASUS TUF Gaming	⭐⭐⭐ (screws + connectors)
Ultrabooks	Under adhesive backing or screws	HP Spectre x360, Dell XPS 13	⭐⭐⭐⭐ (risk of damaging the cables)
Business class	Removable module or under the keyboard	ThinkPad X1 Carbon, EliteBook 1040	⭐⭐ (sometimes pentalobe is needed)
2-in-1 (transformers)	At the base of the screen or under the back panel	Lenovo Yoga, Microsoft Surface Pro	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (special tools)

They stand apart Apple MacBook - here the battery is often several cells, distributed throughout the body. For example, in MacBook Pro 2020 The battery consists of 6 separate modules connected by cables. It is almost impossible to remove them without experience - the risk of a short circuit is extremely high.

Step-by-step instructions: how to remove the battery

We warn you: if your laptop is under warranty, do it yourself cancels it. In the case of built-in batteries, it is better to contact a service center. But if you decide to act on your own, follow this algorithm.

Turn off the laptop and disconnect the charger

Let the device cool down (if it was running under load)

Prepare your work area: clean surface, good lighting

Take a photo of the location of the screws before unscrewing

Use an antistatic wrist strap or periodically touch a metal object-->

For removable batteries:

1. Turn the laptop over and find the compartment with the battery icon.
2. Move the latches to the sides (usually there are 1-2 of them).
3. Pull the battery towards you and it should come out without effort.

For built-in batteries:

1. Unscrew all the screws on the bottom cover (use a set of screwdrivers with bits PH00, T5, Pentalobe).
2. Carefully pry the cover open with a plastic spatula (starting at the corner next to the screen hinges).
3. Locate the battery - this is usually a rectangular block with a black or silver shell with a lettering on it BATTERY.
4. Disconnect the power cable (pull the black tab of the connector, not the wires!).
5. Unscrew the screws that secure the battery (sometimes they are hidden under stickers).
6. If the battery is stuck, use isopropyl alcohol or a special mediator to soften the glue.

What to do if the battery is swollen?

If the battery is swollen (the laptop lid has lifted or there are gaps), DO NOT try to remove it yourself! Lithium-ion batteries in this condition may catch fire. Actions:

1. Turn off the laptop and disconnect the charger.

2. Move the device to a non-flammable location (for example, on a concrete floor).

3. Do not puncture or subject the battery to mechanical shock.

4. Contact the service center or dispose of the laptop through special collection points.

Attention! If after removing the battery the laptop does not turn on from the mains, check:

• ⚡ Is the charger connected to the outlet (the indicator on the power supply should be on).
• 🔌 Is the power connector on the motherboard damaged?
• 🔄 The BIOS may need to be reset (remove the CMOS battery for 30 seconds).

How to understand that it’s time to change the battery: 7 signs

The problem with the battery is not always obvious. Here key symptoms, which indicate the need for replacement:

1. Battery life has been reduced by 2–3 times

A new laptop holds a charge for 8-10 hours, but after a year - only 1-2? This is normal wear and tear, but if the capacity has dropped below 50% from the original one, it’s time to change the battery. You can check the current capacity through:

• 🖥️ Command line (Windows): Enter

  powercfg /batteryreport

  , then open the generated file battery-report.html.
• 🍎 System report (macOS): About This Mac → System Report → Power.
• 🐧 Terminal (Linux):

  upower -i /org/freedesktop/UPower/devices/battery_BAT0

  .

2. Laptop turns off when charging is disconnected

If the laptop only works from the mains, and immediately turns off when you remove the plug, this is a sign complete battery degradation or controller malfunction. Sometimes calibration helps (full discharge + charge), but in 80% of cases replacement is required.

3. Battery does not charge to 100%

Windows or macOS may artificially limit the charge to 80–90% to extend service life. But if the maximum charge drops below 60% - this is critical wear. Check in:

• 🪟 Settings → System → Power and Sleep → Advanced power settings (Windows).
• 🍏 Settings → Battery → Battery status (macOS).

4. Bloating of the body

Danger sign! If the bottom cover of the laptop has become convex and the keyboard “plays” when pressed, this means that the battery swollen due to a chemical reaction inside. Such batteries may ignite or explode under mechanical stress.

5. Laptop overheats when charging

If the case gets very hot in the battery area and the cooler is running at maximum, this may indicate:

• 🔥 Short circuit in the battery.
• 🔋 Charge controller malfunction.
• 🔌 Problems with the power supply (check it on another device).

6. System errors

The OS may issue warnings like:

• 🚨 "Connect the charger" (with plug connected).
• ⚠️ "Battery not detected".
• ❌ "It is recommended to replace the battery" (macOS).

7. The laptop turns on only with the charger connected

If the laptop refuses to start on battery, but works on mains power, this is a sign deep discharge or death of the controller. Sometimes "reanimation" helps:

1. Turn off charging.
2. Remove the battery (if removable).
3. Press and hold the power button 30 seconds.
4. Connect the charger and try turning on the laptop.

Laptop models: where to look for the battery in popular laptops

Let's sort it out specific examples for 10 popular models. If your laptop is not on the list, search the Internet for "model battery replacement guide".

Lenovo ThinkPad T480/T490

• 🔋 Type: Removable (hot swappable).
• 📍 Location: Bottom cover, compartment with battery icon.
• ⚠️ Features: The second internal battery (in some versions) is located under the keyboard.

Apple MacBook Pro (2016–2023)

• 🔋 Type: Built-in, adhesive.
• 📍 Location: Under the bottom cover, it occupies ~70% of the area.
• ⚠️ Features: 6 separate cells connected by cables. Needed for replacement P5 Pentalobe And T3 Torx.

ASUS ROG Strix/Zephyrus

• 🔋 Type: Built-in, screw.
• 📍 Location: Under the bottom cover, next to the left fan.
• ⚠️ Features: Sometimes the battery is covered with a metal plate with 4 screws.

HP Pavilion 15

• 🔋 Type: Removable (in older models) or built-in (in new ones).
• 📍 Location: In the removable version there is a compartment on the bottom cover; in the built-in one - under the cover, closer to the center.
• ⚠️ Features: In some modifications, the battery is glued to the body.

Dell XPS 13/15

• 🔋 Type: Built-in, adhesive.
• 📍 Location: Under the bottom cover, it occupies almost the entire width.
• ⚠️ Features: The cover is attached to T5 Torx and hidden latches. Risk of damaging the touchpad cable!

Acer Aspire 5/Swift 3

• 🔋 Type: Removable (in Aspire 5) or built-in (in Swift 3).
• 📍 Location: In the removable version there is a compartment on the bottom cover; in the built-in one - under the cover, on the left.
• ⚠️ Features: B Swift 3 The battery is secured with 6 screws.

MSI GF63/GS66

• 🔋 Type: Built-in, screw.
• 📍 Location: Under the bottom cover, next to the right fan.
• ⚠️ Features: The battery is covered with a metal plate with 4 screws PH1.

Microsoft Surface Laptop/Pro

• 🔋 Type: Built-in, adhesive.
• 📍 Location: Below the screen (at Surface Pro) or under the bottom cover (in Surface Laptop).
• ⚠️ Features: Needed for disassembly special tool for Surface (sold on AliExpress).

Lenovo Legion 5/7

• 🔋 Type: Built-in, screw.
• 📍 Location: Under the bottom cover, in the center.
• ⚠️ Features: The battery is covered with an additional plastic cover.

Samsung Galaxy Book/Notebook

• 🔋 Type: Built-in, adhesive.
• 📍 Location: Under the bottom cover, closer to the screen hinges.
• ⚠️ Features: Screws under warranty stickers.

What to do after replacing the battery: calibration and setup

Installing a new battery is half the battle. To make it last longer, follow these steps:

1. Battery calibration

This is a procedure that helps the controller correctly determine the charge level. How to do:

1. Charge the battery until 100%.
2. Disconnect the charger and use the laptop until full discharge (until it turns off).
3. Leave the laptop turned off for 5–6 hours.
4. Connect the charger and charge until 100% without interruptions.

Repeat the cycle 2-3 times. This is especially important for Li-Pol batteries in new laptops.

2. Setting up the power plan

On Windows:

1. Open Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options.
2. Select a scheme "Balanced" or "Energy Saving".
3. Click "Setting up the power plan" → "Change advanced settings".
4. Install "Maximum state of charge" on 80–90% (will extend battery life).

On macOS:

1. Go to System Settings → Battery.
2. Activate the option "Optimized battery charging".

3. Checking drivers

After replacing the battery, you may need to reinstall the power management drivers:

• 🪟 B Windows: download the driver from the manufacturer’s website (search by laptop model + “Battery Driver”).
• 🍎 B macOS: Reset SMC (for Intel) or Reset Power Management (for Apple Silicon).

4. Condition monitoring

Install one of these programs to track your battery health:

• 📊 BatteryBar (Windows) - Shows current capacity and wear.
• 📈 coconutBattery (macOS) - detailed statistics on charge cycles.
• 🛠️ HWiNFO (Windows/Linux) - professional analysis of all components.

💡

The first 3 charge/discharge cycles after replacing the battery form its “memory”. Avoid interruptions during this period - this will help the battery last 20-30% longer.

Mistakes when replacing the battery: what not to do

Even experienced users sometimes make critical mistakes. Here TOP 5 dangerous actionsthat can damage your laptop:

1. Using non-original batteries

Cheap batteries from AliExpress or eBay often have:

• ❌ Underestimated actual capacity (for example, instead of 50 Wh — 30 Wh).
• ⚡ Unstable voltage that can burn out the motherboard.
• 🔥 Risk of fire due to poor quality elements.

Buy batteries only from official suppliers or trusted sellers (for example, iFixit).

2. Disassembly without power off

Never disassemble a laptop while it is plugged in or with the battery not removed.. Even when turned off, voltage remains on the motherboard, which can:

• ⚡ Give an electric shock (up to 20 V on some models).
• 💥 Disable USB ports or power controller.

3. Use of excessive force

If the battery does not come out or the cover does not budge, do not press harder. Possible consequences:

• 🔧 Broken latches or screws.
• 🖥️ Damaged cables (touchpad, keyboard).
• 💥 Puncture of the lithium-ion cell (will lead to electrolyte leakage).

Use plastic spatulas And suckers for neat opening of the case.

4. Ignoring adhesive joints

In many ultrabooks, the battery is glued to the case. If you just pull it, you can:

• 🔋 Disconnect the power contacts.
• 🔥 Tear the battery casing (risk of fire).

For safe removal:

1. Apply isopropyl alcohol (90%+) for glue.
2. Wait 5-10 minutes.
3. Carefully pry the battery open with a plastic card.

5. Incorrect cable connection

If the polarity is reversed or the connector is not fully inserted, the consequences will be fatal:

• 💥 Short circuit.
• 🔥 Battery fire.
• 🖥️ Failure of the power controller (repair ~30–50% of the cost of the laptop).

Always check with connection diagram from the repair manual (service manual).

What should I do if the battery does not charge after replacement?

1. Check the connection of the power cable (sometimes it comes off during assembly).

2. Reset BIOS settings (remove CMOS battery for 30 seconds).

3. Install the original power management driver from the manufacturer's website.

4. Check the power supply on another device (it may not provide the required voltage).

5. If all else fails, the battery may be DOA (defective). Contact your dealer for a replacement.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about laptop batteries

Is it possible to use a laptop without a battery, only from the mains?

Yes, but with reservations:

• ✅ Most laptops work without a battery if the power supply is working properly.
• ⚠️ In the event of a power surge (for example, a power outage), data may be lost.
• ⚡ Some models (for example, MacBook) require a battery even for mains operation.

If you plan to use your laptop without a battery, purchase UPS (uninterruptible power supply).

How long does a laptop battery last?

The service life depends on the type of battery and operating conditions:

• Li-Ion (lithium-ion): 300–500 charge cycles (~2–3 years).
• Li-Pol (lithium polymer): 500–1000 cycles (~3–5 years).

Factors that reduce service life:

• 🔥 Constant operation at high temperatures (above 40°C).
• 🔋 Storage in a discharged state (below 20%).
• ⚡ Using non-original chargers.

How to check the originality of a battery before purchasing?

Features of the original battery:

• 🏷️ Sticker with serial number and production date.
• 🔋 Compliance with the declared capacity (checked