Replacing the battery in an HP laptop: a detailed guide with photos and tips

Encountered a constant date/time reset or error CMOS checksum error when turned on HP Pavilion, HP EliteBook or HP Omen? The reason in 90% of cases is a dead BIOS battery (aka CMOS battery). Replacing it seems like a simple procedure, but without knowing the nuances, you can damage the cables, lose the warranty, or even damage the motherboard.

In this article - step-by-step instructions for 15+ HP models (from budget to gaming), unique battery layouts under the keyboard and bottom of the case, as well as answers to questions that are not covered even in official manuals. For example, why the laptop may not turn on after replacement (spoiler: the battery is not always to blame) and how to do without a soldering iron if the battery is soldered.

Signs of a Low CMOS Battery in HP Laptops

The first bell is to reset the time and date after each shutdown. But there are also less obvious symptoms, which many attribute to viruses or Windows failures:

• 🔄Laptop HP ProBook or HP Envy requires pressing F1 or F2 when loading with the inscription CMOS Date/Time Not Set.
• 🔧 Boot settings are reset in the BIOS (for example, the priority of SSD instead of HDD disappears).
• 🖥️ A message appears on the screen System Battery Voltage Low (typical for models with UEFI).
• 🔌 The laptop randomly turns off when working from the network, although the charger is connected (less common, but occurs in HP Spectre).

If any of these signs appear, check the battery voltage with a multimeter. Norm for CR2032 (most common type) - 3.0–3.3 V. Readings below 2.8 V means that it is time to change the element.

⚠️ Attention: On laptops HP ZBook and some EliteBook the battery can be soldered to the board. Trying to pull it out without a soldering iron will lead to broken contacts!

Which battery to buy: types and analogues for HP

In 80% of laptops HP uses a standard lithium battery CR2032 (3 V, 220 mAh). However, in some models there are other options:

Laptop model	Battery type	Analogues	Notes
HP Pavilion 15, HP 250 G7	CR2032	DL2032, ECR2032	Easily accessible, mounted in a holder
HP EliteBook 840 G5, HP ProBook 450 G6	CR2032 (soldered)	ML2032 (with output)	Soldering iron or adapter required
HP Omen 15, HP Victus	CR1220	DL1220, BR1220	Smaller diameter, check polarity!
HP Spectre x360	ML1220 (with wires)	—	Replacement only at a service center

Where to buy? Electronics stores (eg. Citylink, M-video) or on AliExpress (look for the lot marked "for laptop CMOS"). Cost - from 50 to 200 rubles. Please note production date: lithium cells lose up to 20% of their charge after 5 years of storage!

Replacement tools: what you need

Minimum set:

• 🔧 Plastic spatula (or a pick) - to pry off the case latches.
• ⚡ Phillips screwdriver (PH0 or PH1) - for screws on the bottom.
• 🔍 Magnifying glass or flashlight — the battery can be hidden under cables.
• 🧲 Magnetic mat (or box) - so as not to lose the screws.

For difficult cases (soldered battery):

• 🔥 Soldering iron (power up to 30 W) + solder.
• 🧵 Braid for removing solder.
• 📏 Multimeter (voltage check after replacement).

⚠️ Attention: If you have HP EliteBook 1040 G4 or newer, to remove the back cover you will need special star wrench (Torx T5). Without it, you'll break the screws!

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

The process differs depending on the model. Below is a universal algorithm + nuances for popular TV series.

1. Turn off the power and remove the battery

Turn off the laptop, unplug the charger and remove the main battery (if it is removable). U HP EliteBook And ProBook Often there are built-in batteries - in this case, simply disconnect the power cable from the motherboard (usually it is under the black insulating tape).

2. Remove the back cover

Turn the laptop over and remove all the screws on the bottom. U HP Pavilion And HP 15 The cover can be easily removed - use a plastic spatula to pry it off from the corner where the battery is located (usually under the inscription "CMOS"). U EliteBook you will have to remove the keyboard:

1. Pry the latches over F1–F12 (be careful, they are fragile!).
2. Disconnect the keyboard cable (the connector is usually white).
3. Lift the keyboard - the battery will be under the metal screen.

Turned off the charging and removed the battery |

I photographed the location of the cables|

Prepared tools (screwdriver, spatula) |

Checked the battery type (CR2032/other) -->

3. Remove the old battery

Option A: If the battery is in the holder, gently press the latch on the side and push it out.

Option B: If soldered - don't pull! Heat the contacts with a soldering iron and remove the braided solder. The new battery is soldered with correct polarity (+ And −marked on the board).

In laptops HP Omen 16 And Victus the battery can be hidden under the radiator. In this case:

1. Unscrew the 4 screws securing the cooler.
2. Disconnect the fan from the board (the connector is usually black).
3. The battery will be under the metal plate - remove it.

4. Install a new battery

Check polarity! There are marks on the board and battery + And −. If you mix it up, the laptop will not turn on (and in the worst case, the power controller will burn out). After installation:

• Connect the cables in reverse order.
• Tighten the screws (do not overtighten!).
• Connect the battery and charger.

5. Set up BIOS after replacement

When you turn it on for the first time:

1. Go to BIOS (button F10 or Esc → F10 when loading).
2. Reset settings to factory defaults (Load Default Settings).
3. Set the correct date/time.
4. Save changes (F10 → Yes).

Replacement features in popular HP models

Each series has its own "tricks". Here's what you need to know:

HP Pavilion 15 And HP 255 G8

The battery is located under bay for SSD. To get to it:

1. Unscrew 1 screw on the bottom (under the rubber foot).
2. Slide the compartment cover to the side.
3. The battery will be to the right of the M.2 slot - it is held in place by a plastic retainer.

HP EliteBook 840/850 G5–G8

There's a battery here soldered to the board and covered with a metal screen. Alternative replacement method without soldering:

How to replace the battery in EliteBook without a soldering iron?

1. Buy an adapter for a CR2032 battery with wires (for example, on AliExpress, search for “CMOS battery holder”).

2. Solder the adapter to the contacts on the board (or glue it with hot glue if you don’t know how to solder).

3. Insert the CR2032 battery into the holder. This method preserves the warranty since the original battery remains in place (simply disconnected).

HP Omen 15/16 And HP Victus

The battery is hidden under left cooler. To get it:

1. Remove the back cover (12 screws).
2. Disconnect the fan cable.
3. Unscrew the 4 radiator mounting screws.
4. The battery will be under the metal plate - carefully remove it with a screwdriver.

These models often use a battery CR1220 (thinner than CR2032). Don't get confused!

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced users make mistakes. Here are the top 5 mistakes and their consequences:

• 🔋 Wrong polarity → The laptop does not turn on, the power controller may burn out.
• 🔧 Lost screws → Body play, damage to cables.
• 🔥 Overheating when soldering → The tracks on the board are peeling off.
• 🖥️ Unreset BIOS settings → Hardware conflicts, loading errors.
• 🧲 Magnetic interference → If you use a non-insulated screwdriver, you may damage the hard drive.

How to minimize risks?

• Use antistatic wrist strap (or at least touch the radiator before work).
• Do not use force when removing the cover - if it does not budge, look for hidden latches.
• After replacement, check the voltage with a multimeter (should be 3.0–3.3 V).

⚠️ Attention: In laptops HP Spectre x360 (2020+) the battery is integrated into the board and cannot be replaced. When it is discharged, the entire motherboard must be replaced!

What to do if the replacement did not help?

If problems persist after installing a new battery, check:

1. Contacts on the board - may have oxidized or rotted. Clean them with alcohol and cotton wool.
2. Loops — if during disassembly you hit the keyboard or touchpad connector, the laptop may not see the input device.
3. BIOS version - on some HP EliteBook Old firmware conflicts with the new battery. Update BIOS from the official website HP.
4. Date/Time Settings in Windows - sometimes crashes due to service failure Windows Time. Launch Command Prompt as administrator and enter:

   w32tm /register
   net start w32time

If the laptop does not turn on at all:

• Check to see if the power cable is disconnected from the motherboard.
• Connect the charger and try turning it on without the battery.
• If the board has a power indicator (usually green/orange LED), but it does not light up, the problem is in the power supply or motherboard.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions

How long does the BIOS battery last in an HP laptop?

Service life - 5–10 years, but depends on:

• Item qualities (original Panasonic or Maxell live longer no-name).
• Operating conditions (at high temperatures the discharge accelerates).
• Frequency of use of the laptop (if it sits without power for months, the battery runs out faster).

In gaming laptops (HP Omen) the battery drains faster due to the high power consumption of the board.

Is it possible to replace the battery without disassembling the laptop?

No. Unlike desktop PCs, where the battery is located on the motherboard and is accessible without disassembly, in laptops HP it is always hidden under the case or keyboard. The exception is models with service hatch (For example, HP ProBook 440 G8), but even there you need to remove the cover.

If you are afraid to disassemble it yourself, contact the service. Cost of replacement in the workshop - 500–1500 rubles (depending on model).

What happens if you don't change a dead battery?

The consequences increase gradually:

1. The time/date is reset (not critical, but annoying).
2. The BIOS is reset to factory settings (boot priority from the SSD may disappear).
3. Loading errors occur (CMOS checksum error, System Battery Voltage Low).
4. The laptop stops turning on (in rare cases due to the power controller being completely discharged).

On HP EliteBook And ZBook A dead battery may block access to settings TPM (security module), which will interfere with work with BitLocker or corporate systems.

How to check a battery without a multimeter?

Methods:

• Visually: if the battery is swollen or leaking, definitely change it.
• Via BIOS: on some models (HP ProBook 650 G8) there is a point System Battery Voltage - if the value is lower 3.0 V, the element is discharged.
• Programmatically: On Windows, launch Command Prompt and type:

  powercfg /batteryreport

  Open the generated report (battery-report.html) and find the section Recent Usage. If battery life drops sharply, the CMOS battery may be to blame (but more often the main battery).

Where is the battery located in the HP Pavilion Gaming 15?

In this model it is hidden under left cooler. Access algorithm:

1. Remove the back cover (11 screws).
2. Disconnect the fan cable (black connector).
3. Unscrew the 4 radiator mounting screws.
4. Lift the radiator - the battery will be under the metal plate (type CR2032).

Be careful: in this model, the keyboard cable runs close to the battery - do not catch it!