How to look after the battery of a laptop?

Laptops have been superseding desktop computers, both for domestic and professional use, since they offer versatility to travel and use them in different spaces, from our office to the sofa in the living room. Part of their appeal comes from being able to use them without mains power, something that depends on their battery's charge and life.

This entails keeping your battery in good condition: for your laptop to work at full capacity from anywhere in your home or office, you must look after your battery, minimising and delaying its degradation.

10 keys to keeping your laptop battery in good condition

Move your battery away from heat

Heat degrades your battery significantly, so never leave your computer near devices that emit heat, or in the sun. If you notice that it overheats while charging, stop charging and resume when the battery has cooled down.

You can use cooling pads. These are devices with a fan that airs and cools the computer base, powered from the computer through a USB connection.

Some people recommend placing the battery in the freezer to lower its temperature or optimise its charge. However, in addition to not being effective, these tips can pose a danger and leave our battery totally useless.

Keep your battery between 20% and 80% charge

Fully charging your battery and letting it go down to 0% places it under extreme stress that accelerates its degradation. Ideally, do not charge it above 80% and do not use it at less than 20% since your battery must make an extra effort to continue at full capacity with the minimum energy.

Prioritise working with the computer plugged in

You will avoid exhausting your battery, which always results in some wear and shortens its useful life. Always try to have it connected to the mains while you are using the computer. If the battery can be removed, remove it.

Your laptop allows you to select how it works connected to the mains, optimising battery charge to 60%. If you plan to work in spaces with no power connection, you can choose the option that optimises the charge to 100%. With a little foresight, you can make the most of your laptop while avoiding battery degradation.

Don't play with the computer plugged in

Computer games require a lot of energy, so it is recommended to connecting directly to the mains, using the plug on your computer. If you rely on your battery to play, you are subjecting it to unnecessary stress and overheating, shortening its useful life.

The same applies to large programs, such as video players or graphic and audiovisual editors.

Don't leave your battery unused for a long period of time

It is not recommended to keep the battery idle for a long time, as it can be damaged and have its performance impaired. It is advisable to use it with some frequency to prolong its useful life (at least once a month).

We also recommend storing it in a cold and dry place, away from children and pets. Avoid knocks, so if you are going to carry it, you can protect it with a cover.

Don't keep disconnecting the laptop while charging

There is a false belief that, while charging a laptop, you need to unplug it from the mains and plug it back in to optimise charging or avoid overheating. This is completely false. In fact, it is harmful to the battery, as it accelerates its degradation. At present, except for very specific situations, charging your laptop battery can be done safely and efficiently without interruptions.

Calibrate your battery periodically

There is a method to calibrate the battery of your electrical appliances, but you must make sure that there are no specific contraindications before using it.

To optimise your battery, charge the battery on your laptop to 100%. Leave it charging for at least a couple of hours. Disconnect it from the mains and use it until you completely drain its battery. Keep it turned off for about six hours and recharge it to 100%. You will get your battery to recalibrate and find out whether it has lost life.

If you detect damage or abnormalities in your battery, discard it

If your battery swells, you must try to remove it, but without forcing it. If this is not possible, contact your technical support. And you will have to replace it whenever the battery is damaged. Go to a green appliances collection point.

Check your charging cycles

Depending on your computer's operating system, you will be able to check information about your battery and its charging cycles. You can check it against the manufacturer's features: if you notice a loss in performance, it's time to consider changing your battery.

Always use manufacturer-approved batteries and chargers

If you need to replace the battery or charging cable, you should always rely on models compatible with your computer and manufactured by the same brand. Failing that, you can use products authorised by your manufacturer. Failure to use original or authorised batteries and chargers can cause serious damage to your laptop.