HP Notebook PCs - Lithium-ion batteries
Over the years, HP has used a wide variety of battery technologies to power its portfolio of consumer and commercial notebook computers. Today, lithium-ion polymer batteries are the battery of choice for HP to provide you with the best experience.
Benefits of lithium-ion polymer batteries
Lithium-ion polymer batteries have a high energy density, meaning that they can provide much power in a small package, enabling thinner and lighter notebooks. The soft outer casing means that lithium-ion polymer batteries are lighter in weight and can conform to different shapes and sizes.
Aging process in lithium-ion batteries
As with all batteries, lithium-ion polymer batteries are consumable and chemically degrade over time, eventually needing to be replaced.
As lithium-ion batteries age, a small amount of gas is generated within the battery cell, leading to swelling. Battery swelling is inherent in lithium-ion battery technology and, in most cases, is minimal over the life of the battery. While a measured amount of battery degradation and swelling over time is normal, there are specific factors that can accelerate this process. This acceleration can result in the battery swelling to the point that it impacts or deforms the notebook chassis and the battery needs to be replaced.
Factors that can accelerate aging
There are multiple factors that can accelerate the chemical aging of lithium-ion batteries, which can result in accelerated battery swelling over time.
Two primary factors that can accelerate this process include the following:
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Leaving the notebook plugged into AC power (high state-of-charge): One of the primary factors that can accelerate notebook battery degradation is keeping the notebook plugged into AC power over a long period of time. This creates a condition where the notebook battery is consistently in a high state-of-charge, which causes additional stress on the battery. A battery is considered to be in a high state-of-charge when the charge capacity is between 90%–100% and the notebook is plugged into AC power.
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Long-term exposure to elevated temperatures: Exposure to elevated temperatures is detrimental for any battery, including lithium-ion polymer batteries. Long-term exposure to elevated temperatures creates additional stress on lithium-ion polymer batteries and can accelerate the chemical aging process. It is important to keep your notebook cool by ensuring that the vents are kept clear and that the notebook is operating on a hard, flat surface.
To learn more about battery swelling in lithium-ion batteries, go to HP Notebook PCs - Swelling or deformation of notebook battery.
Note:To protect your hardware from potential damage, if you experience battery swelling, you discontinue use of the notebook until the battery can be replaced.
Minimize battery swelling
There are multiple factors that can accelerate battery swelling. To help mitigate battery swelling over time, HP has implemented HP Adaptive Battery Optimizer on select consumer and gaming notebooks and HP Battery Health Manager on select commercial notebooks.
HP Adaptive Battery Optimizer (OMEN by HP, HP Spectre, HP ENVY, and HP Pavilion only)
Available on select gaming notebooks since 2019 and select consumer notebooks since 2020, HP Adaptive Battery Optimizer technology can help mitigate those factors that can accelerate battery swelling.
To learn more about how to enable HP Adaptive Battery Optimizer, go to Introducing Adaptive Battery Optimizer, Designed to Prolong Battery Lifespan.
HP Battery Health Manager (commercial notebooks only)
Available on select commercial notebooks from 2016 to the present, HP Battery Health Manager provides an easy-to-manage solution to help mitigate factors that can accelerate battery swelling in your business computers.
To learn more about HP Battery Health Manager, go to HP Business Notebook PCs - HP Battery Health Manager.
To download the HP Battery Health Manager SoftPaq, locate the BIOS update for your computer that includes the SoftPaq. For more information, go to HP Business Notebooks, Mobile Workstations, and Mobile Thin Clients - HP Introduces HP Battery Health Manager To Help Optimize Battery Health.
Improve battery performance
Learn how to get the most from your HP notebook battery by following these industry-wide recommended best practices.
For more information, go to HP Notebook PCs - Improving battery performance (Windows).
Battery test and calibration
The notebook battery is designed to calibrate on its own over time with normal usage of the notebook, to provide a more accurate reading as the system completes multiple charge and discharge cycles.
To learn more about how to test and manually calibrate your notebook battery, go to HP Notebook PCs - Testing and calibrating the battery (Windows).
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