After your laptop has been charged about 500 times, it’s not uncommon to start to notice your battery just isn’t performing like it used to. If you’re starting to notice even just one of the following five signs that your battery is reaching the end of its life, it’s time to get your battery replaced. 

1) The battery doesn’t hold its charge

Of all the signs that your battery may be reaching the end of its life, a laptop that needs to be charged more frequently than it used to is the most obvious. Depending on the make and model of the device you own, the time it can run before needing to be charged will vary.

The types of programs you run will also influence the amount of time you can get out of the battery before it needs to be charged. If you’ve transitioned from using your laptop for just light web surfing to doing battery-intensive photo and video editing, you’re likely to notice that you need to charge your battery more often. If this is the case, a battery replacement is unlikely to fix the problem; a new device that can handle more intense use may be the better choice. 

2) Laptop is overheating

Have you noticed your laptop feels warm - or even hot - to the touch when you have multiple programs running? This is caused by a battery that is working too hard. Most laptops have fans installed to cool down the battery when it starts to heat. If you notice your laptop is getting hot but can’t hear the fans running, you may just need to replace the fans. However, if your fans are running full speed and the laptop is still hot, your battery may just not be able to cope with the demand of the programs you’re running. 

Although video editing and processing can cause your battery to heat, if you’re starting to notice your laptop feels warm when you’re just browsing the internet, it’s probably time to swap out the old battery for a new one. 

3) Unexpected shutdowns and crashes

There’s nothing more frustrating than a laptop that unexpectedly shuts down while you’re working on an important document you forgot to save. Computer crashes can be caused by several different things, including:

• Corrupted files
• Computer viruses
• Low memory availability
• An overheated battery

If you’re already suspicious about the health of your battery, this likely is to blame for your computer crashing. On the other hand, if you’re not sure whether your battery is failing, it’s a good idea to take your laptop to a computer repair and IT service provider. They have the expertise to pinpoint exactly what is causing the issue and save you the headache of trying to figure it out yourself. 

4) Low battery life warning

Most laptops on the market today have software that can produce a report on the health of your battery. If you have a Mac, you should receive a notification indicating when it is time to take your laptop in for a battery replacement. 

Windows devices may tell you if it’s time to replace the battery, but you can generate a battery health report at any time to get an idea of whether it’s getting close to being time to replace it. Some devices will produce a warning similar to that on a Mac by displaying a red ‘X’ over top of the battery icon in the sidebar.  

5) Long charging time

Depending on the age of your device and the type of battery, the amount of time it takes to charge the battery will vary. However, the total charge time shouldn’t exceed a few hours even for the oldest of laptops. 

A laptop that takes longer than this to charge likely has a battery that can no longer hold a charge. The worst-case scenario is a laptop that won’t hold any charge and needs to be plugged in constantly to remain powered on. If this sounds like your device, it’s way past time to get the battery replaced. 

Contact Computer Troubleshooters for your battery repair today

If you’re experiencing any of the above battery issues, don’t throw away your laptop just yet. For battery replacement in Toowoomba, contact Computer Troubleshooters. 

At Computer Troubleshooters Toowoomba, our professional and experienced staff can diagnose your battery issue and replace it for an affordable price. We also offer a same-day service at no extra cost for those emergency situations. If you’re experiencing multiple issues, simply give us a call or drop in at our Hooper Centre location and we’ll be happy to identify both the problem and the solution.