Laptop Battery Issue - Help?

Tyler · 02-28-2013

So recently this notification came up saying that I should consider replacing my battery. It still charges to 100% and my computer hasn't shut down or anything at random. I'm wondering if I should ignore this warning or replace the battery. I don't really want to buy a new battery unless crucial because I don't want to end up having the same problem and have wasted money purchasing it. Since I see a lot of good computer advice on these forums, I thought some of you would have experience with this issue. Details below:

-I've had this laptop for 2 years.
-Model: Acer Aspire 5736Z
-Possible cause of problem is that I rarely shut it down and just keep it in sleep mode plugged into the charger.

Kiwi · 02-28-2013

We have that exact same type of laptop as the family one, and it recently got the same issue. It's weird though, because after a while that message just goes away and it seems fine. Then it comes back.

Dusty · 02-28-2013

Well, all rechargeable batteries have a lifespan--what happens to them as they get older isn't that they stop charging, it's that they hold a charge for less and less time. For instance on my Acer laptop that I got as a hand-me-down, it can fully charge to 100%... but it will only hold that charge for a whopping 10 minutes or so. If anything, Acer batteries seem like crap in general. They don't last very long and when they die, they die fast.

So what you can do is simply unplug the laptop and see how long it takes before it cuts off. Whether or not you want to replace the battery depends on how much you can tolerate a laptop chained to a wall.

Tyler · 02-28-2013

Posted by Dusty

Well, all rechargeable batteries have a lifespan--what happens to them as they get older isn't that they stop charging, it's that they hold a charge for less and less time. For instance on my Acer laptop that I got as a hand-me-down, it can fully charge to 100%... but it will only hold that charge for a whopping 10 minutes or so. If anything, Acer batteries seem like crap in general. They don't last very long and when they die, they die fast.

So what you can do is simply unplug the laptop and see how long it takes before it cuts off. Whether or not you want to replace the battery depends on how much you can tolerate a laptop chained to a wall.

I don't mind it being plugged in all the time. I do agree these computers have issues. I can't restart it because it will start ventilating really loud so I have to shut it down each time I need to reset my computer. The clicker is messed up and now this. I need a new computer, but I just have no money. Thanks for the info though! I'll just have it plugged in and keep an eye on it for awhile.

princess becca · 02-28-2013

how many hours a day do you have your laptop charging?

Admiral · 02-28-2013

If you keep your laptop charged it will overheat the battery and damage it.

How long does the battery last without the charger plugged in? From my own experience of keeping past laptops on charge, the battery would only last roughly an hour at 100%, if not less.

I don't think it's worth changing the battery unless you still have a warranty for that laptop.. you just have to keep it in charge and turn the laptop off every once in a while.

Dusty · 02-28-2013

Posted by Reece

If you keep your laptop charged it will overheat the battery and damage it.

How long does the battery last without the charger plugged in? From my own experience of keeping past laptops on charge, the battery would only last roughly an hour at 100%, if not less.

I don't think it's worth changing the battery unless you still have a warranty for that laptop.. you just have to keep it in charge and turn the laptop off every once in a while.

This is something I can't get a straight answer to. Some people say it's fine, and back it up with battery knowledge... and that batteries are smart and have ways to prevent it from being damaged... and others say it's a bad thing and that it cause a swift death to your battery.

To be safe, I will say don't plug in a laptop unless it needs to be charged, and unplug it when it's done. Not just because of the battery, but because the weight of the adapter can lead to stress on the connector to the motherboard, which can lead to shorts and not being able to plug in the laptop at all. This is, of course if you have a functional battery. If you have a dead battery like mines, unplug the adapter from the laptop when the laptop is not in use.

Also, I'm pretty sure most laptop warranties do not cover batteries past a couple of months. Surprise.

DragonRider · 03-01-2013

Posted by Dusty

If anything, Acer batteries seem like crap in general. They don't last very long and when they die, they die fast.

As an Acer user, I can vouch for this.

Jester Lapse · 03-01-2013

If you don't mind the laptop HAVING to be charging every time you use it and don't use it as a portable device, then you probably wont need to worry as much.

princess becca · 03-01-2013

dont plugin you laptop whenever it doesnt have a full battery

hosler · 03-01-2013

Can also be an OS issue. The OS will record battery stats, and when you plug it in and out a lot, some battery info becomes incorrect. Best way to fix this is to let your battery discharge all the way. Then charge it up to max. Then unplug and re-plug in the charger. You might be able to get it to charge a little more. Again, this only works if it's a software thing.

Rexx · 03-01-2013

Posted by Dusty

Well, all rechargeable batteries have a lifespan--what happens to them as they get older isn't that they stop charging, it's that they hold a charge for less and less time. For instance on my Acer laptop that I got as a hand-me-down, it can fully charge to 100%... but it will only hold that charge for a whopping 10 minutes or so. If anything, Acer batteries seem like crap in general. They don't last very long and when they die, they die fast.

So what you can do is simply unplug the laptop and see how long it takes before it cuts off. Whether or not you want to replace the battery depends on how much you can tolerate a laptop chained to a wall.

Acers are crap in general.
Cheap Taiwanese manufacturing, buy Asus for quality.

princess becca · 03-01-2013

sir have you tried turning it on and off again?

Tyler · 03-01-2013

Posted by princess becca

how many hours a day do you have your laptop charging?

Posted by Reece

If you keep your laptop charged it will overheat the battery and damage it.

How long does the battery last without the charger plugged in?.

Every time I use it I have it plugged in and charging. I wasn't aware the battery would be damaged leaving it charged. It is charging for a large majority of the day whether it's in sleep mode or open. I leave my charger in because I tend to forget to plug it back in when it gets low on battery.

DragonRider · 03-02-2013

Posted by Tyler

Every time I use it I have it plugged in and charging. I wasn't aware the battery would be damaged leaving it charged. It is charging for a large majority of the day whether it's in sleep mode or open. I leave my charger in because I tend to forget to plug it back in when it gets low on battery.

It's like AFKing on the iPod, it degrades your battery over time.

02-28-2013	1
Tyler Dark Desert Fox Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: United States, Ohio Posts: 5,720	Laptop Battery Issue - Help? So recently this notification came up saying that I should consider replacing my battery. It still charges to 100% and my computer hasn't shut down or anything at random. I'm wondering if I should ignore this warning or replace the battery. I don't really want to buy a new battery unless crucial because I don't want to end up having the same problem and have wasted money purchasing it. Since I see a lot of good computer advice on these forums, I thought some of you would have experience with this issue. Details below: -I've had this laptop for 2 years. -Model: Acer Aspire 5736Z -Possible cause of problem is that I rarely shut it down and just keep it in sleep mode plugged into the charger.

02-28-2013	2
Kiwi Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,956	We have that exact same type of laptop as the family one, and it recently got the same issue. It's weird though, because after a while that message just goes away and it seems fine. Then it comes back.

02-28-2013	3
Dusty Should be fixed. Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 6,359	Well, all rechargeable batteries have a lifespan--what happens to them as they get older isn't that they stop charging, it's that they hold a charge for less and less time. For instance on my Acer laptop that I got as a hand-me-down, it can fully charge to 100%... but it will only hold that charge for a whopping 10 minutes or so. If anything, Acer batteries seem like crap in general. They don't last very long and when they die, they die fast. So what you can do is simply unplug the laptop and see how long it takes before it cuts off. Whether or not you want to replace the battery depends on how much you can tolerate a laptop chained to a wall.

02-28-2013	5
princess becca I'm moon now (she/they) Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: literally in the middle of nowhere Posts: 1,511	how many hours a day do you have your laptop charging?

02-28-2013	6
Admiral Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 2,911	If you keep your laptop charged it will overheat the battery and damage it. How long does the battery last without the charger plugged in? From my own experience of keeping past laptops on charge, the battery would only last roughly an hour at 100%, if not less. I don't think it's worth changing the battery unless you still have a warranty for that laptop.. you just have to keep it in charge and turn the laptop off every once in a while.

03-01-2013	9
Jester Lapse zzz Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: WA USA Posts: 9,232	If you don't mind the laptop HAVING to be charging every time you use it and don't use it as a portable device, then you probably wont need to worry as much.

03-01-2013	11
hosler Banned Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,059	Can also be an OS issue. The OS will record battery stats, and when you plug it in and out a lot, some battery info becomes incorrect. Best way to fix this is to let your battery discharge all the way. Then charge it up to max. Then unplug and re-plug in the charger. You might be able to get it to charge a little more. Again, this only works if it's a software thing.