How to Buy, Replace and Calibrate a Laptop Battery
An Easy Way to Improve Your Laptop's Performance
If your laptop can no longer go two to three hours without needing to be plugged in, then it may be time to replace your laptop battery. Replacing a laptop battery is quite easy, and it is a much cheaper alternative to buying a new laptop.
When our laptop's screen began to flicker, and the laptop would suddenly power off without warning, I was worried that we would have to buy a new laptop. Luckily these issues all stopped after buying, replacing and calibrating our laptop battery.
To replace a laptop battery, first make sure the laptop's power is off. Turn the laptop upside down and look for the battery compartment. There should be a ridged slide to unlock the battery compartment.
Open up the compartment and remove the battery. Look at the writing on the battery to find a model number. The model number will look something like this: HSTNN-LB72.
Do a Google search for your battery's model number. If you were unable to locate a model number, try typing in the name of the computer.
Typically there will be a number of places online that sell your model of battery. Find a source you trust, and purchase the battery. My battery was available at a number of stores for $25-$45. Be sure to add in the cost of shipping when figuring out the best deal.
When the battery arrives, make sure the laptop's power is off, slide the battery compartment open, and insert the new battery. If the laptop battery came with instructions, follow the instructions for charging the battery. Otherwise charge the battery for 2-5 hours or until the laptop indicates the battery is fully charged.
Some battery manufacturers recommend calibrating your new laptop battery before using it.
To calibrate a battery, you should first turn off your screensaver. Then go to your power management settings and turn off any power saving settings that would put your computer to sleep. Disconnect the power adapter and run the computer using only the battery until the computer dies. Reconnect the power adapter and charge the battery to 100%. Do this process 3-4 times to optimize the battery's performance.
Calibrating the battery can also be good for older batteries that have "forgotten" how to hold a charge. You may find you don't even need to buy a new battery after calibrating an older battery.
When our laptop's screen began to flicker, and the laptop would suddenly power off without warning, I was worried that we would have to buy a new laptop. Luckily these issues all stopped after buying, replacing and calibrating our laptop battery.
To replace a laptop battery, first make sure the laptop's power is off. Turn the laptop upside down and look for the battery compartment. There should be a ridged slide to unlock the battery compartment.
Open up the compartment and remove the battery. Look at the writing on the battery to find a model number. The model number will look something like this: HSTNN-LB72.
Do a Google search for your battery's model number. If you were unable to locate a model number, try typing in the name of the computer.
Typically there will be a number of places online that sell your model of battery. Find a source you trust, and purchase the battery. My battery was available at a number of stores for $25-$45. Be sure to add in the cost of shipping when figuring out the best deal.
When the battery arrives, make sure the laptop's power is off, slide the battery compartment open, and insert the new battery. If the laptop battery came with instructions, follow the instructions for charging the battery. Otherwise charge the battery for 2-5 hours or until the laptop indicates the battery is fully charged.
Some battery manufacturers recommend calibrating your new laptop battery before using it.
To calibrate a battery, you should first turn off your screensaver. Then go to your power management settings and turn off any power saving settings that would put your computer to sleep. Disconnect the power adapter and run the computer using only the battery until the computer dies. Reconnect the power adapter and charge the battery to 100%. Do this process 3-4 times to optimize the battery's performance.
Calibrating the battery can also be good for older batteries that have "forgotten" how to hold a charge. You may find you don't even need to buy a new battery after calibrating an older battery.
Published by Julie Lind
Julie Lind is a piano teacher, mother, composer and a writer. View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentGreat info! I didn't realize that calibrating more than once would be a good idea. Thanks!
Helpful information and I hope I never have to do this.