Should I remove the laptop battery if always plugged in?

Do you keep your laptop plugged in all the time? You may have heard that you should take out the battery to make it last longer. Let’s find out if that’s true!

Quick Answer

No, you do not need to remove your laptop battery when always plugged in. Modern laptops have smart systems that stop charging at 100% to protect your battery.
Taking the battery out may help with:

• Very old laptops that run hot
• Laptops with swappable batteries that don’t have good charge control
• Long-term storage (more than 6 months)

How Modern Laptop Batteries Work

Laptops use lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are smart! They don’t have the “memory effect” that old batteries had.
Charge controllers inside your laptop do important jobs:

• Stop charging at 100%
• Control heat
• Protect the battery
  When your laptop stays plugged in, the battery voltage is carefully managed. The power mostly runs from the wall, not the battery.

Risks of Leaving Your Laptop Plugged In

While modern laptops are smart, some risks still exist:

When Removing the Battery Might Help

Taking out your battery could help in these cases:

• Old laptops (made before 2015) without good charge management
• Laptops that get very hot during heavy gaming or video editing
• When storing a laptop for months without use
• If your battery is already swollen or damaged
  An or other laptop with easily removable battery may benefit more than sealed-battery models.

Better Alternatives to Removing the Battery

Instead of taking out the battery, try these better options:

1. Use charge-limiting software:
   • Windows: Battery Threshold Management (caps at 80%)
   • MacOS: Battery Health Management
   • Lenovo ThinkPad users: Vantage or Commercial Vantage tool
   • ASUS: MyASUS app with battery health options
2. Keep your laptop cool:
   • Use a cooling pad
   • Clean air vents regularly
   • Keep on hard surfaces (not blankets)
3. Partial discharge cycles:
   • Let battery go down to 20-30% sometimes
   • This helps keep the battery gauge accurate

What Manufacturers Say

Big laptop makers have clear advice:

• Dell and HP: Use software settings instead of removing the battery
• Apple: Modern MacBooks manage battery life through software
• Lenovo: ThinkPad users should use Conservation Mode
• ASUS: Battery Health Charging limits charge to 60-80%
  Safety note: Never try to remove non-removable batteries! This can cause:
• Fire risk
• Damage to your laptop
• Loss of warranty

How to Safely Store a Removed Battery

If you do remove your laptop battery for storage:

1. Charge it to 40-60% first (not full, not empty)
2. Keep it in a cool, dry place (room temperature is best)
3. Check and recharge it to 40-60% every 3-6 months
4. Store away from metal objects

Key Facts About Batteries When Plugged In

Here’s what research tells us about always-plugged-in laptops:

Questions People Ask

Final Verdict

Keep the battery in your laptop even when always plugged in. Use software tools to limit charging to 80% for best life. Only remove the battery if:

1. Your laptop has easy battery removal
2. It runs very hot during use
3. You’ll store it unused for many months
4. The battery is damaged
   For gaming laptops that get very hot, battery removal might help if heat is extreme. Otherwise, good cooling and charge limits work better.
   Remember: A battery that stays too hot or always at 100% charge will age faster. Keep it cool and use smart charging settings for best results!