Macbook Pro 2017 15" - Swollen battery

[harshw]

My 15" tMBP 2017 has a grossly swollen battery:



I guess this must have been happening over the past few months, since I remember this lid wasn't closing properly. Thanks to the lockdown, the laptop is in clamshell mode all the time the past few months, but I don't game on it or do any heavy usage - nor do I ever remember it overheating etc.

Has anyone experienced this with the 2017 models? Luckily I have AppleCare extended so will be taking it to an authorized AppleCare service provider. Hopefully Apple comes through and replaces this - just worried that - again, thanks to the lockdown, any repairs might take a long time.

 

[whg]

My 15" 2017 MBP just got a new battery (and top case etc.) this week. The local Apple store in Basel opened Tuesday and I had a Genius reservation the same day. I could pick up the repaired MBP on Friday. Repair was free even without Apple care. The same was true for my 15" 2015 MBP last year. It seems that swollen batteries replacements are free of charge where I live (Basel, Switzerland).

 

[Fishrrman]

You could call Apple and request that they send you a shipping box to return it to them for repair (this is sent at no charge to you).

The turnaround is usually pretty quick
I wouldn't wait, I'd make this request right away.

Also... you wrote:
"Thanks to the lockdown, the laptop is in clamshell mode all the time the past few months"

I'll reckon that this had something to do with the battery malfunctioning.
It's not a good idea to leave it plugged in on the charger all the time.
It should be taken "off charge" 2-3 times a week, and the battery should be used until it drops down around 40-35% or so. Then put it back on the charger.

 

[yukari]

My 15" tMBP 2017 has a grossly swollen battery:

View attachment 915861

I guess this must have been happening over the past few months, since I remember this lid wasn't closing properly. Thanks to the lockdown, the laptop is in clamshell mode all the time the past few months, but I don't game on it or do any heavy usage - nor do I ever remember it overheating etc.

Has anyone experienced this with the 2017 models? Luckily I have AppleCare extended so will be taking it to an authorized AppleCare service provider. Hopefully Apple comes through and replaces this - just worried that - again, thanks to the lockdown, any repairs might take a long time.

You could call Apple and request that they send you a shipping box to return it to them for repair (this is sent at no charge to you).

The turnaround is usually pretty quick
I wouldn't wait, I'd make this request right away.

Also... you wrote:
"Thanks to the lockdown, the laptop is in clamshell mode all the time the past few months"

I'll reckon that this had something to do with the battery malfunctioning.
It's not a good idea to leave it plugged in on the charger all the time.
It should be taken "off charge" 2-3 times a week, and the battery should be used until it drops down around 40-35% or so. Then put it back on the charger.

My 2018 MBP 15" was plugged in all the time since the COVID-19 lockdown. Yesterday, I noticed the lid was not closing tightly. Contacted Apple Support online and they FedEx'ed a shipping box. Received the box today and sent it in.

Good thing I also had AppleCare+.

I think keeping in plugged in is causing the battery to swell (at least faster?).

 

[Sensamic]

I'm new to this issue.

What is battery swelling? What causes it?

And how can it be prevented?

Is it really bad to have the laptop connected to the charger all the time? I thought that prevented battery degradation, which is also an issue.

How much does it cost to replace a battery on a 13 inch MBP?

 

[harshw]

I'm new to this issue.

What is battery swelling? What causes it?

And how can it be prevented?

Is it really bad to have the laptop connected to the charger all the time? I thought that prevented battery degradation, which is also an issue.

How much does it cost to replace a battery on a 13 inch MBP?

The battery system in the MacBooks, after Catalina 10.15.5 - is now changed to be more like the one in iPhones and iPads. Essentially, it charges the battery to ~ 85%-90% of total capacity. That way the battery isn't 100% charged. For Li-ion batteries, fully charged and fully discharged - are the two states where the battery suffers the most degradation

That's why installing Catalina 10.15.5 is a MUST for extended operation in clamshell mode

You're sacrificing runtime for longevity and since most of our laptops are attached to a power source, 24/7 - runtime is no longer an issue

When the battery gets degraded enough it emits gases which cause the swelling

Replacement batteries - out of warranty - are $199 - $249

In warranty they cost $0

 

[yukari]

...

Replacement batteries - out of warranty - are $199 - $249

In warranty they cost $0

Unfortunately, it's just not the battery that needs replacing when it swells. Often times the top case (keyboard case) also need to be replaced. And in extreme cases, the bottom cover also needs to be replaced. Thus, once the swelling occurs, you are looking at > $500 for repair.

 

[MacZonie]

The battery system in the MacBooks, after Catalina 10.15.5 - is now changed to be more like the one in iPhones and iPads. Essentially, it charges the battery to ~ 85%-90% of total capacity. That way the battery isn't 100% charged. For Li-ion batteries, fully charged and fully discharged - are the two states where the battery suffers the most degradation

That's why installing Catalina 10.15.5 is a MUST for extended operation in clamshell mode

I agree. I learned this the hard way! After my 15.4" 2016 MBP had this occur in 2017 and 2018, about a year apart, it was repaired under warranty both times. I then purchased a 15.4" MBP in 2019, 4 months before the 16" came out and 11 months later, it too had a swollen battery. The battery, top case, logic board and Trackpad were replaced. The MBP's spent most of the time connected to an LG 5k Ultrafine, which powers/charges the MBP. I am glad to see the battery health feature in 10.15.5 and perhaps that will resolve the problem.

 

[hollandog]

same for my 2016 15in. apple wants about $800 for mail in repair.