A laptop battery has a lifespan of around 2 to 3 years. That roughly corresponds to 3,000 charge cycles. Once this limit is reached, the battery stops holding a charge. You then have to keep your laptop plugged into the mains all the time for it to work.
Various issues – overheating, power surges or incorrect use – can speed up battery wear. In all cases, it’s important to recognise a failing battery so you can replace it in time.
How do you recognise a dead battery?
Spotting the physical signs
Here are the main signs that the battery in an Asus laptop is failing:
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The battery has completely lost its runtime and the laptop only works when plugged into the mains.
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The battery charges, but its runtime drops very quickly once you unplug the charger.
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The battery icon at the bottom right of the screen shows a red cross.
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The laptop will not power on at all when the AC adaptor is unplugged.
Confirming the diagnosis
Be aware that start-up problems with your Asus can also be caused by other faults. To confirm it is really a battery issue, follow these steps:
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Remove the battery, plug the laptop into the mains, then switch it on. If the laptop works, the battery is indeed faulty. If the laptop still doesn’t work, move on to the next test.
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Find another power cable that you know works properly (test it first). Put the battery back in. Plug the laptop in with the other cable. If the machine powers on and the battery charges, then it’s simply a problem with the original power cable.
Anticipating the end of the battery’s life
From around the 18th month of use, the battery in your Asus laptop will start to struggle. You should then buy a brand-new replacement battery with the same specifications as the original. At first, this will act as a backup battery. You will then use it as your main battery once the old one is completely dead.
There are also software tools that, once installed on your laptop, show you the health of your battery. They will also let you compare your battery’s current capacity with its original capacity.
If the loss of capacity is too great, buying a new battery is the best solution. Here are two examples of useful tools: BatteryViewInfo and HWInfo64.
How do you change the battery in an Asus laptop?
Replacing an Asus battery is fairly straightforward, even if you have no previous experience. Follow the steps below.
Disconnecting the battery
First place the laptop on a clean, clear work surface. Shut it down and unplug it.
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Remove the battery. If it is removable, turn the laptop over and release the battery by sliding back the locking latches that hold it in place.
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If the battery is non-removable, turn the laptop over and remove all the screws on the underside. Take photos as you go so that you don’t forget anything when it’s time to put everything back together.
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Insert a rigid, flat plastic tool (such as a credit card) between the base of the device and the keyboard section.
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Work your way around the laptop with the card to unclip the base from the keyboard section.
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Carefully disconnect the ribbon cable connectors you see before opening up the underside of the device fully.
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You will generally find the battery under the keyboard. It is also connected with ribbon cables that you need to unplug. Then disconnect the battery itself.
Buying a new battery
Read the information printed on the battery. Note down the key details you need to find a model compatible with your Asus laptop: model, capacity in milliamp-hours (mAh), voltage in volts (V), energy in watt-hours (Wh). Go to www.batterylaptop.co.uk to find a powerful and long-lasting replacement battery.
Fitting the battery and reassembling the laptop
Fit your new battery into its slot. Then repeat all the disassembly steps in reverse order to put everything back. Use the photos you took earlier to help you complete the job correctly.
